The Christian Faith Podcast

“Spirit and Soul and Body” (4)

To live a fruitful Christian life we need a basic realization, first, that we have a human spirit within us, and second, of the proper function of our human spirit; how crucial it is for us to see this!So, we begin this episode by considering some basic principles that can help us appreciate our human spirit, and how God desires to impart Himself as life into us, that is, into our human spirit. We then go on to look at several New Testament verses that show us the proper function of our human spirit within us as we live our Christian life.
===========
OUR WEBSITETheChristianFaith.org
SUBSCRIBETheChristianFaith.org/subscribe
SEND US A NOTEnotes@thechristianfaith.org
FOLLOW US ON…
Facebook YouTubeTwitter / X
===========          
Bible Verses for this Episode
See  Episode #113: “Spirit and Soul and Body” (4)
===========
RESOURCES
WebsiteGodsEternalPurpose.org
A Book by the HostDownload the Complete PDF from this page of our website:Lawlessness, the Left, & the AntichristPurchase a Printed Copy on Amazon:Lawlessness, the Left, & the AntichristA Book By Witness LeePaperback Edition: Our Human Spirit A Book By Watchman NeePaperback Edition:  The Breaking of the Outer Man and the Release of the Spirit A Book By Mary E. McDonoughPaperback Edition:  God's Plan of Redemption
The Standard Version of the New Testament
Go to the website: TheStandardVersion.orgPurchase the Paperback Edition on Amazon: The Standard Version of the New Testament
===========
Recorded…
in Chicago, Illinois on Monday, 11 November 2024.

“Spirit and Soul and Body” (3)

If we desire to grasp the New Testament concept of salvation, in the sense of how we are being transformed into the image or Christ, we must realize we are three-part beings (1 Thes. 5:23, Heb. 4:12). Only then can we truly understand the apostle Paul’s meaning when he tells us,Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is being consumed, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day; for our momentary, light tribulation is working out for us, in a more and more surpassing way, an eternal weight of glory.— 2 Corinthians 4:16-17
===========
OUR WEBSITETheChristianFaith.org
SUBSCRIBETheChristianFaith.org/subscribe
SEND US A NOTEnotes@thechristianfaith.org
FOLLOW US ON…
Facebook
YouTube
Twitter / X
===========
Bible Verses for this Episode
See  Episode #112: “Spirit and Soul and Body” (3)
===========
RESOURCES
Brief Note“Transformed by Beholding” (1)WebsiteGodsEternalPurpose.orgHymn: "First the Blood and then the Ointment"A Book By Watchman NeePaperback Edition:  The Breaking of the Outer Man and the Release of the Spirit A Book By Mary E. McDonoughPaperback Edition:  God's Plan of Redemption
The Standard Version of the New Testament
Go to the website: TheStandardVersion.orgPurchase the Paperback Edition on Amazon: The Standard Version of the New Testament
===========
Recorded…
in Chicago, Illinois on Thursday, 7 October 2024.

“Spirit and Soul and Body” (2)

To be genuinely spiritual we must be clear about the difference between our soul and our human spirit—that, as revealed in the Bible, these are two distinct parts of our being, rather than to aspects of the same thing (1 Thes. 5:23, Heb. 4:12). The function of our spirit is to contact God and receive His divine life; the function of our soul is to love God and magnify Him (cf. Luke 1:46-47).If instead we feel the spirit and the soul are the same thing, as so strongly taught by reformed theology, we will have no way to live our Christian life as God desires: that is, living in our human spirit regenerated and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, so that we magnify Christ with our soul.In brief, it is impossible to overstate how crucial this distinction is for the living of a fruitful Christian life, even though many Bible teachers would deny it even exists.So, in this edition of the podcast we look at what is the proper distinction between our soul and our human spirit. In so doing, we use the debate over this topic as an object lesson regarding two important matters. First, we consider how, when we study to learn the truths of the Bible, we must believe and accept in a simple way that which it clearly teaches. Second, we also warn against the inadequacy and even dangers of reformed theology.
Length: 45 minutes
===========
OUR WEBSITETheChristianFaith.org
SUBSCRIBETheChristianFaith.org/subscribe
SEND US A NOTEnotes@thechristianfaith.org
FOLLOW US ON…
Facebook
YouTube
Twitter / X
===========          
Bible Verses for this Episode
See  Episode #111: “Spirit and Soul and Body” (2)
===========
RESOURCES
WritingsNote:  “A Shortage of Idiots”Wikipedia Article: “Plato's Theory of Soul”
A Book By Witness LeeKindle Edition: Further Talks on the Knowledge of Life
A Book By Watchman NeePaperback Edition:  The Breaking of the Outer Man and the Release of the Spirit
The Standard Version of the New Testament
Go to the website: TheStandardVersion.orgPurchase the Paperback Edition on Amazon: The Standard Version of the New Testament
===========Recorded…
in Chicago, Illinois on Wednesday, 23 October 2024.

“Spirit and Soul and Body” (1)

And the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.— 1 Thessalonians 5:23In the Gospels of Matthew of Mark, Jesus tells us we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart and soul and mind and strength (Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30); in brief, with so many of the different parts of our being. However, unless we are clear about the three basic parts of our being, and the distinct function of our human spirit, we cannot understand the Lord’s word here, nor can we have a proper view of how we should live the Christian life.
===========
OUR WEBSITETheChristianFaith.org
SUBSCRIBETheChristianFaith.org/subscribe
SEND US A NOTEnotes@thechristianfaith.org
FOLLOW US ON…
Facebook
YouTube
Twitter / X
===========          
Bible Verses for this Episode
See  Episode #110: “Spirit and Soul and Body”
===========
RESOURCES
A Previous Episode: Episode #109: “‘En’ Love and ‘Ek’ Love”
Website: GodsEternalPurpose.org
WritingsNote: Loving the Lord “With” and “From” Our Whole Being”
The Standard Version of the New TestamentGo to the website: TheStandardVersion.orgPurchase the Paperback Edition on Amazon: The Standard Version of the New Testament
===========
Recorded…
in Chicago, Illinois on Wednesday, 16 October 2024.

“En” Love and “Ek” Love

We should love the Lord not only “with,” but also “from,” our whole being. So, the Gospels of Matthew of Mark give us two parallel accounts of the Lord’s word concerning what is the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30). While the differences in these two accounts are very slight, they are nonetheless very meaningful, and can give us a real insight into this matter of truly loving the Lord.
===========
OUR WEBSITETheChristianFaith.org
SUBSCRIBETheChristianFaith.org/subscribe
SEND US A NOTEnotes@thechristianfaith.org
FOLLOW US ON…
Facebook
YouTube
Twitter / X
===========          
Bible Verses for this Episode
See Episode #109: “‘En’ Love and ‘Ek’ Love”
===========
RESOURCES
A Previous Episode: Episode #107: “A Life of Pursuing Christ”
WritingsNote: Loving the Lord “With” and “From” Our Whole Being”
The Standard Version of the New Testament
Go to the website: TheStandardVersion.orgPurchase the Paperback Edition on Amazon: The Standard Version of the New Testament
===========
Recorded…
in Chicago, Illinois on Wednesday, 9 October 2024.

Philippians 3 (7): The Outstanding Resurrection of Philippians 3:11

Philippians 3:7-10 shows us the way to pursue Christ and the price we have to pay to do so. But then, in verse 11, the apostle Paul speaks of the incentive God gives us for following Christ in such a way: attaining to what may be called “the outstanding resurrection” from among the dead (cf. 1 Cor. 9:24-27, Luke 20:35).Yet, only later in the New Testament, in Revelation 20:4-6, are we able to actually see this “outstanding” resurrection. It is not only the “first resurrection” that is mentioned there, but the “outstanding resurrection” of those overcoming believers who in the next age will sit upon the thrones and rule over the earth on behalf of Christ (Rev. 20:4; cf. Rev. 3:21).===========
OUR WEBSITETheChristianFaith.org
SUBSCRIBETheChristianFaith.org/subscribe
SEND US A NOTEnotes@thechristianfaith.org
FOLLOW US ON…
Facebook YouTubeTwitter / X
===========          
SUMMARY
When Paul speaks of "attaining to the resurrection," he actually means the resurrection of reward in the next age for the faithful followers of Christ
===========
Bible Verses for this Episode
See  Episode #108: “Philippians 3 (7): The Outstanding Resurrection”
===========
RESOURCES
A Previous Episode: Episode #107: “Philippians 3 (6): A Life of Pursuing Christ” A Previous Episode: Episode #91: “The Seven Churches (7): Lessons from Sardis” A Previous Episode: Episode #90: “Episode #90: The Seven Churches (6): Sardis, the Reformed but Dead Church”
WritingsNote: “Again It Is Written”Note: “And They Sat Upon the Thrones” (1)Book: Watchman Nee: The Salvation of the Soul
The Standard Version of the New Testament
Go to the website: TheStandardVersion.orgPurchase the Paperback Edition on Amazon: The Standard Version of the New Testament
===========
BIBLE VERSES REFERENCEDIN THIS EPISODE
Matthew 20:37, Mark 12:30.Philippians 3:7-11: The stages of knowing Christ.Revelation 20:4-6: The outstanding resurrection.Matthew 4:6-7: “Again It Is Written.”Luke 12:47-48, cf. Matt. 5:13: Beaten with many or few stripes.Luke 20:34-35: Worthy of the resurrection of the next age.John 5:28-29: The resurrection of life.Hebrews 11:38: Of whom the world was not worthy.Revelation 3:1-6: The Lord’s word to the church in Sardis, the reformed but dead church.Luke 14:34-35, cf. Matt. 5:13: Casting out the believers as the “salt” that has lost its flavor.Matthew 16:24-27: Saving our soul by following Christ in the present age.
===========
Recorded…in Chicago, Illinois on Tuesday, 2 October 2024

Philippians 3 (6): A Life of Pursuing Christ

In Philippians 3 we see a portrait of a man who was fully given to pursuing Christ so he could gain Him, be found in Him, and eventually come to know Him.How can we enter into this same experience? First, by loving the Lord in a pure and absolute way, so we are fully captured by Him, while all else becomes dross to us.Second, we must not be satisfied with just the revelation of Christ, as wonderful as that is, but instead press on to pay the price so we really come to know Him.And finally, we must have a basic understanding of what resurrection is, for it is not merely to be brought back to life. Rather, it is to experience the divine life working within us so we pass through death and overcome it, as Christ Himself did in His resurrection, until we are brought into a completely new realm, the realm of glory.===========
OUR WEBSITETheChristianFaith.org
SUBSCRIBETheChristianFaith.org/subscribe
SEND US A NOTEnotes@thechristianfaith.org
FOLLOW US ON…
Facebook
YouTube
Twitter / X
===========
Bible Verses for this Episode
See  Episode #107: “Philippians 3 (6): To Know Him”
===========
RESOURCES
A HymnO Jesus, Jesus, Dearest Lord
WritingsA NoteJames 1:12: Receiving the Crown of Life (1)
Austin-SparksThe Spoil of Battle (1933)
Witness LeePurchase the Kindle Edition on Amazon: The Experience of Christ.The Standard Version of the New TestamentGo to the website: TheStandardVersion.orgPurchase the Paperback Edition on Amazon: The Standard Version of the New Testament
===========
Recorded…
in Chicago, Illinois on Monday, 16 September 2024

Philippians 3 (5): To Know Him

After passing through so many experiences of the cross in Philippians 3:7-9, so we may gain Christ and be found in Him, we finally come to the point where we are ready to know Christ, as seen in verse 10. And according to this verse, to know Christ Himself in the deepest way is to know Him according to the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, so we may be conformed to His death.Our knowing of Christ in this way is not for our own sake. Rather, it is so we may have a rich supply of the divine life to minister to our fellow believers (Col. 1:24-27, 2 Cor. 4:7-12) so they can grow and be perfected in Christ. How the church needs such genuine ministers of Christ today, so the Body of Christ may be built up!
===========
OUR WEBSITETheChristianFaith.org
SUBSCRIBETheChristianFaith.org/subscribe
SEND US A NOTEnotes@thechristianfaith.org
FOLLOW US ON…
Facebook
YouTube
Twitter / X
===========
Bible Verses for this Episode
See  Episode #106: “Philippians 3 (5): To Know Him”
===========
RESOURCES
Previous EpisodeEpisode #105: “Philippians 3 (4): Not Having Our Own Righteousness”
Books
Witness LeePurchase the Kindle Edition on Amazon: The Experience of Christ.The Standard Version of the New TestamentGo to the website: TheStandardVersion.orgPurchase the Paperback Edition on Amazon: The Standard Version of the New Testament
===========
Recorded…in Chicago, Illinois on Wednesday, 11 September 2024

Philippians 3 (4): Not Having Our Own Righteousness

One of the greatest frustrations to our knowing of Christ is our effort to establish our own righteousness (cf. Rom. 10:3). In fact, the more we live in our own righteousness, the less we will know Christ.While many Christians realize our own works could never be sufficient for God to forgive our sins, we fail to realize the exact same principle applies in terms of our daily living; even in this regard, we cannot please God or be acceptable to Him by our own doing. And because we don’t realize this, we try, after we first believe in Jesus to have our sins forgiven, to live the Christian life by being good and helping others.In fact, God is not interested in our doing, but in our dying. That is, He wants to bring us into the real experience of the death of Christ so we can live a life before Him in the glory of resurrection, just as Christ Himself did.Even in the Old Testament, we see an illustration of this in how God dealt with Job, one who God Himself said was “blameless and upright, one who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:8). He allowed Satan to tear down Job’s righteousness, but at the end of the book, Job was one who had a real experience of God (Job 42:1-6).Then we see this principle established at the very beginning of the New Testament, in the baptism of Jesus Himself to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:13-17). Next, in Romans 6:1-5, the apostle Paul sets forth the great truth of our having been baptized into the death of Christ so we can walk in newness of life (cf. Gal. 2:20). And finally, in Philippians 3:7-9, we see what this means in terms of our practical experience.
===========
OUR WEBSITETheChristianFaith.org
SUBSCRIBETheChristianFaith.org/subscribe
SEND US A NOTEnotes@thechristianfaith.org
FOLLOW US ON…
Facebook
YouTube
Twitter / X
===========
Bible Verses for this Episode
See  Episode #105: “Philippians 3 (4): Not Having Our Own Righteousness”
===========
RESOURCES
Notes"M.R. Vincent on the Coming Destruction of the Heretical Teachers"“The Lamb, the Serpent, & the Seed” (1)
VideoVideo of My Testimony: "How I Became a Christian"BooksPurchase the Paperback Edition on Amazon: Lawlessness, the Left, & the AntichristDownload the Preface and Introduction: Lawlessness, the Left, & the AntichristThe Standard Version of the New TestamentGo to the website: TheStandardVersion.orgPurchase the Paperback Edition on Amazon: The Standard Version of the New Testament
===========
Recorded…
in Chicago, Illinois on Wednesday, 11 September 2024

Philippians 3 (3): Paying the Price to Gain Christ and be Found in Him

Philippians 3:7-11 shows us the stages by which we come to know Christ. In verses 7-8 we see that, if we truly desire to gain Christ, we must first allow the Lord to bring us through many difficult experiences, and suffer the loss of so many things, even of all things, so that we come to the point where we are ready to gain Christ.But after this, in verse 9, we come to something still more difficult: the loss, not just of things, but of our very self, so that we are found in Christ instead of in who we are. The experiences spoken of above are mainly outward, but here we have the real, inward dealing of the cross being applied to our very being.Many believers will do so many things for Christ, but few are willing to experience this inward dying to self for the sake of Christ. Yet, only if we allow the Lord to break us in this way can we become a person who is able to impart the divine life to others for the blessing of the saints and of the Body of Christ as a whole.Thus, we should offer ourselves to the Lord and ask Him to bring us through these difficult experiences, so He can apply the cross to our inner being and make us such ones.How the church needs such ones today!
===========
OUR WEBSITETheChristianFaith.org
SUBSCRIBETheChristianFaith.org/subscribe
SEND US A NOTEnotes@thechristianfaith.org
FOLLOW US ON…
Facebook
YouTube
Twitter / X
===========          
Bible Verses for this Episode
See  Episode #104: “Philippians 3: Paying the Price to Gain Christ and be Found in Him”
===========
RESOURCES
Notes
“The Lamb, the Serpent, & the Seed” (1)
HymnsWatchman Nee: “First the Blood and then the Ointment”Watchman Nee: “Olives that Have Known No Pressure”Books
Witness LeeFurther Talks on the Knowledge of Life
Witness LeeThe Experience of ChristMary N. GarrardJesse Penn Lewis: A Memoir
Titus ChuPhilippians: “That I May Gain Christ”
Website: TheStandardVersion.orgPurchase on Amazon: The Standard Version of the New Testament
===========
Recorded…
in Chicago, Illinois on Wednesday, 4 September 2024