Traits of the New Creature in Christ Pt. 1

Audio Message

Over the past three weeks we have looked at who you are in Christ. The 33 passages should have been a great encouragement to those in Christ. The passages should build a great foundation for your life in Christ. They should also assure you of Christ’s acceptance, give you a secure position in Christ and show you the significance you have in Christ.

So how should a person in Christ appear to others?

What is it that makes a person in Christ different, an alien, stranger, foreigner in this world?

Over the next couple of weeks we are going to look at the traits of a person, or the new creature that is in Christ.

When a person comes to Christ the old man passes away and all things are made new.

The Holy Spirit in a person begins His good work in making the new creature into the person God desires them to be. God’s word tell us that this process will be complete on the day of Christ and till then He is working in you to make you just like Christ Jesus.

The “Who I am in Christ” passages tell us of our position and build our foundation. The passages we are about to study explain to us what the Christian looks like. How he acts. Where he goes. What he does. How he reacts and interacts with others.

Now, don’t ever think you can take up the following passages and act them out in your life. These traits are not natural to the old man living in his un-crucified self-spirit.

To act out something is not real. To be given a script and follow it is acting. It is not being.

There are great actors and actresses in our world. They play their parts rather well. They win awards for their acting. Their awards are based on how they preform their parts.

A well-disciplined person who takes up his script and plays his part in the show with an award winning performance, is not the person they are playing. They are a person playing a part. They are acting out not being.

If a natural spirited person was to act the part of a Christian, he could fool many people but not God. God knows who has been recreated into new creatures and who has not.

So, what we are about to study over the next few weeks is not your lines in an acting part but the Traits of a person that has the Spirit of Christ living in them.

If these traits are not natural to your being, you are just acting out the part not actually the new creation. You may play the part well but your just an actor not the real person.

I knew a man by the name of Patrick McCreary. He is an incredible actor. He is best known for playing the role of Abraham Lincoln. He looks like Lincoln, He talks like Lincoln and he has been called upon to be Abraham Lincoln by many different organizations. He has played Lincoln for Presidents Carter, Reagan and Bush 42. Many new age thinkers thought Patrick had channeled the spirit of Lincoln because of his ability to impress crowds of people. Although Patrick played the part very well, Patrick is not Abraham Lincoln. It would take a miracle of God to recreate Patrick into Abraham Lincoln.

It takes a miracle of God to recreate a naturally born, self-spirited person into a Christian. The miracle comes when God, by way of Christ places His Holy Spirit into a human being. This miracle recreates the natural man into a new creature called a Christian.

You can try to play the part of a Christian but you will only be acting until the Spirit recreates you into a new being.

Now let’s start looking at the Traits.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 & 13

4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. 6 It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

13 There are three things that will endure—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

The number one and most important trait of a Christian is Love.

We must love the Lord our God with our heart, mind, strength and soul. We must also love others as we love ourselves.

Love in this manner is not natural.

We love ourselves naturally and we do everything we can to care for, provide for and protect the self. Is this how we love those around us?

Do we really love God at all?

Are we so interested in self that we ignore God, unless of course we think we need something? Are we so interested in self that we ignore others, unless of course they have something to offer us?

We must first establish the trait of Love.

The passage tells us, 4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. 6 It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

13 There are three things that will endure—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

So let’s start with the first trait of Love.

Love is patient.

Are you patient? Does your patience come naturally or is it forced? Do you act patient or are you naturally patient? Acting patient takes a great deal of effort. Being patient is a trait of one who loves others more than self.

It doesn’t take long to see through the patient actor. Just tell them to wait and watch their reaction. It may not be evident at first. But watch their jaw line. Watch for their foot tap. Watch for the sigh. Listen to sharpness of their voice. Then tell them to wait another minute.

Love suffers long. This is not what we want to hear. By nature we want it our way and right now. To be able to wait patiently is a trait that is not natural. We make act patient but are we really patient?

The second trait is being Kind.

Kindness is not a natural trait either. Most people have to act kind to others but they are generally not kind at all.

This is evident as soon as the person they are trying to be kind to leaves their presence. The truth spills out. Their kindness turns into ugliness. They revert back to their true nature. The person they are unkind to in their heart returns to the scene and the act begins again. The award winning performance is back on display.

Are you kind by nature or is it just act?

The natural-spirited person is not kind. A person that has been recreated can be patient and kind because they have a new nature. The old man has died and a new person has been raised to life.

Now the new creature can be impatient and unkind but it is not natural. They don’t want to be. They can sometimes be provoked but they quickly revert to the new nature which is working in them to make them more like Christ.

The next four natural traits that must be crucified at the cross are being jealous, boastful, proud and rude.

Jealousy is envy. By nature we envy those that have that which we do not. Our envy and jealousy can turn us into little green monsters.

Love, a trait of the new creature, is not jealous. We have Christ. This is a far greater possession than anything this world has to offer. In the world we may want things but if we don’t have them it’s not that important because it all temporary anyway.

Jealousy and envy come from wanting what others have. Covetousness is dangerous and can destroy the self-natured individual. If we find our completion and significance in Christ we should never be jealous.

Being boastful is parading self before others. It’s the idea that you want everyone to look at you and notice you and your accomplishments. This falls right in with pride. The state of being puffed up.

Christians are filled with love. They do not need to be proud and boastful. Actually they know they that the only thing that makes them worthy at all is what Christ has done for them. This is why the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 2:1-4, “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose.
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. 4 Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.”

Paul also says in Philippians 3:3 “For we who worship God in the Spirit are the only ones who are truly circumcised. We put no confidence in human effort. Instead, we boast about what Christ Jesus has done for us.”

What a difference Christ makes in a person’s life.

The Christian is also not rude. Love for others makes you considerate of them. Being rude is setting yourself above others. You see others as less than yourself. This give you the position to treat them as less than yourself.

People are rarely rude to those who have higher positions or power over them. They are rude to people they feel they are superior to.

Love does not set itself up in this manner. Those in Christ see themselves as low in this world. They know they are sinners that have been saved from their sin. They know their righteousness in in Christ so they have no position to treat anyone rudely.

The next trait of love does not demand its own way.

Why should a person who has the Spirit of Christ in them force their will upon a world that does not know Christ?

We don’t demand our own way. Christ has reserved a place for us once we leave this realm. This realm belongs to the enemy and is passing away. We need to keep our eyes fixed on the future and not how things are right now in our midst.

Demanding people are very irritating. They are forceful and treat those around them with little or no consideration unless they are serving the purpose of their demanded way. Then they will use them for their own gain.

Love does not demand its own way. Love is considerate of others and allows them to have their place. Do you love others enough to allow them to do their own thing? It may not be your way but that’s alright because we have Christ.

Our next trait says love is not irritable.

The Christian is not irritable. We do not demand our own way. We are not rude, we are not proud, we’re not jealous, we boast only in Christ, We’re kind and patient. Does this describe your nature?

Irritability comes from selfish desires and ambitions. When what you want is not fulfilled you become irritable. This is how the world acts. This is how the self-natured individual goes about this world. Irritated all the time because life is not what they desire.

The Christian has come to terms with the world and its ways. We know the truth about this place. This gives us the ability to live in the world but not be a part of it. It also gives us a understanding that allows us not to be irritated when life is not the way we desire it to be.

We are not in control of the six billion people on this planet. God has given them freedom and in their freedom they will not do what I desire most of the time. I can either be irritated or understand my position.

Due to the Spirit of Christ in me I am less and less irritable and more and more loving. My prayer is Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing.

Love, the number one trait of the Christian, keeps no record of when he or she has been wronged.

How many of you have an accounting record book listing everyone who has ever wronged you?
How many of you just can’t wait to get revenge on someone who has done you wrong?

This is not the heart of love and it is not what the Holy Spirit produces in the Christian.

When you love someone, even an enemy, you have compassion upon them when they just don’t see like you see. The might have wronged you but you know in your heart if they knew the Lord as you do they wouldn’t have acted out in this manner.

You can’t keep records of the wrongs of those who don’t know any better. You may think they should know better but they may be blind to the spiritual reality that you are aware of.

If a blind man was to walk through your house and begin to know stuff over would you be mad and hold it against him? No, you would do everything you could to help him to eliminate the problem.

So, as you can see, love keeps no record of wrongs because it looks at the situation through the lens of love and not the self-centered spirit.

The Christian hates injustices but must understand that they are going to happen. We live in a fallen world that is filled with spiritually blind people. There are going to be a multitude of injustices. We, as Christians, must understand this will happen. We are not glad about the injustices but we know they will happen and we can have compassion upon all those involved.

Too many people go crazy in their self-righteousness and get way too radical about stopping injustices and then they act out injustices in their protests. This leads to an escalation of the very thing you are fighting against.

Now the Christian does rejoice when the truth wins out. So what is truth? Truth is that which corresponds with what is real.

Of all that surrounds us what is it that is real? What is it that is eternal? What is it that is temporary? The temporal is not necessarily real. Only that which is real will last. Only that which is real will stand the test of time.

Truth can be determined by what is real, and everlasting.

We don’t know the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth until we know Christ. Jesus said I am the truth. All truth must be deciphered through an everlasting relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Nothing else will last.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15

12 Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone’s work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. 14 If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames.

What if all you are doing is built on a foundation that is not true? It will not last and will be burned up.

This is why the Christian rejoices when the truth wins out. He knows that which is true will last. He stands firm knowing what he can build upon and rely upon for all time and eternity.

If it will not last, why do we spend so much time trying to preserve it?

We must know the truth, stand firm in it and build upon it. We will rejoice because it will last.

We are taught in our passage that love does not give up. Because the Christian is filled with the Spirit of love he will not give up either. The Christian stands in the truth and holds to what He knows to be true.

If something is true you cannot give up on it you just have to endure to the end so truth can be proved.

Many lies and deceptions will come to derail truth. But one who truly loves never gives up on what he knows to be true. To do so would be hateful to God who establishes truth and to others who need to know truth.

You endure because those around you needs to know the truth and you have been given the message of truth.

Love never loses faith because our faith is established upon truth. It will stand the test of time and so will our faith that is built upon it.

Love is also hopeful. The Christian hopes for others to come to the truth that he has come to know.

Hope is what keeps us going. If there is no future hope there is no way a person can endure because the end is never able to be realized.

We must have a hope built upon truth or we will be continually scrambling about trying to find something to build our lives upon. There is no hope if our lives are nothing more than an accident that has no destiny and all things come to an end with nothing to look forward to. How hopeless is that scenario? That is why we must know the truth and build our hope upon it.

The love, which fills a Christian, will endure through every circumstance because it is based upon that which is true.

13 There are three things that will endure—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

Let us Pray.

Who I Am In Christ Pt. 3

Audio Message

Welcome to part three of the series “Who I Am In Christ”.

Over the past two sessions you have learned that you are accepted in Christ and that you have security in Christ. Today we are going to look at your significance in Christ.

This is not a self-esteem message. This message is not one of those build you up and make you feel good about yourself messages. This is a message about your significance in Christ. This is far different than feeling that you are significant in this world or to yourself.

Christ bought you at a high price. This purchase price gives you a great deal of significance because of who you now belong to.

This is not a self-accomplishment. Christ paid the price for you long before you were born. He did His work for you and all you have to do is accept what He has done and live in His work of Grace. You must accept His work by faith because you cannot earn it from Him. You can’t earn anything that is freely offered to you.

Now that you have accepted what Christ has done for you, you can begin living the significant life that God has given you in Christ.

How does one live the significant life? You must know who you are in Christ. When you know who you are you have the inner power to live up to your high calling.

Matthew 13:14 (I am salt and light)

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
Our significance can be found in being Salt and Light.

The Christian adds a flavor to this world that it needs. The Christian also brings light into this dark world.

See the Christian is different than the natural spirited person. The Christian is an alien, stranger and foreigner in this world but the Christian is here for a purpose.

Christ has given the Christian His Spirit to illuminate the world. He has placed the Christian in the world to season it in a different manner than it has ever been seasoned before He sent His Spirit.

Jesus was going to do something that would change the world. It started the day of Pentecost and has continued throughout the last two millennia. We may not totally understand His work but when you see a person that has been filled with Christ you see that he is different than the person filled with self.

In our world today, isn’t it great to run across people that are not totally filled with self?

They are like a light in a dark world. They are like a burst of flavor that has been added to your favorite meal. You find yourself wanting more of this new thing.

That is what the Christian is to be like.

John 15:5 (I am a branch of the true vine)

5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

When it comes to being a Christian we must be in Christ and He must be in us.

There are many ways to do good works in our world. But if you are going to do Kingdom work that will last for all eternity you must be in Christ.

Apart from Christ you cannot do anything that will count for the kingdom of God.

You cannot draw people to Christ and His Kingdom if you are separated from Christ. Only people who are in Christ know Christ in an spiritual manner. You may be able to read Scripture to someone and you may be able to tell them how to live a better life, but apart from Christ you are fooling yourself.

People that are separated from Christ cannot do kingdom work because they are not interested in people knowing the King they know. They may want to make people better in this world but this world is their focus.

Christians, those attached to the vine, want others to be grafted in also. They want people to come to Christ not just a better behavior. They want people to be saved by the Savior into the kingdom not just acting like better citizens of this world.

You must be in the vine if you are going to produce kingdom fruit.

John 15:16 (I am chosen and appointed to bear fruit)

16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

Once again we need to understand that we were chosen in Christ before we were ever born. How do I know this? Christ died for me while I was still a sinner. He died for me long before I ever came into the world. It was His desire that I come to Him 2000 years ago at the cross.

I didn’t know and understand this before I came to Him. Now that I have come to Him I see, know and understand how true this is.

Since I was chosen, God must have had a plan for me. I didn’t know the plan but now that I know Christ He has placed a new path before me. This path is toward Him while leading others to Him also.

God has given us the Name of Jesus to lead others to the only Name by which man can be saved. He has called us unto Himself and allows us to produce lasting fruit in Jesus Name. He has appointed us, through our faith and salvation, to do these good works.

Your significance is found in Christ and His appointed mission for your life.

Wouldn’t it be a great blessing to know that you were used in drawing someone to their eternal life in Christ?

Acts 1:8 (I am a witness of Christ)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

We, as humans, naturally desire power. We want power over others. We want power to get things done and accomplish our desires. This is not the power Christ gives us.

Christ empowers us to live in a manner worthy of our high calling. He gives us power to reach others for His kingdom. He does not give us power and authority over and above others. The power He gives us enables us to overcome the ways of this world.

See, the Christian who has the Holy Spirit living in him is a new creation. He is a new creature. This new creature has put to death his old life at the cross crucifying his own passions and desires. Birthed into the Christian, by the impartation of the Holy Spirit, is a new life. A life destined for God’s kingdom. Since we are headed for God’s kingdom we should desire that those around us accompany us on our journey into this new realm.

We are witnesses of the transformation that happens when a person comes to Christ and is given the Holy Spirit. As witnesses we want to share what we have come to see and know with those around us. How’s your witness?

1 Corinthians 3:16 (I am God’s temple)

16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?

Christians filled with the Holy Spirit make up the true temple of God. If you have been reborn into God’s kingdom via the impartation of the Holy Spirit you are a part of the temple. You are one of the living stones that make it a reality.

2 Corinthians 6:1 (I am God’s co-worker)

As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.

Once again your significance is found in Christ. In Christ you are a co-worker with God. You are a part of His ministry team. Peter tells us that we are a part of the royal priesthood. That’s not something that is only for the pastors and teachers. The royal priesthood is for all the witnesses that are in the vine. We have been grafted into Christ. We have been given a new Spirit. We have been chosen and called for the work of ministry. Now we are co-workers with god for the building of His kingdom. Are you prepared for the duty God has called you to?

Ephesians 2:6 (I am seated with Christ)

6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.

Maybe we would be better prepared if we knew who we really are in Christ. This is why I have chosen to do this series. I want you to know who you are so you can have the power to do that which you have been called to do.

It’s much easier to teach, witness and testify to something you know rather than something you have just heard or read about. Your teaching authority comes from your experiential knowledge. It’s hard to teach the Word and ways of God if you haven’t experienced His work in your life. If you know Christ you will desire to make Him known. If you know about Christ you can spread information about Him but not really introduce someone to Him. You must know Christ if you are going to make Him known to others.

Ephesians 2:10 (I am God’s masterpiece)

10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago

Have you ever approached God in prayer and asked Him to reveal to you what He has planned for you.

God, what have you recreated me for? What is it that you have for me to do? Am I doing you will or should I be prepared to change my plans to fulfill your plan for me?

This is quite a prayer. You just never know, God might throw you into the midst of a great work for His kingdom.

Ephesians 3:12 (I am welcome before God)

12 Because of Christ and our faith in him,‍ we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence

Don’t shy away from God. Your significance is found in Him and doing His will for your life. Approach Him boldly and confidently, Walk into His presence and ask Him to show you His plan for your life.

Philippians 4:13 (I am strong in Christ)

13 For I can do everything through Christ,‍ who gives me strength.

Once again, don’t shy away. Christ will give you the strength and power to accomplish everything He has planned for you.
Do you want to know God’s plan for your life? Are you scared of what He may ask of you? Are you unsure you want to follow the Lord into His kingdom work? It’s time to step up to God’s plan and find your significance in what He has to offer.

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 ( I am so much in Christ that it’s hard to comprehend it all)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

WOW!!!

If you have not yet found you significance in Christ Jesus it’s time for you to be reconciled to Him.

It’s time for you to come back to Him and ask Him to begin leading you into the future He has planned for you.

I’m willing to say that it’s safer to be walking in God’s plan than one of your own. The Scriptures testify to all His miraculous work. He is able to work things together and make things to become that we cannot do. Since I don’t have the power to make things work out for me, I have found that following God’s plan allows me to be a witness to His work and He is the one working all things together.

Do you trust the Lord?

Do you trust Him enough to give yourself to Him?

Do you trust Him enough to submit your will to His and follow His leading rather that your desire?

The 33 passages I have put before you over the past three weeks have made you aware of your acceptance in Christ. The have shown you the assurance and security you have in Christ. Today they have led you to find your significance in Christ.

Are you ready for this journey?

Next week we will start a series about the traits of a new creature that is in Christ.

But for today I want to challenge you to boldly approach God and ask Him to show you His plan for your life.

Hang on the ride might just lead you into some amazing Kingdom work.

Who I Am In Christ Pt. 2

Audio Message

Last week we looked at the fact that we are accepted in Christ.

I made sure to tell everyone that those who are not in Christ cannot claim these passages of Scripture. If you are not in Christ and the Spirit of Christ is not in you, you have no part of the Kingdom. In reality you are not really a Christian at all.

So, as we begin this morning I want you to search yourself to make sure you are in Christ. If you have any doubts at all you need to take it up with God as soon as possible to make sure you are really in the faith.

The Scripture it-self tells us that we should test ourselves in this matter.

2 Corinthians 13:5

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. Test yourselves. If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is among you, it means you have failed the test.

Let’s get into the second set of 11 passages.

Today we will look at our security in Christ.

You are Secure in Christ.

Romans 8:1-2 (I am free from condemnation)

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you‍ from the power of sin that leads to death.

Before a person comes to Christ they are condemned due to their sin nature and their sin actions. We must be purchased back into right standing with God by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

We are all dead in our transgressions and sins. We must be resurrected to new life in Christ Jesus. Once we come to Christ we are reborn into a new life. This new life is generated by the life-giving Spirit. This Spirit is our guarantee of things to come.

John 3:18

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Far too many people today do not believe in Jesus Christ for their salvation. They have been led astray by teachers, preachers, priests, pastors and others that lie to them to keep them feeling good about themselves.

Condemnation is too high of a price to pay when there is a way of salvation. The way is through Christ Jesus.

Now there is no Condemnation for those who belong to Him.

Romans 8:28 (I am assured that all things are working together for good)

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

It doesn’t take much study of the world around us to realize that it is full of evil and sin. We go as far as teaching self-centeredness and building people up in their unholy lifestyles.

But in all of this, God is at work. He is working in the lives of those that have been called to Him and are living according to His purpose for them.

I am one who happens to believe that God is calling everyone to Himself via the Cross.

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

God’s purpose is for us to be saved through His Son.

If we are unwilling to come to His Son, He is unable to work His purpose into our life.

This doesn’t mean that He is unable to work out His purpose. It means we have a responsibility to come to God in the way He has called us.

If we refuse to come to God on His terms, we are telling God that our way is better than His and He does not allow us to be God. We must submit to God’s way so that His purpose for us can be fulfilled.

Romans 8:33-34 (I am free from my accusers)

33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

This is a very powerful passage. In Christ we have right standing with God. No one can condemn us. We have been raised to new life. And Christ is interceding on our behalf. This is our position in Christ. It is what we have been chosen for. Now we are free from our accusers and free to live in right relationship with God thanks be to the work of Christ for us.

Romans 8:35 (I am not separated from God’s love)

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

Nothing can separate us from God’s love but this doesn’t mean that everyone is right with God. It doesn’t mean that everyone is saved. It doesn’t mean that everyone will have a great, wonderful and blissful afterlife.

Romans 8:38-39

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away. 39 Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Here is the saddest situation known to man. Although we cannot be separated from the love of God most would prefer not to accept, acknowledge or dwell in God’s love. Most would rather be away from God and present in their own misery doing all that they think they desire. They are blind to the truth and have been separated from God’s presence.

Could you imagine having the love of God revealed to you in Christ and His work at the cross, and then refusing to accept it? We separate ourselves from God’s presence by not accepting His work for us.

God loves us and desires the absolute best for us. But, we would rather have our sin-filled lives than to separate ourselves into His love.

How great is it to know that we cannot be separated from the love of God, that is if we are in Christ. Those not in Christ chose not to accept The love that is available to them.

2 Corinthians 1:21 (I am anointed and sealed by God)

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Once again we see that the Spirit is the key. If you do not have the Spirit of Christ you are no part of His but if you do you have a guarantee of what is to come.

1 Corinthians 11:25

In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and you, sealed by the shedding of my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.”

The seal of the covenant is the shed blood of Jesus Christ. The seal of ownership is the presence of the Holy Spirit in us. All of this comes by faith. When we place our faith in Jesus Christ and what He has done for us God gives us a new Spirit which makes us a new creation in Christ and all things become new.

It is amazing what Christ has done for us.

Colossians 3:3 (I am hidden with Christ in God)

3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

This is a very hard concept for most to understand. We were dead to God due to sin all the while living in sin-filled world determined to satisfy our own self-will. Once we were awakened to our situation we died to this world and all of its sin. We were then raised to new life in Christ.

This new lie is hidden in Christ. This is your real life. Life in this world is a fantasy. All that is truly real is eternal. So your eternal life is in Christ. This is your real life for all eternity.

Philippians 1:6 (I am certain that God will finish His work in me)

6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

As you can tell your security is growing with each passage.

Here you see that God will complete the work He has begun in you. It is a part of the guarantee that comes with the Spirit seal.

If you are still here when Christ returns you will be taken up to be with him and the rest of the saints. If you have died in Christ you will return with Him and be joined with the rest of the saints in the sky. Either way you will be with Christ and at that moment all things will be complete in Him.

Philippians 3:20 (I am a citizen of heaven)

20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.

Are you eagerly awaiting the return of Christ?

This is actually a sign of the inner workings of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit fills you with a desire for Christ and eternal things. Many people whom claim Christ have a greater desire for the things of this world than the things of Christ.

Since we have died to this world and been reborn as citizens of heaven our focus and desires should reflect or new position.

It amazes me how uninterested so-called “citizens of heaven” are in their future home and present relationship with the Lord. Maybe these uninterested people are not really in Christ after all.

2 Timothy 1:7 (I am powerful in God)

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

The Spirit of Christ in us gives us a powerful faith, trust and reliance upon the Lord. We become strong and powerful because we are relying upon the authority of Christ. As our faith grows fear and timidity fade away.

2 Timothy 3:1-5

You should also know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that.

False Christians are very difficult. They think they’re Christians but they do not have the Spirit. Since they lack the Spirit they act more like the people of the world yet think they are all right. This makes it almost impossible to bring them to a saving faith because they think they are saved for a million reasons other than their trust, faith, reliance and belief in what Christ has done for them.

They act religious but they deny the very power that can make them true children of God.

Hebrews 4:16 (I am allowed to approach God)

16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Today’s message might be sewing more doubt than encouragement. We need to know for sure that we are in Christ. If you are in Christ you can boldly approach the throne of God and all the rest of the promises are yours also.

Our position in Christ is a mighty place. We have more privileges and honors than we can wrap our minds around. It’s time we understand our position and start living up to it.

1 John 5:18 (I am untouchable by the evil one)

18 We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.

This doesn’t mean that God’s children never sin. As a child of God we can confess our sins and God is faithful to forgive them. When a person confesses sin they realize it is sin and should then ask God for the power to overcome the sin. He has given you His Spirit to help you. Are you relying on His help?

God can hold you up and keep you secure in and through your times of temptation.

The evil one cannot touch you. The problem is we open the door by reaching out to the schemes of the devil. We play with the temptation. We entertain the thoughts and open ourselves up to the work of the evil one.

I hope you can see the security you have in Christ. I also hope you will make sure you are in Christ. These promises are way too important to take for granted. We must make sure we are in Christ and then walk boldly in the position God has so graciously bestowed upon those of us who believe.

God’s Will is Holiness

I had another person tell me the other day that they believed God wanted them to be happy.

I personally believe God desires His children, saved by grace, adopted into His family, citizens of the Kingdom of God to be happy.

But it seems that every time I hear someone declare that God wants them to be happy it applies to their sinfulness in this world.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 says, “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.”

This should help a person to see that God desires for us to find our happiness in the midst of being holy before Him.

It amazes me that people think God will justify sin just because it makes them happy, or feel good, or deliver them personal pleasure or allows them to acquire what they want at the moment.

God is not as worried about a person’s happiness as He is about their holiness.

We are the ones that must turn from our worldly thinking and see that our true happiness is found in being holy before the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

Those who belong to Christ have turned from the ways of this world. They are seeking God and His kingdom through Jesus. Our lives are different. We want to be pleasing to the Lord.

Hebrews 10:10 teaches us that, “God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.”

This is a foreign thought in our world today. We just want to be happy and have God pat us on the head and reward us because we are proud of ourselves for our personal accomplishments that have made us feel good about ourselves. This has nothing to do with being holy before the Almighty God of Heaven.

Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

God’s will for our lives is perfect. If we are walking in His will we could certainly find our happiness there. The difference is most don’t believe that happiness can be found in being holy and staying away from the sins that so easily entangle people’s lives.

I’d like to offer everyone reading this a true happiness that can only be found in a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ.

Who I Am In Christ Pt. 1

Audio Message

Over the next three Sundays I am going to put forth 33 passages of Scripture that define who a person is in Christ. There will be Scripture under each of the 33 but only 33 heading Scriptures. We will cover 11 each week.

Many times we fail to realize the firm foundation and high standing that we have been given as a believer and faithful follower of Jesus Christ.

Last week we looked at ho the three parts of a human work together. The Holy Spirit must be in charge of your person. If you have not yet died to self and given lordship of your life to Christ, you are not in Christ. If you are not in Christ these 33 passages are not for you. They are for those who are in Christ.

Far too often we lead people who are not truly Spirit born Christians into a false hope. We read the passage as though they apply to everyone.

I want to make sure that you know these passages are for those in Christ Jesus that have His Spirit living in them.

If you are not sure you need to search yourself to make sure you are in the faith. You need to make sure you are following the Holy Spirit and not your self spirit.

If you have any questions about this issue you might want to take it up with the Lord in prayer and if you would like to contact me to discuss your doubts feel free to call me during the week.

Let’s get started.

I have divided the 33 passages into sections of 11. This is to keep you from being overwhelmed and they also fit well under three separate headings.

Today we will look at your Acceptance in Christ, next week we will look at your Security in Christ and the final week we will look at your Significance in Christ.

So, here we go…

You are Accepted in Christ.

Today’s evangelism is always asking if you have accepted Christ. This is a great question that needs to be answered. But for those of you who have come to faith and placed your trust in Christ for your salvation from sin, you need to know that you are accepted in Christ Jesus.

Most of today’s Christians are weak because they do not understand the firm foundation that they are standing on. Christians waver about being tossed to and fro because they are unsure of their position in Christ.

If you knew for sure that you were accepted by Christ, wouldn’t you feel a sense of power over the world?

If you knew and understood the solid foundation that holds you up, I believe you would be able to walk boldly against the ways of this world.

John 1:12 (I am God’s Child)

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

Did you know that you were an adopted child of God’s? Let’s let Paul explain…

Ephesians 1:5, “ His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.”

Galatians 4:5-7, “God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 6 And because you Gentiles have become his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and now you can call God your dear Father. 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you.

Romans 8:15-16, “So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God’s very own children, adopted into his family—calling him “Father, dear Father.” 16 For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children.”

Last Sunday we talked about the importance of having the Holy Spirit guiding and control the Christian’s life. As you can see the Holy Spirit tells us that we are accepted.

John 15:12 (I am Christ’s friend)

I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.

As friends of God through Christ we have a very privileged position. The Holy Spirit works in us to reveal to us that which God desires us to know.

Romans 5:11, “So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God—all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God.”

James 2:23-24, “And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, so God declared him to be righteous.” He was even called “the friend of God.” 24 So you see, we are made right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.”

James 4:4, “You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with this world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy this world, you can’t be a friend of God.”

We must come to belief in God through Christ for the Holy Spirit to allow us to see the things God desires to reveal to us. If we are still friends of the world we are not going to see properly. We must rely upon the Lord and sever our ties with the world. Once we settle our friendship issues the Lord will begin to take us deeper into our relationship with him.

Have you given up on the world yet? If not, this could be what’s holding your relationship back.

Don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. We are still in the world but not of it. We are here on mission. Once we realize this God will open up a treasure chest of understanding to us.

Romans 5:1 (I am justified)

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

To be justified is to be right with God. It’s a legal term. When the judge declares you not guilty of a crime you have been justified right.

This is what the ultimate Judge has done for us in Christ Jesus. Once we believe we are justified by our faith.

Galatians 2:15-16, “We who are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners’ 16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.”
As you can tell we are not justified by following the law but by believing in Jesus Christ. See, the law proves we are sinners. Since we are sinners there has to be another way of being made right aside from keeping an already broken law. That way is by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. Once we do this we are justified right in God’s sight. We are not made right by following the law but by believing in Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:17 (I am united with the Lord)

17 But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.

As you can see we are building a very strong foundation upon the Scriptures that have been placed before us.

Galatians 3:26-29, “So you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him. 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians—you are one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and now all the promises God gave to him belong to you.”

Are you united with Christ? Have you placed your faith and trust in His work to make you right? Are you relying upon, clinging to, adhering to and believing in God through Christ for your salvation?

This is the test for your faith.

Far too many hold to their church work and attendance. They point to their ceremonies and involvement. They believe that they are basically good and should be accepted based upon their presupposed wonderfulness.

This is not what saves a person.

Have you been submersed into Christ. Have you fallen into His person and said, “I can’t do it on my own, I need You”?

Are you united with Christ?

1 Corinthians 6:20 (I am valuable to God)

20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

Last week I put the following passage before you three or four times. It needs to be placed before you again here.

Galatians 5:19-23, “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, 20 idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.”
Are you honoring God with your body?

If you have been purchased, bought back or redeemed from your sin, you no longer belong to the sinful lifestyle. Since you have been purchased unto freedom by the blood of Jesus Christ should you not live like it? Unless, of course, you have not yet been redeemed from sin.

If you are still living in sin I must ask, are you sure you have been purchased?

Many want heaven but they don’t want to leave their life of sin. They want a better afterlife but they don’t realize that their eternal life has already begun. If you are friends with this world and still enjoying and chasing after your sin, you are not a part of the Kingdom of God.

Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not here to force you into God’s Kingdom. This is a voluntary decision that you have to make. Your afterlife destination comes with your present decision to accept Christ and His ways. The decision is yours.

1 Corinthians 12:27 (I am a part of Christ’s body)

27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.

The body of Christ is the true church. The true church are those who have been spiritually reborn. The have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them and are following the Lord Jesus Christ in every part of their lives.

Now don’t be fooled, not everyone who attends a church is truly a part of the body of Christ.

Many people come into the church in search of answers. Many are following a soulish religion or a mental acceptance of the way. If they do not have the Spirit of Christ in them they are not truly Christians and they are not a part of Christ’s body.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13, “ The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into Christ’s body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit.”

Ephesians 4:11-16, “He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, 13 until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”

Now that we understand that the spiritually reborn make up the body and are growing together becoming more like Christ let’s check out our next position.

Ephesians 1:1b (I am a saint)

To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

I know it’s hard to believe that you are a saint, but, you didn’t make yourself a saint and it’s only God’s declaration that qualifies you for being a saint.

Let’s look deeper,

Romans 1:7, “To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:”

Romans 8:27, “And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”

2 Corinthians 1:1, “To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:”

2 Corinthians 13:13, “All the saints send their greetings.”

Ephesians 6:18b, “With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

Jude 1:3, “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.”

Colossians 1:26, “the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.”

This may be hard for some of you to wrap your mind around but our faith and new spirit is what makes us saints.

These passages came from the NIV. The passages in the NLT use the word Christian. See a true Christian, one who has been born of the Spirit and is following Christ by faith is declared to be a saint by the Lord. You may not think you are a saint but God does so you had best start living up to your high title.

Ephesians 1:5 (I am adopted as God’s child)

‍5‍ he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.

God has adopted us as His very own children. He has given us His name. He has set aside an inheritance for us. He allows us to come to Him at any time addressing Him as our very own Father. This is a privileged position.

Galatians 4:3-7 “And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were slaves to the spiritual powers of this world. 4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 6 And because you Gentiles have become his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and now you can call God your dear Father. 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you.”

Romans 8:15-16 “So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God’s very own children, adopted into his family—calling him ‘Father, dear Father.’ 16 For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children.”

For those of us who are in Christ we have a family reputation to uphold.

Ephesians 2:18 (I am accepted before God)

18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

Everything we have been given is a gift due to what Christ has done for us. This is why we acknowledge, worship, praise, thank him with a life lived differently than those who have not come to Christ for their salvation and adoption.

Colossians 1:4 (I am redeemed and forgiven)

13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

To stand before God redeemed and forgiven will be a very wonderful experience. This is made possible by God through His Son and the impartation of the Holy Spirit.

We have become new creations or new creatures in Christ. We have an incredible standing with God due to Christ’s work and our faith and trust in it.

Are you living accordingly?

Colossians 2:10 (I am complete in Christ)

10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
This is our eleventh passage for today.

Due to your union with Christ you have been made complete in Him.

Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.”

I pray these passages have shown you that you are accepted by God if you are in Christ Jesus.

If you have not yet accepted Christ as Lord and Master of your life and destiny I would like you urge you to seek and search out the Lord with all your heart.

Your position before God will change, your life in this world will change and your understanding of God’s Word will come full circle and all He is calling you to will become your desire.

Next week we will look at our security in Christ but for today I hope you really grasp your acceptance in Christ.