Randall Caselman
Bella Vista Church of Christ
6/29/97 pm
The Joys Of Being in Christ
Reading – Ezekiel 47.1-5 & John 10.9-11
This has been a rather busy weekend for us. We spent the day speaking in Springfield yesterday. Things went well, and I thank you for your prayers. Tonight, I don’t want to preach, as much as just talk to you about some things that are on my heart about the joys of Christianity, the joys of being in Christ.
The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel is caught up in a vision. In this vision, he is taken to the Temple area and he sees water flowing out from under the door of God’s house... Water is flowing from under the threshold. Next, Ezekiel is taken for a walk in this water.
- As he begins his walk, the water is only ankle deep.
- He moves on and it becomes knee deep.
- Before he knows it, the water is to his waist.
- Then he finds himself swimming... over his head in this water.
Our reading tonight says, a river that can’t be crossed, can’t be forded. Like most Old Testament prophecies, this vision has a double meaning.
- First it speaks of that time when Israel will return from Babylonian exile to once again occupy the promise land and enjoy all its blessings.
- Then the spiritual fulfillment is in the coming Kingdom, the church of Jesus Christ.
Ezekiel sees the blessings of God flowing out of God’s house. As he begins to walk in God’s goodness, he finds that there is no end. In fact, the farther he walks with God, the deeper: His grace, His goodness, and His mercy becomes until God’s blessings are literally supporting him ankle deep, knee deep, waist deep, and finally swimming,
Supported by none other than God Himself. Ezekiel concludes that God’s love, His grace, His goodness, His blessing toward us is a river. A river so vast that it cannot be forded, cannot be crossed. I’ll agree with that won’t you?
Jesus is the literal fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophecy. John 10.10 says:
- I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.
- I have come that you might have life to its fullest, life at its best.
You see church, Jesus has brought us into a relationship with God that no other people have ever known previously. The world does not know it today, only His children do.
Listen to these scriptural truths on this fact: Ephesians 1.3 tells us, all spiritual blessings are in Christ. Romans 8.17 says, if we are children of God, then we are heirs, coheirs with Christ.
He is saying, if we are IN CHRIST then whatever belongs to Jesus, whatever rights and privileges Jesus has as God’s only begotten Son, they are now ours as His children also.
You see,
- When God gives, He gives absolutely.
- When He blesses, He blesses completely.
- When He provides, He provides overwhelmingly.
The problem is not how much God is willing to give? But, how little we’re willing to receive. God has prepared a banquet table and He has invited to be His banquet. But, sometimes we insist on sitting on the floor... catching only the scraps... when all along the meal was prepared for us.
Here we are strolling around ankle deep in blessings, when we could be swimming in them. Jesus came to give us THE ABUNDANT LIFE. Church, it is all ours, all we have to do is claim it.
What I want to do for the rest of the lesson is to note some things that belong to us. Some things that we are heirs to, which we need to claim. Access a worship bulletin and let’s note them. Let’s talk about some of the in-Christ blessings that are ours.
FIRST, WITH SALVATION, WE NEED TO CLAIM THE KNOWLEDGE OF IT.
Now there should be no doubt, that one of the IN-CHRIST blessing which belong to us is our eternal salvation... RIGHT? Listen to what the Bible tells us:
- We are saved by grace through faith.
- We are children of God by faith, for as many as have been baptized INTO CHRIST have put on Christ, have been clothed with Christ.
- For as many as have been baptized INTO CHRIST have been baptized into His death, so that just as Christ was raised by the glory of the Father, so we are raised to walk a new life.
- In him, (that is IN CHRIST), we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.
- There is now therefore, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Church, is there any doubt that salvation is a blessing given to all those who are IN CHRIST? There shouldn’t be.
My question tonight then is why settle for salvation without knowing that we have that salvation. A significant part of the abundant life is wrapped up in the knowing… that we are right with God; knowing that salvation is ours; and knowing that we are heaven bound.
It is great to know Jesus died for us so that we can be saved. What is much greater is knowing, that Jesus died for us and because of our response to His death, we are saved. John said, My little children, I write these thing that you could know you have eternal life.
We, as Christian people, are not destined to die with our fingers crossed. This fear cheats us... robs us of the real joy of living: FOR HIM, AND IN HIM, doesn’t it?
Paul spoke of a peace that passes all understanding. I can’t have that kind of peace, if I am not sure of my eternal destiny.
“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine:
O what a foretaste of glory divine:
Heir of salvation, purchased of God,
Born of his spirit, washed in his blood.”
Church, sometimes, we sing more than we believe. We don’t have to wade in maybe we’re saved, maybe not. God wants us to know. Some ask, Brother Randall, how can I know I am saved, when there is so much sin in my life? The Lord did not promise heaven to the sinless, he promised it to the forgiven. Listen to Paul. He tells Timothy, I am the chief of sinners, and I believe God saved me to make the point that if He will save me the chief of sinners, then He can and will save all others who will respond to His grace. Let’s read it together. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance:
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. Paul says, I am the chief of sinners and then we hear him say, I have fought the good fight, finished the course, kept the faith. Henceforth there is a crown of righteousness which the Lord will give; but not to me only, but to all who love his appearance.”
- Are you sure of your salvation, Paul?... Yes.
- Are you still a sinner Paul? ...Everyday!!
- Are you in Christ?... Yes.
- Are you fighting the fight, keeping the faith?... YES.
- Are you striving to be God’s child?... YES.
- Are you walking in the light?... YES
Then there is no condemnation. For if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, continues to cleanse us from all sin.
Question! Is there something you need to do tonight to make sure of your salvation? Is there?... Then just do it! Don’t settle for salvation without the peace of knowing you have it.
SECONDLY, WE NEED TO CLAIM THE JOYS OF GIVING.
Jesus said, It is more blessed to give than receive. He said, Give, and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. It will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. That’s Luke 6.38.
Now, before you turn me off, I want you to know that I’m not just talking about money. OK? Boy, when it comes to our pocketbook, we are so sensitive that we miss the whole point because we’re afraid someone, including the Lord, is gonna get into our pocket.
You see, most of us here tonight know only the joy of walking ankle deep, or perhaps waist deep in God’s blessing when, if, we would learn to pass them on, we could swim in His goodness, in His blessings.
The differences between the sea of Galilee full of life and the lush greenery along the shore, and the briny brown, lifeless nature of the Dead Sea is just this principle. The Sea of Galilee takes in water and passes it on the Jordan Valley below; while the Dead Sea selfishly hoards, holds all the water it receives, and the salt kills everything.
Audience, the abundant life Jesus came to give us is only ours to the extent that we are willing to share with others. Selfishness keeps us in the wading pool of God’s blessings. Doesn’t it?
Remember the four Ts and an E that we talked about this morning? What were the four T’s that God has supplied all of us with?
- Time,
- Talent,
- Treasure,
- Truth,
- Energy.
Now what was Jesus’ promise again, Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Question!
- Do we have all the time we need to get everything done?
- Do we need more talent?
- How many don’t want any more treasure?
- Anyone know all the truth from this book you want to know?
- Who, here tonight needs more energy?
NOW, how did Jesus say, we could have more of these five things?
Give of your TIME and it will be given you.... Give of your TALENT and it will be given you.. Give of your TREASURE and it will be given you... Share the TRUTH you know, and God will reveal more from His word... Use your ENERGY in His service and it will be given you... pressed down, shaken together and running over. Now, church, I am not the one who made this promise, Jesus is! The question tonight is, do we believe Him, have enough faith in His promises to live them?
THIRDLY, WE SHOULD LEARN TO CLAIM THE JOY OF SUFFERING.
Joy in suffering?! Is that possible? In Acts chapter five, after the incident with Ananias and Sapphira, the Apostles were placed in prison, brought before the Sandrehin court, and beaten. Upon their release, verse 44, Luke says, they went on their way rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer for his name.
James says, count it all joy when you encounter various trials.
Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, you are blessed when you are persecuted for the sake of being right.
Perhaps the difference today in wading in God’s blessings and living the abundant life for you and your preacher is found in how we view suffering.
- Some leave Jesus because of suffering. They didn’t wait until God showed them the joy. Or perhaps, they were unwilling to claim the benefit of their suffering. Maybe God was trying to give them something they didn’t really want.
- Others are brought to a closer more intimate walk with Him. Are we experiencing this joy or are we doing everything possible to keep from suffering for Christ or any other reason? Lighten up... Let the trials come... There is joy in suffering... Jesus makes us this promise!
Well, Brother Randall what could possibly be a joy in suffering?
We’ve already mentioned one... It draws us closer to Him. Another would be that we are brought to a greater dependence upon Him. Ever been to the point in your life that no one could help you, you just had to turn to God? Church, there is a joy knowing that the omnipotent, sovereign God of the universe is our Father and that He is there ready to walk with us. No, God doesn’t always promise to remove our suffering, but He does promise to walk with us. Sometimes He doesn’t help as we think He should... He didn’t with Jesus in the garden, but He did supply what Jesus needed, angels came and ministered to Him. He promises, to never forsake us, never leave us. Truth is, we’ll never be able to claim that joy until we’ve been there... Suffered that pain.
ANOTHER WOULD BE THE JOY OF KNOWING THE REWARD.
As I read the beatitudes, I want you to listen for the rewards from a willingness to suffer.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Scripture promises that if we share in His suffering, we will share in His glory. Paul suffered his thorn in the flesh. He asked three times for it to be removed. God refused making Paul this promise, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness. Later, Paul realized that he had been the beneficiary of genuine JOY through this suffering. Listen to him in Second Corinthians 1.10, That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For in my weakness, He made me strong.
ONE MORE BLESSING WE CAN CLAIM IS WITH JOY OF LIVING I WANT THE PEACE OF DYING!
We don’t have to just settle for happiness in this life. Church, we can actually look forward to the peace of dying. Paul writes to the Philippians, while in circumstances that would look bleak to anybody. He says, For me to live is Christ. and to die is gain. Now that is living the abundant life... Life above the ordinary. RIGHT?
Paul goes on to say, I am caught between two options:
- Stay here and work with you,
- Or go on and be with Jesus.
What a choice, what an option!... He wins either way. But this is one of the blessing of being IN CHRIST. IN CHRIST death is nothing more than a door ushering us into the presence of God in a very literal sense. Scripture tells us that if we are IN CHRIST, then to be absent in the body is to be present with God.
The first century Christians had a standard greeting, Maranatha, “Lord, come quickly”. Yes there is a joy in living in and for Christ in this life. But the abundant life, the richest blessing of all, is knowing that we will live with Him in physical death... THAT IS PEACE. Indeed, what a blessing!
These blessing we’ve talked about tonight are all available to everyone, but they only belong to those who are where?... IN CHRIST. If you are not a child of God, if you are not IN CHRIST, now is your opportunity. By faith, repentance and New Testament baptism, immersion in water for the forgiveness of your sins, you can become His child, a Christian, a member of the body of the saved.
Perhaps for the most of us tonight we just need to start claiming the many blessings that belong to us as heirs and joint heirs with Christ to God’s great and precious promises.
If you need to respond to this invitation, come as we stand and sing this song together.
