Being in Christ, Part 1

Being in Christ, Part 1

MESSAGE SUMMARY:

Overview of Prior Series:  Turkeys and Eagles: This Series has been looking at Paul’s letter to the Ephesians to point out “Turkeyisms” – things by which have duped us into believing or behaving in ways which aren’t what Christianity is all about. This Series has pointed out some changes in our thinking needed so that we can be like “Eagles” -- to be the people that God wants and intended for us to be. Ephesians 6 mentions “praying in the Spirit” – praying with a focus on the Lord. Prayer is the most powerful weapon we have, but we fail to use it. Prayer is the privilege we are given to enter into the holiness of the Universe’s Creator. When we bring our situations to God, His presence invades those situations.

Sermon: To Live Is Christ: We have too many in the Christian Church that do not know who they are in Jesus. Therefore, too many Christians live their lives with no purpose or vision; and due to this ignorance, they often live in fear and disillusionment about their spiritual life. “Being in Christ”: When we first came to faith in Jesus, something miraculous happened – we were transferred from the “kingdom of darkness” to the “kingdom of light” – we went from not being in Jesus to being in Jesus. However, most of us don’t live like we are in Jesus. Being in Jesus is like being in the water scuba diving – being in Jesus effects everything (e.g., thoughts, actions, movements, feelings – even those things needed to stay alive). We need to become aware of who we are in Jesus. Once we are in Jesus, we have a struggle with our very being.

Paul tells us, in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, that we are body, soul, and spirit – our spirit is where God indwells us when we are in Christ. To live in Christ, we must yield our body and soul to the spirit. In Philippians 1:21, Paul tells us that “for me to live is Christ” – Christ is what life is all about. Remembering “to live is Christ” reminds us that we live in the Kingdom of God, and God is in charge. In whatever circumstance we are facing in our lives, “to Live is Christ”. Also, Paul, in Philippians 1, describes how we have a work in Christ which includes being a witness for Christ. We are either “in Christ” or “not in Christ” -- “to Live is Christ”.

 

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus’ name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD’S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Ephesians 6:10-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Philippians 1:21-30; Ephesians 1:3-4; Colossians 1:1-2.

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