4/15/12 JESUS LIVES IN BELIEVERS – JOHN 15, ROMANS 6, GALATIANS 2

4/15/12 JESUS LIVES IN BELIEVERS – JOHN 15, ROMANS 6, GALATIANS 2
How seriously do we take our Christian life? Most who claim to be Christians aren’t concerned about what it means to live like a Christian. Few put a relationship with God as the top priority. Some aren’t interested in growing in a relationship with God for two reasons: first, many don’t really know Jesus and second, many don’t understand what the Christian life is about. We must understand what it means to live the Christian life as the Lord intended. Christian has become a brand that can be good, bad, attractive or repelling. But where did the term come from? Acts 11:25-26 The term Christian was used a derogatory term from the world used to describe those associated with Jesus, but the Jesus community never used the term Christian to describe themselves. Followers of Christ called themselves disciples. A disciple is one who looks to a person to give direction to show how to live life and will answer yes to whatever answer is given. Are we followers of Christ? If we are followers of Christ, our answer will be yes to Jesus. John 13:33-35 Here are the disciples marching orders. Love one another as Jesus loved. By this one thing, Jesus said we’ll be His disciples. Jesus was telling Peter, He didn’t want Peter to die for Him. Jesus wanted Peter to love these followers for the rest of Peter’s life. Think of all that Jesus had to put up with the disciples, yet He loved them.

• Peter – rough around the edges, constantly sticking his foot in his mouth
• Andrew – Peter’s brother, people pleaser, behind the scenes kind of guy.
• James – son of Zebedee – battled with pride, demanded to sit beside Christ on right hand when kingdom established.
• John – brother of James – youthful immaturity – insecure about himself always had to emphasize that he was the one whom Jesus loved.
• Philip – lived by the book
• Bartholomew – brilliant, intellectual thinker
• Thomas – one of the better know disciples – known for doubting, battled with trust issued even trusting Jesus.
• Matthew – tax collector – financial genius – probably ready to sell his soul to cheat his country men when he met Jesus. Think about the opposites Matthew and Peter were. Matthew – Wall Street Guru – Peter – Blue Collar hunter, country boy.
• James – son of Alphaeus – no desire for fame or fortune.
• Thaddeus – unimpressive, youthful.
• Simon the Zealot – scary, extremely passionate, unbridled.
• Judas Iscariot – best known for all the wrong reasons, love of money betrayer.

Jesus wants us to love people in such a way that people on the outside will look at the way that we love each other and they’ll be drawn to the edge and peer in and say look how they love. We’re to create a community of people who are defined by unconditional, generous love. What a difference it would make if we loved those who name the name of Jesus the way Jesus did!

READ WE ARE CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST GALATIANS 2:19B-21

How have we been crucified with Christ? God looks at us as if we had died with Christ. Because our sins died with Him, we’re no longer condemned. Ro 8:1 Our Christian life began when, in unity with Him, we died to our old life.

Christianity’s focus isn’t dying, but living. We’re to die to the law in order to live to God. The law points out how we must live for God. The question is who are we allowing to live in us? Self or Christ – We’re to allow Christ to live in and through our bodies by faith. We’ve been crucified with Christ – this is in the past so that we may allow Christ to live through us now. This is done by living in faith in Jesus knowing He loves us and gave Himself for us. This is a done deal; the flesh is dead and Christ lives His life through us. The way to active life is through faith. The crucified part is done, but the Christ living in us is a continuous on going process. By faith, we allow Christ to live out His life through us. Can others see Jesus living in us? Are we allowing Him to shine? The God’s grace enables us to have the righteousness of Jesus. We all need God’s grace for without it we’re lost.

READ WE ARE RAISED WITH CHRIST ROMANS 6:1-7

In our daily life, we must put aside sinful desires that keep us from following Christ. This is a kind of dying with Him. Lk 9:23-25. Because we’ve been crucified with Christ, we’ve been reconciled with God. 2 Cor 5:19 We’re free to grow into Christ’s likeness. Ro 8:29 We have Christ’s resurrection power as we continue to fight sin Eph 1:19,20 We’re are no longer alone, for Christ lives in us—He is our power for living and our hope for the future. Col 1:27

Romans 6 explains how God makes people righteous. Justification is God declaring us righteous in His eyes. Sanctification is God making us righteous. Justification happens the moment we trust Christ and is never repeated. Sanctification happens moment-by-moment as we surrender our lives to the Lord. Justification delivers from the penalty of sin. Sanctification delivers from the power of sin. Justification is an event. Sanctification is a process. Justification leads to sanctification. Those who are truly born again are led by the Spirit into holiness.

Some were teaching that once we’re justified, we’re free to live as we please. This distorted view of freedom claims that by sinning they were increasing the grace of God. This is justifying wrong-doing. It’s abusing the grace of God. The truth is that if we’re disciples, we’ve already died to sin. It’s a past event; a done deal. Dieing to sin means that we’ve been set free from sin’s ruling power in our lives. Sin is a slave-master. Before we came to Christ, we’re a slave to sin. V 2 When we came to Christ, we’re set free from sin’s power and placed under Jesus’ rule. Can we still obey the old master? Yes, but we don’t have to because he has no power unless we choose to give it. It doesn’t make sense to obey our old master when we have a new master. God doesn’t save us by grace so we can live in disgrace.

We try to live in two worlds at once. We straddle the fence between the old life and the new life. We put one foot in the kingdom of sin and one in the kingdom of God. We’d like to have Christ and our old way of life. It won’t work. A disciple grows sensitive to personal sin and desires to please God. Identifying with Christ’s death and burial enables and empowers us to live a resurrected life. A change in behavior begins with a change in heart.

The true disciple can’t sin and stay happy! What once satisfied us no longer satisfies. Sin no longer “fits” our lives. We can “wear” sin for a while, but it’s like wearing old clothes that are two sizes too small. It won’t be comfortable, look natural, feel or look right. Coming to Christ is like getting a new wardrobe. What fits now? Love, joy, peace, holiness, righteousness, compassion, zeal, concern for others. Those spiritual clothes fit just right. They were tailor-made for us.

The word “baptism” means to immerse or to dip. To totally immerse in water was a symbol of identification with Jesus. Baptism doesn’t save but it pictures what happens once we are saved. Baptism symbolizes our complete union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. The moment we come to Christ, the Holy Spirit unites us with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. Water baptism is a object lesson that pictures that truth.

Because Jesus was raised to new life, we’re raised to new life. Vs 4 means a “brand-new” life, not just a better life. God’s purpose is clear: He wants to free us from slavery to sin. In order to do that, He put to death our old self. That happened the moment we believed. Our old lives died even though we may not have felt it or been aware of it. Sin’s power has been broken. The phrase “sin’s dominion over the body may be abolished” means “rendered powerless.” Like an engine with no spark plugs or an appliance with no plug, our bodies can no longer be a tool of sin unless we choose to let it happen. Can we still sin? Yes. Is sin necessary? No. We are “able not to sin.” The choice is ours. Sin was defeated by Christ on the cross. Sin indwells our bodies and tries to control us, but we no longer need to yield to it. We can’t be defeated unless we choose to be defeated. Victory is now possible. We have responsible choices we must make, but before we came to Christ, we had no choice at all. Through Jesus change is possible. We’ve been set free.

READ WE ARE PRODUCTIVE WITH CHRIST JOHN 15:1-5
Jesus painted word pictures. He would tell a story and let people draw their own conclusion. Jesus said: I am the true vine. When Jesus spoke about vineyards, the people knew what He was talking about. It was an industry that had been cultivated for centuries. The vines are a rugged crop in a way yet a delicate fruit requiring to be treated with kid gloves. A young vine isn’t permitted to bear fruit for the first three years. It is pruned to preserve its energy. If this cutting back wasn’t done, the result would be a crop that wasn’t up to its full potential.

In Jesus’ analogy, He likened Himself to a vine. The fruit bearing branches are the disciples. God the farmer is the One who cultivates the vineyard. He waters and tends the soil, so that the vine is nourished. He takes pride in His crop. He also prunes the vines and removes the dead wood. Jesus is saying disciples should receive their strength from Jesus. He is the true vine. If they break away from Him, they’ll be unproductive branches, fruitless.

People talk about how they’re dissatisfied with their lives, always searching for a greater sense of meaning. We must take an honest look at our lives. Are we yearning for a greater sense of inner peace or have we plugged into the Vine. Jesus is the true vine. Attaching ourselves to anyone/thing else thinking they will provide life will prove to be false. There is Only One true Vine. God the Father prunes those who attach themselves to Jesus making sure they are a true representation of the healthy Vine. This pruning is done through His Word. The Word makes us clean. We must apply it. Live actively with Jesus and allow Him to live through us.

To remain, abide, dwell means to rest fully on Jesus. Restfully rely on Jesus. We can’t produce the fruit. He does it. Restlessness shows up in various ways in our lives: in relationships, emotions, and even our eating patterns. Whenever we restlessly jump from one thing or person to another looking for something to satisfy, it shows we aren’t connected to the vine.

Rest means purpose, significance, peace, satisfaction, and an understanding of what is truly important in life. How can our restless hearts be satisfied? The solution originates with Jesus. Jesus came to invite us to become like Him – to do similar things, to think similar thoughts, values, and to live lives filled with compassion and justice and strength of character. When we become like Jesus, we can have an incredible impact for what matters. We can also answer the restlessness of in our hearts. We glorify God and fulfill our ultimate reason for living. We can have true rest. Faith must saturate all we do. It’s not a list of dos and don’t, but rather a relationship with Jesus who cares. The answer to life’s longings is found in the true person and work of Jesus. Without Jesus, our hearts always will be restless. But with Him in our lives, our lives make sense. He is the answer to all our wishes for something more.

Prayer: Give us wisdom to know what to do with Your teaching and courage to follow through. This week help us to love like Jesus loves..

Filed under: Bible Studies, baptism, believers, branches, Christ, crucified, Galatians 2:20, Jesus lives, John 15, John 3:16, productive, raised with Christ, Romans 6, vine

2/19/12 CENTER OF MY BELIEF – COLOSSIANS 2:8-23

Our text deals with the danger of being spiritually deceived. We live in an age of con artists. We must examine what we believe to make sure it’s based on the Word of God not on what others say or do. God’s Word is true no matter what man says or does.

Colossians is a letter written by Paul to combat false teaching. He stressed Christ’s deity – Jesus’ connection with His Father – and His sacrifical death on the cross for sin. Only by being connected with Jesus through faith can anyone have eternal life and only through a continuing connection with Him can anyone have power for living. Jesus is God incarnate and the only way to forgiveness and peace with God the Father. Paul also emphasized believers’ connections with each other as Christ’s body on earth. The world’s teachings are totally empty when compared to God’s plan. We must reject shallow answers and live in union with Christ.

READ CHOOSE FULLNESS OVER EMPTINESS COLOSSIANS 2:8-15

What captivates you? We’re slaves to either Jesus or to Satan and the world. v. 8 Be careful means beware – stop, watch out look, and listen. Stop look around and pay attention. Empty deceit -Vain – useless, worthless, to God for wisdom and knowledge. Elemental forces – the very bottom things, the ABC’s (philosophy is the basics of world) Philosophy of world is not after Christ.

v. 9 The very essence of nature of God is Jesus. John 14:9 We can see how God thinks, does, and walks and where He goes and how He treats people. We can see it all because we see Jesus.

v. 10 Because Christ is the fullness of the Father we’re complete in Him. We’re completely filled full in Him! Need wisdom? It is there. God has everything and has given it to Jesus so we should be close to Jesus. Jesus is over all. Jesus is Lord Almighty even over Satan. Who do we go to when our lives aren’t working the way it should or in trouble? It’s amazing what we’ll learn if stick with God.

v. 11 In whom – In Jesus Christ, we’re circumcised. Circumcision symbolized the cutting away of the flesh or sinful nature. False teachers want to put us under rules, under something that makes us have to do certain things. In this case, they wanted them to be circumcised. Doing something for our salvation isn’t necessary because we’re washed in the blood of Jesus and forgiven. The old life is cut away and gone. Those who are born again have asked Jesus to come into our lives. We’re crucified on the cross with Jesus. When Jesus died on the cross so did we. Our old life was cut away and gone. We’re a new creation, new creation, something brand new. II Cor 5:17. We don’t act nor talk like we once did. The more time we spend with Jesus, we become like Him. Put off – means to break away from it; putting off means totally breaking away from. We died at Calvary. Galatians 2:20 We must see our sinful nature as having died already and being born again and now our life is hid in Jesus Christ. We now live in Jesus. Everything has to be different. It doesn’t matter what we were like but when we come to Jesus we’re dead to past and all things become new. There must be changes. See lyrics to I am new by Jason Gray

v. 12 Buried with Baptism – Baptism is a symbol of death, being buried, an rising again to a new life shows the world what has already taken place on the inside of our hearts. Jesus raised from the dead we’re alive now and born again in Jesus.

v. 13 quickened – made alive – We have life in Jesus and our sins are forgiven. The key issue is, is our sins washed away? Our sins are gone. It’s hard to fathom but it’s true. We’re not to let any one tell us we’ve got to do anything to wash away our sins: not be circumcised, not be good, not give or anything else. All our works are filthy rags. Good is accomplished in Jesus Christ alone. Does that mean we should go ahead and sin? No! Jesus paid it all and all to Him we owe. Knowing we’ve been forgiven of so much we ought to want the One who purchased us to be pleased with us. Does our Christianity show or are we Clairol Christians? Clairol – does she or doesn’t she only her hair dresser knows for sure. Some are such a Christian. Saved but it doesn’t show, such a secret no body can tell it. We don’t want to be Clairol Christians. We want to be walking out in the open with the Lord.

v. 14 What ordinances or bills of debt are against us? When crucified on the cross every criminal had charges written so all could read what law was broken. What was written above Jesus was Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews which insinuated that He was making Himself a king above Caesar. Pilate knew He didn’t break any law but something had to be written. Right above Jesus’ placard ours was written when we died with Jesus. What was written on our notice? ALL TEN COMMANDMENTS. Jesus fulfilled the law. He paid the price. We’re now set free. We live under a different King, King Jesus and we live our lives in Him but many want to still put themselves back under the law.
v. 15 Rulers and authorities are ranks of the spiritual realm. Jesus conquered them. When our sins washed away we’re completely forgiven and the powers of darkness are rendered powerless in your life. The principalities and powers have no power in our lives at all. Jesus has given us the power to be victorious over sin.

READ CHOOSE SUBSTANCE OVER SHADOWS COLOSSIANS 2:16-19
v. 16 Sabbath day – Saturday – 7th day of the week. Sabbath – 7th. Intent of Sabbath was for us to Be at Rest. We’re not to let anyone condemn us because of the day we worship or the foods we eat. Some believe if they eat certain way they’re more spiritual or celebrate or don’t celebrate Christmas or Harvest Festival, they’re more spiritual. We’re not to let anyone condemn us because of how we choose to celebrate Him. The key is honoring Jesus. We go to church on Sunday rather than the Sabbath because that’s the Lord’s Day. The day He rose from dead that is a special day; we’re brand new in Him. The day He arose starting our new life. Christians celebrate that day gathering together in praise and worship but we should also celebrate Him on every other day

v. 17 Shadow – points to what is real. Jesus is real. Once we have Jesus we don’t have look to Sabbath days. Every day is holy unto the Lord. When we look to Jesus, we don’t have to have the Feast of the Tabernacles, Feast of the Ingathering because they were a shadow of what was coming, Jesus? Why are we interested in the shadow when Jesus is available to us? He’s warning us against legalism. Some believe the way to be spiritual is by keeping a list of do’s and days, but God’s interested in a relationship with us not a checklist. He wants us to fellowship with Him because we love Him not because we have too.

v. 18. Don’t get tricked out of our rewards in heaven. In voluntary humility and worshipping of angels. False teachers were claiming that God was far away and could only be approached through angels or certain saints. This is pride not humility because when God says go straight to Jesus, it’s pride to say, I’ll pick another way. I Timothy 2:5,6 Don’t pray to any saint or angels. Pray to Jesus. Unspiritual mind means a self-made religion. We’re to be concerned with others hearts not their habits. Be concerned about their eternal life. How we can serve and minister to them? We can be tricked into thinking we are living a godly life by doing. It’s a heart issue. Remember the whole issue turns back to forgiveness of sin being blotted out and gone. Now we are new so walk with God.

v. 19. Jesus Christ is our head – holding the head – Recognize always Jesus’ link to us. We are actually His body. Jesus is the head of the body. Do we let anything become between us and the Head. Are we being part of the body? Is there anything separating us from the Lord? Attitudes, not getting nourishment, not really in tune, out of fellowship? We must check always to see that we are connected.

CHOOSE RELATIONSHIP OVER RULES COLOSSIANS 2:20-23
People should be able to see a difference in the way we live. Christian growth is a lifelong process. Although we have a new nature, we don’t automatically think all good thoughts and have all pure attitudes when we become new people in Christ. But if we keep listening to God, we’ll be changing all the time. As we look over the last year, the last month, what changes for the better have we seen in our thoughts and attitudes? Change may be slow, but our life will change significantly if we trust God to change us.

We can’t reach up to God by following rules of self-denial or by observing rituals. No keeping of rules will earn salvation. The Good News is that God reaches down to us and He asks for our response. Man-man religions focus on human effort; Christianity focuses on Christ’s work. Believers must put aside sinful desires, but doing so is the by-product of our new life in Christ; not the reason for it. Our salvation does not depend on our own discipline or rule-keeping but on the power of Christ’s death and resurrection. Following a list of rules can make a person appear moral, but they can’t change a person’s heart. Only the Holy Spirit can do that.

Filed under: Bible Studies, balanced life, baptism, belief, center, Colossians 2, emptiness, empty, forgiven, fullness, relationship, rules, shadows, substance