Transformative Power of Being 'In Christ'

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Relationship of Being "In Christ"

Being "in Christ" is not merely a legal status; it is a dynamic and transformative relationship that changes the very essence of who we are. This relationship is characterized by the active work of the Spirit of life within us, guiding us to engage deeply with Scripture and produce spiritual fruit. This transformation is a testament to the reality of our union with Christ, as we are continually shaped and molded into His likeness. The Spirit's presence in our lives is a powerful force that leads us to live out the truths of Scripture, demonstrating the profound impact of being "in Christ." [33:04]

"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you allow the Spirit to guide you more deeply into Scripture this week, and how might this change your daily interactions with others?

Day 2: Divine Initiation of Our Union with Christ

Our union with Christ is initiated by God, not by our own efforts. It is God who places us in Christ, and this divine act of grace is experienced through faith, which is itself a gift from God. This understanding shifts the focus from human achievement to divine grace, emphasizing that our relationship with Christ is rooted in God's initiative and sustained by His power. As we embrace this truth, we are invited to rest in the assurance that our place in Christ is secure, not because of what we have done, but because of what God has done for us. [34:17]

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: How does recognizing that your union with Christ is initiated by God change the way you view your relationship with Him? What steps can you take to rest more fully in His grace today?

Day 3: Baptism as a Symbol of Faith and Union

Baptism is a symbolic act that represents our union with Christ in His death and resurrection. It is not the physical act of baptism that unites us with Christ, but our faith, which is awakened by the Spirit, enabling us to trust in Jesus. This symbolism serves as a powerful reminder of the spiritual reality of our union with Christ, as we identify with His death and resurrection through faith. Baptism is a public declaration of this inward transformation, a testimony to the work of the Spirit in our lives. [36:55]

"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." (Colossians 2:12, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your own baptism or the meaning of baptism in your faith journey. How does this symbolic act encourage you to live out your faith more boldly?

Day 4: Fulfilling the Law Through Love

The law cannot condemn sin in the flesh of Jesus or produce law-keeping in us. Only through Christ's sacrifice and the New Covenant can we fulfill the righteous requirements of the law, which is love, a fruit of the Spirit. This love is the evidence of the Spirit's work in us, fulfilling the law in a way that mere rule-following cannot. As we live in the Spirit, we are empowered to love others genuinely, reflecting the love of Christ and fulfilling the law's true intent. [54:50]

"For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Galatians 5:14, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the love of Christ through you today? What practical steps can you take to demonstrate this love in a tangible way?

Day 5: The Mindset of Flesh vs. Spirit

A mind set on the flesh leads to death, while a mind set on the Spirit leads to life and peace. The flesh is hostile to God and cannot please Him, highlighting our need for the Spirit's transformative power. By setting our minds on the Spirit, we align ourselves with God's purposes and experience the abundant life He offers. This mindset shift is crucial for living a life that is pleasing to God and marked by His peace. [01:03:20]

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit." (Romans 8:5, ESV)

Reflection: What thoughts or habits are keeping you focused on the flesh rather than the Spirit? How can you intentionally shift your mindset to align more closely with the Spirit's leading today?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth of being "in Christ" and the transformative power it brings to our lives. This isn't just a legal standing but a vital, life-giving relationship with Jesus. The Spirit of life is actively at work within us, guiding us to engage with Scripture and produce spiritual fruit. The question of how one becomes "in Christ" is crucial. According to 1 Corinthians 1:30, it is God who places us in Christ. This isn't something we achieve through our efforts; it is a divine act of grace.

We also examined the role of baptism, not as a means of salvation but as a symbolic act that represents our union with Christ in His death and resurrection. This union is not achieved through the physical act of baptism but through faith, as highlighted in Colossians 2:12. Our faith is a gift from God, awakened by the Spirit, enabling us to trust in Jesus and experience this union.

The sermon further delved into the dual effects of being in Christ: the legal effect of no condemnation and the transformative effect of being freed from the law of sin and death. Our union with Christ establishes us as not guilty and transforms us into new creations, triumphing over sin. This transformation is evidence of our justification, not the cause of it.

We also discussed the limitations of the law, which cannot condemn sin in the flesh of Jesus or produce law-keeping in us. Only through Christ's sacrifice and the New Covenant can we fulfill the righteous requirements of the law, which is love, a fruit of the Spirit. This love fulfills the law and is the evidence of the Spirit's work in us.

Finally, we touched on the nature of the flesh and the Spirit. A mind set on the flesh leads to death, while a mind set on the Spirit leads to life and peace. The flesh is hostile to God and cannot please Him, emphasizing our need for the Spirit's transformative power.

Key Takeaways

1. Being "in Christ" is not just a legal status but a dynamic relationship that transforms us. The Spirit of life works within us, guiding us to engage with Scripture and produce spiritual fruit, demonstrating the reality of our union with Christ. [33:04]
2. Our union with Christ is initiated by God, not by our efforts. It is God who places us in Christ, and this divine act of grace is experienced through faith, which is itself a gift from God. [34:17]
3. Baptism symbolizes our union with Christ in His death and resurrection. It is not the physical act that unites us with Christ but our faith, which is awakened by the Spirit, enabling us to trust in Jesus. [36:55]
4. The law cannot condemn sin in the flesh of Jesus or produce law-keeping in us. Only through Christ's sacrifice and the New Covenant can we fulfill the righteous requirements of the law, which is love, a fruit of the Spirit. [54:50]
5. A mind set on the flesh leads to death, while a mind set on the Spirit leads to life and peace. The flesh is hostile to God and cannot please Him, highlighting our need for the Spirit's transformative power. [01:03:20]
** [63:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[33:04] - The Spirit of Life in Christ
[33:39] - How Do You Get In?
[33:55] - God Puts You In
[34:49] - Baptism and Union with Christ
[36:21] - Symbolism of Baptism
[37:32] - Faith as the Human Counterpart
[39:02] - The Gift of Faith
[40:10] - Legal and Transformative Effects
[41:12] - Relationship Between Justification and Transformation
[44:04] - Evidence of Transformation
[47:47] - Substitution and Justification
[54:50] - Fulfilling the Law Through Love
[63:20] - Mindset of Flesh vs. Spirit
[71:21] - Pleasing God Through Faith

Bible Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 1:30
Colossians 2:12
Romans 8:1-4

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#### Observation Questions

According to 1 Corinthians 1:30, who is responsible for placing us "in Christ"? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on God’s role in our union with Christ? [33:55]
In Colossians 2:12, what is the relationship between baptism and faith? How does the sermon describe baptism as a symbolic act rather than a means of salvation? [36:55]
Romans 8:1-4 discusses the concept of "no condemnation" for those in Christ. How does the sermon explain the legal and transformative effects of being in Christ? [40:10]
What does the sermon say about the limitations of the law in condemning sin and producing law-keeping in us? How is this related to Christ’s sacrifice? [54:50]

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#### Interpretation Questions

How does the sermon describe the transformative power of being "in Christ"? What role does the Spirit play in this transformation? [33:04]
The sermon mentions that our faith is a gift from God. How does this understanding affect the way we view our relationship with God and our spiritual journey? [39:02]
What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between justification and transformation? How does this impact our understanding of salvation and spiritual growth? [41:12]
How does the sermon explain the difference between a mind set on the flesh and a mind set on the Spirit? What are the implications of this distinction for our daily lives? [01:03:20]

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#### Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: How do you experience the transformative power of being "in Christ"? Are there specific areas where you see spiritual fruit being produced? [33:04]
Considering that our union with Christ is initiated by God, how does this influence your approach to spiritual disciplines like prayer and Bible study? [34:17]
Baptism is described as a symbolic act of our union with Christ. If you have been baptized, how does this symbolism resonate with your personal faith journey? If not, what are your thoughts on baptism? [36:55]
The sermon highlights the limitations of the law and the necessity of Christ’s sacrifice. How does this understanding shape your view of grace and forgiveness in your life? [54:50]
A mind set on the Spirit leads to life and peace. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with a mindset of the flesh. What steps can you take to shift towards a mindset of the Spirit? [01:03:20]
The sermon emphasizes love as the fulfillment of the law. How can you actively demonstrate love in your community this week as evidence of the Spirit’s work in you? [54:50]
Reflect on the idea that our faith is a gift from God. How can this perspective encourage you to trust God more deeply in challenging situations? [39:02]

Sermon Clips

"side your transformation doesn't cause your verdict in Christ causes your verdict verdict but once you are in Christ you're not just in a legal relationship with Christ you're in a vital relationship with Christ by which the spirit of life is mightily at work getting you up in the morning and sticking your nose in the Bible and a thousand other things to get his fruit produced as you are freed from the law of sin that's because you are in Christ Jesus." [00:32:51]

"1 Corinthians 1:30 because of him this is g o d because of him you are in Christ Jesus how did you get in he put you in literal Greek from him are you in Christ Jesus who became wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and Redemption oh the untold and eternal blessings of being in Christ Jesus how do you get in God puts you in you don't climb in you don't jump in you don't scramble in God puts you in." [00:33:58]

"Colossians 2:12 gives an answer I believe to that question you have been buried with him in baptism in which you were raised with him through faith that's my answer to the question does the water do it or does faith do it and I think that's a statement that baptism is an emblem of a burial and a resurrection which is a burial with Christ spiritually and a resurrection with Christ spiritually through faith in the powerful working of God who raised him from the dead." [00:36:35]

"so if you ask what's the human counterpart to this Union it's faith so if if you say what's the answer how do you get in the answer is God puts you in but what what do I experience when he puts me in you believe you trust him if God puts you in and you must believe to be in wouldn't it make sense that he puts you in by Awakening your faith which is what these texts say Ephesians 2 by Grace you have been saved through faith this is not your own doing it is the gift of God so all of this including your faith gift of God." [00:38:57]

"two effects legal effect no condemnation power effect freed in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death Union with Christ is glorious enjoy it what is the relationship between the two legally my union with Christ establishes me as not guilty no condemnation transformationally it makes me a new person who's triumphing over the law of sin in measure not fully but the measure is so real it's caused by God and an a proof that you're in." [00:40:24]

"the law cannot enable you to fulfill the law but God sent Christ so that would happen see that so sending the son here I am in verse three near the end in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin he condemned sin in the flesh in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not according to the flesh but according to the spirit the law couldn't do that the law could not produce the law the law could only condemn for Disobedience to the law there had to be a new covenant." [00:54:24]

"the New Covenant this is the New Covenant in my blood the blood is right here in this condemned sin in the flesh this is the New Covenant in my blood what is the new Covenant I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes which is happening in verse four that's the New Covenant fulfillment of the fruit of the cross my sins are forgiven in the New Covenant first and then on the basis of my forgiven sins the spirit in me starts to cause me to walk not by the flesh any longer but according to the spirit which fulfills the just requirement the righteous requirement of the law." [00:55:12]

"for those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the Flesh and those who live according to the spirit should use a different color probably those who live according to the spirit set their minds on the things of the spirit if you have a life deeply stamped by the spirit your mind loves the things of the spirit and you if you have a mind controlled and stamped by flesh you love the things of the flesh the things of the flesh are anything minus God that's my definition of Flesh anything considered apart from submission to God." [01:00:51]

"for to set the mind on the flesh is death death is at work in the flesh it's a deadness to the things of the spirit therefore because the mind of the flesh reveals the presence of death at work therefore the flesh sets its mind on the things of the flesh death is at work in me it's going to kill me in the end ultimately if it doesn't get solved and presently there's a deadness to the things of the spirit so that my mind is just going to the things of the flesh oh how I love the things of the Flesh and have little affection for the things of the spirit why deadness is at work in me." [01:01:56]

"the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God as is evidenced by the fact that it will not submit to God submit God says trust me love me bow before me swear allegiance to me I'm your God God I made you I rule the world no I will do it my way I will do sexual things my way I'll do money things my way I'll do marriage things my way parenting things my way you just stop telling me what to do I hate to be told what to do that's who we are every one of you is born that way." [01:03:22]

"we are dead and we cannot please God one last comment before we take a break I remember years ago I think I was in my 20s think I was still in seminary can't quite locate it as I was coming into the experience of the bigness of God my my mind was being dism mantled and I was having to rebuild everything as I saw texts I took of course on Romans 1 to8 where everything changed I remember when it hit me are you saying Paul that God is so God centered and life is so god-centered and all the universe is so God centered that no no unbeliever can please you in anything he does that's right that was one of the most Paradigm changing thoughts I've ever had." [01:06:56]

"God wants to be loved and enjoyed and trusted and honored by happy obedience he loves cheerful Car Washers preachers moms dads lawyers doctors teachers out of cheerful dependence on my God I do what I do and he smiles and he's pleased and if we don't believe in him don't trust him don't follow him don't lean on him nothing we do pleases him let me pray and we'll pick it up here father I ask that you would Minister to us now in this break and then bring us back help me to get the the pace going here such that we won't short circuit any of these teachings I ask this in Jesus name amen." [01:11:31]

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Transformative Power of Being 'In Christ'

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Relationship of Being "In Christ"

Day 2: Divine Initiation of Our Union with Christ

Day 3: Baptism as a Symbol of Faith and Union

Day 4: Fulfilling the Law Through Love

Day 5: The Mindset of Flesh vs. Spirit

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Transformative Power of Being 'In Christ'

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