In Christ
The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 27:36
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Introduction
What does it mean to be a Christian?
A key phrase in the New Testament (especially used in Paul’s letters to the churches: “in Christ.”
In today’s Bible Study, we will examine this phrase from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians—and the benefits of “being” in Christ.
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The letter is addressed to the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus.
The faithful - a term often used for Christians in the New Testament
Meaning: those who have faith AND those who show fidelity.
But, as we see here in this verse, the faithful is connected to the term “in Christ.”
This term or its equivalent, is used eleven times in verses 1-14 alone.
Christians not only have faith in him; there life is in him.
As the root in the soil, the branch in the vine, the fish in the sea, the bird in the air, so the place of the Christian’s life is in Christ.
There is the implication what wherever Christians may be, in whatever difficult environment, threatened by materialism or paganism, in danger of being engulfed by the power of the state or overwhelmed by the pressures of non-Christian life, they are in Christ!
This is an expression of a very practical truth that Christians—if faithful to their calling—will not try to be self-sufficient, or to move beyond the limits of the purpose and control and love of Christ, nor will they turn to the world for guidance, inspiration, and strength.
They find all their satisfaction and their every need met in him, and not in any other place nor from any other source.
As a result, the Christian lives in the grace and the peace provided by God.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
In Christ the Christian is blessed.
In Christ every blessing that men and women can have is found.
The content of this blessing:
Chosen (God has a plan)
Adoption (into God’s family with family benefits)
Redemption (purchase, belonging to Christ)
Forgiveness (sins)
Wisdom and insight (the knowledge and understanding to navigate through life with confidence and humility—dependent on God and His grace)
Revelation of his will (seeing what God wants us to do)
All of this is set forth in Christ (vs. 9)
The big ideas and applications
Celebration
Worship
Knowing who we are and whose we are—all found in Christ.
Conclusion
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.