In our shared human condition, we inherit sin through Adam's disobedience, which separates us from God. However, the Christian message offers hope through Jesus Christ, the second Adam, who provides redemption and a new beginning. This transformation is not merely a change in status but a profound change in our nature and identity. Through Christ, we are offered a new lineage, one that is not bound by the sin of Adam but is instead united with Christ in his death and resurrection. This new beginning allows us to live a life reconciled to God, empowered by His Spirit. [30:08]
Romans 5:18-19 (ESV): "Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous."
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you feel trapped by past mistakes. How can you embrace the new beginning offered through Christ today?
Day 2: Sharing in Christ's Death and Resurrection
Being in Christ means sharing in his death and resurrection. When Christ died, he bore the punishment for our sins, fulfilling the law's demands. As believers, we are crucified with Christ, meaning that our old sinful nature is put to death, and we are raised to new life in him. This union with Christ grants us access to God, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, not our own. It is through faith in Christ that we are justified and reconciled to God, living a life empowered by his Spirit. [34:21]
Colossians 2:12-13 (ESV): "Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses."
Reflection: Reflect on a habit or mindset that represents your old self. What steps can you take to live in the new life Christ offers?
Day 3: Transformation Through Union with Christ
A Christian's life is transformed by their relationship with Christ. Our thoughts, feelings, and will are aligned with his, and we live as pilgrims in this world, with our true citizenship in heaven. This transformation is a continuous process of becoming more like Christ. As we grow in our relationship with Him, we find that our desires shift from worldly pursuits to a deeper longing to serve and glorify our Lord. This ongoing transformation is a testament to the power of being in Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. [39:09]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: Identify one area where you feel God is calling you to change. How can you actively participate in this transformation today?
Day 4: Serving Christ with Joy
As Christians, we are not our own; we have been bought with a price, the precious blood of Christ. Our lives are to be lived in service to Christ, our Lord and Master. This service is not burdensome but a joyful response to the love and sacrifice of Christ. When we serve Christ, we do so out of gratitude and love, recognizing that our lives are a testament to His grace and mercy. This call to serve is an invitation to participate in God's work in the world, bringing glory to His name through our actions and words. [42:16]
1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Think of a way you can serve someone in your community this week. How can this act of service reflect the love of Christ?
Day 5: Knowing and Winning Christ
The ultimate goal of the Christian life is to know Christ and be found in him. This relationship is the source of our identity, purpose, and hope. It is through this union with Christ that we experience the fullness of life and the assurance of our future with him. Our supreme desire should be to win Christ, to be found in him, and to live for his glory. In this relationship, we find our true identity and purpose, and it is through this union with Christ that we experience the fullness of life. [47:19]
Philippians 3:8-9 (ESV): "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to deepen your relationship with Christ? How can this step help you to know Him more intimately?
Sermon Summary
In our journey through life, we are all born into the lineage of Adam, the first man, whose fall from grace has left humanity in a state of sinfulness and separation from God. This inherent sinfulness is a shared human condition, a consequence of Adam's disobedience. However, the Christian message offers hope and redemption through Jesus Christ, the second Adam, who came to establish a new humanity. In Christ, we find a new beginning, a new race of people who are no longer bound by the sin of Adam but are instead united with Christ in his death and resurrection.
Being in Christ means that we share in his crucifixion and resurrection. When Christ died, he bore the punishment for our sins, fulfilling the law's demands. As believers, we are crucified with Christ, meaning that our old sinful nature is put to death, and we are raised to new life in him. This union with Christ grants us access to God, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, not our own. It is through faith in Christ that we are justified and reconciled to God, living a life empowered by his Spirit.
A Christian's life is marked by a deep, personal relationship with Christ. We are not our own; we have been bought with a price, the precious blood of Christ. This relationship transforms our thoughts, feelings, and will, aligning them with Christ's. Our lives are no longer governed by worldly desires but by the desire to serve and glorify our Lord. As we live in this world, we do so as pilgrims, with our true citizenship in heaven, looking forward to the day when we will be fully united with Christ.
Ultimately, the Christian life is about knowing Christ and being found in him. It is about living by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. Our supreme desire should be to win Christ, to be found in him, and to live for his glory. In this relationship, we find our true identity and purpose, and it is through this union with Christ that we experience the fullness of life.
Key Takeaways
1. The Inheritance of Sin and Redemption in Christ: We are all born into sin through Adam, but through Jesus Christ, the second Adam, we are offered redemption and a new beginning. This transformation is not just a change in status but a profound change in our nature and identity. [30:08]
2. Union with Christ in Death and Resurrection: Being in Christ means sharing in his death and resurrection. Our old sinful nature is crucified with him, and we are raised to new life, clothed in his righteousness. This union grants us access to God and empowers us to live a life pleasing to him. [34:21]
3. The Transformative Power of Being in Christ: A Christian's life is transformed by their relationship with Christ. Our thoughts, feelings, and will are aligned with his, and we live as pilgrims in this world, with our true citizenship in heaven. This transformation is a continuous process of becoming more like Christ. [39:09]
4. The Call to Serve and Glorify Christ: As Christians, we are not our own; we have been bought with a price. Our lives are to be lived in service to Christ, our Lord and Master. This service is not burdensome but a joyful response to the love and sacrifice of Christ. [42:16]
5. The Supreme Desire to Know and Win Christ: The ultimate goal of the Christian life is to know Christ and be found in him. This relationship is the source of our identity, purpose, and hope. It is through this union with Christ that we experience the fullness of life and the assurance of our future with him. [47:19] ** [47:19]
In our journey through life, we are all born into the lineage of Adam, the first man, whose fall from grace has left humanity in a state of sinfulness and separation from God. This inherent sinfulness is a shared human condition, a consequence of Adam's disobedience. However, the Christian message offers hope and redemption through Jesus Christ, the second Adam, who came to establish a new humanity. [00:30:08]
Being in Christ means that we share in his crucifixion and resurrection. When Christ died, he bore the punishment for our sins, fulfilling the law's demands. As believers, we are crucified with Christ, meaning that our old sinful nature is put to death, and we are raised to new life in him. [00:34:21]
A Christian's life is marked by a deep, personal relationship with Christ. We are not our own; we have been bought with a price, the precious blood of Christ. This relationship transforms our thoughts, feelings, and will, aligning them with Christ's. Our lives are no longer governed by worldly desires but by the desire to serve and glorify our Lord. [00:42:16]
Ultimately, the Christian life is about knowing Christ and being found in him. It is about living by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. Our supreme desire should be to win Christ, to be found in him, and to live for his glory. In this relationship, we find our true identity and purpose, and it is through this union with Christ that we experience the fullness of life. [00:47:19]
The sin of Adam and the consequences of that sin have come down upon us all. That's why every child is a rebel and always wants to do the thing he's told not to do. That's why we all like evil and sin and are ready to read such things and to follow them. [00:31:59]
God sent his son into this world, the lord of Glory became Jesus of Nazareth. What for? To start a new Humanity, to start a new race of people. The race that was in Eden Fell and is doomed and Damned is fallen and sinful. There's only one way of saving us, and that is to start a new race. [00:32:48]
He was crucified and he died upon the cross and he was buried in a grave. Why did he die upon the cross? Well, the answer is he was dying to the law of God. You see, God's law pronounces its judgment upon sin and it condemns him and it punishes sin, and the punishment of sin is death. [00:33:30]
If I'm in Christ, what's happened to him has happened to me. He's died, he's born the punishment of sin, so I have. So Paul says that I may be found in him, not having my own righteousness which is of the law and which I've already seen to be worthless and useless. [00:35:01]
He stands in the presence of God in all the Perfection of his Holiness and his righteousness, and if I am in him, I also stand in the same righteousness. That's what it means. I've risen with him. I am reconciled to God. I am standing in the presence of God, clothed with the robe of the righteousness of Christ. [00:36:01]
A Christian is a man who wants to win Christ. A Christian is a man who is in Christ and is a man who wants to serve Christ. Yeah, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. [00:41:18]
A Christian is a man whose life is controlled by the Lord Jesus Christ. His thoughts, he thinks after Christ. That's how the Christian thinks. He doesn't think like other people think. He doesn't view life tonight and its attendant circumstances and Prospects as anybody else does. [00:43:22]
The Christian is a man who says let nothing please no pain me apart oh Lord from thee. A Christian is a man whose will is governed by that of Christ. My Lord let nothing please nor pain me apart oh Lord from thee only to do thy will my will shall be. [00:44:40]