(Clip) Is Christ Real to You
Tim Conway challenges believers to move beyond mere intellectual assent and experience the real, transformative presence of Christ in their hearts.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of not just having head knowledge of Christianity, but truly experiencing the reality of Christ dwelling within us. It challenges believers to examine if Christ is truly real to them, beyond religious practices, and to seek a deep, intimate relationship with Him. The message highlights the unsearchable love of Christ and the fullness of God that believers can experience when rooted and grounded in His love.
Full Transcript
You get some people, and I had a brother telling me recently about his concern for people who, they seem to talk the talk, but they seem to lack a sense of the reality. And you know, when your Christianity is all theory, that's bad. That's bad because Christianity deals with more than just a knowledge up here of what the truths are.
You know what I see? I see some people, and we don't want to be these people, they know the truth and they try to persuade themselves that what is true of biblical Christianity, because it's described in this book, they try to persuade themselves that it's true of them. But we're talking of something, listen, if Christ indwells your heart, and you're rooted and grounded in that love that He saturates you with, and you begin to have some idea about the breadth and length and height and depth, and to grab hold of this unsearchable love of Christ, and you're filled with all the fullness of God, I guarantee that's not the kind of thing where you have to sit back and say, well, I don't feel the reality of this, but because I believe it in my head, I'm going to try to persuade myself that this is real. That's not what's happening here.
That's not the kind of Christianity we find in Scripture. Let me ask you this, is Christ real to you? Is Christ real within you? I'm not talking religion and church and reading your Bible and singing the hymns. Is Christ real to you? Him.
Has He come in, and in the same way that He would sit down with somebody and have supper with them, and you would know it, do you know that reality? Because if not, I'm telling you, don't be content. Look, if you're not ready to go further here, if you're content with this, you can be content with that. But I think verses like this are meant to make us not content, and to take the prayer as an indication that this is a promise.
If Paul weren't under inspiration, we might question, well, he's fallible. Could he be praying for something God wouldn't, maybe perhaps, really be willing to give us? But he is under inspiration, which means Paul asking this for us is as good as it being a promise. This is God telling him, Paul, pray that way for them.
And let's record it in the letter to the Ephesians for all the future generations to see that this is a very valid and legitimate thing to ask for, because I intend to give this. It's a promise.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Some Christians only have theoretical knowledge
- Christianity is more than intellectual assent
- Danger of persuading oneself without true experience
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II
- Christ must be real and present within the believer
- Not about religion or rituals but personal relationship
- Knowing Christ's love deeply and experientially
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III
- Paul's prayer in Ephesians as a promise from God
- Believers should not be content with superficial faith
- Encouragement to seek fullness of God’s love
Key Quotes
“If Christ indwells your heart, and you're rooted and grounded in that love that He saturates you with, and you begin to have some idea about the breadth and length and height and depth, and to grab hold of this unsearchable love of Christ, and you're filled with all the fullness of God, I guarantee that's not the kind of thing where you have to sit back and say, well, I don't feel the reality of this, but because I believe it in my head, I'm going to try to persuade myself that this is real.” — Tim Conway
“Is Christ real to you? Is Christ real within you? I'm not talking religion and church and reading your Bible and singing the hymns. Is Christ real to you? Him.” — Tim Conway
“If Paul weren't under inspiration, we might question, well, he's fallible. Could he be praying for something God wouldn't, maybe perhaps, really be willing to give us? But he is under inspiration, which means Paul asking this for us is as good as it being a promise.” — Tim Conway
Application Points
- Examine your heart to see if Christ is truly real and present within you beyond religious routines.
- Seek to experience the fullness of Christ's love as promised in Scripture through prayer and relationship.
- Do not be content with superficial faith; pursue a deeper, transformative relationship with Jesus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for Christ to be real to you?
It means experiencing Christ's presence and love personally, not just knowing about Him intellectually or participating in religious activities.
Why is theoretical Christianity insufficient?
Because Christianity calls for a transformative relationship with Christ, not just head knowledge or religious formality.
What is the significance of Paul's prayer in Ephesians?
Paul's prayer is inspired by God and serves as a promise that believers can be filled with the fullness of Christ's love.
How can I know if Christ is truly real in my life?
By reflecting on whether you experience His love deeply and whether He indwells your heart beyond just religious practice.
What should I do if I feel Christ is not real to me?
Don't be content with that feeling; seek God earnestly to experience His presence and love more fully.