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“Those Who Are Christ’s” Introduction. (1 Corinthians 15:19-24). Note: the phrase – “Those who are Christ’s” (vs. 23). The promise is that these will resurrected like Christ was raised. Since they acknowledge Him as their King, they will be part of this “kingdom” which He will deliver to God (vs. 24). As a result, their condition is not one that hopes “in this life only” making them “most pitiable” (as vs. 19 puts it), but instead their condition is desirable. This makes it pretty clear that this group of people are the ones who “are Christ’s.” This would be a pretty good group of people to be a part of. This would be a group of people that all of us would aspire to be included within. What kind of people are these? What characterizes who they are? Tonight I’d like for us to look for just a few moments about what the Bible tells us about “those who are Christ’s.” First they are people who… I. Hear God’s Words (John 8:47). This doesn’t mean they couldn’t hear (or understand). Notice the context – read: John 8:37-46. Notice several things here:
They couldn’t understand Him because they were too interested in doing their own things, following their own desires and wishes, which was exactly what the devil desired of them (and of all men). What then does this tell us about “Those who are Christ’s ?” They listen to what God has said because they are interested in doing what God desires. How can we hear God’s words? Let’s answer this by considering an example of failure to hear God’s words. We fail to hear God’s word if we are guilty of… A. “Making the word of God of no effect” (Mark 7:9-13). Notice his points… · They reject the “commandment of God” by their “tradition” (vs. 9). · “Moses said” in the Old Testament Law (vs. 10). · How would they know what Moses said (he lived hundreds of years before this)?” · By Scripture! Jesus contrasts this with their tradition (vs. 11,12) and then… · Describes the result--it made “the word of God of no effect” (vs. 13). What does that tell us? SCRIPTURE = GOD’S WORDS Those Who Are Christ’s... LISTEN TO GOD’S WORDS IN SCRIPTURE The text in John involved a discussion about Abraham’s descendents. That leads to our next point about “Those who are Christ’s”—they... II. Are Abraham’s Children (Galatians 3:29). Note the phrase “heirs according to the promise.” What promise is this citing? A. “All the nations of the earth will be blessed” (Genesis 22:15-18). The context is the command to sacrifice Isaac. When Abraham was obedient, this promise was made. So, Abraham’s “seed” would bless all the nations. But let’s look even before this… B. “Establish My covenant between Me and You” (Genesis 17:7). Who are Abraham’s descendants? The text in John 8 showed that just because someone may claim to have descended from Abraham, doesn’t mean that they are his children. His children do what He did! Let’s go back to Galatians. C. “Those who are of faith are sons of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7-9). What did Abraham do? He ACTED by faith! Think about this... · He moved when God told him to move. · He circumcised his children when God commanded it. · He moved to sacrifice Isaac when God commanded it. Those who are Christ’s must do the same. Those Who Are Christ’s... HAVE AN OBEDIENT FAITH III. Have Crucified the Flesh (Galatians 5:24). That is a pretty strong term. Crucifixion was one of the most brutal forms of execution of that day. If we used modern language and said, “Those who are Christ’s have electrocuted the flesh”—even that would not address the severity, and the intensity of this statement. How do His people do this?” Notice the context: by ... A. Walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-23). What does it mean to “Walk in the Spirit?” We can see from this text that it involves refraining from some things, and doing others. But we are not left to determine this on our own. Paul defines exactly what this is. It is… B. Setting the mind on the things of the Spirit (Romans 8:5). So then... Those Who Are Christ’s... DENY THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH (When they conflict with God’s revealed will), and... SET THEIR MINDS ON SPIRITUAL THINGS (As revealed through His word). IV. Are Free yet Slaves (1 Corinthians 7:17-22). Notice: (vs. 22) The slave is “Christ’s freedman.” What an unusual concept—the freedman is “Christ’s slave.” The fact is no one is ever free in an absolute sense. We are either slaves of sin, or slaves of God in Christ. A. “Slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:16-22). So this tells us something else we can add to our list… Those Who Are Christ’s... ARE FREE FROM SIN BUT SLAVES TO DO & WORK RIGHTEOUSNESS V. Live And Die To The Lord (Romans 14:7, 8). Here we find more very strong language. We like the first concept, that those who are Christ’s “live to the Lord.” The second is less palatable—those who are Christ’s “die to the Lord.” In the context this appears to talk about persecution, or simply the death of the faithful. Yet, there is another way Paul uses very similar language. A. “Crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20). Notice: “It is no longer I who live.” This reminds us of Galatians 5:24—those who are Christ’s have “crucified the flesh.” How do you LIVE crucified? By allowing Christ’s words, Christ’s example, Christ’s character, and Christ’s will to set the standard for our life. B. “To live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21-23). Here Paul’s attitude is simply that of a servant. He says, in essence, “If my master wants me to do this, I’ll do it!” Does that equate to earning some status? No! It is the life of a servant, letting Christ (our Master) live in our life in everything we do. Those who are Christ’s must view life the same way. Those Who Are Christ’s... LIVE TO THE LORD VI. Declare The Truth (1 John 4:1-3). Notice: (vs. 1) We have a responsibility to test who “is” and “is not from God.” How do we do this? By what they declare or confess (vs. 2,3). John probably addresses here the first stages of the false doctrines of Gnosticism which denied that Jesus came in the flesh. However, this isn’t saying that this is all that one must confess. It is simply an example of how confession of truth about who Jesus is, what He taught, what He demands of us is an identifier of whether one belongs to God in Christ or not. What does this tell us about “Those who are Christ’s?” Those Who Are Christ’s... MUST STAND UP FOR TRUTH Conclusion. We have seen several things which the Bible teaches about the character, faith, conduct, and marks of “Those who are Christ’s.” As we end I offer one final question—Are you Christ’s? Read: Galatians 3:26-27. Would you not become a child of God by faith? Would you not “put on” Christ in baptism? Kyle Pope 2010 |
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