The Believer's Union with Christ
Notes
Transcript
The Believer's Union with Christ
Text: John 17:18–23
8 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
I. The union of the believer with Christ is a real literal union.
* The Believer’s union with Christ is not simply concept, a way of looking at things, or just an idea, but it is a real definite bond with Christ.
* According to the teaching of the Bible, this union is to be taken as a literal fact.
* The great doctrine of the believer’s union with Christ is one the most liberating doctrines of the Bible!
* Turn with me to Romans chapter 6 and verse 3:
Romans 6:2–7 (KJV 1900)
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
* This baptism is the baptism of the Holy Spirit!
* John the Baptist said that Jesus came to baptize us with the Holy Ghost!
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:
* I want you to know this morning that because the believer has been baptized by the Holy Spirit into this wonderful union with Christ, you have died with Christ!
* Because the believer is baptized into Christ in this union, everything that happened to Christ has also happened to the believer!
* Because we died with Christ we no longer are subject to the law of the Old Testament! We are no longer subject to the condemnation if the Old Testament Law because in Christ we have died with Him!
* This is what Romans chapter 8:1 means when it says:
Romans 8:1–2 (KJV 1900)
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
*Not only did we die when Jesus died, but we were resurrected a new man when Jesus resurrected as well!
that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
* We now are a new man with a new life!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV 1900)
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
* Now look again with me to Romans chapter 6 and verse 5:
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
* Because we have entered into this union with Christ, just as we was raised from the grave, we will raise from the grave also.
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him,
* Because of this union with Christ, we were crucified with him! Everything that has happened to Christ has happened to those who believe on his name!
Colossians 2:12–15 (KJV 1900)
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
* Now skip down to Romans chapter 6 and verse 10:
Romans 6:10–14 (KJV 1900)
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
* Oh the wonderful, liberating truth of our union with Christ this morning! Oh how this truth can liberate the heart and set it free!
John 8:36 (KJV 1900)
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
* The Bible clearly states in John 1:16, that we have received Christ’s fullness.
* Brethren, I want you to know that we have already received everything that there is to receive from Christ. Already, right now! Not sometime in the future, but right now!
Ephesians 1:3–14 (KJV 1900)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Ephesians 1:13–14 (KJV 1900)
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:17–23 (KJV 1900)
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
John 1:16 says ‘And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.’ That says it all. Right now we have our full relationship to Christ.
* John says that we are right now receiving Christ’s fullness! John also says His life is passing into us and we are receiving it, not in the future, but right now!
John 14:18–21
18 I will not leave you comfortless:
I will come to you.
19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more;
but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and
I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
* We have taken as our text this morning, part of that great prayer that Jesus prayed for every believer in John chapter 17. In this prayer Jesus spoke of the believer’s union with Himself as being in full effect right here on this earth!
* Jesus spoke of this union as being witnessed by the world.
John 17:21–23
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
* The trouble with all of us is, that we do not realize the truth of these things!
* If we would only wake up and come to the realization of that great Doctrine of the Bible! In our text, our Savior has revealed to us that every believer has entered into a real, and eternal, union with Himself!
* If only we would realize the full extent of what this means! If we truly understood the nature of this union with Christ we would be forever cured of this spiritual depression that we have been speaking about in this series of sermons!
* Our faith would soar to new heights and easily defeat every fiery dart of doubt, and worry, and false doctrine that the Devil would hurl at us!
* This truth of our Union with Christ was given by the Lord Himself!
* In our test Jesus prayed for every person who believed on Him, that they may know and understand this vital, spiritual, relationship we have with Him!
* In the prayer before us this morning, Jesus prayed for all those who would ever believe on Him, to be joined in an everlasting union with him.
* Jesus does not hesitate to compare this union with the very relationship that exists between the Father and Himself!
* Oh what a glorious thought! Your union with Christ is just as real, just as secure- just as sustaining- just as powerful- as the union between God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit!
* Now, with this thought, let me digress a little and talk a little about our main theme for this series of sermons we are in concerning “the cure for spiritual depression.”
* This series of sermons is designed to reveal to us the power that will enable us to overcome spiritual depression!
* The Bible says in I John 5:4:
1 John 5:4
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
* My friend if faith overcomes the world, then where does faith come from? Well the answer to that is found in Romans chapter 1o and verse 17:
Romans 10:17 (KJV 1900)
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
* Where does faith come from? It comes from the Bible! Our faith comes from studying, understanding, and believing the great doctrines concerning our salvation!
* Now that scary word “doctrine,” means nothing more than a particular truth that is taught in the Bible.
* The Great “doctrines,” or teachings, of the Bible have been given to every believer to defeat the world and the Devil! -“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Then in Ephesians 6 and verse 16 we read: 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
* There are many Christians that have truly been born again, but they are miserable living the Christian life!
* This should not be so! The words Christian and miserable should not be used together, they are technically incompatible with one another!
* But even so, we know there are Christians in such a state, because we see Christians in this miserable state in the Bible.
* Most of the letters to the churches that we now have in our Bible were written by the apostles to believers who were living in this state of a miserable, depressed condition.
* Why is it that we find so many Christians in such a state of Spiritual depression?
* Well the answer can be found in the letters written to depressed and troubled Christians in the days of the Apostles. We call these letters “epistles,” and we know them by the books of I and II Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, I, II, and III John, Hebrews and so on.
* In order to understand the cure for spiritual depression, we must understand its source.
* The moment we believe on the Lord Jesus, we are immediately engaged in a spiritual battle with the Devil and his worldly system the Bible simply calls the “world.”
* Failure to realize that we are involved in a great spiritual warfare with the Devil, is the reason for spiritual depression.
* If you don’t even know you are in a battle, you are already defeated, and this is where the Devil would love for every Christian to be- In a state of ignorance!
* To remain in ignorant of the great doctrines of the will guarantee spiritual depression.
* We need to be aware that the Bible teaches that we are in a battle with the Devil this morning!
* IT is the goal of the Devil, and all the legions of demons that follow him, to defeat, destroy, and discredit those that have placed their faith in Christ.
1 Peter 5:8–9 (KJV 1900)
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
* There in the pages of those letters to defeated Christians- in the days of the Apostle Paul, the apostle Peter, and the Apostle John, we find the cure to what we are referring to “spiritual depression.”
* What was the matter with those churches to which the Apostles wrote letters to? Well I’ll tell you what was the matter.
* Those churches, like today’s churches, were filled with believers who were weak and anemic, and didn’t have any spiritual strength!
* I said earlier that our faith is what we use to overcome the Devil and the World. Those churches had not yet learned that faith is something that you do, not something that you automatically possess!
* As a believer, it is imperative that you realize that faith is not simply something you possess, but something that you do- you “have faith.”
* Faith doesn’t just sit in the heart of a believer, faith is something that that must be applied, or used. Listen to the world of the Apostle James and he explains how that faith is something that requires action-
James 2:14–17 (KJV 1900)
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:18–20 (KJV 1900)
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
* Now we already know that the Bible explicitly teaches that we are not saved by anything we do or any form of works.
Ephesians 2:8–10 (KJV 1900)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
* Now look at the very next verse:
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
* James says “our faith is not static, but our faith is something that always motivates us to do good works- our faith is what motivates us to live right! Our faith is what will motivate us to read the Bible and to pray!
* My friend, what James is saying is that if your faith does not move you to good works, your faith is of no use to you- it is dead!
* If your faith does not move you to be in God’s house to hear his Word and fellowship with fellow believers your faith this morning is dead!
* If your faith does not move you to read the Bible and understand and apply its great truths to your life my friend your faith is dead!
* If your faith does not motivate you to kneel in prayer and talk with the one who loves your soul, and gave Himself for you, then my friend your faith is dead and it is of no use to you whatsoever.
* I agree with James this morning- if those who know you cannot see any visible proof of your faith in your life, then I am concerned that your faith may not be real!
* You may have walked an isle in some church somewhere and signed a card, or shook the preacher’s hand, and did not place a saving faith in Jesus Christ to save your soul! Your faith may be counterfeit! Not Real! Dead!
- Real faith moved Peter to walk on the water to come to Jesus!
- Real faith moved Blind Bartimaeus to cry out with a loud voice Jesus,
thou Son of David have mercy on me!
- In Hebrews chapter 11, the “great hall of faith” we read how:
- Enoch was taken right up to heave without dying.
- Noah, was moved to build an ark
- Abraham was moved to search for a city whose builder and maker was
God!
- Abraham was moved to trust God and offer up his only son Isaac.
- Sarah was moved and received strength to bare a son at 100 years old.
- Isaac was moved Esau concerning things to come.
- Jacob was moved to prophecy of Israel’s deliverance form Egypt.
- Joseph was moved made mention of Israel’s departing from Egypt.
- Moses parents were moved to defy the king and make a boat to save
Moses.
- Moses was moved to leave the riches of Egypt and suffer affliction
with God people.
- Faith moved the people of Israel to place the blood over the door posts.
- By faith the Children of Israel past through the Red sea.
- By faith the walls of Jericho fell down!
- By faith Rehab was moved to help the spies sent out to spy Jerico
Hebrews 11:32–40 (KJV 1900)
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
* So, what is the Apostle Paul, and the apostle James, teaching about faith?
* What they are saying here is that after we place our faith in Christ, then our faith is no something that automatically delivers us from the power of the world and the Devil, faith must be appropriated, faith must be acted upon!
* The reason that we have so many miserable, spiritually depressed Christians, is because they have been given the idea that their faith in Christ is some kind of magical power that taken care of everything,.
* I have believed in Jesus- the thing is done! There nothing more to do! I can go on my merry way now, and the Christian life will now be happily ever after!
* The apostle James says oh no! You must now “use” your faith, you must apply your faith- You must exercise your faith, you must work out your faith.
* The very nature of faith involves our diligence:
Hebrews 11:6 (KJV 1900)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Philippians 2:12 (KJV 1900)
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
* We have become like the church in Ephesians 4 who were tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive!
* We have become weak minded, milk babies, too lazy to study and search out the great doctrines of the Word of God that make us strong and able to overcome the world and the Devil!
* We act like a bunch of weak kneed cowards!
Hebrews 12:12–13 (KJV 1900)
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
* Paul told the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong!”
* The Apostle Peter said in 1 Peter 1:13 “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ!
* Jesus rebuked the church of Laodicea in the book Revelation chapter 3, and described the condition of that church saying that they were neither hot nor cold, but like warm and that was ready to spew them out of his mouth!
* That great armor of God that we are told to put on by the apostle Paul is none other than applying our faith and trusting in these great truths in the Bible that we call “the doctrines” of the Bible!
Ephesians 6:10–11 (KJV 1900)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
* My fried the apostle Paul wants you to know that God has already provided everything you need to live a victorious life overcoming the Devil and avoiding this sate of spiritual depression!
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
* Turn with me to Ephesians chapter 6 and look at verse 13:
Ephesians 6:13–17 (KJV 1900)
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth
* That is the great Bible doctrine that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, infallible, without error and the anchor of our salvation!
* The doctrine of the inspiration of the Bible is the foundation that all the other pieces of armor rest upon!
, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
* That is the great Bible doctrine of the imputed righteousness of Christ!
* When the Devil throws the fiery doubt at you and whispers in your ear “You’re not like those other people, you’re not really a Christian- You’re not good enough!
In faith you stand upon that great Bible doctrine that when God looks upon you, he does not see your sin, but He see only the imputed righteousness of this beloved Son! And the Devil flees from the World of God!
James 4:7–8 (KJV 1900)
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
* How do we purify our hearts this morning? By removing double mindedness by applying our faith in the great doctrines of the Bible!
* What is the opposite of double mindedness? The opposite of double mindedness is faith!
* Moving on though Paul’s “armor of God” we come to verse 15:
Ephesians 6 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
* What does it mean to have our feet shod with the preparation if the Gospel of peace?
* My friend this means that we prepare ourselves; we are motivated by our faith to study and learn, and believe, those great Bible doctrines that teach us that we have peace with God!
* We are moved by our faith to understand apply to our lives the great doctrines of the Bible concerning our salvation:
-The doctrine of atonement for sin by the blood of Christ
- The doctrine of reconciliation to God
- The doctrine of the substitutionary death of Christ
- The doctrine of grace
- The doctrine of eternal security
- The doctrine of justification
- The doctrine of assurance
and I could go on and on!
* Finally Paul says “above all,” not necessarily more important that all the other pieces of this armor, but put this over, or on top of all the other pieces, take the shield of faith.
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
* What the apostle Paul is saying to the Ephesians in this passage is, that God has supplied the believer with everything he needs to fight off this spiritual depression that we have been talking about for the last couple of weeks.
* We overcome the world and defeat the Devil by our faith which is what motivates us to studying, learning, believing, and trusting in these great doctrines of the Bible! This is the cure for spiritual depression!
II. How this union is established.
The Union of the believer with Christ begins with the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
John 1:26–34 (KJV 1900)
26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; 27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. 28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. 31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. 32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
1 Peter 3:18–22 (KJV 1900)
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
Mark 16:15–16 (KJV 1900)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Acts 1:3–5 (KJV 1900)
3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 2:37–38 (KJV 1900)
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10:44–48 (KJV 1900)
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 11:14–16 (KJV 1900)
14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 19:1–7 (KJV 1900)
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7 And all the men were about twelve.
* The union of the believer with Christ is clearly the work of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 2:5 puts it like this: God ‘hath quickened us together with Christ’.
Romans 6:3–7 (KJV 1900)
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
* It is the work of the Spirit to quicken us. And He quickens us ‘together with Christ’—that is the union.
* According to the Scriptures, the very instant we believe on the name of Jesus the Son of God, we are each placed into a union with Christ.
* It is only as our faith becomes active, that we become aware of this union with Christ.
* It is only as our faith comes into operation that we rejoice in this union with Christ and desire it more and more.
III. This union is a spiritual union.
Jesus told Nicodemus that that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Sprit is spirit.
John 3:3–8 (KJV 1900)
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:15-17
15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for logos4-command:BiblicalKnowledge%7CBibleKnowledgebaseReferenceId%3D%23AuthorPentateuchtwo, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
IV. It is a mysterious union.
The two really become one—it is a mystical union.
Ephesians 5:22–32
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife,
even as Christ is the head of the church:
and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
V. This union is a living union.
A living, or a dynamic union, suggests a kind of two-way traffic, it is a union in which we give as well as receive.
Ephesians 4:15–16 (KJV 1900)
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
* (Abide in the vine)
Beilevers are refered to as the family of God- Just as in the family the husband and wife both make a conribution to the relationship, so the believer and the savior both contribute to this living relationship.
There is an activity and a vitality in the parts as well as in the head. They all make their contribution.I am increasingly convinced that what chiefly accounts for the low state of spirituality in the Christian Church is the failure to grasp these doctrines.We fail to see that the way to become holy is to understand the truth about ourselves and to realise our high calling and our privileged position.
When we really understand the truth about our union with Christ it will cause us to flee from sin and live a life worthy of our position.
VI. This union is a personal union.
Every one of us, separately, is in union with Christ.
There is a doctrine being taught within the various, cults and with the Roman Catholic church that is verry dangerous and very popular.
These false teachers who like to call themselves ‘liberal evangelicals’, teach that we have no direct union with our Lord as individuals, but that we are only connected to Him through the Church. This false teaching leads to a sense that we cannot be born again except in and through the Church, which is a complete denial, not only of scriptural teaching.
The Bible plainly teaches that it is through believing on the name of Jesus that we are saved, not believing in the church.
Acts 4:12 (KJV 1900)
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
We are not born of the Church—the Church is not our spiritual mother—are born of the Spirit.
The Catholic church and other false teachers teach that this union with Christ is brought about by being baptised. You will never find anywhere in the Bible that says that being baptised saves anyone. The Bible does not teach this false doctrine of baptisimal regeneration in any shape or form.
The Catholic church and other false teachers teach that the union of the believer with Christ is maintained by the sacraments, or what we would call the Lord's supper.
The ordinances of the church stimulate our desire and cause our union with our Savior to grow and become deeper and greater, but they do not bring it into being, nor do they maintain our salvation.
The act of bringing us into this blessed union with Christ, and keeping us in the union with Christ are both the work of the Holy Spirit, not of the individual, and not that of religion or the church.
VII. This union is an indestructible union.
It is contrary to what the bible teaches that we can be joined to Christ in this union by the Spirit and then go out of that union, and then come back and enter into it again, and then go out again, and keep on coming in and going out. Occording to the Word of God, this union of the believer with Christ is once and forever.
Romans 8:37–39 (KJV 1900)
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Peter 1:3–5 (KJV 1900)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
VIII. The consequences of the union.
Certain things result from our union with our Lord, quite outside the realm of our experience, and these apply to our status, our standing, our position.
By nature, all of us are joined federally to Adam. God made Adam the representative of humanity. He is the federal head. Take the illustration of the United States of America. That country consists of a number of different states and each state has its own legislature—its own government, in a sense—but then in addition to that there is what they call the federal government which includes them all. They are all related in this federal union. Now the teaching of the Scripture is that the whole of mankind is in that kind of federal union with Adam and, as we have seen, it was because of that that Adam’s sin is imputed to us. Because we are joined to Adam federally, in this legal sense, what he did applies to us. He sinned—we sinned; he fell—we fell. That is the doctrine of original sin and original guilt.But now, on the other side, we are told—and you will notice the parallelism in the teaching—that we who are Christians are in precisely the same relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ. We are federally related to Him. What does that mean? It means that we have been crucified with Him.
Romans 6:3–9 (KJV 1900)
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
It says that because I am joined to Christ federally, when He was crucified I was crucified. That is a statement of fact. God regards it like that. We are told that, ‘We have been planted together in the likeness of his death’—that is Romans 6:5. Romans 6:8 says we are ‘dead with Christ’. We have died with Him. More, ‘we are buried with him by baptism into death’ (Rom. 6:4). And Romans 6:11 adds, ‘Reckon ye also yourselves to be … alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.’
I must believe that I have been crucified with Him. In exactly the same way that when Adam sinned, I sinned, so when Christ was crucified I was crucified. I died with Him, was buried with Him, and rose with Him.
Go on to Ephesians 2:6: ‘And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.’ Now Paul is not talking here about something that is going to happen to us. What Paul says there is that, federally and in terms of this relationship, though we are still on earth, we who are Christians are in Christ seated with Him in the heavenly places now.
Ephesians 2:5–10 (KJV 1900)
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of orks, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
My dear friends, I am telling you the greatest things you will ever hear, I am telling you the truth about yourself and about myself, thank God!
I am already finally redeemed in Him. That is why in Romans 8 Paul jumps from justification to glorification and says that those who have been called have already been glorified. That is why the union is indestructable and never ending.So, what this teaching really says is something like this: our sins were imputed to Him; His righteousness is imputed to us.
We are sealed by the Holy Spirit because of our union with Christ.
It is because I am one with Him that I receive the Spirit which He received without measure.
We receive the adoption because of our union with Chirst.
And the last thing is this: because we are adopted, Paul argues, again in Romans 8, that we are ‘heirs of God’ and, therefore, ‘joint-heirs with Christ’ (v. 17). Christ is an heir, so we must be joint heirs, and we are joint heirs of the glory which God has prepared for those who love Him. So there in that list I have been giving you the federal and the objective results of our union with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Because of our union with Christ we share the heart and mind of Christ for men and women and their lost condition.
Because of our union with Him, we may know something of groaning in the spirit as He knew it; this deep concern, this pain, this agony of soul.
Galatians 2:19–20 (KJV 1900)
19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.