Most Important Question You Will Ever Answer

“The Most Important Question You Will Ever Answer”

1/16/11

Jude 1:1

One of the most important things we can understand is what it means to be “in Christ Jesus.”

That phrase occurs over and over again in the N.T.

Paul told the Romans that, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are ‘in Christ Jesus.’—8:1

In 2 Corinthians we read that “If any man be ‘in Christ,’ he is a new creation…”—2 Cor. 5:17

Paul talked about the “liberty which we have in Christ Jesus.”—Gal 2:4

And he wrote that we have been, “Blessed…with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ…”—Eph. 1:3

In our text, Jude said that we are preserved ‘in Christ Jesus.’

When you look at the Bible you discover that God has always had a place He required His people to be “IN” in order for them to be blessed, protected, and to enjoy His presence.

In the O.T., to be where God could bless, one had to be in the land; in the N.T., we have to be in the Lord.

In the O.T., everything had to do with a place; in the N.T., everything has to do with a Person.

In the O.T., one had to be in Canaan; in the N.T., we have to be in Christ.

So…there are two kinds of people in the world—those that are “in Christ” and those that are not.

LISTEN CAREFULLY: Whether or not you are “in Christ”—is the most important question you will ever answer.

In Noah’s day there were two kinds of people as the floodwaters rose—those that were “in the ark” and those that were not.

In the days of Sodom and Gomorrah there were two kinds of people when the fires of judgment fell—those that were “in Abraham’s prayers” and those that were not.

In the days of Moses during the plagues of Egypt there were two kinds of people—those that were “in the houses” where the blood covered the doorpost as the death angel passed over,” and those that were not.

And now in the N.T. age there are two kinds of people on earth—those that are “in Christ” and those that are not.

This question is crucial for several reasons:

God’s richest blessings are reserved for those that are “in Christ.”

God’s Spirit dwells in those that are “in Christ.”

God’s protection and deliverance in times of judgment are reserved for those that are “in Christ.”

What a great and glorious place to be—IN CHRIST JESUS!

Let’s look at those three things a bit more closely:

God’s richest blessings are reserved for those that are “in Christ Jesus…”

Eph. 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing IN CHRIST.”

Notice—who is blessed with “every spiritual blessing…” Those that are “in Christ.”

Now, what does that mean…”Blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ?”

Here’s a few of the blessings in heavenly places those that are “in Christ” enjoy:

He chose us before the foundation of the world vs 4

He freely bestowed His grace on us vs 6

He has given us redemption through His blood vs 7

He has revealed His kind intention toward us by making known to us the mystery of His will vs 9

We have been signed for by the blood, sealed with the Holy Spirit, and seated in heavenly places who are “in Christ Jesus.”

We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us (Ro 8:37)

Everything shall be made to work out for our good, who are “in Christ” (8:28)

We have been sanctified, justified and glorified “in Christ Jesus.”

And we could go on!

What an awesome blessing to be “in Christ Jesus!”

A second benefit from being “in Christ Jesus” is:

God’s Spirit is given to those that are “in Christ Jesus.”

There are two other kinds of people in the world—those in whom the Spirit dwells, and those in whom He does not.

I know this runs against the Politically Correct notion that “We’re all God’s children,” but the Bible says otherwise.

Ro. 8: 9 “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, IF indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”

Jude talked about those “who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.”

Secular writer James Nash wrote, “We're all God's children ... none of us come from any place but God.”

The first part of his statement is FALSE, while the second half is TRUE.

The Bible says that we are all “created” by God, but that doesn’t make us “God’s children.”

Someone wisely observed, “If we’re all God’s children, what makes Jesus so special?”

According the Bible, we must come to Christ in REPENTANCE AND FAITH,

Receive His FORGIVENESS, and…

Experience the TRANSFORMATION that results from His Spirit coming to live within us.

Jesus said, “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again…Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”—John 3

Pastor and theologian John Piper writes, “Jesus sees all of humanity divided into two parts: those who are merely born once—“born of the flesh,” “the spiritually dead”—and those who are “born again” by the Spirit of God—the “spiritually alive.”

One day a young man Jesus had called to follow Him said, “Let me first go and bury my father.”

Jesus replied, “Let the dead bury their own dead. But you go preach the kingdom of God.”

Jesus saw little difference between the man lying in the coffin and those that were burying him.

Why? Because they had not been born again.

The great gift of being “in Christ” is to experience the indwelling Holy Spirit, Who transforms us the moment He comes to live in our heart.

Another aspect to being “in Christ” is:

Those that are “in Christ” will be delivered from coming judgment.

Let’s think back to Noah for a minute.

Jesus warned, “As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days of the coming of the Son of Man.”

What was it like in Noah’s day?

In all the earth there was one place of safety available to the people of Noah’s day—THE ARK Noah had built.

In order to be “saved” from the coming judgment, one had only to believe Noah’s preaching, walk up the ramp, and enter through that one, precious open door.

So it is today. There is only one escape from God’s judgment—Jesus Christ, who called Himself among other things, THE DOOR.

John 10:9 “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved…”

As those in Noah’s day had to be “in the ark,” we must be “in Christ” to escape the judgment that is coming upon the world.

The Bible says that God’s judgment upon an unrepentant, Christ rejecting world is imminent:

We are assured in Hebrews, “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.”—Heb.10:37

“The Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.”—1 Thes 5:2-3

2 Thes. 1:7-9 “…when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven…He will come with his mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power.”

Yet there will be no wrath for those that are “in Christ.”

1 Thes. 1:10 says that being in Christ, “Will deliver us from the wrath to come.”

Think about Noah’s day:

As the Day of Judgment drew near, a supernatural drawing of every living creature to the ark—two of every species—began to take place.

The Bible likewise says that a great and awesome call to come to Christ will take place before His return:

Matt. 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

In Noah’s day here came two lions, and there two bears walking somberly out of the forest into the ark.

Two of every species of bird dropped from the sky and winged their way through that open door.

Beetles, ants, dragonflies, moths, butterflies, and the rest of the vast insect world found their way to the ark as if pulled by an invisible magnet.

Horses, cattle, elephants, zebras—a vast multitude of every land mammal appeared and waited their turn to enter through the only door that would save them.

But sadly, only eight human beings heeded the call.

Jesus said, “In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all.”—Lk.17:26-27

“…everyone carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ship. They suspected nothing until the flood hit and swept everything away.”

When the torrential rains began to fall and the waters began to rise, and every treetop disappeared and every mountaintop was finally swallowed up, only one object could be seen riding above it all—THE ARK.

Those that were “in the ark” were safe.

And it will be exactly the same today!

Those that are “in Christ” will be shielded when the judgment of God begins to fall…

Oh, to be “in Christ!”

What a joy! What a blessing! What a privilege!

SUMMARY: Those that are “in Christ” shall enjoy God’s:

Blessings

His indwelling Spirit

Protection from judgment