When we speak of cosmic redemption we go far beyond the matter of human sin. It extends to all realms and all things which have been affected by sin and are in need of redemption. The passage in Colossians 1 is a magnificent definition or explanation of this word: "all things... in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers...", "And you…" (verses 16, 21). It touches the farthest range, the most comprehensive range of things, where Christ has a relationship as the Divine Son with the Divine purpose, the realisation of which purpose necessitated, in the course of things, redemption. We are told that the very heavens need purging, and the things in the heavens, because of what has happened. That takes redemption far away from the narrow limits of the human race and human sin, and carries the matter right out to the utmost bounds of the universe. It touches the whole creation. It touches not only the things; it touches the system, the order. For the word means not only a realm of things, but an ordered realm of things, a system. And the system of things in the universe has been upset and not only is it necessary to redeem things, it is necessary to redeem the system.
(This e-book can be downloaded for free at Austin-Sparks.Net)
T. Austin Sparks (1888 – 1971)
He was ordained as a Baptist pastor at the age of 24, and from 1912 to 1926 led three congregations in Greater London. During these years, he was also closely related to Jessie Penn-Lewis and her publication and speaking ministry, the "Overcomer Testimony."Among the many books that he wrote, at least three are regarded as Christian classics: The School of Christ, The Centrality and Supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ and We Beheld His Glory. The primary theme of Sparks' books is the exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ. He mentored Watchman Nee for many years and was very influential in his understanding of the Church Life.
Recommends these books by T. Austin Sparks:
Daily Open Windows: Excerpts from the Messages of T. Austin-Sparks
Discipleship in the School of Christ by T. Austin Sparks
More of Christ: From "The Stewardship of the Mystery" by T. Austin Sparks
"Mr Sparks", as he was affectionately known, was born in London, England in 1888. He came to know Christ as a teenager and later became a Baptist pastor. However, his "ecclesiastical" career took a decidedly different direction when a physical crisis brought him to a place of brokenness.
At the same time God also delivered him from his previous prejudice against anything that was related to the "deeper life". As a result, he joined Jessie Penn-Lewis in the ministry of the spiritual growth of believers; a ministry to which he devoted his life and which also cost him his reputation and his career in the denominational circles of England.
He was based in southeast London at Honor Oak Christian Fellowship which is where Watchman Nee met and fellowshipped with him during a visit to England in 1933. Nee's refusal to disavow Austin-Sparks later became the grounds for him being disfellowshipped by the Taylor Brethren. It has been said that Watchman Nee considered Austin-Sparks as his spiritual mentor, and their fellowship appears to have been rich and fruitful.
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