Union with Christ: Freedom and Joy in Faith
Summary
In our journey through life, just as our bodies require a balanced diet for physical health, our souls need a balanced intake of God's Word for spiritual well-being. This new series focuses on Christian doctrine, particularly the profound truths found in Romans 7. Over the next three weeks, we will explore the doctrine of union with Christ, the distinction between Christianity and mere moral living, and the joy and freedom of an authentic Christian life.
Today, we delve into the doctrine of union with Christ, a central theme in the Christian life. Romans 7:4 tells us that we belong to Jesus, who was raised from the dead, so that we may bear fruit for God. This union with Christ is not just a theological concept but a transformative reality. It is through this union that we are empowered to live a life that pleases God, not by our own efforts but by the life of Christ within us.
Many people mistakenly equate Christianity with a sustained effort to live a moral life. However, Christianity is not merely about moral striving; it is about a relationship with Jesus Christ. An atheist can pursue a moral life, but only through union with Christ can we experience the joy, peace, and power that come from belonging to Him. This is the heart of the Christian faith.
Romans 7 is often misunderstood, but it is a chapter that reveals the freedom and joy of an authentic Christian life. The apostle Paul uses the analogy of marriage to illustrate our relationship with the law and with Christ. Being bound to the law is like being in an unhappy, even abusive, marriage. The law makes demands that we can never fully satisfy. However, through Christ's death and resurrection, we have died to the law and are now free to belong to Christ.
This new union with Christ is like a second marriage, bringing us into a relationship of love, joy, and peace. It is through this union that we bear fruit for God. As we come to the Lord's table, let us remember that in Christ, there is no condemnation. We are invited to bind ourselves to Him, forsaking all others, and to experience the freedom and joy of this new life in Him.
Key Takeaways:
- The doctrine of union with Christ is central to the Christian life. It is through this union that we are empowered to bear fruit for God, not by our own efforts but by the life of Christ within us. [03:47]
- Christianity is not merely a sustained effort to live a moral life. It is about a transformative relationship with Jesus Christ, which brings joy, peace, and power that cannot be found in mere moral striving. [05:59]
- Romans 7 reveals the freedom and joy of an authentic Christian life. Through Christ's death and resurrection, we have died to the law and are now free to belong to Christ, experiencing a new and wonderful union with Him. [07:47]
- Being bound to the law is like being in an unhappy, even abusive, marriage. The law makes demands that we can never fully satisfy. However, through Christ, we are released from this bondage and brought into a new life. [19:28]
- In Christ, there is no condemnation. We are invited to bind ourselves to Him, forsaking all others, and to experience the freedom and joy of this new life in Him. This is the heart of the Christian faith. [36:02]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to the Series
- [01:03] - Spiritual Health and the Word of God
- [01:58] - Christian Doctrine and Belief
- [03:04] - Union with Christ
- [04:32] - Christianity vs. Moral Living
- [06:23] - Freedom and Joy in Christ
- [09:07] - The Analogy of Marriage
- [11:08] - The Demands of the Law
- [13:02] - Pilgrim's Progress Illustration
- [17:15] - The Law and Mercy
- [20:38] - Bound to the Law
- [22:42] - Death and Release from the Law
- [27:08] - Belonging to Christ
- [33:26] - Bearing Fruit for God
- [36:28] - Invitation to Bind with Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 7:1-6
- Galatians 2:20
- John 15:5
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 7:4, what is the purpose of belonging to Christ, and how does this relate to bearing fruit for God? [03:30]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the law and a person, using the analogy of marriage? [09:07]
3. What does the pastor mean when he says that being bound to the law is like being in an abusive relationship? [12:42]
4. In the sermon, what is the significance of the man with scars on his hands and feet? [17:55]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the doctrine of union with Christ empower believers to live a life that pleases God, according to the sermon? [03:47]
2. What is the difference between Christianity and merely living a moral life, as explained in the sermon? [05:59]
3. How does Romans 7 reveal the freedom and joy of an authentic Christian life, and why is this often misunderstood? [07:47]
4. What does it mean to be released from the bondage of the law through Christ's death and resurrection? [19:28]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you feel bound by the law or moral striving rather than experiencing the freedom in Christ? How can you shift your focus to a relationship with Jesus? [05:59]
2. The sermon emphasizes the joy and peace found in union with Christ. Can you identify a specific area in your life where you need to experience this joy and peace? What steps can you take to invite Christ into that area? [06:23]
3. How can you practically live out the truth that in Christ, there is no condemnation? Are there specific accusations or feelings of guilt you need to let go of? [36:02]
4. The pastor used the analogy of a second marriage to describe our relationship with Christ. How does this analogy resonate with your understanding of your faith journey? [09:07]
5. Think of a time when you felt the demands of the law or moral expectations weighing heavily on you. How did you respond, and how might you respond differently now, knowing the freedom in Christ? [12:42]
6. How can you cultivate a deeper union with Christ in your daily life? Are there specific spiritual practices or disciplines you can commit to this week? [03:47]
7. Identify one person in your life who might be striving to live a moral life without the joy and peace of knowing Christ. How can you share the message of freedom and union with Christ with them? [05:59]
Devotional
Day 1: Union with Christ Empowers Spiritual Fruitfulness
The doctrine of union with Christ is central to the Christian life. It is through this union that believers are empowered to bear fruit for God, not by their own efforts but by the life of Christ within them. This union is not merely a theological concept but a transformative reality that changes how Christians live and interact with the world. Romans 7:4 emphasizes that believers belong to Jesus, who was raised from the dead, so that they may bear fruit for God. This relationship with Christ is the source of spiritual vitality and productivity, enabling Christians to live lives that are pleasing to God. [03:47]
"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." (Romans 6:5, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on Christ's power rather than your own efforts to bear spiritual fruit?
Day 2: Christianity as a Transformative Relationship
Christianity is not merely a sustained effort to live a moral life. It is about a transformative relationship with Jesus Christ, which brings joy, peace, and power that cannot be found in mere moral striving. Many people mistakenly equate Christianity with moral living, but the heart of the Christian faith is a relationship with Jesus. This relationship is what distinguishes Christianity from other moral or ethical systems, as it offers a unique source of joy and strength that comes from belonging to Christ. [05:59]
"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (John 17:3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with Jesus today, moving beyond moral striving to experience His joy and peace?
Day 3: Freedom and Joy in Christ
Romans 7 reveals the freedom and joy of an authentic Christian life. Through Christ's death and resurrection, believers have died to the law and are now free to belong to Christ, experiencing a new and wonderful union with Him. This freedom is not a license to sin but a liberation from the demands of the law, which can never be fully satisfied. In Christ, believers find a new identity and purpose, marked by joy and freedom that come from being united with Him. [07:47]
"For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2, ESV)
Reflection: What does it mean for you to live in the freedom and joy that Christ offers, and how can you embrace this in your daily life?
Day 4: Released from the Bondage of the Law
Being bound to the law is like being in an unhappy, even abusive, marriage. The law makes demands that can never be fully satisfied. However, through Christ, believers are released from this bondage and brought into a new life. This new life is characterized by a relationship with Christ that is marked by love, joy, and peace. The analogy of marriage used by the apostle Paul illustrates the profound change that occurs when believers are united with Christ, moving from a life of obligation to one of grace and freedom. [19:28]
"But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code." (Romans 7:6, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced the release from the demands of the law through your relationship with Christ?
Day 5: No Condemnation in Christ
In Christ, there is no condemnation. Believers are invited to bind themselves to Him, forsaking all others, and to experience the freedom and joy of this new life in Him. This is the heart of the Christian faith, where believers find acceptance and love in their union with Christ. The assurance of no condemnation provides a foundation for living a life of freedom and joy, knowing that they are fully accepted and loved by God. [36:02]
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1, ESV)
Reflection: How does the assurance of no condemnation in Christ change the way you view yourself and your relationship with God?
Quotes
Now a good place to begin with any new series is to kind of outline some objectives really some aims as to where we're hoping to go and where we hope to be as a result of these next three weeks and I want to suggest uh three aims for this series these are the things that are in my mind and in my prayers that I've been preparing for it and roughly they will correspond to the three weeks in this series together. [00:02:46]
The first is that we would better grasp the doctrine of union with Christ, which is central to the whole of the Christian life, and that will be our focus particularly today. We're going to look at Romans chapter 7 and verse 4 today, where we have this wonderful statement that we belong to him who has been raised from the dead, that is Jesus of course, why in order that we may bear fruit for God. [00:03:13]
Many people don't know that there is a difference at all. They have the idea that if you are a Christian uh what that means is that you commit yourself to pursue a good and immoral life and of course that is true, but if that is all that it is well an atheist could do that, an atheist can commit to pursuing a moral life. [00:04:58]
So while it is true that Christians are committed to the pursuit of a moral life for sure there is nothing uniquely Christian about that and if all that you have is a sustained effort to pursue a mortal life, you have not yet discovered the joy, the peace, the love, the power that Jesus Christ is able to bring into the life of a person who belongs to him. [00:05:42]
Romans in chapter 7 is actually one of the most important but also one of the least understood chapters of the Bible. Now growing up I heard something that some of you will have heard and so I just want to say it and then we'll get it out the way so it's not a distraction to us. [00:06:31]
If you feel depressed, if you feel discouraged after reading Romans chapter 7, you simply have not understood it. But if when you have read Romans chapter 7 you find in it a fresh joy in Jesus Christ and a new energy for serving him and for pursuing the Christian life, then you really have understood and have grasped what this wonderful chapter of the Bible is all about. [00:08:10]
The law makes demands. Nomas is a character who is never satisfied. However hard you try you can never live up to Namos's expectations. So when you're married to Nomas you do not have a very happy marriage are you following me this far it is a miserable marriage it is not a happy marriage if you are married to someone who's never happy never pleased with anything you do never satisfied always making demands. [00:11:34]
To be bound to the law is like in Paul's illustration here it's like being locked into a really unhappy marriage, except that it's actually even worse to be bound to the law is actually like being stuck in an abusive relationship. Now some of you will have read John Bunyan's marvelous book The Pilgrim's Progress. [00:12:36]
The person who is bound to the law, to use Paul's phrase or married to Nomus which is what we're talking about, is not only in an unhappy place but actually in a dangerous place, a desperate place. To be married to Nomos would mean living with someone who makes constant demands is impossible to please and often beats up on you. [00:19:21]
So Jesus died so that through his death we might also die and finally be released from this miserable marriage to Nomas from which our death was really the only way out, and if it had not been for the man with the scars on his hands and on his feet Namas would have been the end of us because we would have been bound to numbers all of our lives. [00:26:24]
Now friends I hope that it is now absolutely clear to every person what is the difference between being a Christian and simply a sustained effort at living a model life. A sustained effort at living a moral life by definition is a sustained effort at pleasing numbers which as we've seen together is never going to succeed however hard you st you try because Namos is never satisfied. [00:28:58]
The good fruit of a life that is pleasing to God does not come from a sustained attempt at living a moral life, it comes from union with Jesus Christ who died and who rose. It is the life of Jesus Christ in you, this is what he meant when he said I am the vine you are the branches, it is the very presence of Christ in you that gives the hope of good fruit coming out of a life even such as yours and mine. [00:34:39]
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