DONE 240515 BITES: Q27 What blessings do believers enjoy in this life?

Q27 What blessings do believers enjoy in this life? A27 In this life, believers enjoy 1) justification from sins, 2) adoption by the Father, 3) the intercession of Christ, 4) as well as positional and progressive sanctification (1 Cor 1.30)

Attention grabbing introduction: (LET THEM THINK AND RESPOND)

Does anyone know who the king of England is? What about the President? What do you know about these people? Are they rich? Powerful? Do they get their way when they want something? LET THEM STEW ON THE BENEFITS THAT KINGS ENJOY

Now, imagine you were an orphan. Alone, living on the streets, hungry and suppose this king or president or emperor etc reached out to you and adopted you - what benefits would you enjoy?

Would you get a new name? New opportunities? New family? What would that be like?

You know the Elect, those who are saved by Christ, are beneficiaries of many things because we have been adopted by the King of Kings. What are some of the benefits or rather entitlements, things promised, owed, what are some of the entitlements of a kiddo of the king? LET THEM ANSWER

Question/Answer

So here is tonight’s question: Q27 What blessings do the Elect enjoy in this life? A27 In this life, the Elect enjoy 1) justification from sins, 2) adoption by the Father, 3) the intercession of Christ, 4) as well as positional and progressive sanctification

1 Corinthians 1:30“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,”

Ask if anyone has questions then define terminology

Breakdown of Terms from Catechism Question:

Justification from sins is being declared not guilty by God. It's like being in a court where God is the judge who says you're forgiven for all your wrongs because you trust in Jesus. Example: Imagine you accidentally broke a window and your neighbor forgives you instead of making you pay for it; that's a bit like how God forgives our sins.

Romans 5:18“So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.”

Adoption by the Father means He makes us part of His family as His children. Example: It’s like if a child who doesn’t have a family is adopted and finds a new loving home. God’s adoption means we always have His love and a place in His heavenly home.

Galatians 4:6“And because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!””

The intercession of Christ means Jesus speaks to God on our behalf. He helps us by praying for us and guiding us. Example: If you’re struggling with schoolwork and a friend helps explain things to your teacher and supports you, that’s similar to how Jesus helps us with God.

Hebrews 7:25“Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

Sanctification is the process of becoming more like Jesus - it is being set apart, made different. Positional sanctification means we are set apart for God right when we believe. Progressive sanctification means we grow to be more like Jesus over time. Example: Think of it like joining a sports team (positional sanctification) and then practicing every day to get better (progressive sanctification)

Positional Sanctification: Romans 8:1 “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Progressive Sanctification 1 John 1:7“but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Ask what the kids understanding is of what this experience looks like for them

Why does this matter to us?

Being justified means that not only are we not guilty we also have been given the perfection relationship that God’s Son has with Him Colossians 1:21–22“And although you were formerly alienated and enemies in mind and in evil deeds, but now He reconciled you in the body of His flesh through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—”

Being adopted children of God the Father means we are entitled to a warm relationship with Him uninfluenced by our past sinful state. He loves His Elect and will never throw us away John 6:37““All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out.”

Christ has the Father’s total attention and He is asking Him for what will give the most glory Isaiah 53:12“Therefore, I will divide for Him a portion with the many, And He will divide the spoil with the strong; Because He poured out His soul to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.”

God has made it possible for us to be as righteous as Christ is but to also grow in our Christ likeness so that we love what He loves and hate what He hates Colossians 3:10“and have put on the new man who is being renewed to a full knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—”

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SPG 31. Q. What benefits do they who are effectually called, partake of in this life?

A. They who are effectually called, do in this life partake of justification (Rom. 8:30), adoption (Eph. 1:5), sanctification, and the various benefits which in this life do either accompany, or flow from them (1 Cor. 1:30).

WSC Question 32 What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?

They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, (Rom. 8:30) adoption, (Eph. 1:5) and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them. (1 Cor. 1:26,30)

WLC Question 69 What is the communion in grace which the members of the invisible church have with Christ?

The communion in grace which the members of the invisible church have with Christ, is their partaking of the virtue of his mediation, in their justification, (Rom. 8:30) adoption, (Eph. 1:5) sanctification, and whatever else, in this life, manifests their union with him. (1 Cor. 1:30)

Mark Initial Draft: Q27

What are the Elect entitled to enjoy in this life?

In this life the Elect enjoy 1) the intercession of Christ, 2) justification from sins, 3) adoption by the Father, 4) both positional and progressive sanctification 5) as well other associated benefits

Mark Second Draft: Q27 (revisions to chronology, specificity in the question, reduction in ambiguity in point 5, addition of reference)

What entitlements do the Elect enjoy in this life?

In this life, the Elect enjoy 1) justification from sins, 2) adoption by the Father, 3) the intercession of Christ, 4) as well as positional and progressive sanctification

1 Corinthians 1:30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption

‌Mark Final Draft: Q27

What blessings do the Elect enjoy in this life?

In this life, the Elect enjoy 1) justification from sins, 2) adoption by the Father, 3) the intercession of Christ, 4) as well as positional and progressive sanctification

1 Corinthians 1:30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption

Romans 8:30“and those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified; and those whom He justified, He also glorified.”

Ephesians 1:5“by predestining us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,”

1 Corinthians 1:26“For consider your calling, brothers, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble.”