WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.940 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:00:04.900 --> 00:00:08.859 So I was able to choose this text a few weeks ago, 00:00:08.980 --> 00:00:10.720 and I was kind of happy in doing so 00:00:10.720 --> 00:00:13.000 because this is the phrase being in Christ. 00:00:13.060 --> 00:00:15.540 If you are in Christ, if you've been around the church, 00:00:15.599 --> 00:00:17.339 this may be a familiar phrase to many of you 00:00:17.339 --> 00:00:19.219 and thinking, ah, this is two words. 00:00:19.620 --> 00:00:22.080 This is an easy sermon to prepare for. 00:00:22.960 --> 00:00:24.320 The more and more I studied, 00:00:24.420 --> 00:00:25.980 the more and more I got into this text, 00:00:26.060 --> 00:00:26.980 the more and more I realized 00:00:26.980 --> 00:00:29.600 how expansive of a topic this is. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.560 I felt like I'd been handed like this bottle of Coke 00:00:32.560 --> 00:00:33.659 that had been shaken up 00:00:33.659 --> 00:00:36.840 with the task of pouring out a glass for someone. 00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:38.939 It's not an easy task. 00:00:39.019 --> 00:00:40.000 The more you more go into it, 00:00:40.039 --> 00:00:42.340 you realize the significance that's crammed 00:00:42.340 --> 00:00:44.500 into these two little words in Christ. 00:00:45.620 --> 00:00:47.420 And so we see this word in Christ, 00:00:47.519 --> 00:00:50.700 it repeats again and again in many of Paul's letters 00:00:50.700 --> 00:00:53.079 that are included in the New Testament. 00:00:53.500 --> 00:00:54.539 Here in the book of Ephesians, 00:00:54.539 --> 00:00:59.480 in Christ is listed 35 times it's included in this book. 00:00:59.479 --> 00:01:03.140 A total of 73 times in all of Paul's letters. 00:01:03.859 --> 00:01:06.859 And if we include other similar forms to this word, 00:01:06.959 --> 00:01:10.719 in Jesus Christ, in him, through Christ, with Christ, 00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:15.079 over 164 times we see this repeated by Paul in the New Testament. 00:01:16.179 --> 00:01:17.900 And so when we study this text tonight, 00:01:17.959 --> 00:01:21.560 it's not because necessarily this term or this phrase is vague, 00:01:21.640 --> 00:01:25.179 but the sense that it's so comprehensive in nature. 00:01:26.120 --> 00:01:27.620 You know, I think we're going to try to start, 00:01:28.080 --> 00:01:29.400 trying to be a clear path here, 00:01:29.460 --> 00:01:31.260 but we're going to start branching out in different directions. 00:01:31.400 --> 00:01:32.420 So this is just a disclaimer. 00:01:32.540 --> 00:01:35.720 We're not going to be able to cover this topic in its entirety tonight, 00:01:35.720 --> 00:01:40.440 but I hope we can do so in a clear and concise manner as possible. 00:01:41.719 --> 00:01:44.420 And so what I want to start with is just thinking about this term. 00:01:44.560 --> 00:01:46.840 What does this phrase mean, being in Christ? 00:01:47.240 --> 00:01:49.140 When we talk about being in Christ, 00:01:49.140 --> 00:01:53.019 we're not just talking about a single step in working out our salvation. 00:01:53.879 --> 00:01:57.799 We're really talking about a whole environment in which our salvation takes place. 00:01:58.659 --> 00:02:01.920 And so there's one commentator that I read that explained it this way that I liked. 00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:02.299 He said, 00:02:02.299 --> 00:02:17.120 And so when we think of being in Christ, 00:02:17.120 --> 00:02:21.300 it's this all comprehending reality into which believers enter. 00:02:21.419 --> 00:02:23.919 It sums up all that Christ has done for us 00:02:23.919 --> 00:02:27.340 and all that we do in living for Christ as believers. 00:02:27.340 --> 00:02:32.580 And so we don't see the word Christian anywhere in Paul's letters, 00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:36.140 but to be in Christ is the equivalent of saying to be a Christian 00:02:36.140 --> 00:02:38.680 and all the implications that come from it. 00:02:40.039 --> 00:02:43.879 And so it's interesting, as much as Paul uses this phrase in the New Testament, 00:02:44.420 --> 00:02:47.860 it's hardly seen at all outside of his letters. 00:02:49.140 --> 00:02:52.580 And so that doesn't mean that Paul is making up his theology here, 00:02:52.580 --> 00:02:57.920 but he's rightfully expounding upon what he has experienced in the gospel. 00:02:58.560 --> 00:03:01.020 And so if we take a step back, even though we're going to look into this text, 00:03:01.100 --> 00:03:03.660 take a step back just for a second to look back to the gospel 00:03:03.660 --> 00:03:06.700 to see where we see this idea of being in Christ mentioned. 00:03:08.180 --> 00:03:11.439 Jesus, during the Last Supper, this is John 15, 00:03:11.560 --> 00:03:13.560 before he's arrested and before he's crucified, 00:03:13.740 --> 00:03:16.920 he speaks to his disciples, a familiar verse to many of us. 00:03:16.980 --> 00:03:17.240 He says, 00:03:17.340 --> 00:03:19.460 I am the vine and you are the branches. 00:03:19.460 --> 00:03:22.879 If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit, 00:03:22.980 --> 00:03:25.159 but apart from me, you can do nothing. 00:03:26.120 --> 00:03:30.600 And so we see right here this connection that Jesus is making with his disciples. 00:03:31.340 --> 00:03:35.939 And just a few chapters later in John 17, we see this high priestly prayer, 00:03:36.260 --> 00:03:38.879 this prayer that Jesus prays right before he's arrested. 00:03:39.520 --> 00:03:42.840 And he's praying to the Father for his disciples 00:03:42.840 --> 00:03:47.760 and for those who will come to know him through the ministry of his disciples. 00:03:47.759 --> 00:03:50.579 And he says this in John 17, verse 20, 00:03:51.419 --> 00:03:54.340 I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 00:03:55.000 --> 00:03:59.120 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. 00:03:59.859 --> 00:04:03.500 May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 00:04:04.359 --> 00:04:06.399 I have given them the glory that you gave me, 00:04:06.500 --> 00:04:08.620 that they may be one as we are one, 00:04:08.719 --> 00:04:10.539 I in them and you in me, 00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:15.519 so that they may be brought together in complete unity. 00:04:15.520 --> 00:04:19.960 And so we see again this idea that Jesus himself talks about, 00:04:20.060 --> 00:04:22.040 of this unity that he has with the Father, 00:04:22.340 --> 00:04:25.280 the unity that he has with believers. 00:04:26.500 --> 00:04:28.740 And so while this might have been impactful for Paul, 00:04:28.800 --> 00:04:30.360 he doesn't mention this directly, 00:04:30.439 --> 00:04:32.780 the one thing that likely would have been impactful for Paul 00:04:32.780 --> 00:04:35.420 is when Jesus speaks to Paul himself. 00:04:36.699 --> 00:04:38.340 If you're familiar with the ministry of Paul, 00:04:38.439 --> 00:04:41.040 you know before Paul became a believer, 00:04:41.319 --> 00:04:43.360 he was a persecutor of the church. 00:04:43.360 --> 00:04:44.240 His name was Saul. 00:04:45.240 --> 00:04:48.600 And he was on that road to Damascus where his conversion happened, 00:04:49.240 --> 00:04:51.780 where he witnesses and has met with Jesus himself. 00:04:51.900 --> 00:04:56.340 And it says in Acts 9 that suddenly there was a light from heaven flashed around him 00:04:56.340 --> 00:04:59.660 and he fell on the ground and he heard a voice calling out to him, 00:04:59.800 --> 00:05:02.660 Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? 00:05:04.540 --> 00:05:05.759 He said, who are you, Lord? 00:05:05.860 --> 00:05:06.480 Saul asked. 00:05:06.480 --> 00:05:10.000 I am Jesus who you are persecuting, he replied. 00:05:11.960 --> 00:05:16.120 So Jesus, he doesn't ask the question, why are you persecuting my disciples? 00:05:16.819 --> 00:05:19.680 He doesn't ask, why are you persecuting these new converts? 00:05:19.780 --> 00:05:22.759 He asked, why are you persecuting me? 00:05:24.120 --> 00:05:27.040 And so Paul is confronted here with this reality 00:05:27.040 --> 00:05:30.740 that Jesus identifies with his followers, 00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:35.420 that there is this union that Christ has with his people. 00:05:36.379 --> 00:05:38.300 And so that kind of provides us with a background 00:05:38.300 --> 00:05:42.259 for why Paul would use this phrase over and over again in Christ. 00:05:42.460 --> 00:05:44.819 And the three things I want us to focus on then tonight, 00:05:45.300 --> 00:05:47.720 as we think about this phrase, what does it mean for us? 00:05:48.319 --> 00:05:50.680 Is what does it tell us about first our condition? 00:05:51.720 --> 00:05:53.800 What does it tell us about our conduct? 00:05:54.639 --> 00:05:57.139 And what does it tell us about our community? 00:05:58.259 --> 00:05:59.900 And so let's think about our condition. 00:05:59.899 --> 00:06:01.799 We look back at Ephesians 1. 00:06:02.379 --> 00:06:04.659 Paul's beginning this letter to the church in Ephesus 00:06:04.659 --> 00:06:07.479 with this long, elegant doxology, 00:06:07.659 --> 00:06:10.819 this theologically rich praise to God 00:06:10.819 --> 00:06:14.000 for all that he has done in our salvation. 00:06:14.179 --> 00:06:15.779 So in English, we break this down, right? 00:06:15.839 --> 00:06:18.179 It's 12 verses, it's five sentences, 00:06:18.500 --> 00:06:22.039 but this in Greek is one long sentence. 00:06:23.099 --> 00:06:24.799 It's one of the longest sentences of the Bible, 00:06:24.879 --> 00:06:27.379 over 200 Greek words used here. 00:06:27.379 --> 00:06:29.560 So we see that this is thick, this is dense. 00:06:29.639 --> 00:06:32.079 You might even recognize it in reading it, even in English. 00:06:32.719 --> 00:06:34.199 So we're going to try to do what we can 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:36.339 to see if we can make this as clear as possible, 00:06:36.459 --> 00:06:37.300 starting in verse three, 00:06:37.339 --> 00:06:39.740 where we see this phrase used right off the bat, 00:06:39.819 --> 00:06:40.379 in Christ. 00:06:41.339 --> 00:06:44.259 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:06:44.339 --> 00:06:46.620 who has blessed us in the heavenly realms 00:06:46.620 --> 00:06:49.279 with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 00:06:50.259 --> 00:06:51.920 And so when he's talking about this blessing, 00:06:51.959 --> 00:06:54.279 he's talking right off about the blessing 00:06:54.279 --> 00:06:56.119 that comes from salvation. 00:06:57.299 --> 00:06:59.899 He's not talking about physical, worldly blessing. 00:07:00.019 --> 00:07:01.819 It's not a health and wealth blessing. 00:07:01.959 --> 00:07:03.719 It's the blessing of having Christ, 00:07:04.519 --> 00:07:05.719 and Christ being our source 00:07:05.719 --> 00:07:09.079 for all other spiritual and heavenly blessings. 00:07:10.219 --> 00:07:11.899 And so as he launches into this praise, 00:07:11.979 --> 00:07:13.879 he's giving this really an explanation to us 00:07:13.879 --> 00:07:16.519 of what it means to be in union with Christ. 00:07:16.519 --> 00:07:19.979 And he really focuses on the work of the Trinity. 00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:23.759 The Trinity, we believe, one God in three persons, 00:07:24.180 --> 00:07:27.199 the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 00:07:27.919 --> 00:07:30.879 And so as Paul writes to us here, 00:07:30.919 --> 00:07:34.000 he's explaining that all the resources of the Trinity, 00:07:34.219 --> 00:07:35.719 all the resources of the Godhead 00:07:35.719 --> 00:07:38.259 are involved in securing your salvation. 00:07:39.019 --> 00:07:41.500 And so when we think about union with Christ, 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:43.899 it's really done in three dimensions. 00:07:43.899 --> 00:07:46.039 We think about it as what the Father, 00:07:46.159 --> 00:07:47.039 the work of the Father, 00:07:47.379 --> 00:07:48.399 and the work of the Son, 00:07:48.839 --> 00:07:50.019 and the work of the Holy Spirit. 00:07:50.139 --> 00:07:52.239 It's the past, it's the present, it's the future. 00:07:52.379 --> 00:07:54.859 So I want us to, as we move through this text, 00:07:54.959 --> 00:07:56.000 think about each one of those. 00:07:56.060 --> 00:07:58.399 The work first of the Father in verse four. 00:07:59.599 --> 00:08:00.299 It says in verse four, 00:08:00.379 --> 00:08:03.839 He chose us in Him before the creation of the world 00:08:03.839 --> 00:08:06.079 to be holy and blameless in His sight. 00:08:07.239 --> 00:08:10.719 In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship 00:08:10.720 --> 00:08:14.120 through Jesus Christ in accordance with His pleasure and will. 00:08:15.540 --> 00:08:17.220 And so this is what this verse is saying to us, 00:08:17.260 --> 00:08:19.060 that if you are a believer, 00:08:19.640 --> 00:08:24.640 God chose you in Christ before the creation of the world. 00:08:25.700 --> 00:08:27.960 And this is where things can kind of get complicated for us, 00:08:27.980 --> 00:08:30.260 because this is hard for us to wrap our minds around, 00:08:30.540 --> 00:08:32.500 especially when we get into deep theology 00:08:32.500 --> 00:08:35.440 about election or predestination. 00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:38.960 But I want us, what I'd like for us to take away from this text 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:42.800 is when we recognize that God has chose us, 00:08:44.160 --> 00:08:46.440 He chose us in Christ before the creation of the world, 00:08:46.520 --> 00:08:50.200 it doesn't mean that God at the beginning of time 00:08:50.200 --> 00:08:53.160 looked forward to see who would have the good sense 00:08:53.160 --> 00:08:54.820 to believe in Him. 00:08:55.500 --> 00:08:56.660 And then He chose to save them. 00:08:57.800 --> 00:08:59.300 That's not how God operates here. 00:08:59.380 --> 00:09:01.440 We see Paul even explains this 00:09:01.440 --> 00:09:03.940 at the very beginning of the next chapter, Ephesians 2, 00:09:03.940 --> 00:09:06.140 because he says, as for you, 00:09:06.540 --> 00:09:09.000 you were dead in your transgressions and sins. 00:09:10.120 --> 00:09:12.480 Verse 4, and because of His great love for us, 00:09:12.560 --> 00:09:13.840 God, who is rich in mercy, 00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:15.820 made us alive with Christ, 00:09:15.980 --> 00:09:18.300 even when we were dead in transgressions. 00:09:18.360 --> 00:09:20.820 It is by grace you have been saved. 00:09:21.480 --> 00:09:25.260 And so the reality is that a dead man cannot save himself. 00:09:26.640 --> 00:09:29.280 A dead man cannot make himself alive. 00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:34.480 And so it is the Father who chose you in Christ. 00:09:35.339 --> 00:09:36.559 And it tells us why. 00:09:36.699 --> 00:09:41.120 So that we should be holy and blameless before Him. 00:09:43.100 --> 00:09:45.699 And so again, it's not that Jesus looked into the future 00:09:45.699 --> 00:09:47.799 and saw that you were worthy of salvation, 00:09:48.139 --> 00:09:49.339 and so He chose you. 00:09:49.419 --> 00:09:53.480 No, He chose you that He might display the glory of God. 00:09:53.480 --> 00:09:57.379 And so this was God's plan from the very beginning of creation. 00:09:57.500 --> 00:10:00.580 The chief place where His glory was going to be displayed 00:10:00.580 --> 00:10:02.220 was in His people. 00:10:02.720 --> 00:10:06.519 And so we see how this sin corrupted this image. 00:10:07.320 --> 00:10:10.800 But we see that the Father's plan remained unchanged. 00:10:12.159 --> 00:10:15.659 He predestined us for adoption through Jesus. 00:10:15.659 --> 00:10:20.839 God chose us for salvation in eternity past, 00:10:21.219 --> 00:10:23.600 solely based on the merit of Jesus, 00:10:24.179 --> 00:10:27.639 so that we may display the glory of God. 00:10:29.059 --> 00:10:31.259 And so if you're familiar with John Calvin, 00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:34.519 he's a church father from 500 years ago, 00:10:34.579 --> 00:10:35.539 the time of the Reformation. 00:10:36.719 --> 00:10:38.399 This is what he says about this text. 00:10:38.500 --> 00:10:41.139 It's a long quote, but I think it's worth thinking about. 00:10:42.100 --> 00:10:42.539 He says, 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:45.860 When Paul teaches that we were chosen in Christ 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:47.299 before the creation of the world, 00:10:48.099 --> 00:10:51.879 he takes away all consideration of real worth on our part. 00:10:52.639 --> 00:10:54.360 For it is just as if he said, 00:10:54.819 --> 00:10:57.399 Since among all the offspring of Adam, 00:10:57.959 --> 00:11:00.659 the Heavenly Father found nothing worthy of His election. 00:11:01.579 --> 00:11:04.459 And so He turned His eyes to His anointed 00:11:04.459 --> 00:11:07.879 to choose from that body as members 00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:11.939 those who He was going to take into the fellowship of life. 00:11:12.539 --> 00:11:16.039 And so let this reasoning then prevail among believers. 00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:20.079 We are adopted in Christ into the eternal inheritance 00:11:20.079 --> 00:11:26.319 because in ourselves we were not capable of such great excellence. 00:11:27.719 --> 00:11:29.879 And so this is where we can take heart. 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:32.179 Those of you who are believers, 00:11:32.339 --> 00:11:33.079 who are in Christ, 00:11:33.159 --> 00:11:37.139 that your identity in Christ has always been. 00:11:37.480 --> 00:11:39.419 And not because of anything you have done, 00:11:39.419 --> 00:11:41.639 but because of what God has done, 00:11:41.699 --> 00:11:43.599 that He has chosen you in Christ 00:11:43.599 --> 00:11:45.199 from the beginning of time. 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:50.500 And so we are chosen by the Father in Christ. 00:11:50.579 --> 00:11:51.479 Look at the second dimension, 00:11:51.599 --> 00:11:54.159 the work of the Son, Jesus, verse 7. 00:11:54.279 --> 00:11:56.000 In Him, speaking of Jesus, 00:11:56.879 --> 00:11:58.479 we have redemption through His blood, 00:11:58.579 --> 00:11:59.979 the forgiveness of sins, 00:12:00.459 --> 00:12:02.579 in accordance with the riches of God's grace 00:12:02.579 --> 00:12:03.799 that He lavished on us. 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:06.419 And so here, Paul is talking about 00:12:06.419 --> 00:12:08.839 the work and the ministry of Jesus 00:12:08.839 --> 00:12:11.139 while He was on earth. 00:12:11.199 --> 00:12:14.539 His life, His death, His resurrection, His ascension. 00:12:15.699 --> 00:12:17.079 And so the question may be, 00:12:17.199 --> 00:12:18.979 if we have been chosen in God, 00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:21.740 then what is the need for Jesus to come to earth? 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:25.039 Wasn't God's choosing sufficient enough? 00:12:25.179 --> 00:12:26.579 Why did Jesus have to shed His blood? 00:12:27.819 --> 00:12:29.500 But this takes us back to what we read 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:32.259 in Romans 5 earlier in the service, 00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:34.740 where it describes really two men. 00:12:35.580 --> 00:12:36.539 It describes Adam, 00:12:37.220 --> 00:12:39.320 and it describes Jesus. 00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:41.340 We are either in Adam, 00:12:41.460 --> 00:12:43.279 or we are in Christ. 00:12:44.840 --> 00:12:45.779 Martin Luther said this, 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:47.279 that there are but two men, 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:48.440 Adam and Christ, 00:12:48.539 --> 00:12:51.519 and all other men hang at their girdles. 00:12:52.700 --> 00:12:54.240 And so we know from the book of Genesis, 00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:56.059 the very first book of the Bible, 00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:58.299 that Adam was the first man, 00:12:58.299 --> 00:13:00.279 and he was created in the image of God. 00:13:00.359 --> 00:13:03.599 He was brought into this covenant relationship with God. 00:13:04.479 --> 00:13:06.139 But we saw that he broke that covenant. 00:13:07.359 --> 00:13:08.099 And as a result, 00:13:08.299 --> 00:13:11.399 sin and its penalty death entered into the world. 00:13:12.599 --> 00:13:15.359 And so by this act of Adam's disobedience, 00:13:15.459 --> 00:13:17.139 we were all made sinners. 00:13:18.740 --> 00:13:20.959 And so even though God chose you, 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:21.819 if you are in Christ, 00:13:21.919 --> 00:13:22.839 even though God chose you, 00:13:22.839 --> 00:13:24.740 there is still a penalty to be paid, 00:13:24.740 --> 00:13:29.299 because we recognize that God is a holy and just God, 00:13:29.419 --> 00:13:31.399 and that he cannot overlook our sin. 00:13:32.460 --> 00:13:36.139 And so this is why the work of Jesus is so essential. 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:39.440 Christ came not only to fulfill the law 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:40.820 that Adam could not keep, 00:13:41.539 --> 00:13:44.340 but also to pay the penalty for our sin. 00:13:45.919 --> 00:13:47.740 And so Christ took our sinfulness, 00:13:48.440 --> 00:13:49.740 Christ took our guilt, 00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:53.980 and he gave us his righteousness. 00:13:55.299 --> 00:13:57.720 Just as Adam was our representative, 00:13:57.960 --> 00:13:59.740 that led to corruption and death. 00:13:59.840 --> 00:14:02.299 Christ serves as our representative, 00:14:02.519 --> 00:14:03.799 bringing us life. 00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:07.340 And so this is why we read Romans 5, 00:14:07.419 --> 00:14:09.360 to recognize that death came through Adam, 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:11.860 that life comes through Christ. 00:14:12.220 --> 00:14:13.980 And so when we look back at Ephesians then, 00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:16.539 it says these are the two things that Christ has given us. 00:14:16.539 --> 00:14:17.879 He has given us redemption, 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:19.919 and he has given us forgiveness. 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:22.860 The penalty for sin has been paid, 00:14:23.559 --> 00:14:26.379 and the prisoner has been set free. 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:30.159 Christ's life is our life. 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:33.740 Christ's righteousness is our righteousness. 00:14:35.219 --> 00:14:38.819 And so we have been chosen by God in Christ. 00:14:39.159 --> 00:14:42.039 We have been redeemed by Christ in his sacrifice. 00:14:42.759 --> 00:14:44.980 And thirdly, we see the work of the Holy Spirit 00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:47.480 in securing our inheritance. 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:48.180 Verse 13. 00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:50.420 When you believed, 00:14:51.159 --> 00:14:53.000 you were marked in him with a seal, 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:54.480 the promised Holy Spirit, 00:14:55.259 --> 00:14:57.800 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance 00:14:57.800 --> 00:14:59.539 until the redemption of those 00:14:59.539 --> 00:15:01.139 who are God's possession, 00:15:01.300 --> 00:15:03.320 to the praise of his glory. 00:15:05.060 --> 00:15:06.320 So think about a time, 00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:07.500 if you can, 00:15:07.560 --> 00:15:08.480 maybe not too long ago, 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.180 that you were sick. 00:15:09.259 --> 00:15:10.259 Maybe you had to go to the GP, 00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:12.560 or maybe you were even in hospital. 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:15.379 And the doctor diagnoses you. 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:15.919 He says, 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:16.779 well, it's no problem. 00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:17.579 There's a medicine. 00:15:17.719 --> 00:15:19.199 There's a cure for your illness. 00:15:20.419 --> 00:15:21.619 And you're grateful for that. 00:15:21.679 --> 00:15:23.019 But the fact of the matter is 00:15:23.019 --> 00:15:23.719 that that medicine, 00:15:23.819 --> 00:15:25.799 the fact that that medicine exists 00:15:25.799 --> 00:15:28.119 does not make you feel better. 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:30.659 That medicine has to be prescribed, 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:33.879 and it has to be administered to you 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:36.379 so that you can feel the benefits of that medicine. 00:15:37.299 --> 00:15:39.500 And so that's what the Holy Spirit does for us here. 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:41.960 He takes the riches of God's grace. 00:15:42.059 --> 00:15:43.860 He takes the truth of the gospel, 00:15:44.059 --> 00:15:45.519 and he applies it to our hearts. 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:47.820 And so when he does that, 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:50.139 we become God's inheritance, it says. 00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:52.379 It says we obtain the inheritance 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:54.700 that can never be removed. 00:15:54.820 --> 00:15:56.759 And so recognize how wonderful this is 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:59.100 when we think about the work of the Trinity 00:15:59.100 --> 00:16:00.419 in securing our salvation. 00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:02.639 You are in Christ from eternity past. 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:05.500 You remain in Christ to eternity future. 00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:08.360 You are united with Christ forever. 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:10.200 This is our condition, 00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:14.180 chosen, redeemed, and sealed in Christ. 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:18.680 And so that's our condition in Christ. 00:16:18.800 --> 00:16:20.779 Let's consider then our conduct. 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:24.759 And most of you know that I have four children. 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:27.600 Our youngest is Crawford, who just turned two. 00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:29.159 And just like any two-year-old, 00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:31.700 they're very keen on observing many things 00:16:31.700 --> 00:16:33.879 and then mimicking much of what they hear. 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:37.240 And so if your household is like anything like mine 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:39.159 on a school morning, it's this mad rush 00:16:39.159 --> 00:16:41.299 to finally get everything together 00:16:41.299 --> 00:16:42.379 and get out the door. 00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:44.680 And if they're not reminded over and over again, 00:16:44.779 --> 00:16:46.500 children may forget certain things 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:48.779 that are important to do before they leave. 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:50.879 And so it was a few weeks ago 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:52.299 that we were getting ready to the door, 00:16:52.379 --> 00:16:55.000 and these common commands are being told to the kids. 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:57.200 And Crawford walks up independently and says, 00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:58.460 shoes on, coats on. 00:16:59.460 --> 00:17:01.220 Because he's heard over and over again 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:03.639 this instruction to put your shoes on, 00:17:03.700 --> 00:17:04.579 to put your coats on. 00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:06.679 And now he is mimicking Rachel and I 00:17:06.679 --> 00:17:09.679 in giving these commands to his older siblings. 00:17:11.399 --> 00:17:14.139 And so the same is true for us as believers. 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:16.939 You may be familiar with this phrase 00:17:16.939 --> 00:17:19.339 or this term called sanctification. 00:17:20.099 --> 00:17:22.759 It's a term that describes how we live 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:24.359 once we are saved. 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:28.240 Not only are we saved by Christ, 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:30.899 we are sanctified in Christ. 00:17:30.900 --> 00:17:31.060 Christ. 00:17:32.060 --> 00:17:33.860 And that's why Calvin, again, 00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:36.500 he talks about this double grace, 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:38.820 because it's Christ who saves us, 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:41.840 and it's Christ who then continues to work in us 00:17:41.840 --> 00:17:44.360 to make us more and more and more 00:17:44.360 --> 00:17:45.780 into his likeness. 00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:48.840 And so then if we are in Christ, 00:17:48.900 --> 00:17:50.640 when we think about our own conduct, 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:53.140 we are to mimic his life. 00:17:53.860 --> 00:17:56.420 Just as Christ was crucified and buried 00:17:56.420 --> 00:17:57.259 and resurrected, 00:17:57.259 --> 00:18:00.140 this too is the model for our living. 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:03.460 And so we could look all over the New Testament, 00:18:03.640 --> 00:18:06.440 all over Paul's letters to see this play out. 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:08.240 I want to highlight a few of them for us. 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:09.799 And we can't go through all of them. 00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:10.940 We can't come on every one, 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:12.759 but I think these are a few vital texts 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:13.640 for us to read through. 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:14.859 First is Romans 6. 00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:17.099 Romans 6 and verse 3. 00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:21.000 Recognize this modeling of Christ's life 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:23.400 that we assume ourselves as believers. 00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:26.300 Don't you know that all of us 00:18:26.300 --> 00:18:28.140 were baptized into Christ Jesus? 00:18:28.880 --> 00:18:30.740 All of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:32.540 were baptized into his death. 00:18:33.560 --> 00:18:35.060 We were therefore buried with him 00:18:35.060 --> 00:18:37.220 through baptism into death 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:40.200 in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:42.000 through the glory of the Father, 00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:44.519 we too may live a new life. 00:18:46.140 --> 00:18:47.140 Galatians 2.20. 00:18:47.900 --> 00:18:50.040 If I have been crucified with Christ 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:52.019 and I no longer live, 00:18:52.119 --> 00:18:53.579 but Christ lives in me, 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:56.180 the life I now live in the body, 00:18:56.319 --> 00:18:58.920 I live by faith in the Son of God 00:18:58.920 --> 00:19:01.619 who loved me and gave himself for me. 00:19:03.159 --> 00:19:04.759 2 Corinthians 5.17. 00:19:05.940 --> 00:19:07.339 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:08.639 he is a new creation. 00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:11.819 The old has gone, the new is here. 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:16.279 Lastly, Colossians 3, starting in verse 1. 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:19.379 Since then you have been raised with Christ, 00:19:19.380 --> 00:19:21.400 set your heart on things above, 00:19:21.520 --> 00:19:22.540 where Christ is, 00:19:23.020 --> 00:19:24.560 seated at the right hand of God. 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:27.000 Set your minds on things above, 00:19:27.100 --> 00:19:28.100 not on earthly things, 00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:30.540 for you died and your life is now hidden 00:19:30.540 --> 00:19:32.340 with Christ in God. 00:19:33.260 --> 00:19:34.900 Over and over again, 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:37.480 Paul uses this new creation language. 00:19:38.120 --> 00:19:40.940 We are no longer dead in Adam. 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:43.040 We are alive in Christ. 00:19:44.120 --> 00:19:45.840 And therefore, we put to death 00:19:45.840 --> 00:19:48.720 the earthly desires that are within us 00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:51.079 in order that we can put on what is holy 00:19:51.079 --> 00:19:52.059 and what is good 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:53.140 and what is Christ-like. 00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:56.100 And so we need to ask, 00:19:56.339 --> 00:19:59.460 does this define your life as a believer? 00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.460 If you are in Christ, 00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:03.000 do we live out this resurrection life? 00:20:03.360 --> 00:20:05.880 Do we desire to put to death our sin? 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:09.720 Or are we more keen to just be complacent with it? 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:15.299 Are we willing to confess and expose our sin? 00:20:15.360 --> 00:20:18.259 Are we more likely to hide it or justify it? 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:22.360 Paul says this later in the book of Ephesians. 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:22.680 He says, 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:25.140 we must daily put off the old man that corrupts 00:20:25.140 --> 00:20:26.460 and put on the new man 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:28.900 that leads to righteousness and holiness. 00:20:29.560 --> 00:20:31.820 And so this is where the work of the Holy Spirit 00:20:31.820 --> 00:20:32.980 is so important. 00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:35.140 When we think of being in Christ, 00:20:35.320 --> 00:20:37.720 this involves the work of the Holy Spirit 00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:41.140 because we can't bring about this change on our own. 00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:44.519 Maybe if you're a new believer 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:46.759 or this is something you may still think about, 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:49.019 that when you came to faith, 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:51.859 you recognize, yes, this is the work of Jesus. 00:20:53.400 --> 00:20:54.379 But then you consider, 00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:55.440 well, I better now, 00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:57.799 now that Jesus has saved me as a heart of gratitude, 00:20:57.960 --> 00:21:01.339 I better demonstrate this gratitude to him. 00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:03.039 I better give assurance to God 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:04.980 that he made the right decision in saving me. 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.940 It's the wrong way to think about it, right? 00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:10.799 We need the Holy Spirit. 00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:12.839 It is the goal of the Holy Spirit 00:21:12.839 --> 00:21:15.920 to bring believers in union with Christ, 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:17.740 to form us more and more 00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:19.319 into the likeness of Jesus. 00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:22.579 And so to be in Christ 00:21:22.579 --> 00:21:25.319 means to have Christ's Spirit. 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:28.680 So another text to look at, Romans 8. 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:30.799 Romans 8, 9 through 11. 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:35.079 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh, 00:21:35.139 --> 00:21:36.720 but are in the realm of the Spirit, 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:39.460 if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. 00:21:40.159 --> 00:21:42.279 And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:43.599 they do not belong to Christ. 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:45.779 But if Christ is in you, 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:48.240 then even though your body is subject to death 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:49.159 because of sin, 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:52.240 the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:54.759 And if the Spirit of him 00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:57.299 who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, 00:21:57.299 --> 00:21:59.279 he who raised Christ from the dead 00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:01.619 will also give life to your mortal bodies 00:22:01.619 --> 00:22:04.680 because of his Spirit who lives in you. 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:06.819 And so we recognize, 00:22:06.899 --> 00:22:09.079 we need to recognize just how special 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:10.319 and incredible this verse is, 00:22:10.399 --> 00:22:12.059 that if we are in Christ, 00:22:12.399 --> 00:22:15.079 Christ's own Spirit is in us. 00:22:15.139 --> 00:22:17.240 And so this echoes what Jesus said, 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:20.019 what he was praying in that high priestly prayer. 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:22.240 In John 17, 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:25.059 he prays for unity. 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:27.720 He says, he prays that I will be in them 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:29.500 and you in me, speaking of the Father. 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:33.139 And so notice then this security. 00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:35.480 Those of us who are believers, 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:37.379 Christ is in the Father, 00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:39.139 we are in Christ, 00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:41.240 and Christ's Spirit is in us. 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:46.139 Do we marvel at that sense of security 00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:48.600 that we have in our salvation 00:22:48.600 --> 00:22:50.880 through the work of Christ? 00:22:53.280 --> 00:22:54.600 And so the reality is, though, 00:22:54.640 --> 00:22:56.720 that we still struggle with sin. 00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:59.160 Paul calls us later in Ephesians 00:22:59.160 --> 00:23:01.040 to stand firm in Christ. 00:23:01.400 --> 00:23:03.020 He ends our passage here by saying 00:23:03.020 --> 00:23:04.560 that we are sealed with the promise 00:23:04.560 --> 00:23:05.980 of the Holy Spirit, 00:23:06.360 --> 00:23:08.720 who is the guarantee of our inheritance. 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.520 And so this is what we do. 00:23:11.580 --> 00:23:12.480 If we are in Christ, 00:23:12.560 --> 00:23:14.280 we continue to fight sin 00:23:14.280 --> 00:23:15.680 through the power of the Spirit 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:18.160 because we have the confidence to know 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:20.279 that the penalty for sin has been paid, 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:24.200 that the power of sin has been defeated, 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:26.519 and that the presence of sin 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:28.080 will be destroyed forever. 00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:29.160 That's what he's talking about 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:29.980 in our inheritance. 00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:33.279 We recognize that Christ will come again, 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:34.759 that there will be a day 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:36.720 when we live in perfect unity 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:39.320 once again with Christ. 00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:43.039 And so we model that life now. 00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:45.039 We long for that day to come. 00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:47.980 And so lastly then, 00:23:48.360 --> 00:23:50.580 when we think about our identity in Christ, 00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:52.200 what does that mean 00:23:52.200 --> 00:23:54.600 and how does that impact our community? 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:59.480 One of my favorite sports is American football, 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:01.180 particularly college football, 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:02.560 which is going on right now. 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:06.200 But in the three years that we've been in Scotland, 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:07.779 I've watched very little football. 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:10.899 And it's not because I don't enjoy football. 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:12.660 I still love it, 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:15.579 but it isn't as enjoyable watching it 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:17.200 because it's a very different setting, right? 00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:18.599 When I watched it in the States, 00:24:18.619 --> 00:24:20.220 I was watching with friends or family, 00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:22.259 good food on a beautiful autumn day. 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:24.440 If I choose to watch it here, 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:26.559 it's usually in a cold, dark room 00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:28.519 in the middle of the night with my laptop. 00:24:29.660 --> 00:24:31.740 And so it's an entirely different experience. 00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:33.639 It's not nearly as fun or enjoyable 00:24:33.639 --> 00:24:35.519 to watch the game. 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:38.039 And so the same is true for our lives as believers. 00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:40.619 Although the gift of grace 00:24:40.619 --> 00:24:42.859 must be received individually 00:24:42.859 --> 00:24:44.460 by each one of us through faith, 00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:48.019 being in Christ, our salvation, 00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:51.000 it's meant to be experienced corporately, 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:53.879 with one another, in community. 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:57.819 And so that's part of the blessing of being in Christ. 00:24:57.940 --> 00:25:00.639 Not only are we in union with Christ, 00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:03.220 but we are in union with one another. 00:25:04.580 --> 00:25:06.259 And so just a few metaphors 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:08.020 that we see all over the New Testament 00:25:08.020 --> 00:25:09.759 that describe this unity 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:11.960 that Jesus calls us to. 00:25:12.080 --> 00:25:14.100 We think again of John 15, 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:15.540 what Jesus says to his disciples. 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:16.700 He says, 00:25:16.800 --> 00:25:18.160 I am the vine, you are the branches. 00:25:18.360 --> 00:25:20.420 If a man remains in me and I in him, 00:25:20.820 --> 00:25:21.759 he will bear much fruit. 00:25:21.800 --> 00:25:23.340 Apart from me, he can do nothing. 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:25.020 Now we know that this is, 00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:27.180 it's illustrating our connection to Christ. 00:25:27.280 --> 00:25:28.280 That's what we already mentioned. 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:30.279 But it also illustrates to us 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:32.079 our connection to one another. 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:34.119 Because when we think of a vine, 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:37.359 we recognize that a vine has more than one branch. 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:39.920 And we recognize that Jesus, 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:42.160 he was speaking to his disciples here. 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:44.500 And when he's speaking in the Greek, 00:25:44.619 --> 00:25:46.200 it's in second person plural. 00:25:46.339 --> 00:25:46.680 He's saying, 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:48.339 you all are branches. 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:49.559 Y'all are branches. 00:25:50.579 --> 00:25:52.420 To use my American-ness. 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:55.099 And so he's saying that 00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:56.279 while he's the vine, 00:25:56.399 --> 00:25:57.079 we are the branches. 00:25:57.079 --> 00:25:58.399 We are part of that same plant. 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.419 We are connected to him. 00:25:59.539 --> 00:26:01.379 We are connected with one another. 00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:06.679 Paul then talks about the church as a body 00:26:06.679 --> 00:26:08.339 in 1 Corinthians 12. 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:10.599 Starting in verse 12, he says, 00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:12.319 Just as the body, though one, 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.720 has many parts, 00:26:13.919 --> 00:26:15.879 but all its many parts form one body, 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:17.839 so it is with Christ. 00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:20.779 For we were all baptized by one spirit, 00:26:21.119 --> 00:26:23.299 so as to form one body, 00:26:23.379 --> 00:26:24.679 whether Jew or Gentile, 00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:25.759 we were all slave or free, 00:26:26.140 --> 00:26:28.259 and we were all given the one spirit to drink. 00:26:29.100 --> 00:26:31.460 Even so, the body is not made up of one part, 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.000 but of many. 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.900 Skipping to verse 27, 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:35.240 it says, 00:26:35.340 --> 00:26:37.160 Now you are the body of Christ, 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:38.940 and each one of you is a part of it. 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.299 And so just, 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.519 he goes on in this passage, 00:26:42.640 --> 00:26:43.920 he talks about different body parts. 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:46.259 Certainly the foot wouldn't say to the hand, 00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:47.460 I don't need you, right? 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:50.460 Each body part is essential and important, 00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:52.220 not better than the other. 00:26:53.120 --> 00:26:54.860 Same is true of the church. 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:57.500 But lastly, I want to look at what Peter says. 00:26:58.079 --> 00:26:59.039 Peter, in his letter, 00:26:59.160 --> 00:27:01.140 1 Peter 2, verse 4, 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:02.720 he says, 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:03.960 As you come to him, 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:06.980 the living stone rejected by humans, 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:09.700 but chosen by God and precious to him, 00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:11.340 you also, like living stones, 00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:13.259 are being built into a spiritual house 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:14.960 to be a holy priesthood, 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:16.980 offering spiritual sacrifices 00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:20.019 acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:21.819 Peter is saying that together, 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.480 collectively, 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:25.379 we are the temple of God. 00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:27.819 We are built on Christ. 00:27:27.960 --> 00:27:29.119 We are filled with the Spirit. 00:27:30.119 --> 00:27:32.240 And we collectively display his glory. 00:27:32.859 --> 00:27:34.180 And so this is why we see Paul 00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:35.559 over and over again in his letters 00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:37.599 talking about the need for unity. 00:27:38.400 --> 00:27:39.079 Later in Ephesians, 00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:41.099 he's talking about being humble and gentle, 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:41.920 being patient, 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:44.019 bearing with one another in love. 00:27:45.800 --> 00:27:46.740 And so when we think about 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:48.039 how does this play out for us 00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:48.880 in the church today, 00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:49.900 we recognize, yes, 00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:52.140 the church is a messy place. 00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:54.560 This is not necessarily an easy thing 00:27:54.560 --> 00:27:56.100 to be united to one another. 00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:56.759 We can think, 00:27:57.340 --> 00:27:59.740 maybe we see some sort of value 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.980 in being united to Christ. 00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:02.160 Yes, that's what I want. 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:03.340 But being united to them, 00:28:04.300 --> 00:28:05.539 that's a whole different story. 00:28:06.360 --> 00:28:09.000 But the blessing of our salvation is both. 00:28:09.100 --> 00:28:10.519 We are united to Christ 00:28:10.519 --> 00:28:12.480 and we are united to one another. 00:28:12.579 --> 00:28:13.900 This should not be a choice. 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:15.759 It is not an either or. 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:19.339 We are united in prayer 00:28:19.339 --> 00:28:21.779 with and for one another. 00:28:21.900 --> 00:28:24.200 We are united in serving the body together 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:25.940 and serving our community together. 00:28:26.180 --> 00:28:28.579 We are united in living life together. 00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:31.079 We are united in encouraging one another. 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:34.220 And so how can this practically 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:35.900 be played out in our church? 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:37.539 There's numerous opportunities 00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:39.579 to live in unity with one another. 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:42.139 We know we have community discipleship groups 00:28:42.139 --> 00:28:42.940 to be a part of. 00:28:43.779 --> 00:28:45.079 What a blessing it would be 00:28:45.079 --> 00:28:46.879 to see greater participation 00:28:46.879 --> 00:28:47.819 in these groups 00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:50.240 that we may live life together 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:51.059 with one another. 00:28:51.379 --> 00:28:53.220 That we may encourage one another. 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:55.000 That we may pray with one another. 00:28:56.159 --> 00:28:56.720 Wednesday night, 00:28:56.799 --> 00:28:58.139 we'll be meeting here for prayer. 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.319 What a joy it is 00:28:59.319 --> 00:29:02.279 for God's saints to pray together, 00:29:02.420 --> 00:29:03.899 to praise Him together. 00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:07.380 Numerous opportunities 00:29:07.380 --> 00:29:08.460 to serve the church. 00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:10.180 To serve with the church 00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:11.259 in serving our community. 00:29:12.360 --> 00:29:13.360 And even individually. 00:29:13.580 --> 00:29:16.000 How can we serve those around us well? 00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:18.720 How can we love those in our midst 00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:20.080 that are hurting and suffering? 00:29:21.380 --> 00:29:22.660 That cup of coffee. 00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:24.680 That encouraging letter. 00:29:26.360 --> 00:29:28.000 There are countless ways 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:30.700 to display unity in Christ. 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:33.460 And so is that a mark 00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.600 in our own lives? 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.960 And yes, we recognize 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:38.160 it's going to be awkward. 00:29:38.299 --> 00:29:39.299 It may be inconvenient. 00:29:39.600 --> 00:29:40.940 But this is the truth 00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:43.480 that we as Christ's people, 00:29:43.640 --> 00:29:44.700 as the body of Christ, 00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:45.640 are on union, 00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:47.480 are on mission together, 00:29:47.620 --> 00:29:48.500 united as one. 00:29:50.120 --> 00:29:50.920 And so this is where 00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:51.940 I want us to close tonight. 00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:53.620 To recognize our mission. 00:29:53.620 --> 00:29:54.620 Because it parallels 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:56.519 God's mission. 00:29:57.140 --> 00:29:58.360 And we see God's mission 00:29:58.360 --> 00:29:59.960 repeated over and over again 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:01.220 in this passage in Ephesians. 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:02.220 We might have missed it. 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:03.819 But I want to look back on it. 00:30:03.840 --> 00:30:04.660 Because in this passage, 00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:05.240 it repeats. 00:30:05.319 --> 00:30:06.759 At the end of each section 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:08.039 where it talks about 00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:09.660 what God the Father has done, 00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:11.240 what God the Son has done, 00:30:11.319 --> 00:30:12.360 what God the Spirit has done, 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:13.880 it ends in the same way. 00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:15.299 With giving purpose. 00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:17.500 He predestined us 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:18.400 to the praise 00:30:18.400 --> 00:30:19.600 of His glorious grace. 00:30:20.380 --> 00:30:21.740 He redeemed us 00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:22.620 to the praise 00:30:22.620 --> 00:30:23.680 of His glory. 00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:25.539 He sealed us 00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.480 to the praise 00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:27.779 of His glory. 00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:31.259 God's ultimate purpose 00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:33.799 in being in union with us 00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:36.039 is so that His glory 00:30:36.039 --> 00:30:38.220 may be displayed. 00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:40.119 Both individually 00:30:40.119 --> 00:30:42.680 and as the body of Christ. 00:30:43.980 --> 00:30:45.740 So may that be our desire. 00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:47.240 May that be our longing. 00:30:47.359 --> 00:30:48.200 When we recognize 00:30:48.200 --> 00:30:50.059 our identity in Christ, 00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:51.460 it is for our good. 00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:54.079 It is for God's glory. 00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:57.199 Let's pray. 00:31:03.199 --> 00:31:04.240 God, we thank You 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:05.039 for this text. 00:31:07.179 --> 00:31:08.220 We thank You 00:31:08.220 --> 00:31:09.220 for the work 00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:09.939 of the Trinity 00:31:09.939 --> 00:31:10.939 in our lives 00:31:10.939 --> 00:31:11.619 in securing 00:31:11.619 --> 00:31:12.819 our salvation. 00:31:15.039 --> 00:31:16.059 We thank You 00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:17.079 that You offer us 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:17.819 Your Spirit 00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:18.980 to indwell us. 00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:20.480 That we may live 00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:21.119 in You. 00:31:21.119 --> 00:31:24.239 May that reality 00:31:24.239 --> 00:31:27.459 be impactful 00:31:27.459 --> 00:31:28.439 and meaningful 00:31:28.439 --> 00:31:29.119 in our lives 00:31:29.119 --> 00:31:29.859 and not go about 00:31:29.859 --> 00:31:30.359 our days 00:31:30.359 --> 00:31:31.039 thinking that we 00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:32.279 are on our own 00:31:32.279 --> 00:31:33.000 or that salvation 00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:34.479 means so little to us. 00:31:35.559 --> 00:31:36.519 But may we recognize 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:37.359 Your presence 00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:38.479 and Your love 00:31:38.479 --> 00:31:39.539 and Your grace 00:31:39.539 --> 00:31:42.199 continually poured out 00:31:42.199 --> 00:31:42.779 on our lives. 00:31:44.199 --> 00:31:45.179 May we desire 00:31:45.179 --> 00:31:47.239 to be in union 00:31:47.239 --> 00:31:47.779 with You 00:31:47.779 --> 00:31:48.479 and in union 00:31:48.479 --> 00:31:49.279 with one another. 00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:51.559 and God, 00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:52.480 may You be glorified 00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:52.980 through it. 00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:54.660 We pray this 00:31:54.660 --> 00:31:55.500 in Jesus' name. 00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:56.559 Amen. 00:31:59.420 --> 00:32:00.000 Now, will You 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:00.500 stand with me 00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:00.960 once more 00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:01.460 for the singing 00:32:01.460 --> 00:32:02.339 of our final hymn 00:32:02.339 --> 00:32:02.839 this evening, 00:32:02.980 --> 00:32:03.799 Yet Not I, 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:05.359 But Christ in Me. 00:32:05.359 --> 00:32:05.399 Amen. 00:32:05.399 --> 00:32:05.500 Amen. 00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:06.500 Amen. 00:32:06.500 --> 00:32:06.899 Amen. 00:32:06.899 --> 00:32:07.500 Amen. 00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:07.579 Amen. 00:32:07.579 --> 00:32:07.599 Amen. 00:32:07.599 --> 00:32:08.039 Amen. 00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:08.099 Amen. 00:32:08.099 --> 00:32:08.500 Amen. 00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:08.639 Amen. 00:32:08.639 --> 00:32:09.500 Amen. 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:09.579 Amen. 00:32:09.579 --> 00:32:09.639 Amen. 00:32:09.639 --> 00:32:09.660 Amen. 00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:10.160 Amen. 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:10.500 Amen. 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:11.500 Amen. 00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:11.539 Amen. 00:32:11.539 --> 00:32:11.579 Amen. 00:32:11.579 --> 00:32:11.639 Amen. 00:32:11.639 --> 00:32:11.660 Amen. 00:32:11.660 --> 00:32:12.160 Amen. 00:32:19.279 --> 00:32:20.279 Amen.