7 Who we are in Christ

7. WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST

1. MEMORY VERSES

John 8:31,32 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

John 8:31,32 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching,

you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth

will set you free.”

Colossians 3:16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

2. INTRODUCTION

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The more we know and believe the truth of Scripture about who we have become in Christ, the

more thankful, confident, Christlike and fully assured we

will be in this world.

When we don't realize who we are in Christ, our faith will be far from complete, we won’t exercise our authority in Christ, we will not look like Jesus and will find it hard to minister like Him. Satan wants you to feel unworthy and unable to walk in the power of God.

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THE TRUTH IS THAT WE, BY OUR OWN POWER AND EFFORT, ARE UNWORTHY, BUT IT IS THE BLOOD OF CHRIST THAT MAKES US WORTHY.

A practical session: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________—this is best seen by reading the Bible and then working to understand and take hold of the truths revealed. If, by faith, we start living according to the verses mentioned below then a firm foundation will be built.

A practical session: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________—this is best seen by reading the Bible and then working to understand and take hold of the truths revealed. If, by faith, we start living according to the verses mentioned below then a firm foundation will be built.

We have our own responsibility in understanding the foundation of who we

are in Christ

This section will be very practical in nature - we shall read the verse and think / meditate upon it—some are printed in the notes, others you will have to look up for yourself. - then we shall write out the verse in our own words

- then we shall write out any promises / responsibilities or commands that come through it - we shall finish by praying the verse (sometimes publicly, at others privately) here

3. WE RECEIVE A NEW LIFE

At the end of each section…

At the end of each section…Take 2-3 of the verses we have just readand write them in your own words—this helps you to understand better.

At the end of each section…Take 2-3 of the verses we have just readand write them in your own words—this helps you to understand better.What difference would it make if youtruly believed and lived this truth inyour life?

At the end of each section…Take 2-3 of the verses we have just readand write them in your own words—this helps you to understand better.What difference would it make if youtruly believed and lived this truth inyour life?What does the verse command you todo?

We have eternal life (John 3:16). For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

God has poured His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

God has poured His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out

into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

We have received the testimony of the Spirit (Romans 8:16).We have been given the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Our bodies have become temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Our bodies have become temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You

are not your own;

We have available to us the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4–11). We have become part of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). We have the Holy Spirit as the seal of His ownership in our hearts (2 Corinthians 1:22).

We have been redeemed from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13). We have been sealed by the Spirit (Ephesians 1:13–14).

We have been made alive with Christ (Colossians 2:13). 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[a] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

We have been renewed by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). We have been born again of the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23). We have been forgiven and washed clean in the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7–9).We have been born of God (1 John 2:29).

4. WE ENTER A NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD





We have become children of God (John 1:12; Romans 8:16). ________________________________________________________________________

We have become children of God (John 1:12; Romans 8:16). ________________________________________________________________________

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

We know the only true God (John 17:3).We have peace with God (Romans 5:1). ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

We know the only true God (John 17:3).We have peace with God (Romans 5:1). ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

We are reconciled to God (Romans 5:10). For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Not only are we children, but we are sons of God (Romans 8:15).

We have become co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Not only are we children, but we are sons of God (Romans 8:15).

We have become co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if

indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

We are Christ’s possession (1 Corinthians 3:23, NLT. and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

We have been transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory which comes from the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18). ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

We have been transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory which comes from the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18). ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-

increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

We are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

We are crucified with Christ (Gal 2:20). 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me

We are accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6). We are alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5). We are members of God’s household (Ephesians 2:19). We can approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12).

We can be confident that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6). We can do all things in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13). I can do all this through him who gives me strength. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.(NLT)

We are qualified to share in His inheritance (Colossians 1:12). We belong to God (1 Peter 2:9). We participate in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5. WE HAVE BEEN SET FREE FROM SIN





We are set free from bondage (John 8:31–36). We have been set free from sin (Romans 6:18). ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

We are set free from bondage (John 8:31–36). We have been set free from sin (Romans 6:18). ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to

righteousness.

We are no longer under condemnation (Romans 8:1). Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

We should set our minds on what the Spirit desires (Romans 8:5–6). We have been saved from the consequences of sin (Romans 10:13).

We have been made righteous and holy (1 Corinthians 1:30).

We are washed, sanctified and justified (1 Corinthians 6:11). 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

We are redeemed (Ephesians 1:7). We no longer live gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature (Ephesians 2:3). We are no longer objects of wrath (Ephesians 2:3). We have been saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

We are forgiven (Colossians 1:14). ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

We are complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10 AV). Our nature is changed (Colossians 3:9–10). We are cleansed from a guilty conscience (Hebrews 10:22).

We are complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10 AV). Our nature is changed (Colossians 3:9–10). We are cleansed from a guilty conscience (Hebrews 10:22).

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have

redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

We have been healed (1 Peter 2:24). We have died to sin and live to righteousness (1 Peter 2:24). ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ We have been cleansed from past sin (2 Peter 1:9).

We have been healed (1 Peter 2:24). We have died to sin and live to righteousness (1 Peter 2:24). ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ We have been cleansed from past sin (2 Peter 1:9).

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins

and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

6. WE ARE SET APART IN THE WORLD

We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37).

We are ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37).

We are ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s

behalf: Be reconciled to God.

We live by faith in the Son of God (Galatians 2:20).

We have been crucified to the world (Galatians 6:14). 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

________________________________________________________________________ (Ephesians 2:6). We are fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household (Ephesians 2:19).

We have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought into the Kingdom of God (Colossians 1:13). For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

We have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought into the Kingdom of God (Colossians 1:13). For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

We have been raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places

We have been given the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness (2 Peter 3:12). We have overcome the world (1 John 5:4–5).

We have been given the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness (2 Peter 3:12). We have overcome the world (1 John 5:4–5).

7. QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION POINTS

1. Why do so many Christians not seem to be living in the good of all that is there for them in Christ Jesus? Discuss. 2. Do we have to live this way alone, or do we have help? (John 14:26; John 16:13–15).

3. When we begin to live in the good of who we are in Christ, what response can we expect from the world? Discuss. (John 15:18–16:4).

8. SUMMARY AND APPLICATION

1. We have a glorious inheritance when we are in Christ Jesus.

2. We need to put behind us the excuse of not knowing and learn who we are in Christ from God’s Word and then live in the good of this.

3. We need to die to our old life and nature and live as Christ Jesus intends us to, being obedient to God the Father and living in the power of the Holy Spirit.

ASSIGNMENT

A foundation has to be laid. We have our own responsibility in laying this foundation in our lives, using the riches which we have been given in Christ. If, by faith, we start living in the verses mentioned above then a firm foundation will be built.

In the next few weeks use your daily ‘quiet time’ to go through these verses. It will be helpful to use the following steps:

1. Think about the verse, meditate on it. 2. Write it in your own words. 3. What is the promise given here? 4. And what is the responsibility that comes with it? 5. Does this promise meet a need in your life? If yes, why? If not, why?

6. Thank God for the riches received, but tell Him what you find difficult. 7. Accept the promise in faith. 8. What does the Bible say is the condition that comes with the promise. Apply this to your daily circumstances.

CONCLUSION

‘Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.’ (Colossians 3:16)

‘Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.’ (2 Peter 1:4)

‘We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.’ (Hebrews 6:12)

THE END

Spiritual

7 Who we are in Christ