WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.859 Thank you, Corey and Jonathan. Good morning, folks. It is lovely to see you. 00:00:04.540 --> 00:00:10.339 ! It's strange to be here, in a sense. Having been here for a long time, I left three years 00:00:10.339 --> 00:00:16.679 ! But it's wonderful to be back with you and wonderful to help us think through these wonderful 00:00:16.679 --> 00:00:22.379 scriptures that were read to us. But I want you to entertain me for a second and pretend 00:00:22.379 --> 00:00:28.679 that it is Easter Sunday morning. Great. Everyone got that? It is Easter Sunday morning. I've 00:00:28.679 --> 00:00:35.560 just stood up and I'm going to say, Christ is risen. Okay, we're going to try that again. 00:00:36.579 --> 00:00:43.039 Christ is risen. Exactly. Now hopefully you see why I told you to think it's Easter, because 00:00:43.039 --> 00:00:49.780 that would not have happened otherwise. But at Easter and every Sunday throughout the year 00:00:49.780 --> 00:00:58.340 across the world, millions of people celebrate that same truth, that Jesus Christ is risen. 00:00:58.679 --> 00:01:07.000 That the tomb is empty. Death has been defeated. Sin has been conquered. Hope is alive because 00:01:07.000 --> 00:01:12.879 our Savior lives. But here is the question we must all ask ourselves this morning. Whether 00:01:12.879 --> 00:01:18.000 you've been in church your whole life, or whether this is your first time walking into a church 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:26.359 building, what does that actually mean for us? See, it's one thing to say we believe that 00:01:26.359 --> 00:01:35.180 Jesus died and rose again. But it's another thing entirely to see how that fact should change the way 00:01:35.180 --> 00:01:43.280 we live. See, it's the Bible's answer might surprise us. See, the message of Christianity is not simply 00:01:43.280 --> 00:01:50.060 that Jesus died and rose again, but that those who trust in him are united with him. 00:01:50.060 --> 00:02:00.400 not just inspired by him, not just forgiven by him, but joined to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:01.040 --> 00:02:06.920 And that truth, union with Christ, is the very heart of the gospel, and that's going to be our focus for 00:02:06.920 --> 00:02:14.879 this morning. Because to be a Christian is not simply to admire Jesus. It's not to follow Jesus. It's not to 00:02:14.879 --> 00:02:21.859 believe certain truths about Jesus. At the heart of salvation is the reality that if you are a Christian, 00:02:22.139 --> 00:02:30.240 you are united to the Lord Jesus Christ by faith. And through that union, everything that belongs to 00:02:30.240 --> 00:02:41.560 Christ becomes ours. Wrap your head around that. His righteousness becomes our righteousness. His death 00:02:41.560 --> 00:02:51.000 becomes our death to sin. His resurrection becomes our new life. And his future becomes our hope. 00:02:51.939 --> 00:02:57.080 Our union with Christ is the foundation of a Christian's identity. 00:02:57.080 --> 00:03:05.580 And that is important because in our world, identity is constantly being shaped by culture, 00:03:06.320 --> 00:03:14.960 performance, success, failure, relationships, personal feelings. But the Bible reminds Christians that 00:03:14.960 --> 00:03:21.920 our truest identity is found in Christ. The New Testament repeatedly calls Christians to 00:03:21.919 --> 00:03:28.819 remember who they are because of what God has done for us in Christ. So this morning, we're going to 00:03:28.819 --> 00:03:34.359 read those, or we're going to explore those two different passages that were read to us that show us 00:03:34.359 --> 00:03:42.899 what it means to be in Christ. And how that reality should shape how we think, how we live, how we struggle, 00:03:42.900 --> 00:03:51.300 how we repent, how we hope. The aim is not simply to understand a theological doctrine, 00:03:51.800 --> 00:03:58.740 but to help us see that because of our union with Christ, we can rejoice in security of the gospel. 00:03:59.480 --> 00:04:06.080 We can understand who we truly are as Christians. We can live transformed lives, and we can fight sin 00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:14.460 and discouragement with gospel truth. So let's dive in this morning and consider union with Christ, 00:04:14.500 --> 00:04:21.100 which is the very heart of the gospel. The first thing I want us to see is the picture of union that 00:04:21.100 --> 00:04:28.080 Jesus gives us in John 15, the vine and the branches. Look at John 15 verse 1. Jesus says, 00:04:28.079 --> 00:04:35.459 I am the true vine, and my father is the gardener. And then in verse 4, Jesus says, remain in me as I also 00:04:35.459 --> 00:04:44.039 remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself. It must remain in the vine. See, this whole passage 00:04:44.039 --> 00:04:51.759 is full of reference to that close relationship between Jesus and his people, which is why the 00:04:51.759 --> 00:04:57.680 picture of vine and branches is so helpful. And I think it is one of the most intimate pictures Jesus 00:04:57.680 --> 00:05:05.400 ever gives us. Because Jesus doesn't say, follow me like a student follows a teacher. He doesn't say, 00:05:05.500 --> 00:05:10.420 obey me like a servant obeys a master, although those things are true. But here he says something 00:05:10.420 --> 00:05:20.300 deeper. We are connected, inseparable. I am the vine and you are the branches. But what is he saying? Well, 00:05:20.699 --> 00:05:27.220 a branch has no life in and of itself. When you look at a vineyard in the height of harvest season, 00:05:27.220 --> 00:05:32.580 you normally focus on how beautiful it looks, don't you? You see the full of vibrant colours, 00:05:32.680 --> 00:05:38.740 the big juicy grapes that are ready to be picked, and they taste wonderfully refreshing on a hot 00:05:38.740 --> 00:05:47.060 summer's day. But the real work of any vineyard is below eye level. Because the real reason that 00:05:47.060 --> 00:05:55.300 any vineyard can grow, the real source of all that fruit and growth is the vine. The bit that sticks 00:05:55.300 --> 00:06:01.379 out of the ground. Without that, the branches will not produce any fruit at all. And it is the same 00:06:01.379 --> 00:06:07.220 with us as Christians. If Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, then the only way we live, 00:06:07.800 --> 00:06:15.560 the only way we will produce any fruit is if we are connected to the vine. A branch only lives because 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:21.980 it's connected to the vine. Cut it off. And what happens? Well, it withers, it dies, and it bears no fruit 00:06:21.980 --> 00:06:28.819 whatsoever. And Jesus says, that is what your relationship with me is like. Being a Christian 00:06:28.819 --> 00:06:35.420 is not fundamentally about trying harder or being better or earning God's favour. Being a Christian 00:06:35.420 --> 00:06:44.379 is about being connected to Jesus. Why is this so important? Because everything in our lives flows 00:06:44.379 --> 00:06:52.680 from this connection with Christ. Life itself flows from Jesus. Our strength flows from Jesus. Our growth 00:06:52.680 --> 00:07:00.139 comes from Jesus. And the fruit we produce in this life as we live for Jesus ultimately comes from him. 00:07:02.379 --> 00:07:07.759 Look at verse 5. Jesus says, I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:12.019 you will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing. 00:07:14.599 --> 00:07:17.699 Jesus doesn't say you might not be able to do some things. 00:07:18.779 --> 00:07:24.199 He doesn't say you'll be able to do less things. No, he says apart from me, you can do nothing. 00:07:25.120 --> 00:07:32.500 Nothing of eternal value. And Jesus repeats that word remain. But a better translation or 00:07:32.500 --> 00:07:41.000 translation I prefer is the word abide, which I think conveys the importance of sticking close to 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:49.180 Jesus just that little bit better. See, the word abide speaks more of a constant active remaining in 00:07:49.180 --> 00:07:58.319 Jesus. Jesus is saying, if you're a Christian, live or dwell in me and I dwell or as I dwell in you. 00:07:58.319 --> 00:08:08.139 Abiding in Christ means that as Christians, we need to be conscious every single day of our need for him in our lives. 00:08:09.420 --> 00:08:13.639 We need to recognize that without his work in our lives, we have nothing. 00:08:15.699 --> 00:08:23.180 Abiding in Christ means staying connected to depend on, to trust in, to live in relationship with Jesus. 00:08:23.180 --> 00:08:31.340 See, it is not just a one-time moment. It is a living, ongoing, constant union. 00:08:31.579 --> 00:08:34.019 And here is the beauty of it. Verse 5 again. 00:08:34.480 --> 00:08:39.060 If you remain in me, Jesus says, and I in you, you will bear much fruit. 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:43.740 Not you might bear some fruit if you're good enough. 00:08:45.980 --> 00:08:49.419 Not if you're especially spiritual, you will bear fruit. 00:08:49.419 --> 00:08:52.919 No, it is a promise. You will bear fruit. Why? 00:08:53.079 --> 00:08:56.779 Because the power is not in us. It comes from the vine. 00:08:58.799 --> 00:09:06.059 And this closeness that we have with Jesus is a result of that living, vibrant, nurtured relationship with him. 00:09:06.139 --> 00:09:08.879 But he is the initiator of that relationship. 00:09:10.139 --> 00:09:12.899 Why? Because, well, what did we bring to the table? 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:13.860 We brought our sin. 00:09:13.860 --> 00:09:17.039 Our sin that blocked us from God. 00:09:17.139 --> 00:09:20.860 It was our wrongdoing that caused God's wrath to be on us. 00:09:20.980 --> 00:09:27.159 But out of love, God sent his son to live the perfect, sinless life that we never could. 00:09:28.399 --> 00:09:34.779 To die a sinner's death, the death that every single one of us deserves, and to be raised to life again. 00:09:34.899 --> 00:09:38.720 All of that was done so that we could be in union with Christ. 00:09:38.720 --> 00:09:42.500 So that we can abide in Jesus. 00:09:44.259 --> 00:09:52.879 Which means that after we accept Christ as our Lord, as Lord of our lives, and the Holy Spirit enters into our hearts, we will bear fruit for him. 00:09:54.460 --> 00:10:01.920 That's an image of intimacy and of deep union that Jesus gives us to illustrate the relationship that he has with his people. 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:09.500 The second thing I want us to consider this morning is that every Christian is united with Jesus in his death and resurrection. 00:10:10.039 --> 00:10:16.500 Turn with me to Romans 6, where the Apostle Paul unpacks this a little bit more. 00:10:17.459 --> 00:10:20.539 Paul writes in Romans 6 verse 4, 00:10:20.539 --> 00:10:34.620 This is astonishing. 00:10:36.039 --> 00:10:41.339 Paul is saying, if you're a Christian, what happened to Christ has happened to you. 00:10:41.340 --> 00:10:58.399 When Jesus died on the cross, bearing the full weight of our sin and shame, and the full extent of God's wrath against the sins of his people, Jesus wasn't just dying for you, you were, spiritually speaking, dying with him. 00:10:58.399 --> 00:11:02.939 That's why Paul goes on to say in verse 6, 00:11:02.939 --> 00:11:17.120 For we know that our old self was crucified with him, that is Jesus, so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin, because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. 00:11:19.019 --> 00:11:28.319 See, the point that Paul is making is that in the life of every Christian, something dramatic has happened, and our lives will never be the same again. 00:11:28.399 --> 00:11:35.340 Because you cannot die and rise again without your life being utterly transformed. 00:11:37.399 --> 00:11:40.699 And the same is true for us. We are not the same people we used to be. 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:48.299 Through Christ, we have died to our old self. We have been raised to true, lasting life in the Lord Jesus. 00:11:48.299 --> 00:12:00.500 And if you are here this morning and you are not a Christian, or you are a Christian, sorry, you will know that the old you, before you became a Christian, was guilty before God. 00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:07.199 Enslaved by sin, unable to fight temptation, and you were under judgment. 00:12:07.339 --> 00:12:09.519 But that doesn't define you anymore, does it? 00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:16.539 A Christian is no longer those things because they have died with Christ. 00:12:18.139 --> 00:12:24.419 But what does that glorious truth, as mind-blowing as it is, actually mean for your day-to-day life? 00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:30.980 Well, it means that all the sins that you have ever committed and will ever commit have been paid for. 00:12:30.980 --> 00:12:33.399 Everything. 00:12:34.840 --> 00:12:45.800 God has entirely blotted out, erased every single sin, not simply by forgetting them, but by nailing his perfect son to a cross for you. 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:50.039 It means that your guilt has been removed. 00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:57.220 You are no longer identified with your sin, your guilt, your shame, which made it impossible for you to approach God. 00:12:57.220 --> 00:13:01.000 It is gone like a courtroom. 00:13:01.160 --> 00:13:09.279 If God were to sit as judge and Satan were to come with accusation after accusation against us for the sins we've committed, 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:12.460 and that list would be very long, wouldn't it? 00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:17.100 You would rightly stand there condemned and judged. 00:13:17.220 --> 00:13:20.100 The verdict could be no other than guilty. 00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:25.379 But in that moment, Jesus steps in. 00:13:27.220 --> 00:13:27.920 And he says, 00:13:28.920 --> 00:13:29.480 No. 00:13:30.800 --> 00:13:32.420 They have been declared innocent. 00:13:33.700 --> 00:13:35.639 My blood was shed for them. 00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:44.279 Jesus was treated as guilty so that we, the guilty ones, could be declared innocent. 00:13:48.540 --> 00:13:51.740 And that means that there is no condemnation for Christians. 00:13:51.920 --> 00:13:53.120 Romans 8 verse 1. 00:13:53.120 --> 00:13:58.600 Therefore, now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:14:00.919 --> 00:14:04.679 God the Father does not condemn his perfect son. 00:14:07.340 --> 00:14:11.860 And therefore, he will not condemn his people because we are in his perfect son. 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:14.960 We are not condemned. 00:14:15.139 --> 00:14:16.299 We will never be condemned. 00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:20.039 We cannot be condemned because we are in Christ. 00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:25.639 So if you are a Christian this morning, marvel at that truth. 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:28.860 Your sins have been paid for. 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:29.759 Your guilt removed. 00:14:29.839 --> 00:14:31.199 Your condemnation gone. 00:14:32.740 --> 00:14:34.399 Not because you improved. 00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:39.579 But because you are united to Christ in his death. 00:14:40.659 --> 00:14:43.959 John Calvin, the famous reformer from the 1600s said this. 00:14:43.959 --> 00:14:47.840 The spirit sprinkles our souls with the blood of Christ. 00:14:48.039 --> 00:14:50.939 Not only to cleanse us from the stain of sin. 00:14:51.179 --> 00:14:54.639 But also to sanctify us to true purity. 00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:56.840 Which is life giving. 00:14:57.879 --> 00:15:02.259 And that leads us to the life giving part of this section in Romans. 00:15:02.259 --> 00:15:05.659 Christians are united with Christ in his resurrection. 00:15:05.960 --> 00:15:08.059 See Paul continues in verse 5 and says, 00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:11.580 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, 00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:16.080 we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:19.919 Now we gather this morning as we do every Sunday 00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:23.360 to celebrate the glorious truth that the grave is empty. 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:26.360 And we do not serve a dead savior. 00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:28.600 Jesus Christ is alive. 00:15:28.819 --> 00:15:29.539 He is reigning. 00:15:29.539 --> 00:15:31.319 He is ruling over everything. 00:15:31.320 --> 00:15:33.879 Jesus did stay dead. 00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:37.920 And if you are united to him, neither will you. 00:15:39.660 --> 00:15:40.940 What does that mean? 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:45.700 Well it means that as Christians, we have new spiritual life now. 00:15:47.180 --> 00:15:51.760 See the good news of Jesus isn't just a message of good news for the future. 00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:56.260 It is good news for all people in this life. 00:15:56.259 --> 00:16:01.340 The blessings of our union with Christ start the day we become Christians, 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:02.559 not the day we die. 00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:07.139 In this life we have every spiritual blessing in Christ. 00:16:08.200 --> 00:16:13.480 It means that we have the Holy Spirit within us who changes us and transforms us from the inside out 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:15.600 to be more and more like Jesus. 00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:23.899 And it means that the future that awaits us is an eternity in the presence of God that will be so amazing, 00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:32.080 so unfathomable and so spectacular that we cannot even begin to describe or imagine its greatness. 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:38.160 But if you want a glimpse of it, listen to the words of Revelation 21 verse 3. 00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:42.779 God's dwelling place is now among the people. 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:43.860 He will dwell with them. 00:16:44.740 --> 00:16:48.019 They will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God. 00:16:48.299 --> 00:16:49.980 And if that wasn't amazing enough, 00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:54.659 he will wipe away every tear from their eyes. 00:16:54.659 --> 00:17:07.180 There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away. 00:17:09.299 --> 00:17:11.399 Do you long for that day? 00:17:13.639 --> 00:17:16.039 Because as a Christian, it is yours. 00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:22.039 Because it has been secured for you through Christ's death and resurrection. 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:26.079 See, Christianity is not just about forgiveness. 00:17:26.839 --> 00:17:29.839 As wonderful as that is, it is about new life. 00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:33.059 And that new life is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:17:34.399 --> 00:17:36.659 And that presents us with a new reality. 00:17:36.859 --> 00:17:39.480 Look again at Romans 6 verse 11. 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:40.180 Paul says, 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:45.259 Count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:47.159 Notice that word, count. 00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:51.039 Paul doesn't say, make it true. 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:55.139 He doesn't say, work really hard to be saved. 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:55.399 No. 00:17:55.740 --> 00:18:01.319 He doesn't say, you need to be on your best behavior and stick to a whole bunch of rules so that I'll like you. 00:18:01.579 --> 00:18:01.819 No. 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:04.639 He says, no, this is true. 00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:09.220 As a Christian, your identity has changed. 00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:12.039 You are no longer defined by your past. 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:16.119 Owned by your sin or condemned before God. 00:18:16.180 --> 00:18:17.059 You are in Christ. 00:18:17.180 --> 00:18:18.440 You are alive in Christ. 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:20.319 You are a new creation. 00:18:21.039 --> 00:18:24.279 Isn't that incredible news? 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:32.319 But just as we leave this point, let me say that if you are here this morning and you are not yet a Christian. 00:18:32.899 --> 00:18:37.779 If you have not yet surrendered your life to Christ and trusted in the Lord Jesus for your forgiveness. 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:42.119 Then you are still dead in your sins and trespasses. 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:45.680 Under the wrath of God. 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:51.680 But the offer of the gospel is there for you to go through the transformation that we've talked about. 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:56.660 It is still possible for you to be united with Christ in his death and resurrection. 00:18:57.160 --> 00:18:58.539 Do not put it off. 00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:05.340 But investigate the gospel for yourself and consider what the Lord Jesus did on that very first Good Friday. 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:11.060 As he was killed on that cross and rose again on that first Easter Sunday. 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:12.299 Do not put it off. 00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:15.079 Because your eternity hangs in the balance. 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:19.899 So if this is true for you this morning. 00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:23.559 If you are united with Christ in his death and resurrection. 00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:27.879 If you are united to him like a branch is joined to the vine. 00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:29.759 Then it changes everything. 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:36.859 So let me just draw out some final implications of these wonderful truths before we close. 00:19:36.859 --> 00:19:39.339 The first is your identity. 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:46.219 If you are united to Christ your identity is no longer based on your success or failure in this life. 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:49.419 It is not based on your status in the world. 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:53.099 Your current or past mistakes or failures. 00:19:53.379 --> 00:19:56.899 Your identity isn't based even on what people think about you. 00:19:58.479 --> 00:20:02.639 If you are a Christian here this morning your identity is that you are in Christ. 00:20:02.719 --> 00:20:05.039 Which means you are loved with an everlasting love. 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:09.859 That you are accepted fully into the family of God. 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:11.779 No questions asked. 00:20:12.139 --> 00:20:14.859 Not begrudgingly but gladly. 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:20.819 Because once we were far off but now we have been given a seat at the table of the king. 00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:24.539 And counted as his son or daughter. 00:20:26.659 --> 00:20:30.019 And it means that you are seen as righteous in God's eyes. 00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:34.440 You have Jesus is right standing before God. 00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:36.299 Not because of anything you have done. 00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:39.160 But because of everything Jesus has done. 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:45.779 Second implication is arguably one of the most freeing truths in the Christian life. 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:49.660 That you are standing before God does not depend on your performance. 00:20:51.140 --> 00:20:53.240 It depends on your position in Christ. 00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:57.420 See maybe you are a bit like me and you come into church. 00:20:57.480 --> 00:21:02.059 And you are reminded of the great cost that Jesus paid on the cross for your sins. 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:09.640 You remember the sins that you continue to commit every single day despite being saved. 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:15.039 You are reminded regularly of just how much you need to change to become more like Jesus. 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:17.440 And you think of the gospel. 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:20.799 And you cannot help but ask yourself why? 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.799 Why me? 00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:30.519 Why save me? 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:40.900 Well the wonderful truth is that the answer really has nothing to do with you. 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:45.879 It is all to do with God's grace and God's goodness. 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:52.460 If you are in Christ, his righteousness is yours. 00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:55.180 His death counts for you. 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:57.359 His resurrection guarantees your future. 00:21:57.359 --> 00:22:00.259 That is a promise you can take to the bank. 00:22:02.159 --> 00:22:04.219 Because we live in a world of broken promises. 00:22:04.399 --> 00:22:09.679 A time where truth is questioned and security and certainty are not always guaranteed. 00:22:09.899 --> 00:22:10.939 But this is. 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:14.699 Our salvation, our forgiveness, our relationship with God. 00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:16.899 Our future eternity in his presence. 00:22:17.419 --> 00:22:19.500 His help in our darkest of times. 00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:22.259 His enabling every single day to live. 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:25.339 The life we are created to live and called to live. 00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:28.599 Is absolutely secure in Christ. 00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:32.879 Your salvation is not fragile. 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.599 It is secure. 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:39.119 And it is secure because it is rooted in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:40.079 Not our efforts. 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:42.339 Not any kind of religiosity. 00:22:42.879 --> 00:22:44.740 But it is rooted in Christ. 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:50.980 And then the final implication is that of all that we have seen this morning. 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:55.680 Is that union with Christ doesn't just change your status before God. 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:57.359 But it changes your life. 00:22:59.180 --> 00:23:03.200 See we are not told only to come to God when you have got your life sorted out. 00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:04.759 Where you sin less. 00:23:04.900 --> 00:23:07.019 Where everything seems fine. 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:07.460 No. 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:10.840 We are to come to God. 00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:13.880 In Christ as we are. 00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:17.900 And the reality is that we won't stay the same. 00:23:18.880 --> 00:23:19.880 We will change. 00:23:19.940 --> 00:23:21.579 Because we are connected to Christ. 00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:24.480 Sin no longer has the ultimate power over you. 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:26.059 Change is possible. 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:28.299 And growth is inevitable. 00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:30.240 If you stick with Christ. 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:32.340 It won't be done in an instant. 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.660 You will never be perfect. 00:23:33.660 --> 00:23:37.960 But the Holy Spirit will transform you to become more like Jesus. 00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:41.180 As you abide in Christ. 00:23:41.220 --> 00:23:42.600 Like we thought from John 15. 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:45.240 His life flows into yours. 00:23:47.360 --> 00:23:51.360 Christ through the Spirit of God is making you more like Jesus. 00:23:51.360 --> 00:23:52.519 Who is the image of God. 00:23:52.580 --> 00:23:53.259 Now don't get me wrong. 00:23:53.340 --> 00:23:55.259 We are not going to be perfect in this life. 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:59.360 But we will certainly be transformed until that day we meet him. 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:02.180 And live in his presence for all eternity. 00:24:03.660 --> 00:24:06.759 And so here is the application for you this morning. 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:08.100 If you are a Christian. 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:14.019 If you know that all of this is true in your life. 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:17.820 The application is rest. 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:22.360 See I'm not going to give you a job to do. 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:28.300 The Bible doesn't give you a checklist of things you can tick off in order to be holy. 00:24:28.560 --> 00:24:31.920 The application of your union with Jesus is rest. 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:35.460 Rest in the truth that you are standing for. 00:24:35.560 --> 00:24:39.880 You're standing before God is not based on how many times you've read your Bible this week. 00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:42.519 Don't get me wrong. 00:24:42.700 --> 00:24:43.519 Please read your Bibles. 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:44.500 But you're before. 00:24:44.620 --> 00:24:45.759 It's not based on that. 00:24:47.140 --> 00:24:53.060 You're standing before God is not dependent on how strong your faith feels on any given day. 00:24:53.060 --> 00:24:57.220 Or even on how consistently obedient you've been this week. 00:24:57.220 --> 00:25:00.720 You need to ask yourself the question. 00:25:00.819 --> 00:25:01.600 Am I a Christian? 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:02.579 Am I in Christ? 00:25:02.660 --> 00:25:03.420 If you are. 00:25:03.579 --> 00:25:07.240 Then everything you need is already yours in him. 00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:12.059 So stop trying to earn what you have already been given. 00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:18.099 Instead, abide in him. 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:20.159 Rest in him. 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:22.799 Trust in him for everything you need in this life. 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:28.779 And depend on him every day like your life depends on it because it does. 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:35.160 And let his life, the life of the Savior of the world, bear fruit in you. 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:41.399 And if you're here and you're not a Christian, let me speak directly to you again. 00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:45.299 The Bible says that apart from Christ, you are separated from God. 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:51.379 Under sin and facing just punishment for the sins that you've committed. 00:25:51.380 --> 00:25:53.580 And you deserve the judgment of God. 00:25:54.320 --> 00:25:56.660 That sounds incredibly uncomfortable. 00:25:57.880 --> 00:25:58.920 But it is real. 00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:02.540 But there is good news. 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:06.380 Jesus lived the life that you never could. 00:26:07.080 --> 00:26:08.660 The life of perfect obedience. 00:26:08.860 --> 00:26:12.900 He died the death you deserve and rose in victory over the grave. 00:26:13.260 --> 00:26:15.560 Proving that all he said and did was true. 00:26:16.560 --> 00:26:18.740 And now he offers you something extraordinary. 00:26:19.360 --> 00:26:20.800 Union with himself. 00:26:22.120 --> 00:26:23.280 Not just forgiveness. 00:26:23.600 --> 00:26:25.120 Not a second chance. 00:26:25.300 --> 00:26:26.900 Not wiping the slate clean. 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:29.480 He offers you a whole new life in him. 00:26:31.800 --> 00:26:33.160 How do you receive that? 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:34.240 Not by trying harder. 00:26:34.320 --> 00:26:35.300 Not by doing more. 00:26:35.560 --> 00:26:37.240 Not by straining to be better. 00:26:37.900 --> 00:26:39.680 Even though those things are our tendency. 00:26:39.860 --> 00:26:41.540 Not even by being religious. 00:26:41.860 --> 00:26:42.020 No. 00:26:42.780 --> 00:26:46.720 We become, we accept Christ by turning from our sin and repentance. 00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:49.940 Trusting in Jesus. 00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:53.000 That his sacrifice on the cross was sufficient for you. 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:54.740 And relying on him alone. 00:26:54.820 --> 00:26:57.059 At that moment you are united with him. 00:26:59.840 --> 00:27:01.400 His death becomes your death. 00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:02.720 His life, your life. 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:04.480 His future, your future. 00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:08.160 Everything that we've thought about this morning is yours in Christ. 00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:09.920 If you trust in him. 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:11.680 Do not put that decision off. 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:16.740 I want us to end this morning where we began. 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:22.180 Think with me that we are again on Easter Sunday morning. 00:27:23.620 --> 00:27:24.940 The tomb is empty. 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:28.500 Which means that Jesus is not just a teacher to admire. 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:30.460 He is not just a savior to thank. 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:34.440 But he is the living Lord that we are united to. 00:27:34.440 --> 00:27:37.820 And that changes everything. 00:27:38.820 --> 00:27:41.200 Because if you are in Christ, you are never alone. 00:27:42.100 --> 00:27:43.460 You will never be condemned. 00:27:44.140 --> 00:27:46.019 And you will never be without hope. 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:51.139 So whether you follow Jesus for years or you are hearing this for the first time. 00:27:51.259 --> 00:27:52.059 Come back to him. 00:27:53.139 --> 00:27:53.960 Abide in him. 00:27:54.099 --> 00:27:55.059 Rejoice in him. 00:27:55.139 --> 00:27:56.740 And rest in him. 00:27:56.740 --> 00:28:04.640 Because there is nothing greater in this world than to be united with the risen Lord Jesus Christ. 00:28:06.059 --> 00:28:07.039 Let's pray together. 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:14.700 Heavenly Father, we come this morning and we recognize that we still sin. 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:18.180 We recognize that we make mistakes. 00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:20.160 We recognize that we are not perfect. 00:28:20.359 --> 00:28:25.059 We recognize that even our following of you is not perfect. 00:28:25.059 --> 00:28:32.039 And yet we thank you so much that we are in Christ if we are Christians. 00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:35.440 And we have every spiritual blessing in him. 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:41.619 Father, as we go into this week, as we go into the rest of our lives, would you help us live for him? 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:45.639 And rest in him knowing that the work is done. 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:48.299 Because it was done on the cross for us. 00:28:49.359 --> 00:28:51.899 Jesus, we thank you for your life, death and resurrection. 00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:55.460 Holy Spirit, we thank you that you have opened our eyes to see the truth. 00:28:55.560 --> 00:29:00.460 And would you help us live for Christ every day until we meet him face to face. 00:29:00.860 --> 00:29:02.019 In his name we pray. 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:02.880 Amen.