United With Christ
Thomas Manton emphasizes the reality and depth of union with Christ, highlighting its significance in our relationship with God.
Thomas Manton preaches about the mystical yet real union believers have with Christ, emphasizing the spiritual truth of this connection. He delves into the various terms used in the Bible to describe this union, highlighting that it goes beyond mere relation to a deep, mysterious unity. The sermon explores the profound mystery of Christ being in believers and believers dwelling in God, drawing parallels to similitudes like head and members, root and branches, and marriage. Manton underscores that this union is not just a concept from scripture but a genuine work of the Spirit.
Text
"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (John 17:21).
Though it be secret and mystical, yet it [our union with Christ] is real; because a thing is spiritual, it doth not cease to be real. These are not words, or poor empty notions only, that we are united to Christ; but they imply a real truth. Why should the Holy Ghost use so many terms; of being planted into Christ? Rom. 6:5, 'For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection;' of being joined to Christ? 1 Cor. 6:17, 'He that is joined to the Lord is one Spirit;' of being made partakers of Christ?
Heb. 3:14, 'For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.' Do these terms only imply a relation between us and Christ? No; then the emphasis of the words is lost. What great mystery in all this. Why is this mystery so often spoken of? Christ is not only ours, but 'he is in us, and we in him.' God is ours, and we dwell in God: 1 John 4:13, 'Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit;' and ver. 15, 'Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.' It is represented by similitudes, that imply a real union as well as a relative, by head and members, root and branches, as well as by marriage, where man and wife are made one flesh.
It is compared here with the mystery of the Trinity, and the unity of the divine persons. It is not a notion of scripture, but a thing wrought by the Spirit.
Sermon Outline
- The Reality of Union with Christ
- The Nature of Union with Christ
- The Mystery of Union with Christ
- The Work of the Spirit in Union with Christ
- A thing wrought by the Spirit, not just a notion of scripture
- Compared to the mystery of the Trinity and the unity of the divine persons
Key Quotes
“Christ is not only ours, but 'he is in us, and we in him.'” — Thomas Manton
“God is ours, and we dwell in God: 1 John 4:13, ''Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit;''” — Thomas Manton
Application Points
- We must recognize the reality and depth of our union with Christ, not just as a spiritual concept, but as a real truth.
- The Holy Ghost uses various terms to emphasize the importance of union with Christ, and we should take heed of these warnings.
- Our union with Christ is not just a relation, but a mystery that is represented by similitudes in scripture.