Embracing the Fullness of Christ: Suffering and Divinity (06/24/'24) -Message

Embracing the Fullness of Christ: Suffering and Divinity Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Today, I invite you to delve into the profound mystery of knowing Christ in His fullness, a journey that calls us to embrace both His divine majesty and His profound suffering. The essence of our faith is not found in acknowledging His divinity alone, but in understanding and participating in His suffering. Philippians 3:10 (NIV) reminds us, "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death." This verse speaks to the heart of our spiritual journey. It is not enough to stand in awe of His heavenly glory; we must also walk the path marked by His pain and sacrifice. To believe in only His glory is to miss the sacred blend of a King who bore our burdens and a God who calls us friend. It is in His wounds and resurrection that we find the mystery we seek—a Savior’s heart of mercy, where strength is made perfect in weakness. Through His suffering, we catch glimpses of heaven's light, leading us through the shadows to the dawn of endless sight. Our faith must hold tightly to both His divinity and His suffering, for it is in this embrace that we truly know Christ. In His loss and in His gain, in the cross and the crown, in joy and in strife, we encounter the full dimension of our Savior's boundless life. Let us not shy away from His suffering but find in it the depth of His love. Let us see in His wounds the reflection of our redemption and in His resurrection the promise of our own renewal. Embracing both His suffering and His divinity leads us to a faith that is whole, a relationship that is complete, and a path that brings us ever closer to the heart of Christ. May we all strive to know Christ more deeply, embracing the fullness of His being, and in doing so, find ourselves transformed by His love and grace. In Christ’s love, Pastor Steven G. Lee (June 24, 2024)