The Newness of Spirit Podcast

Watchman Nee's life gives us another lesson in how the Cross working in the soul brings conformity to the image of the Son.  This lesson takes readings from Against the Tide by Angus Kinnear, The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee, and Changed Into His Likeness by Watchman Nee.  Nee Died with Christ 1 Nee Died with Christ 2

In this episode, we look at a valuable lesson Watchman Nee learned during His early years in ministry.  Once again, the Cross comes to the forefront as God's chosen template for bringing a soul into conformity to the image of Christ. We all need to have an increase of Jesus' sweet nature and a decrease of our tough, stubborn selves!  The link for the corresponding reading is below: M E Barber: A Seed Sown in China by Reezke

In This ACTS Bible School Class, we will read excerpts of biographies from believers who had deep experiences with the Cross.  Specifically, we will examine how the Lord brings a believer to the end of him- or herself that Christ might be their life in a practical way.  These classes are in a discussion format, where the students are able to share and discuss.  In this introductory lesson, we read "Himself" by A.B. Simpson and study what I Corinthians 1:23-31 has to say about the working of the Cross in the believer's life.  You can access the pdf of our reading using the link below: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/pd89as74qitu3sc4/SimpsonHimself.pdf

Our Father meant "In Christ" to be so much more than a belief or a teaching!  He meant it to be what defines the very core of the believer's being -- our identity.  In this episode we seek to set aside false concepts of what this means that we might more fully enter in and abide.

There is such overwhelming provision for us in Christ!  Our Father really outdid Himself when He placed us in His Son.  In this episode we discuss what it means to identify in Christ.  This identification goes so deep that it becomes a refuge for us when we are confronted with our own self life and its effects upon those around us.  May we be hidden in Him forever!  May we never initiate by Self, ever again!  And may God get all the glory.  Amen.

For months, we have been looking at the "disappearing" side of things.  But what happens after that?  John gives us insight into a beautiful transformation that occurs when someone experiences loss in the earth and enters into a new reality!

As we continue to examine the implications of disappearing and going to be with Christ, we begin to understand that this path is a desirable one when compared to the long arduous story of law and failure found in the Old Testament.  Christ disappeared at His death and resurrection, and He brought forth much fruit!  Are we not to be in His image?

After looking at an extensive list of lesser-known Bible characters, we will now spend some time meditating on the implications of giving one's life and moving out of sight.  We probably will not have the same circumstances as those people we studied, so we will have to discern the Spirit behind how they gave themselves.  That Spirit is Christ, who overcame the world!

Enoch pleased God, and then he disappeared because God took him!  Our study culminates with this man, for in his relationship with God we see the meaning and purpose behind a life suddenly cut short.

For a believer who is walking in Oneness with the Crucified, "disappearance" can occur in different ways.  In this episode, we look at Gaius, the Beloved son.  One who is found walking in the truth, this brother is hidden from our eyes except as we see him appear in the lower seat.

Joseph of Arimathaea is yet another example of a so-called minor character who displays the Spirit of Jesus in a big way!  And yet, after publicly identifying Himself with the Crucified like no other Bible character, he is never heard from again.  Has he missed the mark in some way, or has he learned to tap into the Eternal Spirit ahead of other disciples of his day?

When an end or a loss comes, it can seem like it is the fault of unfair or unjust people.  But nothing that happens to us is outside the Father's designs for His Son in us.  It is He who is drawing us into fellowship with Himself that is more eternal and heavenly than we have known before.  Let us permit the Spirit to give us eyes and a heart to see!

Urijah displayed a lowliness of mind whose only source could have been Christ.  For that, he lost his life.  But there is to be found in Christ something so much higher than reacting to the unjust situations of the world!  When unjust loss happens, we can find a freedom of oneness with Christ that overcomes the world, if we will permit the Spirit of God to lead us there.

The little-known brothers of Jehoram were better than their older brother.  How were they better?  Because they kept the law?  No, because they were of a better nature -- the nature of the Crucified.  Rather than hold onto what was rightfully theirs, they chose to lose their lives and in so doing gained a better and enduring substance!

The story of Jephthah's daughter can be puzzling for us.  But when the Spirit of God lifts up Christ Crucified, all things are gathered into Him!  In this episode, we gain a glimpse into the life of one saint who was offered unjustly and yet found the Lord.

The widow who threw in all her living reveals much of our Lord's heart toward those who live the Crucified Spirit.  They may be of little account in the world, but they are big in the Father's heart!

In this episode we look at Zaccheus' transformation after seeing Jesus' face and hearing His words.  Why do we never hear from him again after this?  Displaying the nature of the Crucified leads to living in another realm!

In this episode, we look at a group of nameless people who disappeared... only to reappear in a different form.  We would not have Paul as we know him without these precious saints!

An obscure man rich in wisdom miraculously saves his city and then fades into obscurity.  Why?  What was the wisdom he possessed?  And why do the Spirit-inspired Scriptures call it great wisdom?  This is a mystery that can only be unlocked by seeing the Cross of Jesus Christ from an eternal view!

Stephen is the next person we will look at.  Here is a wonderful believer, all-out for Jesus, who is suddenly and unfairly taken off the scene.  It looked as though the future of the new church was secured with young men like Stephen set to enter leadership roles.  But he ends up looking more like the Crucified Christ -- and taken.  Hopefully we will be able to pull the veil back a little bit and understand some of God's heart concerning His precious saints who are taken down this path of sudden disappearance!