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Who We Are In Christ
Fundamentals of Christianity 2
Lesson 7
I. We are not the same anymore.
When you accepted Jesus as your Lord, you changed on the inside. You are not the same person you use to be. Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
You will have a new and different life because you are now a child of God. You are a heavenly being rather than an earthly being. Your real home is heaven, you are just here on the earth for a period of time. You are a part of God and He is a part of you. We are one with God.
Jesus praying to the Father for us says: I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me. I have honored my followers in the same way that you honored me, in order that they may be one with each other, just as we are one. I am one with them, and you are one with me, so that they may become completely one. Then this world's people will know that you sent me. They will know that you love my followers as much as you love me. John 7:21-23
The Spirit of God lives inside of you to be your guide and to help you live the Christian life. It can and should be a supernatural life because the spirit of God gives you supernatural power. He gives you supernatural gifts in order to do His work. We will discuss these gifts in a later lesson.
Most Christians get saved and know they will go to heaven when they die but they never grow up in God, learning who they are in Christ and living like the child of God they are. Many never get past a place of habitual sin, much less to the place of supernatural power and authority. They live so far below what God intends them to live. In order to live the kind of life God wants us to live, we must learn how to. We learn how by studying His word. We must press in and strive to walk in God's supernatural power. It doesn't come without effort.
II. We are set free from the power of darkness.
We are forgiven and in right standing with God. He set us free from all the power of the enemy and the power of sin. We are not servants to sin or darkness but rather we are servants of righteousness if we belong to God.
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear son. In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:12-13
Being then, made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness. Romans 6:18
Just as we are free from sin, we are free from all the power of the enemy. We are free from the works of the devil: sickness, poverty, mental illness, depression, mental torments and confusion, among many others. We must grow up in the Lord and walk in this freedom ourselves, and seek to set others free.
He that commits sin is of the devil, for the devil sinned from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John3:8
III. We are representatives of Jesus in the Earth.
God has called Christians to do the works of God in the earth, the same works that Jesus did. We are to be witnesses of God's power and love by telling people about God and giving them an opportunity to be saved. Like Jesus, we are to heal the sick, cast demons out of people setting them free from all kinds of torments and do signs, wonders and miracles. When we do, we are allowing God to interact with man through us. God choose to partner with His children to do His work in the earth. Without our help, it will not be done at all.
Paul speaking years after the death of Jesus: Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Romans 15:19 Paul did signs and wonders by the power of the Spirit, so can we.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall you do also; and greater works than these shall you do; because I go to my Father. John 14:12
And as you go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8
Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Matthew 16:15-18
We are the hands, feet, voice and arms of Jesus in the earth. Who will do the works of God except God's own people? We know that His work did not stop when He ascended to heaven but was just beginning. God chose to accomplish His work through His beloved man. This world needs strong committed Christians that can get a hold of God and walk in His power. God is looking for those that will consecrate themselves to Him so he can use them. Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. It is because Christians are not doing their job. People suffer greatly because of it and many go to hell.
IV. He gave us both power and authority to do His work.
He came and was an example for us. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. Acts 10:38
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. (Luke 9:1-2) That same power and authority belongs to us.
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. (Acts 6:9) Stephen was a believer that lived years after Jesus died, rose from the dead and ascended to heaven. We, like Stephen can do great wonders and miracles among the people if we are full of faith and power.
Authority:
Authority is the right to do something. Because a police officer has authority, he has the right to enforce the law. He has the authority to put handcuffs on you and take you to jail to stand trial if you break the law. A teacher at school has the authority to tell you what to do within the limitations of her authority. The principle or dean has more authority over you than the teacher and your parents by the laws of our country have even greater authority over you.
In this same sense; you, as a believe, have God given authority over Satan and demons! You must know you have authority and you must know how to exercise that authority in order for it to do you any good.
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through your name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:17-20
Power:
Power is the force or strength that you have to enforce your authority. A police officer has a blackjack, a stick, a gun and the law behind him to enforce his authority. The principle at school has perhaps a leather strap, detention, suspension and the law to enforce his. A parent has many sources of power to enforce their authority.
As a Christian that is in right standing with God, we have the anointing of God, the name of Jesus, the gifts of the spirit, and a host of angelic beings at our disposal to enforce our authority! However, we must know who we are in Christ, we must have understanding of spiritual things and we must act in faith to use both our power and authority.
After the death and ascension of Jesus, power was poured out on the day of Pentecost for all believers so that we would have the power to be his witness through preaching and through miracles. But you shall receive power, after that the Holy ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8
And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Matthew 10:1
Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19
V. Conclusion:
If you have been born again you are not like others that have not. You are a servant, yet you are royalty. You are human, yet you are supernatural. You are an heir of God and you have all the resources of heaven at your disposal. Your life has meaning, value and purpose.
Your Father wants you to allow Him to mold you and make you so that your mind and heart becomes one with His. He wants you to grow up into being able to walk in His power and His authority.
An important part of growing up is learning all you can about God and His ways. Developing an intimate relationship with God is another important part of spiritual growth. Inside of that relationship, trust will grow. You will grow to trust God and He will grow to trust you. When this happens, you two will truly become one and nothing will be impossible to you.
For with God, nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37
Weekly Challenges:
Scripture Memorization: For with God, nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37
L.O.V.E. Challenge: This week pay attention to what people say. When you hear someone say they are sick or are having a problem, offer to pray for them right then. You can lay your hand on them or you can hold their hand. The prayer can be very short and simple. Have faith. God will hear and answer your prayer. Expect a miracle! Pray for as many as you life but at least one.
Application: As a practice, right now take a partner. Each of you tell the other a prayer need you have. Pray for one another.
Scripture Reading: Read a chapter of the Bible each day working your way through the New Testament.
Prayer: Pray at least 20 minutes daily. Make spiritual warfare a part of your prayer time. Make worship a daily part of your prayer time.