A New Belonging
Signifance of being a Christian • Sermon • Submitted
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A New Belonging
A New Belonging
3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
We are his people!
Know that the LORD is God—he made us; we belong to him. We are his people, the sheep of his own pasture.
I’ll never forget my first high school football game.
As a member of the Wolfpack, I was privileged to wear a red jersey uniform with a white number 21 emblazoned upon it.
I can vividly remember gathering for the first time with my team as we paraded into Field for the start of the game. As I walked alongside my magenta-clad teammates, I felt as if I belonged. It was a marvelous feeling.
reminds us that we belong to God.
WE are His people ---- thnink about that!
The Hebrew original of the last phrase can be literally translated, “we are his.”
The next part of the verse reinforces this truth by adding, “We are his people, the sheep of his own pasture.”
Thus, we belong to God because he made us to be his very own people. He continues to watch over us as our good shepherd.
What difference does it make that we belong to God?
This simple truth can transform our lives.
It can give us profound reassurance of our self-worth.
We matter because we belong to the Creator of the universe. The fact that we belong to God also gives order to our lives. We are first and foremost God’s people.
All of our other roles in life must be seen in the light of this primary reality that we belong to God!
You may be a lawyer or manager or teacher, but you are first of all one of God’s people.
You may be a father or a mother or a friend, but you are first of all one of God’s people.
How you live in each of these other roles will be shaped by your primary relationship to God as someone who belongs to him.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, how good to remember that I belong to you. It’s so easy for me to think of myself primarily in terms of other kinds of belonging: I belong in my family; I belong among my colleagues at work; I belong to my church. All of these are true, of course. Yet, today I’m reminded that the primary, defining, transformational belonging of my life is simply this: I belong to you!
Thank you, dear Lord, for this truth. Thank you for claiming me in your grace. Thank you for reaching out to me in Jesus Christ. Thank you for the fact that nothing in all creation can separate me from your love.
May I live today as if I belong to you. May I live in the freedom of your grace, seeking to give delight to you in all that I do. Amen.
The good news of the Gospel is that nothing can ultimately keep us away from God
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
In our previous message we began this series...
Asking what is the significance of being a Christian
Belonging To The Lord INTRODUCTION
What it it that makes a Christian?
We are born from above or reborn
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
joghn 3.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
john 3.
We noted that a Christian is a person reborn because in Christ...
1. In our previous lesson, we began this series...
They are a new creation -
a. Asking what is the significance of being a Christian
2. We noted that a Christian is a person reborn because in Christ... a. They are a new creation - . They have been born again - . They now have a new loyalty: to serve Jesus Christ - 3. We begin this lesson by noting Paul's comments to the Corinthians... a. As recorded in . In which he challenged their thinking by asking "Do you not know...you are not your own?" c. The Christian needs to understand that he or she has been "bought at a price" and consequently is a person "Belonging To The Lord" ["Belonging to the Lord" has many connotations attached to it. One is that a Christian is...] I. GOD'S SPECIAL PERSON A. CHRISTIANS ARE NOW GOD'S OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE... 1. Note how Peter describes them in . "a chosen generation" b. "a royal priesthood" c. "a holy nation" d. "His own special people" 2. These are terms that were once reserved for the physical nation of Israel a. The Lord had chosen them - . He made them a kingdom of priests and a holy nation - . Thus they had become a special people above all other nations - -- What had once been limited to physical Israel, is now possible to all people who are in Christ, as promised to Abraham - cf. , B. A SPECIAL PEOPLE, WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES... 1. To proclaim the praises of God - . Because He called us out of darkness into His marvelous light b. Because He showed mercy, and made us the people of God 2. To grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ - . To make our calling and election (as God's people) sure b. To have an abundance entrance into the everlasting kingdom -- From the example of physical Israel, let us beware of becoming hardened and not lose faith, or we may not enter the heavenly rest that awaits us! - , [A Christian is truly "a special person" because he belongs to the Lord. He can rejoice in knowing that he is one of God's "beloved" (). God's love for the Christian is made even more evident when we note that he is also...] II. GOD'S BELOVED CHILD A. CHRISTIANS ARE BLESSED TO BE CHILDREN OF GOD... 1. In one sense, all people are God's children - 2. In another sense, many do not have God as their Father - 3. Yet Christians are the children of God in a very special way a. Because of their faith, and having put on Christ in baptism - . Redeemed and adopted by God, they have received His Spirit into their hearts - . Because we do the Father's will, Jesus considers us His family - -- Christians should be touched by this expression of God's love - B. AS GOD'S CHILDREN, WE HAVE BLESSINGS AND RESPONSIBILITIES... 1. We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ - ; . For we are heirs according to the promise of God - . It is an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, that does not fade, and is reserved for us in heaven - 2. As heirs, we have many responsibilities, including: a. Being thankful for the inheritance we have - . Abstaining from the works of the flesh - . Perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord - -- If we wish to receive the promised blessings, we need to patiently carry out our responsibilities with an enduring faith - [Besides being God's special person and God's child, a Christian who "belongs to the Lord" also has a special relationship to the world in which he or she lives...] III. GOD'S HEAVENLY PILGRIM A. CHRISTIANS ARE IN THE WORLD, BUT NOT OF THE WORLD... 1. As Jesus mentioned in His prayer for His disciples - 2. Like Abraham, a Christian is a sojourner, a pilgrim - ; ; 3. We are fellow citizens with members of God's family - -- As such, our true citizenship lies in heaven, not here on earth - B. AS GOD'S PILGRIMS, WE HAVE SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS... 1. To conduct our sojourn on earth with fear - 2. To abstain from worldly lusts - ; 3. To keep our conduct honorable, filled with good works - 4. To obey the laws, and respect the leaders, of the countries in which we sojourn - CONCLUSION 1. We have seen that a Christian is a person who "belongs to the Lord", one who is... a. God's special person b. God's child c. God's pilgrim 2. The more we understand the significance of such privileges... a. We ought to be filled with gratitude and humility b. We ought to be moved to be the kind of people God intended 3. Are we living and conducting ourselves as those who "belong to the Lord"? a. Are we acting like a special people? b. Do we live like a child of God should? c. Is our life truly a sojourn, or are we living like we want to make this earth our permanent home? As we saw in our beginning text: "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." () May the significance of belonging to God prompt us to always glorify God in our bodies and our spirits!
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
They have been born again - . They now have a new loyalty: to serve Jesus Christ - 3. We begin this lesson by noting Paul's comments to the Corinthians... a. As recorded in . In which he challenged their thinking by asking "Do you not know...you are not your own?" c. The Christian needs to understand that he or she has been "bought at a price" and consequently is a person "Belonging To The Lord" ["Belonging to the Lord" has many connotations attached to it. One is that a Christian is...] I. GOD'S SPECIAL PERSON A. CHRISTIANS ARE NOW GOD'S OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE... 1. Note how Peter describes them in . "a chosen generation" b. "a royal priesthood" c. "a holy nation" d. "His own special people" 2. These are terms that were once reserved for the physical nation of Israel a. The Lord had chosen them - . He made them a kingdom of priests and a holy nation - . Thus they had become a special people above all other nations - -- What had once been limited to physical Israel, is now possible to all people who are in Christ, as promised to Abraham - cf. , B. A SPECIAL PEOPLE, WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES... 1. To proclaim the praises of God - . Because He called us out of darkness into His marvelous light b. Because He showed mercy, and made us the people of God 2. To grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ - . To make our calling and election (as God's people) sure b. To have an abundance entrance into the everlasting kingdom -- From the example of physical Israel, let us beware of becoming hardened and not lose faith, or we may not enter the heavenly rest that awaits us! - , [A Christian is truly "a special person" because he belongs to the Lord. He can rejoice in knowing that he is one of God's "beloved" (). God's love for the Christian is made even more evident when we note that he is also...] II. GOD'S BELOVED CHILD A. CHRISTIANS ARE BLESSED TO BE CHILDREN OF GOD... 1. In one sense, all people are God's children - 2. In another sense, many do not have God as their Father - 3. Yet Christians are the children of God in a very special way a. Because of their faith, and having put on Christ in baptism - . Redeemed and adopted by God, they have received His Spirit into their hearts - . Because we do the Father's will, Jesus considers us His family - -- Christians should be touched by this expression of God's love - B. AS GOD'S CHILDREN, WE HAVE BLESSINGS AND RESPONSIBILITIES... 1. We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ - ; . For we are heirs according to the promise of God - . It is an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, that does not fade, and is reserved for us in heaven - 2. As heirs, we have many responsibilities, including: a. Being thankful for the inheritance we have - . Abstaining from the works of the flesh - . Perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord - -- If we wish to receive the promised blessings, we need to patiently carry out our responsibilities with an enduring faith - [Besides being God's special person and God's child, a Christian who "belongs to the Lord" also has a special relationship to the world in which he or she lives...] III. GOD'S HEAVENLY PILGRIM A. CHRISTIANS ARE IN THE WORLD, BUT NOT OF THE WORLD... 1. As Jesus mentioned in His prayer for His disciples - 2. Like Abraham, a Christian is a sojourner, a pilgrim - ; ; 3. We are fellow citizens with members of God's family - -- As such, our true citizenship lies in heaven, not here on earth - B. AS GOD'S PILGRIMS, WE HAVE SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS... 1. To conduct our sojourn on earth with fear - 2. To abstain from worldly lusts - ; 3. To keep our conduct honorable, filled with good works - 4. To obey the laws, and respect the leaders, of the countries in which we sojourn - CONCLUSION 1. We have seen that a Christian is a person who "belongs to the Lord", one who is... a. God's special person b. God's child c. God's pilgrim 2. The more we understand the significance of such privileges... a. We ought to be filled with gratitude and humility b. We ought to be moved to be the kind of people God intended 3. Are we living and conducting ourselves as those who "belong to the Lord"? a. Are we acting like a special people? b. Do we live like a child of God should? c. Is our life truly a sojourn, or are we living like we want to make this earth our permanent home? As we saw in our beginning text: "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." () May the significance of belonging to God prompt us to always glorify God in our bodies and our spirits!
b. Starting with the idea that a Christian is "A Person Reborn"
They now have a new loyalty: to serve Jesus Christ - 0
2. We noted that a Christian is a person reborn because in Christ... a. They are a new creation - . They have been born again - . They now have a new loyalty: to serve Jesus Christ - 3. We begin this lesson by noting Paul's comments to the Corinthians... a. As recorded in . In which he challenged their thinking by asking "Do you not know...you are not your own?" c. The Christian needs to understand that he or she has been "bought at a price" and consequently is a person "Belonging To The Lord" ["Belonging to the Lord" has many connotations attached to it. One is that a Christian is...] I. GOD'S SPECIAL PERSON A. CHRISTIANS ARE NOW GOD'S OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE... 1. Note how Peter describes them in . "a chosen generation" b. "a royal priesthood" c. "a holy nation" d. "His own special people" 2. These are terms that were once reserved for the physical nation of Israel a. The Lord had chosen them - . He made them a kingdom of priests and a holy nation - . Thus they had become a special people above all other nations - -- What had once been limited to physical Israel, is now possible to all people who are in Christ, as promised to Abraham - cf. , B. A SPECIAL PEOPLE, WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES... 1. To proclaim the praises of God - . Because He called us out of darkness into His marvelous light b. Because He showed mercy, and made us the people of God 2. To grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ - . To make our calling and election (as God's people) sure b. To have an abundance entrance into the everlasting kingdom -- From the example of physical Israel, let us beware of becoming hardened and not lose faith, or we may not enter the heavenly rest that awaits us! - , [A Christian is truly "a special person" because he belongs to the Lord. He can rejoice in knowing that he is one of God's "beloved" (). God's love for the Christian is made even more evident when we note that he is also...] II. GOD'S BELOVED CHILD A. CHRISTIANS ARE BLESSED TO BE CHILDREN OF GOD... 1. In one sense, all people are God's children - 2. In another sense, many do not have God as their Father - 3. Yet Christians are the children of God in a very special way a. Because of their faith, and having put on Christ in baptism - . Redeemed and adopted by God, they have received His Spirit into their hearts - . Because we do the Father's will, Jesus considers us His family - -- Christians should be touched by this expression of God's love - B. AS GOD'S CHILDREN, WE HAVE BLESSINGS AND RESPONSIBILITIES... 1. We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ - ; . For we are heirs according to the promise of God - . It is an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, that does not fade, and is reserved for us in heaven - 2. As heirs, we have many responsibilities, including: a. Being thankful for the inheritance we have - . Abstaining from the works of the flesh - . Perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord - -- If we wish to receive the promised blessings, we need to patiently carry out our responsibilities with an enduring faith - [Besides being God's special person and God's child, a Christian who "belongs to the Lord" also has a special relationship to the world in which he or she lives...] III. GOD'S HEAVENLY PILGRIM A. CHRISTIANS ARE IN THE WORLD, BUT NOT OF THE WORLD... 1. As Jesus mentioned in His prayer for His disciples - 2. Like Abraham, a Christian is a sojourner, a pilgrim - ; ; 3. We are fellow citizens with members of God's family - -- As such, our true citizenship lies in heaven, not here on earth - B. AS GOD'S PILGRIMS, WE HAVE SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS... 1. To conduct our sojourn on earth with fear - 2. To abstain from worldly lusts - ; 3. To keep our conduct honorable, filled with good works - 4. To obey the laws, and respect the leaders, of the countries in which we sojourn - CONCLUSION 1. We have seen that a Christian is a person who "belongs to the Lord", one who is... a. God's special person b. God's child c. God's pilgrim 2. The more we understand the significance of such privileges... a. We ought to be filled with gratitude and humility b. We ought to be moved to be the kind of people God intended 3. Are we living and conducting ourselves as those who "belong to the Lord"? a. Are we acting like a special people? b. Do we live like a child of God should? c. Is our life truly a sojourn, or are we living like we want to make this earth our permanent home? As we saw in our beginning text: "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." () May the significance of belonging to God prompt us to always glorify God in our bodies and our spirits!
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
They now have a new loyalty: to serve Jesus Christ - 0
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
They now have a new loyalty: to serve Jesus Christ - 3. We begin this lesson by noting Paul's comments to the Corinthians... a. As recorded in . In which he challenged their thinking by asking "Do you not know...you are not your own?" c. The Christian needs to understand that he or she has been "bought at a price" and consequently is a person "Belonging To The Lord" ["Belonging to the Lord" has many connotations attached to it. One is that a Christian is...] I. GOD'S SPECIAL PERSON A. CHRISTIANS ARE NOW GOD'S OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE... 1. Note how Peter describes them in . "a chosen generation" b. "a royal priesthood" c. "a holy nation" d. "His own special people" 2. These are terms that were once reserved for the physical nation of Israel a. The Lord had chosen them - . He made them a kingdom of priests and a holy nation - . Thus they had become a special people above all other nations - -- What had once been limited to physical Israel, is now possible to all people who are in Christ, as promised to Abraham - cf. , B. A SPECIAL PEOPLE, WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES... 1. To proclaim the praises of God - . Because He called us out of darkness into His marvelous light b. Because He showed mercy, and made us the people of God 2. To grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ - . To make our calling and election (as God's people) sure b. To have an abundance entrance into the everlasting kingdom -- From the example of physical Israel, let us beware of becoming hardened and not lose faith, or we may not enter the heavenly rest that awaits us! - , [A Christian is truly "a special person" because he belongs to the Lord. He can rejoice in knowing that he is one of God's "beloved" (). God's love for the Christian is made even more evident when we note that he is also...] II. GOD'S BELOVED CHILD A. CHRISTIANS ARE BLESSED TO BE CHILDREN OF GOD... 1. In one sense, all people are God's children - 2. In another sense, many do not have God as their Father - 3. Yet Christians are the children of God in a very special way a. Because of their faith, and having put on Christ in baptism - . Redeemed and adopted by God, they have received His Spirit into their hearts - . Because we do the Father's will, Jesus considers us His family - -- Christians should be touched by this expression of God's love - B. AS GOD'S CHILDREN, WE HAVE BLESSINGS AND RESPONSIBILITIES... 1. We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ - ; . For we are heirs according to the promise of God - . It is an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, that does not fade, and is reserved for us in heaven - 2. As heirs, we have many responsibilities, including: a. Being thankful for the inheritance we have - . Abstaining from the works of the flesh - . Perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord - -- If we wish to receive the promised blessings, we need to patiently carry out our responsibilities with an enduring faith - [Besides being God's special person and God's child, a Christian who "belongs to the Lord" also has a special relationship to the world in which he or she lives...] III. GOD'S HEAVENLY PILGRIM A. CHRISTIANS ARE IN THE WORLD, BUT NOT OF THE WORLD... 1. As Jesus mentioned in His prayer for His disciples - 2. Like Abraham, a Christian is a sojourner, a pilgrim - ; ; 3. We are fellow citizens with members of God's family - -- As such, our true citizenship lies in heaven, not here on earth - B. AS GOD'S PILGRIMS, WE HAVE SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS... 1. To conduct our sojourn on earth with fear - 2. To abstain from worldly lusts - ; 3. To keep our conduct honorable, filled with good works - 4. To obey the laws, and respect the leaders, of the countries in which we sojourn - CONCLUSION 1. We have seen that a Christian is a person who "belongs to the Lord", one who is... a. God's special person b. God's child c. God's pilgrim 2. The more we understand the significance of such privileges... a. We ought to be filled with gratitude and humility b. We ought to be moved to be the kind of people God intended 3. Are we living and conducting ourselves as those who "belong to the Lord"? a. Are we acting like a special people? b. Do we live like a child of God should? c. Is our life truly a sojourn, or are we living like we want to make this earth our permanent home? As we saw in our beginning text: "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." () May the significance of belonging to God prompt us to always glorify God in our bodies and our spirits!
gal
A new belonging means we are:
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1cor a. As recorded in .
In which he challenged their thinking by asking "Do you not know...you are not your own?" c. The Christian needs to understand that he or she has been "bought at a price" and consequently is a person "Belonging To The Lord" ["Belonging to the Lord" has many connotations attached to it. One is that a Christian is...] I. GOD'S SPECIAL PERSON A. CHRISTIANS ARE NOW GOD'S OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE... 1. Note how Peter describes them in . "a chosen generation" b. "a royal priesthood" c. "a holy nation" d. "His own special people" 2. These are terms that were once reserved for the physical nation of Israel a. The Lord had chosen them - . He made them a kingdom of priests and a holy nation - . Thus they had become a special people above all other nations - -- What had once been limited to physical Israel, is now possible to all people who are in Christ, as promised to Abraham - cf. , B. A SPECIAL PEOPLE, WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES... 1. To proclaim the praises of God - . Because He called us out of darkness into His marvelous light b. Because He showed mercy, and made us the people of God 2. To grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ - . To make our calling and election (as God's people) sure b. To have an abundance entrance into the everlasting kingdom -- From the example of physical Israel, let us beware of becoming hardened and not lose faith, or we may not enter the heavenly rest that awaits us! - , [A Christian is truly "a special person" because he belongs to the Lord. He can rejoice in knowing that he is one of God's "beloved" (). God's love for the Christian is made even more evident when we note that he is also...] II. GOD'S BELOVED CHILD A. CHRISTIANS ARE BLESSED TO BE CHILDREN OF GOD... 1. In one sense, all people are God's children - 2. In another sense, many do not have God as their Father - 3. Yet Christians are the children of God in a very special way a. Because of their faith, and having put on Christ in baptism - . Redeemed and adopted by God, they have received His Spirit into their hearts - . Because we do the Father's will, Jesus considers us His family - -- Christians should be touched by this expression of God's love - B. AS GOD'S CHILDREN, WE HAVE BLESSINGS AND RESPONSIBILITIES... 1. We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ - ; . For we are heirs according to the promise of God - . It is an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, that does not fade, and is reserved for us in heaven - 2. As heirs, we have many responsibilities, including: a. Being thankful for the inheritance we have - . Abstaining from the works of the flesh - . Perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord - -- If we wish to receive the promised blessings, we need to patiently carry out our responsibilities with an enduring faith - [Besides being God's special person and God's child, a Christian who "belongs to the Lord" also has a special relationship to the world in which he or she lives...] III. GOD'S HEAVENLY PILGRIM A. CHRISTIANS ARE IN THE WORLD, BUT NOT OF THE WORLD... 1. As Jesus mentioned in His prayer for His disciples - 2. Like Abraham, a Christian is a sojourner, a pilgrim - ; ; 3. We are fellow citizens with members of God's family - -- As such, our true citizenship lies in heaven, not here on earth - B. AS GOD'S PILGRIMS, WE HAVE SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS... 1. To conduct our sojourn on earth with fear - 2. To abstain from worldly lusts - ; 3. To keep our conduct honorable, filled with good works - 4. To obey the laws, and respect the leaders, of the countries in which we sojourn - CONCLUSION 1. We have seen that a Christian is a person who "belongs to the Lord", one who is... a. God's special person b. God's child c. God's pilgrim 2. The more we understand the significance of such privileges... a. We ought to be filled with gratitude and humility b. We ought to be moved to be the kind of people God intended 3. Are we living and conducting ourselves as those who "belong to the Lord"? a. Are we acting like a special people? b. Do we live like a child of God should? c. Is our life truly a sojourn, or are we living like we want to make this earth our permanent home? As we saw in our beginning text: "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." () May the significance of belonging to God prompt us to always glorify God in our bodies and our spirits!
A new belonging means we are:
I. SPECIAL to GOD
I. SPECIAL to GOD
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
CHRISTIANS ARE NOW GOD'S OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE...
Special to God illustration
Special my granddaughter - looking out for her where is that bright colored shirt.....
I followed where she went
Was she enjoying herself
Was she unhappy
Did she laugh during the drama
i needed to help her with her take home sheets
Note how Peter describes them in
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
a. "a chosen generation"
a. "a chosen generation"
b. "a royal priesthood"
c. "a holy nation"
d. "His own special people"
These are terms that were once reserved for the physical nation of Israel
nation of Israel
The Lord had chosen them -
a. The Lord had chosen them -
15 Only the Lord had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.
He made them a kingdom of priests and a holy nation -
5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
19:5
Thus they had become a special people above all other
Thus they had become a special people above all other
nations -
6 For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
-- What had once been limited to physical Israel, is now possible
-- What had once been limited to physical Israel, is now possible to all people who are in Christ, as promised to Abraham - cf.
to all people who are in Christ, as promised to Abraham - cf.
28-29
Illustration - you are one of us! The marines will not leave behind a wounded soldier leave no man behind .....
You are special to God
B. A SPECIAL PEOPLE, WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES... To proclaim the praises of God -
SPECIAL PEOPLE, WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES...
To proclaim the praises of God -
1. To proclaim the praises of God -
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Because He called us out of darkness into His marvelous light
light
Because He showed mercy, and made us the people of God
b. Because He showed mercy, and made us the people of God
To grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ -
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
We are to grow in the knowledge of Christ......
PE continuing education credits - required to keep your license.... continually growing...
exegete vs 8-10
A new belonging means we are:
b. To have an abundance entrance into the everlasting kingdom
-- From the example of physical Israel, let us beware of becoming
hardened and not lose faith, or we may not enter the heavenly
rest that awaits us! - ,
[A Christian is truly "a special person" because he belongs to the
Lord. He can rejoice in knowing that he is one of God's "beloved" (Ro
1:7). God's love for the Christian is made even more evident when we
note that he is also...]
II. Free to Serve
II. Free to Serve
17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Freedom is a basic human desire, so we would expect to read about it in the Bible.
CHRISTIANS ARE BLESSED TO BE CHILDREN OF GOD...
Redeemed and adopted by God, they have received His Spirit into their hearts
First, freedom in Christ is seen in contrast to the bondage of sin.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
In other words, sin enslaves people for spiritual death and eternity apart from God. Knowing Christ provides freedom from the control of sin and eternal life with Him.
says, "For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." In other words, sin enslaves people for spiritual death and eternity apart from God. Knowing Christ provides freedom from the control of sin and eternal life with Him.
2. In another sense, many do not have God as their Father
Second, freedom in Christ is seen as the only true form of freedom, because it provides lasting freedom beyond this life.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
john
In short, we experience true freedom in Christ by knowing Him, walking in His ways, and engaging with the changes
-
Fourth, those who find freedom in Christ also become His children. teaches, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." As also notes, we are now children and heirs of the inheritance of eternal life with Christ for eternity.
a. Because of their faith, and having put on Christ in baptism
He makes in and through our lives as we focus on service to Him and to others. This freedom transcends the human freedoms desired in this world, providing peace in this life and freedom with Christ forevermore.
-
Redeemed and adopted by God, they have received His Spirit
In short, we experience true freedom in Christ by knowing Him, walking in His ways, and engaging with the changes He makes in and through our lives as we focus on service to Him and to others. This freedom transcends the human freedoms desired in this world, providing peace in this life and freedom with Christ forevermore.
into their hearts
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
gal 4.4-6
Free to be who you are in Christ .... exegete romans 6.6-10 and 6.17-18
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.
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
romans 6.6-
Free from legalism
Free from serving sin
One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is heard
The truth that was opened to me that day was that I am not only free from the guilt of sin, but also its reign and power.
Paul uses “regal” language in (i.e. dominion, reign, under, etc.).
In so doing he personifies sin as if it was a king sitting upon the throne.
What struck me that day is that where sin once sat on the throne of my heart and life, grace now sits.
In Christ, sin is no longer my sovereign. It is no longer my master. I am no longer a slave to sin having to obey its every enticement and command. I have been set free.
Our new found freedom in Christ is one of the most liberating doctrines of the Christian faith.
And we need to have a full view and understanding of this freedom.
1)We have in Christ from the guilt of sin. Thank God! That is essential in our Gospel preaching and teaching.
2)But let us with equal force remind one another that we have been set free from the reign and power of sin as well. This is just as essential to our Gospel preaching and teaching.
In Christ I have been set free from the guilt of sin, but not that alone. I have also been set free from its reign and power.
When we think about the Gospel, speak of proclaiming the Gospel, and encourage one another in the Gospel, we need to remember that the Gospel proclaims that we are set free from sin in Christ—free from its guilt, its reign, and its power.
Let us teach, preach, and encourage one another in the full spectrum of our freedom from sin in Christ. What joy, peace, and godly living emerges from such knowledge.
We were under the penalty of sin and under the bondage of the law. What can I do or not do to please the Lord? just forget it ...... I ma done
-
Then relief comes - Passed PE exam .... waiting stressful, have job , what will happen then it comes I passed......
At salvation no more bondage to the Law of do and don’t but the gospel of grace..... free from the guilt and its power
free from the guilt and its power
in
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.
A new belonging means we are:
We are family -
48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
c. Because we do the Father's will, Jesus considers us His
matt 12.
family -
-
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
AS GOD'S CHILDREN, WE HAVE BLESSINGS AND RESPONSIBILITIES...
We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ - ; Ro
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
romans 8.
a. For we are heirs according to the promise of God -
29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
It is an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, that does not fade, and is reserved for us in heaven -
b. It is an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, that
does not fade, and is reserved for us in heaven -
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
As heirs, we have many responsibilities, including:
2. As heirs, we have many responsibilities, including:
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord -
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2cor 6.17
patiently carry out our responsibilities with an enduring
faith - -3
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
heb 3
[Besides being God's special person and God's child, a Christian who
"belongs to the Lord" also has a special relationship to the world in
which he or she lives...]
III. We Are Strangers
III. We Are Strangers
CHRISTIANS ARE IN THE WORLD, BUT NOT OF THE WORLD...
As Jesus mentioned in His prayer for His disciples - :
15-16
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
11:13; 13:14;
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
But we are We are fellow citizens with members of God's family -
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
-- As such, our true citizenship lies in heaven, not here on
earth -
AS GOD'S PILGRIMS, WE HAVE SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS...
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
To abstain from worldly lusts - ;
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
1 john 2.1
To keep our conduct honorable, filled with good works -
3. To keep our conduct honorable, filled with good works - 1Pe
2:12
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1peter
To obey the laws, and respect the leaders, of the countries in which we sojourn -
which we sojourn -
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
What am I asking you to know?
1. We have seen that a Christian is a person who "belongs to the Lord",
You are special to God
one who is...
You are free from the guilt and power of sin
a. God's special person
You are a stranger in this world
b. God's child
c. God's pilgrim
2. The more we understand the significance of such privileges...
a. We ought to be filled with gratitude and humility
b. We ought to be moved to be the kind of people God intended
3. Are we living and conducting ourselves as those who "belong to the
Lord"?
a. Are we acting like a special people?
b. Do we live like a child of God should?
c. Is our life truly a sojourn, or are we living like we want to
make this earth our permanent home?
As we saw in our beginning text:
"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy
Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not
your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify
God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."
(
May the significance of belonging to God prompt us to always glorify
God in our bodies and our spirits!