The Learner I - What is Man in Christ?

Primary Message: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4

Worldview: Each man to his own, “He is a self-made man!” I don’t need Jesus because Jesus is just a crutch for the weak!

Evangelistic Emphasis: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

Who is man in Christ? What it means to be in Christ Jesus is a hard concept to grasp when you consider that Jesus was crucified thousands of years ago. For us, to be baptized in him, to have the ability through him to walk free of sin, and to have the authority over principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness because he has given us this authority is a choice, it is a daily choice based upon our faith in him to believe. Man in Christ Jesus can do all things through him, which strengthens him.

No weapon formed against man when he is in Christ Jesus shall prevail. To be in Christ Jesus is to have received the keys to the kingdom of heaven whereby those who are in Christ can bind and loose here on earth. Jesus Christ has given man power over all things. All this and so much more can be accessed by having faith in the work that Jesus has done for us at the cross. Many Christians today are weak because they don't understand who they are in Christ, King David stated: "What is man that thou art mindful of him? Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels and all things are under his feet!

The position of authority in Psalm 8 can only be had when we live in Christ Jesus! When we live, move, and have our being each day with Jesus then we can become acquainted with our position in him and his kingdom and also in this world. First we must see where this all begins and that is at the cross!

Romans 6:1-11

1. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue to sin, that grace may abound?

2. God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

3. Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.

6. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

7. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

8. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

9. Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

10. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

11. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

How many times should we die to our sins? Should we continue to sin so that we can experience repentance, forgiveness, and the death of our sin again and again? If sin is to die how shall it live again? The only way that our sin lives, is if we give it life! When we come to Jesus we take with us our sins to be placed on the cross to never be acted on again or at least that s our intentions, but why do we continue to walk in sin when we have vowed to stop? Is it that we are uncontrollably out of the ability to fight sin or is it that we cannot help ourselves?

Actually it is some of both, we are out of order, out of the ability to help ourselves, and in realizing this we go to Jesus, but that does not allow us to continue to sin knowing that all we have to do is go to Jesus and all is well, instead we are expected to grow in maturity and in strength, leaning not on our own understanding, but rather on the word of God. We are now dead to sin and are no longer permitted to freely live in our sinful ways of the past! Now we live a new life through Jesus Christ, so much so that even our own do not recognize us anymore. We are New! New in Christ!

After reading these verses what questions do you have?

Answer the following questions:

What does it mean to be baptized?

How can we be free from sin?

Romans 7:14-25

14. “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal sold under sin.

15. For that which I do I allow not; but what I hate, that I do.

16. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

17. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

18. For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil, which I would not, that I do.

20. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

21. I find then a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me.

22. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man.

23. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my members.

24. O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

25. I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”

After reading these verses what questions do you have?

Remember the old phrase; “the devil made me do it?”

We are truly in this war, a war with ourselves, our own members, and the internal lust that, apart from God we succumb to, what can save us? There is a battle that Paul had to deal with and each of us must deal with it also.

When Paul says; “O wretched man that I am, who can save me from this body of death? He was recognizing that there is a force that we must deal with that attempts to prevent us from doing right. He continues on to say;

“I thank God for Jesus Christ.” We need Jesus because we are unable to fight this battle on our own. With Jesus we can overcome all things!

Answer the following questions:

Is the law good?

Why?

Does sin continue?

Are there two laws?

Romans 8:1-10

1.”There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.

2. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.

5. For they that are after the things of the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the things of the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

9. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

10. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”

Here again you see this struggle of the flesh against that of the Spirit, so it is not uncommon that we experience some difficulty in our life when we try to do right, when we try to follow Christ, the flesh just don’t like it! Parts of our own self despise the things of Christ because the purity of Jesus exposes our true nature. We were born into sin and because of this we will forever struggle with our self, we all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory and the wages of this sin is death, so it can be said we were actually born into death, a death that will constantly pull us away from the life that Christ wants for us, as it is written;

“The gift of God is eternal life”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 8:28-39

28. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.

29. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate, to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

30. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32. He that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us

all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33. They answered him, we be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest you, Ye shall be made free?

34. Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you; whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

35. And the servent abideth not in the house forever: but the son abideth forever.

36. If the son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

37. I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

38. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do

that which ye have seen with your father.

39. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our Father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.”

In Christ we are called to a purpose, we have been given a purpose that is greater than we can understand until we meet with God and he shares with us his purpose. His purpose then becomes our purpose, but this happens when we are truly in Christ. What is man in Christ? Man in Christ is a man who has new purpose, old plans and purposes in life have faded away and all now has become new. God stands at our side in our life and gives us full assurance that when we are in him he causes all things to work to our good, but not according our purposes of old, but rather according to his purposes. With this new life, my friend you have been called unto a new purpose, a purpose in which God will cause to be fulfilled unto his glory!

After reading these verses what questions do you have?

Answer the following questions:

How can things in life work good for us?

Can anything separate us from the love of God?

We must always remember that when we are in Christ we are fully protected and completely assured of his partnership with us, Jesus partners with us and we partner with him in order to glorify God. And the time in which it seems too hard for us to manage, God reassures us that “If God be for us who can be against us?” No weapon formed against us can prosper and we can do all things through Christ Jesus, which strengthens us.

One of the greatest weaknesses of our time as Christians is, not knowing what power we have in Christ. My challenge to you is to research the Bible and write down every scripture that begins with or ends with the words, “In Christ” or “Through Christ” Many believers fall away because they are not aware of who they are “In Christ Jesus”

A great way to demonstrate “who we are in Christ” has been given to us. I was watching a prominent Pastor teach this years ago and have never forgotten how he demonstrated this to his church, it went something like this:

How to demonstrate this to the unbeliever: “Who is Man in Christ.”

You will need three different sized envelopes and two 5x8 index cards for this.

Relate to the class the trinity 1John 5:7 and Jesus’ position and what it means to be in Christ.

Instructions:

Write your name on the first 5x8 index card and your

name plus Jesus on the second card.

Write “Holy spirit” on the smallest envelope

Write Jesus’ name on the second smallest envelope

Write “GOD” on the last and largest envelope

To Begin:

Put the index cards in the Holy Spirit envelope

Put the Holy Spirit envelope in the Jesus envelope

Put the Jesus envelope in the God envelope

Now: Explain all that the devil (thief) must do to get to Gods child when they are in the spirit, and in Christ Jesus. Then explain that Jesus is in you even if the devil ever got through God through the spirit and to you.

He can’t get to the one that is in Christ, but the one who stands alone is easy prey!

Do not stand without trying to make it in life alone on your own!

Below is written a song and message that is meant to answer the question “What is man in Christ” I like this song because it gives strength to the believer and truth about the struggle. There is a great hymnal that goes like this:

Onward Christian Soldiers

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,

with the cross of Jesus going on before.

Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;

forward into battle see his banners go!

(Refrain)

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,

with the cross of Jesus going on before.

At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;

on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!

Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;

brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

(Refrain )

Like a mighty army moves the church of God;

brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.

We are not divided, all one body we,

one in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

(Refrain )

Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,

but the church of Jesus constant will remain.

Gates of hell can never against that church prevail;

we have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail.

(Refrain)

Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,

blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.

Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,

this through countless ages men and angels sing.

(Refrain)

The thought of today’s time is to be or desire anything hassle- free, commitment- free, easy and convenient in life. We find these thoughts are permeating our society and have been allowed to seep into our churches making them dead or ineffective. Our Lord has strategically placed us exactly where we are not for our convenience, not that we should be hassle- free or commitment- free, nor that we should merely have easy access to attend a morning worship service and afterwards happily go on our way. He has strategically planted our church in its present location to effectively cause Satan to fall. To lose the chains that hold His children in bondage and overcome the battle that Satan wages against God’s people.

You might say; “cause Satan to fall?” I thought Satan had already fallen!

Today our topic is about our communities. Since Satan has fallen from heaven where is it that he fell to?

Luke 9:57-10:21

Here we find Luke the beloved physician giving an account concerning Jesus and his disciples. First he starts by showing Jesus teaching the disciples about priority. When we follow Jesus there are priorities. You might say; “Preacher I have always had priorities, I just follow my heart and I know that my heart is good and therefore my priorities are straight. And so it was with a few other disciples.

57 “And as they were going along the road, someone said to him (Jesus) and said, “ I will follow you wherever you go.”

How many of us can say this today? “And Jesus said to him: Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head.”

This does not sound too convenient or hassle-free too me so far. Jesus immediately says to another:

“Follow me” Now this one says “Permit me first to go bury my father.” Can I do a few things that I want to do first Jesus? Jesus replies: “Let the dead bury the dead but as for you go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”

Often we say to Jesus I will follow you, but when asked to do something for him or for another we shrink back and seek to set the obligation in accordance with our terms. Beloved in those moments that we commit and we then reevaluate the commitment we show Jesus our terms in which we will do it, but he sets the terms beloved, not us.

The work of God is never done according to our terms, we can never say to him yes, but!!

Yes we will go but when we are ready? Yes we will go whenever you call us is what we agree to, is it not? “Another said I will follow you Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home. But Jesus said to him, No one putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Again this walk is not set to your terms. If you say I will follow you there is no looking back. No turning aside to the former things. This is an exact commitment not determined by your terms, but rather by Gods terms. Now this seems to be very discomforting, certainly not convenient and not hassle- free.

This takes commitment! But for Commitment there is great reward!

And here are the happy results! Now Jesus, after appointing 35 teams of 2 and dispatching them to various cities with instructions on how to go as we read in Luke 10:1-16, watches for the results.

In pairs of two they went and to every city in which he directed them. They didn’t ask permission to take care of little things first, they didn’t delay the operations at all, and they just went as directed. They laid down their lives to obey their Lord. 70 Disciples denied themselves, they didn’t take anything for the journey, they didn’t make pit stops on the way, they didn’t take it as an opportunity to treat themselves to a lavish dinner, and instead they became like John the Baptist and entered into the cities where Jesus himself was going to go. They searched out for an inviting house or receptive people that would hear them and then they laid the groundwork, they planted the seeds, and then they reported back to Jesus with a great and mighty praise report!

Why is all of this necessary one might ask? Why can’t we just assemble behind these 4 walls and let God send them to us?

Why can’t we just mind our own business, we believe in God and we attend services and we worship God and we help the

Pastor and the Elders when we’re asked. Why do I have to go into the city or to my neighbors?

Let me answer you; When Satan got kicked out of heaven with one third of the angels where did they go? When Jesus appointed 70 other disciples to send them to every city that he sent them to, what was his purpose?

The reason you have to go, the reason why you need to get out of your comfort zone and stop telling God your terms, the reason you need to look outside these four walls is there is a war right here in your neighborhood, right in your backyard, right in your city where your church is and that war is pressing in trying to take over.

What happened when Jesus sent the 70 out and they returned?

Well let’s hear the report:

“And the seventy returned with joy saying, Lord even the

demons are subject to us in your name!”

And Jesus said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning!”

This is one of the happiest moments in the ministry of Jesus! Jesus was expressing his joy, his excitement, and his celebration over their victory!

Satan was defeated in those areas, his assault against the cities was abandoned, and he fell that very day. Friends Satan is running wild all around us and he is going unchallenged. Is he being challenged in your city? What can you do about it?

Get together as teams and go out, as did the others that we read about. Follow Gods instructions; make it a point to give an hour or two every week to going into your neighborhood or city and shining your lights. Don’t let Satan go unchallenged anymore.

Bible studies, bible readings, or even carrying your bibles around town for people to see sends a loud sound of victory. Be seen, be noticed, and be active. Put a smile on Jesus face.

You have the power! You can make a difference!

“Behold I have given you authority to tread upon serpents

and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and

nothing shall injure you!”

Team up Christians, find a partner and get busy, don’t be as some who find excuses.

Jesus will say to you! “I was watching Satan fall!” Jesus will smile and celebrate with you your victory!

Today there may be one among us that by the grace of God was brought here to listen, one that might not yet be saved, that might be struggling with asking Jesus to come into their heart.

Friend if that is you, listen to what the spirit of God is saying today. Open your heart and let Jesus in. Stop resisting the Holy Spirit, stop-making excuses, if your saying I will after… or I’m not ready yet, Now is the time you cannot do this on your terms, only on Gods terms and here are his terms:

“Today if you should hear his voice, harden not your heart as in the day of rebellion.” Right now is the time! Set aside all your excuses and come to the alter right now and ask Jesus into your heart as it is written:

*If you confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart that he was crucified for your sins and by the power of God was raised from the grave you are saved.*

Right now on his terms make this confession, believe it and step out to receive.”

Sing this song with me Saints:

Onward! Forward!

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,

with the cross of Jesus going on before.

Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;

forward into battle see his banners go!

Refrain:

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,

with the cross of Jesus going on before.

At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;

on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!

Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;

brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems

raise. Man in Christ is a soldier, a servant, and a

friend to His community!

Memory Verses: Read And Complete These Verses

Romans 8:1 “What shall we say to these things? If God…”

Romans 8:35 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ…?”

Romans 8:37 “Nay, in these things we are…”

Romans 8:38 “For I am persuaded, that neither death nor…”

Chapter Seven Prayer And Confession

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