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Experiencing Christ vs. Enjoying Christ

"For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body... and have all been made to drink into one Spirit" (1 Cor. 12:13)

Aspect

Experiencing Christ

Enjoying Christ

Primary Realm

In spirit

 (Phil. 1:27 "...stand firm in one spirit")

In soul

 (Phil. 2:2 "...make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit")

Types

- Manna in wilderness (Ex. 16:14-15)

- Water from struck rock (Ex. 17:6)

- Bronze serpent (Num. 21:9)

- Good fruit of Canaan (Deut. 8:8)

- Land flowing with milk and honey (Ex. 3:8)

- Land of rest (Deut. 12:9)

Significance

- Christ as life (Col. 3:4 "Christ who is our life")

- Living out Christ (Gal. 2:20 "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me")

- Christ as satisfaction (Ps. 36:8 "They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Your house")

- Tasting Christ's sweetness (Ps. 34:8 "Taste and see that the Lord is good")

Characteristics

- Union with the Lord in spirit (1 Cor. 6:17 "He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit")

- Living in the mingled spirit (Rom. 8:16)

- Enjoying the Lord in soul (Ps. 63:5)

- Renewal of mind (Rom. 12:2)

Distinctions

- Can experience Christ in suffering (2 Cor. 4:7-10)

- Exercise spirit to contact the Lord (1 Tim. 4:7)

- Requires soul healing (Ps. 23:3)

- Requires mind renewal (Eph. 4:23)

Illustration

- Like Paul experiencing Christ in prison (Phil. 1:20-21)

- Counting all things loss (Phil. 3:7-8)

- Like David resting in green pastures (Ps. 23:2)

- Like Mary sitting at Jesus' feet (Luke 10:39)

Examples

- Paul knowing the secret in all circumstances (Phil. 4:11-13)

- Stephen's martyrdom experience (Acts 7:55-56)

- Psalmist enjoying God's presence (Ps. 16:11)

- Bride enjoying the Beloved (Song 2:3)

Application

- Deny self (Matt. 16:24)

- Walk according to spirit (Rom. 8:4)

- Pray in everything (Phil. 4:6-7)

- Set mind on spirit (Rom. 8:6)

- Praise and thank (Ps. 100:4)

- Meditate on Word (Ps. 119:15)

Key Verses

- "That I may know Him..." (Phil. 3:10)

- "Christ lives in me" (Gal. 2:20)

- "Stand firm in one spirit" (Phil. 1:27)

- "For to me to live is Christ" (Phil. 1:21)

- "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Ps. 34:8)

- "Make my joy complete" (Phil. 2:2)

- "Rejoice in the Lord" (Phil. 4:4)

- "Bless the Lord, O my soul" (Ps. 103:1)

Relationship

Biblical testimony of their unity:

1. "I count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord" (Phil. 3:8)

2. "That your joy may be full" (John 15:11)

3. "Joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Pet. 1:8)

 

Additional Notes:

  1. Balance of Experience and Enjoyment:
    • * "Your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless" (1 Thess. 5:23)
    • * "Worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24)
    •  
  2. Path to Deepening:
    • * "To be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Rom. 8:6)
    • * "In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving" (Phil. 4:6)
    •  
  3. Complete Experience:
    • * "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight" (Ps. 19:14)
    • * "Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart" (Jer. 15:16)

 

*Please refer to the 2024 International Thanksgiving Conference  'Living the Christian Life and Church Life under God's Government for God's Economy'  Chapter 4 Becoming a Replica of Christ and Experiencing Christ as the Shepherd of Our Soul

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    極大的奧秘 - 基督與教會

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