Welcome to “The Ultimate IN Crowd.” In this episode, Greg shares how delving into E. Stanley Jones' book, "In Christ," has radically transformed his life. Moving beyond a background of shame and "to-dos" taught in his Roman Catholic upbringing, Greg introduces a powerful understanding of what it means to be "in Christ," contrasting it with the more commonly taught concept of "Christ in us".
Drawing on the insights of E. Stanley Jones, described as "Billy Graham before Billy Graham", Greg explores the distinct perspectives of the Western gospel view, heavily influenced by the book of James and often works-related, versus the Eastern view, which is more mystic and surrender-focused.
Discover the immense power and abundance available when we truly grasp that we are in Christ. Greg uses vivid metaphors like the "car wash mentality" (settling for a Camry when Jesus wants you to be a Bugatti) and owning a dream home but only tending the yard instead of living in it, illustrating how we often fail to appropriate the full riches available to us in Christ. We have access to His glory, strength, His dwelling in our hearts, a life rooted in love, and the fullness of God.
This episode highlights that the abundant life is found in Him, not necessarily through earthly possessions. It's about surrendering our own efforts and even our virtues, recognizing that our greatest idol is often our self. The power lies in Christ living through us, a double abiding where He is in us, and we are in Him.
Explore scriptures that underscore this reality, emphasizing that all of God's promises are "Yes in Christ" and that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The message challenges the idea that repentance must involve shame, asserting our right to be shameless in Christ because He came to eliminate shame.
Learn how surrendering daily to Christ can bring peace and dissolve worry. Ultimately, being in Christ means sharing in everything He has, and the love of Christ is presented as the one place the devil cannot go.
Join the discussion on how this truth leads to genuine transformation and the abundant life Jesus promised.
Get handouts and slides - https://tinyurl.com/InChristReferences Struggling with Addiction, Hurts or Hangups? Checkout Thrive at https://www.discoverthrive.org
1:27 - Introduction & E. Stanley Jones
3:01 - Judas vs. Peter & Spiritual Crash
4:12 - “Christ in Us” vs. Life Beatdown
5:48 - Don’t Settle for Camry Christianity
6:57 - Not Moving Into the Kingdom
8:11 - We Are in Christ (Not Just Christ in Us)
10:39 - Christ Believes in Us
12:24 - Power of Preposition “In”
14:55 - “I Can Do All Things” in Him
17:49 - Riches & Fullness in Christ
20:06 - Abundant Life & Eternity Now
22:49 - Seek the Kingdom = Seek Jesus
25:56 - Double Abiding & Surrender
30:00 - Freedom from Shame in Christ
33:07 - Victory Over Darkness & Addictions
36:50 - Unity Only in Christ
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