The Secret of maturity: “being in Christ”
TEACHER
..........................
Lesson 6
BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT
John 15.1-3;
Colossians 2.6-12.
GOLDEN TEXT
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15.5
AIM
* Understand, in fact, what does the expression “to be in Christ“ mean;
* Believe that he who is in Christ is cared for by him;
* Understand that the one who is in Christ makes a difference in the world.
INTRODUCTION
What does it mean to “be in Christ”? What are we, what do we receive, and what can we are “in Christ”?
Throughout this study, we will discover, through the Word of God, extraordinary possibilities that are available to every person who is, in fact, connected to the True Vine.
1. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY WE ARE WHILE WE “ARE IN CHRIST”?
When we surrender our being to Christ, we want to understand what will happen to our lives from then on. Will we change in an instant? Will we stop being who we were immediately? Knowing who we are and what we can become changes our perspective on existence.
1.1. We are the family of God
We were made in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:26,27).
However, sin “demagicized” us, that is, it made us lose the image of the Eternal in being. Since the Fall, man has unlearned love, unlearned dependence, unlearned truth, unlearned compassion, unlearned kindness, unlearned hope, unlearned peace.
1.1. We are the family of God
The moment the sinner accepts Christ as Savior, giving himself entirely to Him, the greatest miracle of all happens salvation. The most sublime of this act, however, is the fact that the person has the chance to recover his original identity, becoming a child of God (Jn 1.12).
Jesus found us lost and, with His blood, paid our debt, giving us the chance to be part of the family of God (1 John 3:1,2)
1.2. We are disciples of God
The disciple is, first of all, a learner; he is someone who is willing to go through the pains of growing up and coming of age. Discipleship implies, above all, renunciation: (Luke 14:33). But to renounce what? Especially "himself". The disciple knows he must forsake all self-righteousness while resting in the righteousness of the Most High. The disciple of Christ knows that he must give up the desire for self-justification, for he understands that every sacrifice has already been made and is consummated.
The path of the disciple of Christ reveals itself on the ground of existence. Whoever surrenders to the lordship of the Eternal Master will always be safe, even when he asks what he should not (Luke 9.54), or when he desires what is not convenient (Mk 10.35-45). The disciple judges, is judged, but learns from his Lord that he should not judge (Mt 7.15).
1.2. We are disciples of God
Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
In other words, it means to say that the disciple is someone who is willing to discipline himself in love, learning while he falls, while he makes mistakes, while he doesn't know. The disciple is always ready to receive the rebuke of the master.
1.3. We’re solid living stones in God’s construction
Ancient rabbinic tradition says that dead stone, as opposed to living stone, is one that cannot be shaped or cut because of its rigidity. The builders summarily reject it, as there is no way to use it in a work.
When Peter says that Christ is the living stone rejected by men, but chosen and precious to God and that we, like our Master, are also living stones (1 Peter 2:4, 5), he is saying that Jesus' disciples are people who allow themselves to be beaten with hammers and blades, aiming at the uplifting of the Kingdom of God.
In Christ, we are living stones. Let us allow ourselves to be shaped by Him for God's project, in the spiritual construction of mankind!
1.4. We’re fruitful branches
(Jn 15.5 NLT) Just as a vine branch cannot bear a single grape if it is not connected to the one who gives it life, the Christian there is no way to bear fruits of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Gal 5.22), if you do not remain tied to Christ, receiving from him the divine “genetic code”. of a branch bear fruit of itself.
Another reality that we cannot get away from is that fruitfulness does not happen overnight. The fruit that feeds the people is formed in due time by the Farmer of our souls.
2. WHAT DO WE RECEIVE WHEN WE ARE “IN CHRIST”?
When we become sheep of the Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd, we receive, first of all, eternal life, which only He can give us (John 10:28).
2.1. We receive power and authority
Jesus sent His disciples to preach the gospel and proclaim the Kingdom of God. In Luke 9:1 we read: And when he had summoned his twelve disciples, he gave them power and power over all demons and to cure diseases.
It is important to note that at the same time he sent them, he also gave them power and authority over demons and infirmities.
2.1. We receive power and authority
Yesterday, today and at all times, people who are in Christ have power and authority over everything that imprisons and sickens humanity.
May the Lord enable us, day by day, to cast out demons of gossip, enmity, intrigue, division and discord, scattered in every corner. May He use us to bring healing to sick souls in this (and for this) time.
2.2. We receive true peace
Peace is not a feeling; it's a state of mind. The peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7) does not need support in logic; it is anchored in the certainty that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:38, 39).
2.2. We receive true peace
The peace that surpasses all understanding recognizes that whoever could condemn us has decided, by grace, favor and mercy, to reconcile us to the Father (2 Cor. 5:19); that whoever could be our judge decided to be our advocate (1 John 2:1).
3. WHAT WE CAN WHEN WE ARE “IN CHRIST”
So far, we have learned what we are and what we receive when we are in Christ. In this topic, we will study what we can do when we stay in it.
3.1. We can participate actively of the Kingdom
The Lord Jesus is presented in Scripture as priest (Heb 7:21-28), prophet (Luke 24:19; John 4:19) and king (1 Tim 6:14,15; Rev 11:15; 19:16). If we are in Christ, we immediately enter His Kingdom. We were transported, by the power of God, from the realm of darkness and now we are in the realm of light.
3.2. We can know the mysteries of the Kingdom
When we are in Christ, we can know the mysteries that the Lord wanted to reveal to us. The Master of Teachers announced the truths of the Kingdom to as many as had ears to hear him (Mt 11:15, 25; 13:9, 43); and the apostle Paul revealed that which God has in store for all those who love him and abide in him: the things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man (...) (1 Co 2.9a).
3.2. We can know the mysteries of the Kingdom
Let us therefore reflect on the Master Jesus' question as if it had been addressed to us personally: Did you understand all these things? (Mt 13.51). Only when we are able to say “yes” can we know the thoughts God has for us: thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give us the end we hope for (Jer 29:11).
3.3. We can make disciples for Jesus
The apostles knew Christ, received Him as their Savior, and were transformed by His mighty power. Their lives changed completely, taking on a new meaning, new values and new purposes.
When we are in Christ, we can (have the power to) make new disciples (Luke 24:49). The Holy Spirit who dwells in us gives us authority to rescue the world from darkness and transport it into the kingdom of the Son of his love (Col 1:13).
May God
Bless your life!
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