“In Christ” New Life in Christ – it’s for ever
New Life in Christ – it’s for everyone
“In Christ” Recap We’ve become new creations in Christ We’re made alive in Christ No condemnation in Christ An eternal future in Christ Assurance of salvation by remaining in Christ
“In Christ” Perspective Half Truths | Myths | Lies distort our perspective
“In Christ” 2Corinthians 5:14-21 (NIVUK) For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no-one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
“In Christ” 2Corinthians 5:14-21 (NIVUK) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
“In Christ” 2Corinthians 5:14-21 (NIVUK) We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
“In Christ” 2Corinthians 5:14-21 (NIVUK) God’s plan includes everyone Verse 14: “one died for all” Verse 15: “and he (Jesus) died for all”
“In Christ” Half truth | Myth | Lie #1 I’m not worth it Luke 5:32 (NLT) “I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent”
“In Christ” Half truth | Myth | Lie #2 I’ll never be good enough Colossians 1:28(NIVUK) We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ
“In Christ” Half truth | Myth | Lie #3 I’ll never change 1Corinthians 15:51-52 (CEV) I will explain a mystery to you. Not every one of us will die, but we will all be changed. It will happen suddenly, quicker than the blink of an eye. At the sound of the last trumpet the dead will be raised. We will all be changed, so that we will never die again.
“In Christ” Half truth | Myth | Lie #4 I can make it on my own 2Corinthians 5:18-21 (NIVUK) All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
“In Christ” John 15:1-17 (NIVUK) I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“In Christ” John 15:1-17 (NIVUK) I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
“In Christ” John 15:1-17 (NIVUK) As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
“In Christ” John 15:1-17 (NIVUK) You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because servants do not know their master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.
“In Christ” Relationships Getting & Keeping Connected Outcomes Abide | Remain United | Continuous | Mutual Support Productive or Unproductive Fruit bearing is only possible when connected to the source
“In Christ” Moving Onwards We are the Body of Christ – the only Jesus people see is the Jesus in us
“In Christ” Moving Onwards Questions to consider What lies, half truths and myths am I allowing in my life? How well am I connected to Christ? Am I really connected within the Body of Christ? What’s my response to the challenge of sharing my faith with other people so they can know God’s love?