WHAT WE HAVE IN CHRIST
There was a man who joined a mail-order wholesale club. He paid his $99 for the year, and then took advantage of the free shipping on everything he bought. He saved a lot of money, and was very pleased with his membership. Then, he got a letter from the club that started off this way– “DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE AS A CLUB MEMBER?” He read on to find out that included in his membership fee was free movies, free recipes, help making travel arrangements, free TV and movies of his choice, free books, and a lot more. He was shocked. In the same way, many Christians don’t know all that they have in Christ.
1. WE HAVE GUARANTEES–THE PROMISES FROM GOD, WHO CANNOT LIE.
1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us:
Without that absolute faith, we don’t have access to the other blessings. How do we get it ? By learning about Him.
A. WE HAVE THE GUARANTEE THAT WE CAN PARTAKE IN THE DIVINE NATURE. WE HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
B. BECAUSE WE ARE GIVEN THESE PROMISES, WE SHOULD RESPOND BY LIVING A BETTER LIFE NOW.
2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
THE GREATEST GUARANTEE IS ETERNAL LIFE !
2. WE HAVE BENEFITS BY BEING BORN INTO GOD’S FAMILY.
Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
**Too many ppl put all their hopes on whatever they can get right now.
Hebrews 10:34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
Matthew 6:19-20 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
WHAT ARE THESE BENEFITS ? AN INHERITANCE. WHAT TYPE ?
WHEN ISAAC WAS OLD AND ABOUT TO DIE, WE HAVE THE INCIDENT WHERE JACOB STOLE THE BIRTHRIGHT. IT INCLUDED BLESSINGS OF MATERIAL THINGS AND SAFETY. BUT, ESAU COULD HAVE ALSO HAD A GREAT INHERITANCE. HE CARRIED HIS FATHER’S DNA. HE CARRIED HIS FATHER’S LOVE FOR GOD. HE CARRIED THE TEACHING HE RECEIVED AS A CHILD. HE INHERITED THE EXAMPLE OF GODLY LIVING FROM HIS FATHER. WERE THEY NOT MORE A BLESSING THAN A THOUSAND SHEEP ? GOD PROVIDED IT FOR HIM, BUT IN BITTERNESS HE LEFT IT BEHIND.
***There was a very poor farming family in Georgia. They depended on the profits from the harvest each year to pay for their land and house. One day the father died, and left behind one son. At the funeral, one of his schoolmates was there and tried to comfort him. The friend, after trying to give words of comfort, said, “I’m sorry about your dad not having enough money to help you pay your bills and keep the farm.” The son replied, “My dad left me the greatest inheritance I could get. He taught me how to live and get through troubles and hardship and still be happy. So, I’ll make it with or without the farm.”
WE HAVE AN INHERITANCE THAT YOU CANNOT GET BY HAVING MOHAMED, BUDDHA, OR OTHERS AS OUR FATHER. THEY COULD NEVER GIVE US THE IMPORTANT THINGS THAT JESUS GAVE US.
3. GOD GIVES US A KNOWLEDGE OF THE FUTURE.
***How important is it to know what is ahead ? If you knew what was ahead, would you take the same school courses you did ? Would you have married the same person you did ? Would you have children ? Would you have received the Lord as your Savior earlier ?
John 16:13 Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.
***THINK of what you could do if you knew the future—your health, your financial situation, world conditions. In your relationship with the Holy Spirit, God makes you aware of all necessary things.
4. WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO GOOD AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE’S LIVES.
Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Who provides us opportunities ? God. But, how many go by without us responding, or even recognizing them.
5. WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO CAN GO BEFORE GOD.
BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN STAINED WITH SIN, WE ARE NOT WORTHY TO GO DIRECTLY. BUT, JESUS NEVER SINNED AND HAS BECOME OUR INTERCESSOR, OR MEDIATOR AND HIGH PRIEST.
Hebrews 4:14-15 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
6. WE HAVE ACCESS TO GOD THE FATHER THROUGH JESUS CHRIST (BECAUSE OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST).
Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Ephesians 2:18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
**To most people, if you told them that, they wouldn’t care.
WHATEVER WE REALLY NEED IS PART OF GOD’S PROMISE
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
- TO SACRIFICE
- TO RECEIVE FORGIVENESS—REDEMPTION—NOT JUST FOR SALVATION, BUT BEING BOUGHT BACK FROM THE POWER THAT SNARES US.
Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
- TO RECEIVE A RENEWED STRENGTH
- TO MAKE COMMITMENTS
7. WE HAVE A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE GOD.
Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Put your hand over your heart. Feel it beating. It is beating because God gave you the time you have right now. The minute your time is up, it will stop beating, and you will go to your eternal destination. Every heart-beat you felt was a gift from God. Each one. That makes you indebted to God, because with Him, you wouldn’t have that heartbeat.
”What We Have In Christ”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
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