The Believer's Union with Christ

Benjamin Boeshaar

Epistle of 1 Peter • Sermon • Submitted 7 years ago

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A living Stone and a privileged people. To show the status that Christians have as the true people of God, so that we may be encouraged to live before the world with that awareness.

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1 Peter 2:4–10 ESV

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

INTRODUCTION:

My original intent for this passage—1 message

Difference between Paul and Peter epistles

Theme of this passage: A Living Stone and a Privileged People

Privilege means in essence a special treatment given to a certain group of people.

Passage contains a “rainbow” of different doctrines that allow us to gaze on Christ and relish the privileges we have in Him

We just finished a section with a great deal of exhortation and commands. This passage contains no commands and no exhortations. (Peter jumping around again)

THE FOUNDATION FOR THIS PASSAGE (4)

1 Peter 2:4 ESV

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,

Our union with Christ begins with our coming to Christ (As you come to him…)

Certainly it begins at the time of salvation when you come to Christ, when you come in faith.

This made me think of the numerous statements in the Gospel of John:

My, what a great truth that is! We often say as Christians, "I came to Christ, I

Matthew 11:28 ESV

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

John 6:35 ESV

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

Matthew 11

came to Him," and that is exactly the expression that Peter has in mind. Certainly it begins at the

John 6:37 ESV

37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

John 6:44 ESV

44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

time of salvation when you come to Christ, when you come in faith.

John 6:65 ESV

65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

John 6:65 ESV

65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

John 7:37 ESV

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.

Matt 7:37

Interesting...Peter heard Jesus say all of those things, he being one of the disciples there when Jesus taught. And so he says here it all begins with coming to Him. In coming to Christ we enter the realm of spiritual privilege, not only the realm of spiritual duty but the realm of spiritual privilege. Do you remember, I'm sure you do, that wonderful portion in the letter of Paul to the Ephesians where he says in chapter 1 verse 3, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ"? When you came to Christ, you entered the realm of spiritual privilege, yes, spiritual duty but also spiritual privilege. In fact, you have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ.

disciples there when Jesus taught. And so he says here it all begins with coming to Him. In coming to Christ we enter the realm of spiritual privilege, not only the realm of spiritual duty but the realm of spiritual privilege. Do you remember, I'm sure you do, that wonderful portion in the letter of Paul to the Ephesians where he says in chapter 1 verse 3, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ"? When you came to Christ, you entered the realm of spiritual privilege, yes, spiritual duty but also spiritual

Now the idea here, as I said, is that initially you come to Christ in salvation. But that is not the total meaning that is conveyed in the verb.

Now the idea here, as I said, is that initially you come to Christ in salvation. But that is not the total meaning that is conveyed in the verb. The verb here with its pronoun means to come with the idea of remaining, or to come with the idea of staying. Or to use the words of the apostle John both in John chapter 15 and 1 John chapter 3, "Coming and abiding, coming and remaining." So the idea here then is of coming to Him to stay in His presence, coming to Him to remain in intimate personal communion, fellowship and abiding. In fact, this word, proserchomai, is used of drawing near to God for continuing worship. It's used that way in Greek translations of the Old Testament. One form of this verb is the noun “proselyte” which means a person who was afar off who drew near. It's used in the Bible to refer to a Gentile who was outside the covenant, outside the promises, outside God's law who draws near. And as I said, its import is that it refers to someone who comes to God and remains, a conscience...rather a conscious drawing near. It is the normal word used in the book of Hebrews for coming near to God to remain there and worship Him.

The verb here with its pronoun means to come with the idea of remaining, or to come with the idea of staying. Or to use the words of the apostle John both in John chapter 15 and 1 John chapter 3, "Coming and abiding, coming and remaining."

privilege. In fact, you have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ.

So the idea here then is of coming to Him to stay in His presence, coming to Him to remain in intimate personal communion, fellowship and abiding.

In fact, this word, proserchomai, is used of drawing near to God for continuing worship. It's used that way in Greek translations of the Old Testament. One form of this verb is the noun “proselyte” which means a person who was afar off who drew near. It's used in the Bible to refer to a Gentile who was outside the covenant, outside the promises, outside God's law who draws near. And as I said, its import is that it refers to someone who comes to God and remains, a conscience...rather a conscious drawing near. It is the normal word used in the book of Hebrews for coming near to God to remain there and worship Him.

So what you have here then is that spiritual privilege begins when you come to the Lord Jesus Christ and it is sustained as you remain there.

We could say it this way: Coming to Him is a phrase in which Peter implies the whole movement of the inner life toward communion with Jesus Christ. The whole movement of the inner life toward communion with Jesus Christ, that's where spiritual privilege begins. That's what makes us have the advantage over all the rest of the world. We are the privileged, we are the favored, and we are the blessed.

privileged, we are the favored, and we are the blessed.

Jesus is a LIVING stone

Now he identifies the one to whom we come. Notice in verse 4, he says, "And coming to Him as to a living stone."

He is using an analogy here, quite an interesting one, by the way. And with this title he begins to touch an amazing combination of images revealed from different Old Testament texts. This idea of the living stone sort of launches his thoughts about this matter of spiritual privilege.

Now he identifies the one to whom we come. Notice in verse 4, he says, "And coming to Him as to a living stone." And he is using an analogy here, quite an interesting one, by the way. And with this title he begins to touch an amazing combination of images revealed from different Old Testament

texts. This idea of the living stone sort of launches his thoughts about this matter of spiritual

Having mentioned the living stone, Peter will eventually recall three Old Testament texts that refer to Christ as a stone, and he shows what spiritual privileges are related to Christ in the image of a stone. And those will unfold for us as we study through the passage. But here he introduces the idea, he says as you come to Christ you are coming to a living stone.

privilege. And also I might add, he will, having mentioned the living stone, recall three Old Testament texts that refer to Christ as a stone, and he shows what spiritual privileges are related to Christ in the image of a stone. And those will unfold for us as we study through the passage. But here he introduces the idea, he says as you come to Christ you are coming to a living stone. The word stone, lithos, the common word for stone is the usual word — mark this now — for a stone used in a building. It is sometimes also used for a carved, precious stone. But it is commonly the word used for a stone used in building a building, a stone that is chiseled, that is hammered and that is sawn in order that it might perfectly fit in the building of an edifice. And of course you know in ancient times they built buildings by stone. The way they did it was not necessarily with mortar but simply stones that were so perfectly fit together and so heavy that they simply stacked upon each other and were immovable.

The word stone, lithos, the common word for stone is the usual word for a stone used in a building. It is sometimes also used for a carved, precious stone. But it is commonly the word used for a stone used in building a building, a stone that is chiseled, that is hammered and that is sawn in order that it might perfectly fit in the building of an edifice. And of course you know in ancient times they built buildings by stone. The way they did it was not necessarily with mortar but simply stones that were so perfectly fit together and so heavy that they simply stacked upon each other and were immovable.

So here you have a stone used for building, a stone that is perfectly shaped, perfectly designed, perfectly hewn out to accomplish its purpose.

The curiosity, however, is that he calls it a "living stone."

In fact, we think of a stone we think of something that is not living, we even say that something is as dead as a stone, or something is stone dead. Stones are not living, and that's the paradox. A stone has no life but this stone is a living stone.

With all the solidarity of the stone it is yet alive. And though this stone is the perfect stone that becomes the cornerstone in the building of the edifice of the church, it is nonetheless not just a stone but a living stone. This stone lives. Why? Because it is Christ and Christ lives because He rose from the dead. He is a living stone. He is alive from the dead. He has living relationships with living people. He gives life which He has in Himself to all who believe.

1 Corinthians 10:4 ESV

4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.

Jesus that spiritual rock that was there in the wilderness from which the water came to assuage the thirst of God's people.

people.

One final point here... you'll notice there's no "the" there, not "the" living stone, but it should read, "And coming to Him as to living stone."

When there is not a Greek definite article, "the," it is emphasizing the quality or the character.

Now I might add as a note that you'll notice there's no "the" there, not "the" living stone, but it should read, "And coming to Him as to living stone," not just one among many but when there is not a Greek definite article, "the," it is emphasizing the quality, the character. The idea here is the stone is Christ and the emphasis is on the quality of that stone as being alive. Anyone who touches Christ by faith, anyone who receives Christ by faith is made alive with His own life. He is a living stone. God has

The idea here is the stone is Christ and the emphasis is on the quality of that stone as being alive.

given to us, says , eternal life and this life is in His Son.

Anyone who touches Christ by faith, anyone who receives Christ by faith is made alive with His own life. He is a living stone. God has given to us, says , eternal life and this life is in His Son.

He was REJECTED by MEN

Strange as it may seem, tragic as it is, the living stone was rejected by men.

Strange as it may seem, tragic as it is, the living stone was rejected by

That is why they are not the privileged. That is why the world does not have spiritual privileges. That is why they do not have the advantage that we have. They are not favored. They are not blessed by God because they have rejected the living stone. Thus they have rejected the foundation of God's church, God's building and they have rejected the only one who can give them life.

men. That is why they are not the privileged. That is why the world does not have spiritual privileges. That is why they do not have the advantage that we have. They are not favored. They are not blessed by God because they have rejected the living stone. Thus they have rejected the foundation of God's church, God's building. Thus they have rejected the only one who can give them life. Certainly when Peter says this he has in mind predominantly the Jewish nation, the Sanhedrin, the leaders, the priests, and the people who followed them, who rejected Jesus Christ, who crucified Jesus Christ having spit upon Him and beaten Him. And so he says this living stone, this perfect cornerstone in God's building of His eternal house, this living stone who alone can give life was rejected by men. And all who have rejected Him since fit into the same category as those original rejecters.

Certainly when Peter says this he has in mind predominantly the Jewish nation, the Sanhedrin, the leaders, the priests, and the people who followed them, who rejected Jesus Christ, who crucified Jesus Christ having spit upon Him and beaten Him. And so he says this living stone, this perfect cornerstone in God's building of His eternal house, this living stone who alone can give life was rejected by men. And all who have rejected Him since fit into the same category as those original rejecters.

The idea here is very interesting. Let me give you the picture:

When men set out to build a building they would then begin to work on the stones. And they would want stones that fit perfectly. But the most important stone of all was the cornerstone because the cornerstone set the lines for the building. And it was the perfection of the cornerstone that maintained the perfect symmetry of the rest of the building. The cornerstone was like the plumb line in every direction. Obviously it would set the direction for both sides as well as upward. And if any of the angles were off, the building would be off. If the angle was not a perfect right angle, if that was the design, then the building would go on into a skewed form. If the vertical angle was not proper, the building would either collapse outward or collapse inward. So every angle had to be absolutely perfect. And all of those angles were set by one massive cornerstone to which all other stones must agree.

Here come the leaders of Israel wanting to participate in the building of God's glorious spiritual temple. And in looking for the cornerstone, the Messiah, Jesus came along and they examined Him. And with all of the fine view that they could muster and with all of the angles that they could perceive and with all of the measuring instruments that they had in their religion, they assessed the suitability of Jesus Christ to be the Messiah who would set the cornerstone for the spiritual kingdom of God.

them with His denunciations of their religious system, this weak, humble man, this man who

ultimately went to a cross and died. It was unthinkable that He could possibly be God's cornerstone. This man who wouldn't even overthrow the Romans, this man who couldn't even establish Israel's

When they had concluded their assessment, they concluded that Jesus was not adequate and so they rejected Him. As far as the Jewish leaders were concerned, He did not pass their calculations. And so they rejected Him.

freedom from the bondage of its invading army, and so they rejected Him.

The word here for rejection embodies all of that, because it is the Greek word which means "rejected having been examined," or "rejected having been tested."

Their rejection was contemptuous. Their rejection was filled with venomous hate. Nothing was so unthinkable to them then that this Jesus could possibly be the cornerstone of God's kingdom, this foolish man, this poor man, this man who literally scathed them with His denunciations of their religious system, this weak, humble man, this man who ultimately went to a cross and died. It was unthinkable that He could possibly be God's cornerstone. This man who wouldn't even overthrow the Romans, this man who couldn't even establish Israel's freedom from the bondage of its invading army, and so they rejected Him.

He was ELECTED by GOD

But, though He was rejected by men, look back at verse 4, He was choice and He was precious in the sight of God.

But, though He was rejected by men, look back at verse 4, He was choice and He was precious in the sight of God. This is an interesting phrase in the original. It reads, "But He was elect and He was precious by the sight of God." God examined Him, too. And God took out the measurements of His own perfection and God measured Jesus Christ and God said, "This is My beloved Son in whom I am (what?) well pleased."

This is an interesting phrase in the original. It reads, "But He was elect and He was precious by the sight of God."

God examined Him, too. And God took out the measurements of His own perfection and God measured Jesus Christ and God said, "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."

This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. He was elect. That's what choice means. He was chosen. Christ, Mine elect, God said. Chosen, ordained by God.

The word precious; entimos means costly, it means highly prized, it means rare.

And so God looked at Jesus Christ and said He is perfect for the cornerstone. Every angle is perfect. He is the cornerstone. And because God affirmed His perfection, God raised Him from the dead and made Him the living cornerstone. And all we see here is the stupidity and the ignorance of men. It reminds me of two men who walked in the Louvre Museum in Paris. One of the curators there, a man of great appreciation for art, stood as these two men stared at one of the great masterpieces of art. And one turned to the other and said, "I don't think much of that painting." To which the curator replied, "Dear sir, if I may interrupt, that painting is not on trial, you are. The world has already assessed the quality of that painting. You only demonstrate the frailty of your measuring capability."

And that's the truth. Jesus isn't on trial. The stone is perfect, but every man who measures it is on trial to see if his system of measuring is adequate. Theirs wasn't and men today continue to reject the one whom God said is choice and precious.

This, He said, is My beloved Son.

Psalm 2:12 ESV

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

In God says, "Kiss the Son." In he says, "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed." One of Peter's themes was God's acceptance of Christ. In , Peter loved this subject apparently, he said, "You have nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men Jesus and you put Him to death." But he said, "God raised Him up again." You may have rejected the stone, God hasn't. In chapter 2 again, verse 32 he says, "This Jesus, God raised up again and has exalted Him to the right hand of God." In chapter 4 verse 11 Peter says, "He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the very cornerstone." Then he says, "And there is salvation in no one else." In chapter 5 he's after that same subject again. "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you had put to death." He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a prince

God's acceptance of Christ is one of the early themes of Peter’s ministry in Acts:

Acts 2:29–33 ESV

29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

Acts 4:11–16 ESV

11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

Acts 4:11–12 ESV

Peter loved this subject apparently, he said, "You have nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men Jesus and you put Him to death." But he said, "God raised Him up again." You may have rejected the stone, God hasn't. In chapter 2 again, verse 32 he says, "This Jesus, God raised up again and has exalted Him to the right hand of God." In chapter 4 verse 11 Peter says, "He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the very cornerstone." Then he says, "And there is salvation in no one else." In chapter 5 he's after that same subject again. "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you had put to death." He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a prince

and a Savior.

Acts 5:30–32 ESV

30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Even over in chapter 10 verse 39, "We are witnesses of all the things He did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross but God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He should become visible." That's... Peter loves that. That's his theme. You rejected Him and God affirmed Him. He is choice. He is precious.

Acts 10:39 ESV

39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree,

Men disapproved and men disallowed and they still do today.

What did men do and say when Jesus was before Pilate? "Crucify Christ and give us Barabbas."

And men still think they can adequately measure Jesus Christ by their own corrupted measurements and they come up with the same rejection today. They mocked Him. They spit on Him. They nailed Him after having beaten Him and they killed Him. I don't know about you but that's not the kind of folks I want to be identified with particularly. One writer said, "I do not seek and I do not want the world's esteem after knowing that. It tells me how little it is worth, for the world despises what God has chosen and hates what God loves most. So that which is highly esteemed by men is abomination in the sight of God. I don't want any acclaim from the world, it's worthless. They couldn't even recognize the value of the most precious person who ever lived and they chose a wicked thief and robber instead of Him."

But it is to that very living stone that we come to receive spiritual privileges. And coming to Christ, what are these privileges? Well at least I'll mention one tonight. The first look in the kaleidoscope, all the beautiful stones that make up the reality of our salvation are arranged in a magnificent rainbow of beauty. And the first spiritual privilege we have is this, union with our Lord, union with our Lord. Can we at least look at that in verse 5? Listen to this, "You also as living stones," stop right

there.

OUR UNION WITH CHRIST (5b)

1 Peter 2:5 ESV

5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Our union with Christ is truly brought forth in the first part of this verse. We are many living stones added to a building that God is making anchored by the chief cornerstone…our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are many living stones added to a building that God is making anchored by the chief cornerstone…our Lord Jesus Christ.

What are some truths about the nature of our union with Christ from Scripture:

1. It is a covenantal relationship

There will be on this later in the passage, but let me just touch on it now:

A. In the OT

The marriage covenant is used to illustrate the intimacy of the relationship between God and his people.

Isaiah 54:5–8 ESV

5 For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. 6 For the Lord has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. 7 For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. 8 In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord, your Redeemer.

Jeremiah 3:14 ESV

14 Return, O faithless children, declares the Lord; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.

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Jeremiah 31:32 ESV

32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord.

;

Hosea 2:7 ESV

7 She shall pursue her lovers but not overtake them, and she shall seek them but shall not find them. Then she shall say, ‘I will go and return to my first husband, for it was better for me then than now.’

;

Hosea 2:16 ESV

16 “And in that day, declares the Lord, you will call me ‘My Husband,’ and no longer will you call me ‘My Baal.’

B. In the NT

—“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

Ephesians 5:31–32 ESV

31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

2. It is a relationship deepened through the incarnation

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

ESV14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Romans 8:3 ESV

3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,

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3. It is a relationship personally entered through faith

ESV16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 1:12 ESV

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

4. It is a relationship enriched through the sacraments

A. Baptism

Galatians 3:27 ESV

27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

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Matthew 28:19 ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Romans 6:8 ESV

8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

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Colossians 2:11–12 ESV

11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

B. The Lord’s Supper

Matthew 26:26–28 ESV

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

1 Corinthians 10:16 ESV

16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?

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1 Corinthians 11:23–29 ESV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

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5. A relationship that affects every aspect of life

1 Corinthians 6:17 ESV

17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.

John 15:1–8 ESV

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

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John 17:20–26 ESV

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

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Romans 8:9–11 ESV

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

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1 Corinthians 6:19–20 ESV

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

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Galatians 2:20 ESV

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

6. It is a mysterious relationship

Colossians 1:27 ESV

27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

ESV27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Ephesians 5:32 ESV

32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

CONCLUSION:

Hiroshima, Japan was where the first nuclear bomb was detonated over a populated area. I have not been there, but I understand that in a museum there in the city is a large stone that had once been part of the entrance to a building. The stone was black except for the shape of a man silhouetted against the stone. This man’s body had taken the nuclear rays, leaving his form on the stone.

Hiroshima, Japan, where the first nuclear bomb was detonated over a populated area. In a museum we saw a large stone that had once been part of the entrance to a building. The stone was black except for the shape of a man silhouetted against the stone. This man’s body had taken the nuclear rays, leaving the form on the stone. That silhouette reminded me that our only security from God’s wrath against evil is to be in Christ.

That silhouette is a reminder to me that our only security from God’s wrath against evil is to be in Christ. Beloved, if you know Christ, you have union with him today. That union is indeed a security from God’s wrath and a protection forever!

Beloved, if you know Christ, you have union with him today. That union is indeed a security from God’s wrath and a protection forever!

Two Questions to consider today:

Herschel H. Hobbs, My Favorite Illustrations (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1990), 218.

Are you among the privileged this morning? Have you truly come to Christ and will you be found in Him?

Christian, how thankful are you for the privilege of having a union with Christ today? Are you strengthening that union every chance you get? Are you resting in it?

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