Clothed In Christ

Sermon Notes: Clothed In Christ (Simplified) Marion, OR 10/27/18 Intro: • Royal wedding—what if someone from Jefferson invited? Big news? ◦ What if showed up in ratty sweats and dirty t-shirt? • Only 2 types of clothes in world—mine, or Christ’s ◦ Bad news—utter depravity of man -- ours are not up to code (Matt 22; Zech 3) ▪ Flies in face of self-esteem culture, want to believe “I’m good” ◦ Good news—sufficiency of Christ—He gives us His goodness, clothes, as a gift Gal 3:27  For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  ▪ Biblical basis for worth—comes with power, position, and purpose ▪ aren’t something we put on, but someone we become—a new nature! ▪ Truth sets us Free -- to serve humbly, gratefully, joyfully! Body: • Gal 3:26-27—sons of God, clothed with Christ ◦ Privilege--we are royalty!—access, resources—Abba father ▪ Acts 2:38-39—Peter said power of presence of Holy Spirit for all in Christ ▪ John 11:25—eternal—wedding/sonship speak of unending relationship! • Gal 6:14-15—new creation, new nature • Being clothed with Christ is not something we put on, but someone we become ◦ Matthew 17:1-8 ▪ Wasn’t something Jesus did or Moses gave that transformed Him, • but revelation of who His is shone out—should be same for us! ◦ 2 Cor 3:18 ◦ We don’t put on new clothes by creating a list of do’s and donts ▪ It is to be our new nature—shining through a new position and purpose • 1 Peter 2:9-10—Royal Priesthood—only 3—Melchizedek, Jesus, us! ◦ Royal—image bearers, ambassadors—Prince Harry, etc. ◦ Priesthood—lead in worship of God, ministers of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18-20) ▪ all believers—Unfinished Business of reformation • Phil 2:5-8—must be worn in humility ◦ humility--love for God and love for others more than self ▪ Not thinking less of ourselves, but seeing ourselves as God does in Jesus Conclusion: • Truth sets us free to serve God with gratitude & joy, as a privilege, not obligation ◦ Contrast with the good news -- Rom 10:6-10 • Tell-tale signs we are still trying to wear clothes of our own making: ◦ asking, “how close can I get, is it ok to, do I have to” = looking in wrong direction ◦ Still seeing self as citizen here trying to climb up there = bad news ▪ i.e. Tithe vs. generous giving; Sabbath as celebration instead of sacrifice • When focused on becoming like the one who saved us, His light will shine out naturally ◦ Praying for God to make my heart like His ▪ When look at His nature, see bad news—more lost than ever feared ▪ When look at what Jesus, see good news—more loved than ever hoped ◦ Isaiah 61:10—good news to be humbly, joyfully Thankful for this November!