Assurance of Salvation: Our Union with Christ

 

Summary

In this sermon, I explored the profound and transformative nature of being a true believer in Jesus Christ. The central theme revolves around the assurance of salvation and the permanence of our union with Christ. I emphasized that our salvation is not contingent upon our own efforts or decisions but is rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This assurance is not based on our ability to hold on to faith but on the unchanging nature of God's promises and actions.

I began by addressing the common misconception that our Christian identity is dependent on our own actions and decisions. Instead, I highlighted that the emphasis in Scripture is on what God has done for us through Christ. Our justification and salvation are secured by the blood of Christ, and we are saved from wrath through Him. This is not a temporary state but a permanent transformation that God has accomplished in us.

I further explained that as Christians, we have died to sin and the law. This death is not a mere metaphor but a reality that occurred when Christ died on the cross. We are no longer under the dominion of sin or the law; instead, we live in the realm of grace. This new life is characterized by a new birth, a regeneration that God initiates in us. It is not our decision that brings about this new birth, but God's sovereign act of grace.

Moreover, I delved into the concept of our union with Christ. This union is not just a theological idea but a living reality. We are united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. This union guarantees our eternal security and makes it impossible for us to fall away. We are not merely forgiven; we are new creations, part of Christ's body, and seated with Him in heavenly places.

In conclusion, I urged the congregation to grasp the depth of what it means to be a Christian. It is not about our efforts but about God's workmanship in us. We are united with Christ, and this union is indissoluble. As we continue to explore these truths, may we grow in our understanding and appreciation of the incredible work God has done in us through Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- Our salvation is not dependent on our own efforts or decisions but is secured by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This assurance is rooted in God's unchanging promises and actions, not in our ability to hold on to faith. [19:55]

- As Christians, we have died to sin and the law, and we now live in the realm of grace. This death is a reality that occurred when Christ died on the cross, freeing us from the dominion of sin and the law. [27:33]

- The new birth is a sovereign act of God, not a result of our decision. It is God who initiates this regeneration, putting a new principle of life into us, making us new creations in Christ. [33:04]

- Our union with Christ is a living reality that guarantees our eternal security. We are united with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection, making it impossible for us to fall away. [42:46]

- Being a Christian means being part of Christ's body, seated with Him in heavenly places. This union is indissoluble, and it is God's workmanship in us that ensures our eternal security. [44:33]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [18:00] - The Assurance of Salvation
- [19:04] - Misconceptions About Christian Identity
- [20:12] - Justification Through Christ's Blood
- [21:24] - Saved From Wrath Through Him
- [22:13] - Reconciliation and Salvation in Christ's Life
- [23:15] - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
- [24:23] - Baptism Into Christ's Death
- [25:39] - Freedom From Sin's Dominion
- [27:19] - Dead to the Law, Alive in Grace
- [29:34] - No Condemnation in Christ
- [31:14] - The Old Man is Gone
- [32:46] - The New Birth and Regeneration
- [34:21] - New Creation in Christ
- [42:46] - Union with Christ: A Living Reality
- [44:33] - Seated in Heavenly Places

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 5:9-10
2. Romans 6:3-6
3. Ephesians 2:4-6

---

Observation Questions:

1. According to Romans 5:9-10, what are the two stages of salvation mentioned, and how are they achieved?
2. In Romans 6:3-6, what does it mean to be "baptized into Jesus Christ" and "baptized into his death"? How does this relate to our old and new selves?
3. Ephesians 2:4-6 describes a transformation that believers undergo. What are the key elements of this transformation, and how does it affect our current spiritual position?

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. The sermon emphasized that our salvation is not dependent on our efforts but on God's promises and actions ([19:55]). How does this understanding change the way we view our relationship with God?
2. Romans 6:3-6 speaks about being "dead to sin." What does this mean in practical terms for a believer's daily life, and how does it affect their actions and decisions?
3. Ephesians 2:4-6 mentions being "seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." What does this imply about our identity and security as believers, and how should it influence our perspective on earthly challenges?

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt your salvation was dependent on your actions. How can the assurance of salvation through Christ's work change your approach to faith and life ([19:55])?
2. Romans 6:3-6 talks about being "dead to sin." Identify a specific sin or habit you struggle with. What steps can you take to live in the reality of being dead to that sin this week?
3. The sermon highlighted the concept of being a "new creation" in Christ ([33:04]). What is one area of your life where you need to embrace this new identity, and how can you practically do so?
4. Ephesians 2:4-6 describes believers as being "seated in heavenly places." How can this truth help you face a current challenge or fear with a heavenly perspective?
5. The sermon mentioned that our union with Christ guarantees our eternal security ([42:46]). How can this assurance impact the way you handle doubts or uncertainties in your spiritual journey?
6. Consider the idea of being part of Christ's body and seated with Him in heavenly places ([44:33]). How does this influence your understanding of community and your role within the church?
7. Identify one person in your life who may not understand the assurance of salvation. How can you share the message of God's unchanging promises with them this week?

Devotional

Day 1: Salvation Secured by Christ's Work
Our salvation is not dependent on our own efforts or decisions but is secured by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This assurance is rooted in God's unchanging promises and actions, not in our ability to hold on to faith. The misconception that our Christian identity relies on our actions is addressed by emphasizing that Scripture focuses on what God has done for us through Christ. Our justification and salvation are secured by the blood of Christ, and we are saved from wrath through Him. This is not a temporary state but a permanent transformation that God has accomplished in us. [19:55]

Hebrews 10:14 (ESV): "For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."

Reflection: In what ways have you been relying on your own efforts for assurance of salvation? How can you shift your focus to trust in the completed work of Christ today?


Day 2: Living in the Realm of Grace
As Christians, we have died to sin and the law, and we now live in the realm of grace. This death is a reality that occurred when Christ died on the cross, freeing us from the dominion of sin and the law. We are no longer under the law's demands but are invited to live in the freedom and grace that Christ provides. This new life is characterized by a new birth, a regeneration that God initiates in us. It is not our decision that brings about this new birth, but God's sovereign act of grace. [27:33]

Galatians 2:19-20 (ESV): "For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."

Reflection: How does understanding your death to sin and the law change the way you approach daily struggles with sin? What steps can you take to live more fully in the realm of grace today?


Day 3: The Sovereign Act of New Birth
The new birth is a sovereign act of God, not a result of our decision. It is God who initiates this regeneration, putting a new principle of life into us, making us new creations in Christ. This transformation is not something we can achieve on our own but is a gift from God. As new creations, we are called to live out this new life, reflecting the character and love of Christ in all we do. [33:04]

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."

Reflection: Reflect on the areas of your life where you still try to control your transformation. How can you surrender these areas to God's sovereign work today?


Day 4: Union with Christ: Our Eternal Security
Our union with Christ is a living reality that guarantees our eternal security. We are united with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection, making it impossible for us to fall away. This union is not just a theological idea but a living reality that transforms our identity and guarantees our eternal security. We are not merely forgiven; we are new creations, part of Christ's body, and seated with Him in heavenly places. [42:46]

Colossians 3:3-4 (ESV): "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Reflection: How does the reality of your union with Christ impact your sense of security and identity? What practical steps can you take to live out this union in your daily life?


Day 5: Seated in Heavenly Places
Being a Christian means being part of Christ's body, seated with Him in heavenly places. This union is indissoluble, and it is God's workmanship in us that ensures our eternal security. As we continue to explore these truths, we are encouraged to grow in our understanding and appreciation of the incredible work God has done in us through Christ. This perspective shifts our focus from earthly concerns to our heavenly position, influencing how we live and interact with the world around us. [44:33]

Ephesians 2:6-7 (ESV): "And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: How does knowing you are seated with Christ in heavenly places change your perspective on current challenges? What actions can you take to align your life more closely with this heavenly reality today?

Quotes

Our salvation is not dependent on our own efforts or decisions but is secured by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This assurance is rooted in God's unchanging promises and actions, not in our ability to hold on to faith. [00:19:55]

As Christians, we have died to sin and the law, and we now live in the realm of grace. This death is a reality that occurred when Christ died on the cross, freeing us from the dominion of sin and the law. [00:27:33]

The new birth is a sovereign act of God, not a result of our decision. It is God who initiates this regeneration, putting a new principle of life into us, making us new creations in Christ. [00:33:04]

Our union with Christ is a living reality that guarantees our eternal security. We are united with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection, making it impossible for us to fall away. [00:42:46]

Being a Christian means being part of Christ's body, seated with Him in heavenly places. This union is indissoluble, and it is God's workmanship in us that ensures our eternal security. [00:44:33]

The Christian is a man who is already dead to sin. As Christian people, we have died to sin. It's an aorist tense again; it is something that has happened once and forever in the past. Christian people are those who have died to sin. [00:23:15]

We are buried with him by baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. [00:24:23]

The old man is gone. He's dead, finished with, buried with Christ. He's no longer in existence. That's the Apostle's argument. [00:31:14]

God brings us to a new birth or to take another turn; it's a New Creation. The God who created men at the beginning creates us who are Christians anew. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation. [00:34:21]

We are not merely forgiven; we are new creations, part of Christ's body, and seated with Him in heavenly places. [00:44:33]

We are united to him; we are in him in his life. Everything that you are told about him becomes true of us. That's the argument worked out as I showed you just now in reading those verses from chapter six. [00:42:46]

The man who is given the new life, who's a partaker of the divine nature, and who is in Christ, such a man, by the very definition of the terms, cannot fall away. [00:46:33]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 24, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?