Living in Union with Christ: Present Transformation
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound truth of our union with Christ, emphasizing that our spiritual journey is not just about dying to sin but also about living a new life in Christ. This transformation is not merely a future hope but a present reality. When we accept that we have died with Christ, we also embrace the truth that we live with Him now. This is not just a belief in the resurrection but a certainty that our lives are intertwined with His, both in death and in life. The Apostle Paul assures us that if we have died with Christ, we must also rise with Him, a truth that is not confined to the future resurrection but is a present reality that empowers us to live in newness of life today.
The Apostle Paul challenges the notion that our faith is only about future resurrection. Instead, he emphasizes that our current life is transformed by our union with Christ. This union means that we are no longer under the dominion of sin; we have been raised to walk in newness of life. This transformation is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that affects how we live now. We are called to reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God, living out this truth in our daily lives.
Understanding our position in Christ requires us to first understand what has happened to Him. Christ's resurrection is a declaration that He has conquered death and sin. This victory is not just His but ours as well, as we are united with Him. The resurrection is God's proclamation that the work of atonement is complete, and we are justified. This truth liberates us from the power of sin and death, allowing us to live victoriously in the present.
Key Takeaways:
1. Our union with Christ means we are not only dead to sin but also alive in Him. This is a present reality, not just a future hope. We are called to live in the newness of life now, reflecting the transformation that has already occurred within us. [10:21]
2. The resurrection of Christ is a proclamation of victory over sin and death. It assures us that the work of atonement is complete, and we are justified. This truth empowers us to live free from the dominion of sin. [28:40]
3. Understanding our position in Christ requires us to first understand what has happened to Him. His victory over death is our victory, and we are called to live in the light of this truth, experiencing the power of His resurrection in our daily lives. [24:17]
4. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that our faith is not just about future resurrection but about living a transformed life now. We are called to reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God, living out this truth in our daily conduct. [12:09]
5. The resurrection is not just a future event but a present reality that affects how we live. We are called to walk in newness of life, empowered by the truth of our union with Christ and His victory over sin and death. [11:08]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[04:56] - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
[05:46] - Union with Christ
[06:39] - Certainty of Resurrection
[08:34] - Present Reality of New Life
[10:06] - Refuting Misconceptions
[11:08] - Walking in Newness of Life
[12:09] - Reckoning Ourselves Alive
[13:02] - Misinterpretations Addressed
[14:26] - Understanding Life and Death
[16:35] - Future and Present Perspectives
[18:12] - Ephesians Parallel
[19:29] - Galatians Parallel
[22:01] - Christ's Relationship to Sin
[24:17] - Victory Over Death and Sin
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 6:8-11
2. Ephesians 2:4-6
3. Galatians 2:19-20
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 6:8, what is the relationship between dying with Christ and living with Him? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on our present reality in Christ? [06:39]
2. In Ephesians 2:4-6, what does it mean to be "raised up together" and "made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus"? How does this passage support the sermon’s message about our current position in Christ? [18:32]
3. How does Galatians 2:19-20 describe the life of a believer in relation to Christ? What does it mean to be "crucified with Christ" and yet live? [19:29]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the significance of Christ’s resurrection in terms of our justification and victory over sin? [28:22]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the concept of being "dead to sin" and "alive to God"? What practical implications does this have for a believer’s daily life? [12:09]
2. The sermon emphasizes that our union with Christ is a present reality. How does this understanding challenge the notion that our faith is only about future resurrection? [10:21]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that understanding Christ’s victory over death can empower believers to live victoriously now? [24:17]
4. How does the sermon address the misconception that grace allows for continued sinning? What is the role of the resurrection in refuting this idea? [11:08]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily life. In what ways can you live out the truth that you are "dead to sin and alive to God"? What specific changes might you need to make? [12:09]
2. The sermon highlights the present reality of our union with Christ. How can this truth transform your perspective on current challenges or struggles? [10:21]
3. Consider a situation where you feel under the dominion of sin. How can the truth of Christ’s victory over sin and death empower you to overcome it? [28:40]
4. How can you practically "walk in newness of life" as described in the sermon? Identify one area of your life where you can apply this concept this week. [11:08]
5. The sermon challenges the idea that faith is only about future hope. How can you cultivate a mindset that embraces the present reality of your faith? [10:21]
6. Think about a time when you struggled with the idea of grace and sin. How does the sermon’s explanation of the resurrection help clarify this tension for you? [11:08]
7. Identify one aspect of your life where you need to experience the power of Christ’s resurrection. What steps can you take to invite this transformation? [24:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Living in the Present Reality of Christ
Our union with Christ is not just a future hope but a present reality. This means that we are not only dead to sin but also alive in Him right now. The transformation that occurs when we accept this truth is profound and immediate. We are called to live in the newness of life today, reflecting the change that has already taken place within us. This is not merely a theological concept but a practical reality that should influence our daily lives. By embracing our union with Christ, we are empowered to live differently, free from the chains of sin and death. [10:21]
Romans 6:4 (ESV): "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can live out the newness of life in Christ today, in your thoughts, actions, or interactions with others?
Day 2: Victory Over Sin and Death
The resurrection of Christ is a powerful proclamation of victory over sin and death. It assures us that the work of atonement is complete, and we are justified. This truth is not just a future promise but a present empowerment that allows us to live free from the dominion of sin. Understanding this victory means recognizing that we are no longer slaves to sin but are liberated to live a life that reflects Christ's triumph. This victory is not just His but ours as well, as we are united with Him in His resurrection. [28:40]
1 Corinthians 15:57 (ESV): "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel defeated by sin. How can you apply the truth of Christ's victory to overcome this challenge today?
Day 3: Sharing in Christ's Victory
Understanding our position in Christ requires us to first understand what has happened to Him. His victory over death is our victory, and we are called to live in the light of this truth. The resurrection is God's proclamation that the work of atonement is complete, and we are justified. This truth liberates us from the power of sin and death, allowing us to live victoriously in the present. Experiencing the power of His resurrection in our daily lives means living with the confidence that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. [24:17]
Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Reflection: How can you set your mind on things above today, focusing on the victory you have in Christ rather than the challenges you face?
Day 4: Living a Transformed Life Now
The Apostle Paul emphasizes that our faith is not just about future resurrection but about living a transformed life now. We are called to reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God, living out this truth in our daily conduct. This transformation is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that affects how we live now. By embracing our union with Christ, we are empowered to live differently, free from the chains of sin and death. [12:09]
Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to live out the truth of being dead to sin and alive to God? How can you take a step towards transformation today?
Day 5: Walking in Newness of Life
The resurrection is not just a future event but a present reality that affects how we live. We are called to walk in newness of life, empowered by the truth of our union with Christ and His victory over sin and death. This means living with the assurance that we are no longer under the dominion of sin but have been raised to walk in newness of life. This transformation is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that affects how we live now. [11:08]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What is one old habit or mindset you need to put off to walk in the newness of life? How can you begin to renew your mind and embrace your new identity in Christ today?
Quotes
It is true of us in the present that we died with Christ, that we're no longer in the realm and territory of sin. So this, I say, is also true of the present and mustn't be confined only to what will happen to us in the resurrection which is to come. [00:09:52]
We should also walk in newness of life here and now in this world now. And he says that, you see, because that is the way to refute this suggestion that this doctrine of justification by faith and by Grace means it doesn't matter how you live in the present. [00:11:18]
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ Our Lord. When is all that to be reserved until the future resurrection? Of course, it isn't. We are to reckon ourselves to be dead unto sin and Alive unto God in Jesus Christ now. [00:12:05]
The resurrection is God's announcement and proclamation to the whole universe that Christ has completed the work which he sent him into the world to do. You remember how Paul has stated that in the last verse of chapter 4:25, who was delivered for our offenses and was raised again for our justification. [00:28:12]
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is an announcement, is a proclamation to the whole universe by God that his son has completed the work of atonement and Redemption and of Salvation. Therefore, you see, that is the Apostle's argument here. [00:28:25]
Death has no more dominion over him. Now then, what does this mean? Why is this true? Why is this true of necessity with respect to him? How can we know this and understand it and be sure of it? You notice his statement, we know, he says, we are certain of this. [00:25:48]
The resurrection is a proof of the fact that the law has been satisfied. The resurrection is a declaration of that. That is why he was raised again for our justification. His resurrection means that the law is not only satisfied but that he's no longer under this law. [00:32:37]
The resurrection means, if you like, this: that Christ, as Paul again puts it in 1 Corinthians 15, has conquered The Last Enemy. You remember he puts it like that: The Last Enemy that shall be conquered is The Last Enemy that shall be destroyed is death. [00:33:36]
The Lord Jesus Christ in his resurrection has once and forever and finally finished with death. And because he's finished with death, he has altogether finished with the realm and the rule and the reign of sin, which is the thing he was setting out to prove. [00:36:28]
The Apostle says he died unto sin. Neither does he mean this, and this is most important. Clearly, it doesn't mean that he died to the power of sin in our lives. It doesn't mean that he died to indwelling sin. It doesn't mean that he died to the liability to sin. [00:40:15]
He died unto it as a power, as something that Reigns, as we've seen in chapter 5, something that has a realm and a rule and an authority. And you know, notice that he says in that he died, he died into sin once. [00:42:45]
The resurrection is a declaration of that, that is why he was raised again for our justification. His resurrection means that the law is not only satisfied but that he's no longer under this law. He's gone back to the glory. [00:32:37]
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