Who You Are In Christ

Text scriptures:  Eph 4:11-12, Rom 8:31-39

Eph 4:11-12(KJV)    11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Rom 8:30-39 (KJV)    30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord

• Consecration =One separated from the world (dedicated) to God; one holy by profession and by covenant; a believer in Christ.

·         Psalm 16:3    But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

·         Rom 1:7    To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

·         Eph 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

·         My only point here is that the Bible calls those who believe in and confess Christ as Lord and Savior saints.

·         Interesting that in the 4^th century, the believer was relegated to a common person and the Biblical term for believer “saint” was made a title of high esteem. (beforehad to have been an apostle of Jesus, performed miracles or both and be dead)

·         We can then understand our text scripture Eph 4:12 better.  (re-read)

1.    Paul reminds Ephesians who they are and what they are to be doing. (I know – but we can logically surmise that if they are to “perfect the saints” it is implied that they are saints themselves).

2.    Revelation given to Paul regarding building the Church (body of Christ, re-establishing The Kingdom Of God)

3.    We are to teach people, who teach people, who teach people, who teach people – etc.

4.    If we are to be effective in “perfecting the saints” we must 1st realize who we are in Him, and what Christ has done for us.

·         Who we are in Christ can be defined by what He has done for us!

·        We must realize – God’s plan to re-establish Kingdom depends on believers in Christ spreading the Church - perfecting the saints

·        We need to realize it will be done with - or without you and I.

Jesus told disciples that the gates of Hades would not withstand The Kingdom Of God – NOTHING WILL STOP THE CHURCH!

Matthew 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (explain Gate of Hades being a real place)

This is a point many Christians lose sight of in a culture of declining morality they think the Church will be derailed. They don’t know - or forget that all along, God’s plan was to re-establish His Kingdom right over the top of Pagan religions that ran rampant in those days.

Above is a picture of The Gates of Hades at Cesarea Phillippi
 Pagan idols were set on these alters and worshiped.

  We will do it because we love Christ – He loved us first

 1 John 4:19
We love him, because he first loved us  -

·         God sent His only Begotten Son to make a sacrifice we can’t imagine on behalf of us

                              John 3:16, (read) (father who’s son dies – let alone sending Him to His death)

Col 2: 14 Having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was   against      us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

·         Christ sacrificed Himself for us – to preserve us, the only way we will be preserved is if the Church is established and The Kingdom is re-established

·         Think of this – Christ entrusted the establishing of His Church on earth to 12 disciples who did not have a clue until that final 3 years of Jesus life.

He trusted them and now He trusts you and me

·         He knows we need help to carry out our mission – Bible says He will never leave us or forsake us. ( Read Rom 8:28 – 39)

·         If we are His servants – bought and paid for with his blood we must realize a few things:

·        We have a mission: Great Commission -  Mark 16 -  15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

1.   After He told us what to do He empowered us to do it:

Mark 16 (next verses) 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

3. We MUST know who we are in Christ (because we are made in His image)

·         What can I do to do my part in fulfilling The Great Commission?

1.   Know who you are In Christ (all in Christ scriptures are what He has done for you – sometimes said through Christ)

Romans 3:24
and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

 

Ephesians 2:13  At one time you were far away from God. But now you belong to Christ Jesus. He spilled his blood for you. That has brought you near to God.

2.    Stay in relationship – meditate on scripture, Pray daily

3.    Confess daily (remind yourself) of what God, in Christ, has done for you and who you are in Christ,:

2 Cor. 9:8, 1 John 2:27, Matt 19:26, 2 Cor 5:17, 1 John 4:4, Phil 4:13, 1

Cor 3:16 (the list goes on and on)

4.    Know who God is and wants to be in you and to you -  1 Cor 3:17, Pslams138:5, Eph 3:16      ….  (the list goes on and on)

5.    Remember when you were in grade school you prob. Heard someone say “my dad can whip your dad”? The truth is if you’re in Christ The God Of The Universe wants to be “Abba” to us – Gal 4:4, Rom 8:15

Your Heavenly Father truly is the toughest guy ANYWHERE -  Eph 1:21

6.    Get in a Bible TEACHING church or atmosphere as soon as you can.

Almost all churches believe in the Bible, but not all teach the Bible.

·         This is important so you can know who you are

·         Who God is

·         Know where you are in history

·         Find your gifts

·         Find your place

·         Help you find ministry opportunities

·         Realize that you may think you are over qualified for what you are doing – be faithful, don’t complain, do the best you can!

You then can and will show Christ to others!