Title: Saints in Christ
Contents
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:17
God is the Creator, and our lives are creatures. From the angels in heaven to the microbes of this world, including our lives, we were created by God the Creator. All created things are finite, but angels and men were created as eternal creatures. God is an eternal being from eternity, that is, without a beginning or an end. In other words, “I AM” (Exodus 3:14). However, angels and humans became eternal beings from the day God created them. However, some of the angels trembled proudly that they would become like God and resisted God, but became Satan. They could not find a place in heaven and were cast out to the earth (Rev 12:7-9). (Genesis 3:4-5) ② To make them sin (Genesis 3:7-21) ③ to tempt them (Genesis 3:1-7), so the tempter became the devil (Matthew 3:5).
“Everyone who sins is of the devil, for the devil sins from the beginning (1 John 3:8).
Those who sin are brought under the control of the devil, used as the devil's instrument, and eventually enter the hell prepared for the devil and his angels. God sent Jesus into this world to destroy these demons and to save people who were created in God's image (1 John 3:8). This very person is called “Christ”. Christ means being set apart by being anointed. Jesus is the Son of God, the sinless One, the only one who destroyed the devil, the Christ who saves us from our sins, the “anointed One”.
Today's sermon is titled "The Saints in Christ". If you are in Christ, you are a new creation (through spiritual union), that is, you have become a creature with a new nature through re-creation through Christ.
So, what does the new creation in Christ mean?
1. Those who believe in Jesus and have their sins forgiven.
Those who realize that they are sinners, repent and have their sins washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ, and those who are freed from the realm of the devil, the ruler of sin (John 8:32) Now that you have been freed from the domination of the devil, you are a being who has begun a new birth, a new life. Those who are spiritually outside of Christ are dead and cut off from the life of God. But when sins are forgiven, the life of Jesus comes alive in him.
2. A person who has been saved.
Those who are saved put their hope in heaven. However, if you live with hope in this world, you are far from salvation. If you have the assurance of salvation, you can say you are saved, but if you have hope in this world, there is no reward in heaven.
Dear brothers and sisters, I pray that you live with hope in heaven as people who have been saved.
The hope so far has been the hope of the world and the hope that will perish, but the new hope is the spiritual hope and the hope of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:28).
3. Those who have received the Holy Spirit.
A person who receives the Holy Spirit, is moved by the Holy Spirit, lives by the Holy Spirit, and considers the Lord's work more than mine. He is a true man of God and a Christian. As Romans 8:15 says, “You have received the Spirit of adoption, so you call God Father”. As John 1:12 says, “He has given you the authority to become children of God,” this authority is the authority to resist the devil and cast out unclean spirits. Those who have received the Holy Spirit belong to God in this way, and their status has been completely changed. Therefore, we must repent and receive the Holy Spirit, and in order to maintain the fullness even after receiving the Holy Spirit, we must thoroughly practice our faith and work hard. To this end, you need to upgrade your spirituality through worship service, prayer life, service, evangelism, and devotion.
4. You are a changed person.
Receiving the forgiveness of sins, salvation, and receiving the Holy Spirit do not appear outwardly. However, any change in what you think, say, or act will manifest itself outwardly. It must be changed for the world to recognize it. It is to be like Jesus.
“Old things have passed away; behold, the new has come”
“Put off the old man and put on the new man”
That is, to live a life worthy of the new creation.
Dear brothers and sisters, do not forget that only new creations belong to God, are approved by God, and are written by God. I bless you to live a victorious life with the pride and pride of “I am a new creation in Christ”. Hallelujah !
- Amen -