Our True Identity In Christ (Part 2) INTRODUCTION:
-- Review a bit from Part 1.
-- We want to LOOK FURTHER at the permanent spiritual relationship established at conversion.
-- What does it really mean to be 'IN CHRIST'?
-- What MORE is involved here?
13. We belong to Christ.
Ephesians 1:5-6 "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."
[Salvation is God's work & not our doing.
God has ADOPTED us as His own children.
Thru Jesus' sacrifice, He has brought us into HIS FAMILY & made us HEIRS along with Jesus.In Roman law, adopted children had the same RIGHTS & PRIVILEGES as natural children. Paul used this term to show how strong our RELATIONSHIP to God is.
The Lord Jesus Christ owns all of us [Christians]: body, soul & spirit.] I Cor. 6:19-20
14. Our sins are taken away & we are forgiven.
Ephesians 1:7 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"
[REDEMPTION was the price paid to gain freedom for a slave (Lev. 25:47-54).
Jesus' DEATH paid the price to release us from slavery to sin.We are FORGIVEN on the basis of the shedding of Jesus' BLOOD.
Without His GRACE, no person can be saved.
Song: Grace. . .grace. . .God's grace]
15. We will live with Christ forever.
Ephesians 1:10-11 "...he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:"
[See John 14:1-4: Heaven & its many mansions.]
16. We are marked as belonging to God by the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13 "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"
[The Holy Spirit is God's seal that we belong to Him & His guarantee to us that He will do what He PROMISED.
He is like a DOWN PAYMENT, a DEPOSIT, a VALIDATING SIGNATURE on the contract.
The presence of the Holy Spirit in us demonstrates the genuineness of our faith, proves that we are His children & secures eternal life for us.Sealed forever --> Eternal Security.]
17. We have been lifted from the grave to sit with Christ in glory.
Ephesians 2:6 "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:"
[Because of Christ's resurrection, we know that our bodies will also be raised from the dead.]
18. We have been given new lives.
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
[God's intention is that our salvation will result in works of service.
We are SAVED to SERVE Him thru the local Baptist church.]19. We have been brought near to God.
Ephesians 2:13 "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
20. We will receive great blessings.
Ephesians 3:6 "That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:"
[Imagine being a joint heir with Christ. . .scratch the imagine. . .this is REALITY.]
21. We can come fearlessly into God's presence.
Ephesians 3:12 "In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him."
[PRAYER: We can talk to God about anything on our mind. He is willing & waiting to listen. Jesus CARES about us all the time.]22. We have everything because we have Christ; we are filled with God.
Colossians 2:10 "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:"
[Jesus is our completer. He the One that satisfies our every need.]
CONCLUSION:
-- Have you ever thought you might be MISSING something?
-- Maybe. . .it's because you are really on the OUTSIDE of Bible Christianity looking in.
-- Do you KNOW PERSONALLY the Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ?
-- Why not be spiritually transformed. . .converted. . .changed?
-- Have you been washed in Christ's blood?
-- The Joy of being a Christian.
-- Get under the Spout where the glory pours out!
This can only happen if we are IN CHRIST JESUS.