Not Ashamed- Part 25- Christ in You
Not Ashamed • Sermon • Submitted
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· 3 viewsThe body that we now dwell in is dying each day but one day it shall be raised to die no more by the Spirit of God.
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Introduction- Romans 8:9b-11
Last week we saw the clear distinction between the carnal and the spiritual.
We learned that they that have the Spirit of God dwelling in them belong to Christ and are no longer in the flesh.
It is important to recognize that a sincere believer who has the Spirit of God dwelling within him will no longer find joy in living a carnal lifestyle.
Tonight we will look beyond the present to the future hope of every believer.
In this life we know that we will be in a constant struggle with the flesh but we can have hope that one day this struggle will be ended and we shall finally enjoy the fullness of our redemption.
Let us first consider...
Our Present Condition (Vs. 10)
Our Present Condition (Vs. 10)
Notice first of all the prerequisite for what is about to be described “…if Christ be in you.”
If this is not true of you then neither are the statements that follow.
Those who do not have Christ in them do not have the hope that is spoken of here for they are yet spiritually dead.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
I would challenge you first and foremost to examine yourself to be sure that Christ is in you.
Again if you have no desire for spiritual things and you are not convicted when you indulge the desires of your flesh, you do not have Christ in you.
The first reality of our present condition is that the body is dead.
Each of us realize that our body is every moment moving towards death. This is a reality we cannot escape no matter how hard we try.
This is true for all men because the root cause of death is sin and the scriptures plainly state that all men have sinned.
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
The difference for those that have Christ in them is that their spirit is alive because of righteousness.
It is not only the flesh of the unbeliever which is dead but their spirit is dead also.
The believer’s flesh is yet dead but their spirit has been quickened or made to live by the indwelling Spirit of God.
The righteousness of Jesus Christ has been imputed to us and it is this righteousness which gives us spiritual life.
Glove illustration- before the Spirit of God came in our spirit was as dead and lifeless as an empty glove but when the Spirit came in He filled us and gave life to that which was formerly lifeless just as the hand animates the glove.
The Spirit is Himself the source of this life within us and without Him we would remain hopelessly dead.
The verse that follows turns our attention to...
Our Future Hope (Vs. 11)
Our Future Hope (Vs. 11)
The predicament that we presently find ourselves in, with a spirit which is alive and a body that is dead, will one day be remedied.
Our redemption is at this moment not yet complete but one day it shall be.
Notice again the prerequisite “… if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you.”
If this same Spirit now dwells in us, we can be sure that at an appointed time in the future this same Spirit will quicken our mortal bodies.
We shall one day experience the fullness of redemption when our regenerated spirit is united with a glorified body.
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
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.
When Jesus Christ returns our bodies shall be raised and our redemption will finally be complete.
The Spirit of God has given us life now even as we move towards physical death but there is coming a day when we shall receive a body that is not subject to sin or death.
We who have the Spirit of God presently dwelling within us alone have the guarantee of this future resurrection.
Those who do not have the Spirit of God will not only die physically but will experience spiritual death, being separated from God for all eternity.
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Conclusion
The all important question that runs through this entire passage is do you have the Spirit of God dwelling inside of you?
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Again I call you to examine yourselves.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Are you a child of God? Have you been born again?
If not you have only death in your future.
If you have the Spirit of God dwelling in you, what a hope that you have!
We have spiritual life though our body is yet dead, but one day our redemption shall be complete. We shall then have a spirit and a body that are like unto Christ!
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.