We are starting a series where we are looking at what Jesus did on the cross for us. We have seen the movie “The Passion of the Christ” which shows the physical implications of the cross, but we are going to focus on the spiritual aspects of the cross.
Our Key Verse for this study
Galatians 2: 20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me, so I live in this earthly body by trusting int he Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.
1. In Adam
There is a concept that is shown to us in Hebrews 7: 8 – 10 that will help us understand what it means to be in Christ.
Because Abraham was the grandfather of Levi, Levi was considered to pay tithes to Melchizedek even though he was not even born.
EXAMPLE: it takes some science fiction thinking here but if I travel back in time and kill my grandfather, then I no longer exist. I was in my grandfather before I was born. Bizarre but truth
Romans 5: 12 We all sinned because Adam sinned
Romans 5: 19 because one person disobeyed God many became sinners
We are sinners because we sinned when Adam did in the garden
Romans 6: 23 wages of sin is death. Wages is only used 4 times in the bible. It does not mean pay as much as it means rations instead of pay. Soldiers were not only paid, they were fed so the diet of sin is death.
You are what you eat and you eat what you are.
2. Died in Christ
Romans 6: 23, But the gift of God is eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5: 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but we have the free gift of being accepted by God, even though we are guilty of many sins
How is this accomplished?
Back to our key verse in Galatians 2: 20 “My old self was crucified with Christ”
We are closer to Christ than the thieves who were crucified near Him. We were crucified on the same cross as Jesus
Romans 6: 5 Since we have been united with him in his death.
2 Corinthians 5: 14 … Since one died all died
2 Corinthians 5: 19 For God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself no longer counting people’s sins against them.
So is everyone saved? No We need to come back to God.
Ephesians 1: 13 You have heard the good news that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, He identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit whom he promised long ago
Not only died with Jesus, but raised from the dead
3. Feasting on Life
Our diet has changed from eating death to life
Ephesians 2: 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ.
We are hidden with Christ in God (See Colossians 3: 3)
2 Corinthians 5: 17 if anyone is in Christ, he is anew creation the old is passed away… All things become new.
What is new?
- Ephesians 2: 13 brought near through the blood
- Romans 8: 1 No condemnation for those who are in Christ
- 1 Corinthians 1: 30 United with Christ…made right with God, pure and holy and free from sin
- Ephesians 2: 6 Raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us in heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.
- Colossians 2: 10 So you are complete with your union in Christ
- 2 Corinthians 1: 20 We are able to stand firm
- 2 Corinthians 1: 20 all promised are yes in Christ… God has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything He has promised us.
4. Growing up
Galatians 4: 19 But oh, my dear children! I feel as if I am going through labor pains for youa gain, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.
Formed = until our mind and life come into complete harmony with the mind and life of Christ.
Ephesians 4: 14 No longer be immature like children…Instead we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ who is the head of his body the church
We are no longer like the first Adam, we are like the second Adam
Ask God to open the eyes of your understanding