Christ in Us, and Us in Christ (Conclusion)

Season 3 Episode 31 -- If someone described a relationship a few times in one way, but many, many times in another way, what would you think?  Would you think that the numerously mentioned way was that person's primary view of the relationship?  Yes!  In this episode, we look at the apostle Paul's predominant perspective on a believer's relationship with Christ, and why he held this view.  Check it out!

"Reflect on This" is a once-a-week, short devotional podcast, where I share what I am learning about following Jesus, through applying eternal biblical principles to life, in practical ways.  Not religion, but RELATIONSHIP - relationship with Jesus!
 
If you like the podcast, please tell your friends and family about it, and subscribe/follow it, because it helps others to find the podcast more easily.
 
Resources that inspired some episodes:

“Agape Puppets” (ministry)
This is an amazing world-wide ministry that uses puppet shows to reach children (and their parents) for Christ, in cultures that are generally not very open to the Gospel.  To learn more, go to: https://www.theagapepuppets.org/  

"The Seven Primal Questions" by Mike Foster

"Worship Is My Weapon" podcast by Rita Springer:  https://youtu.be/RucXhr1zYGU?si=WeVTpssmUP4rMXlL 

"My Heart, Christ's Home" by Robert Munger

"The Language of Rivers and Stars" by Seth Lewis

“Dream Small:  The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life” by Seth Lewis

Seth Lewis blog:  https://sethlewis.ie/

35 Bible Verses About Listening To Others (Explained) - Bible Repository 

"Restoration Year: Devotions to Transform Your Relationships, Spirit, and Faith" by John Eldredge

"Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

"The Pleasure of His Company" by Dutch Sheets

"Fresh Air" by Chris Hodges

“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman

"The Lies We Believe: Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life" by Dr. Chris Thurman

Featured ministries and resources:
 
“Agape Puppets” (ministry)
This is an amazing world-wide ministry that uses puppet shows to reach children (and their parents) for Christ, in cultures that are generally not very open to the Gospel.  To learn more, go to: https://theagapepuppets.org/ 

"Manufacture Good" (ministry)
Manufacture Good is a Christian ministry that offers paid apprenticeships to men who need a second chance.  These apprentices learn biblical principles, character, and valuable woodworking and metalworking skills which lead to employment opportunities.  You can shop their catalog of fine home and office products, order a standard or custom piece of furniture, make a donation, and learn more about this amazing ministry, at: https://manufacturegood.org/.

"The World and Everything in It" (podcast)
This is a weekday 35-minute podcast that presents headline news, in-depth news articles, media reviews, and opinion pieces from a Christian world view.  Their stated mission is "biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires."
 
“Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage” (podcast) 
This is a once a week 30-minute podcast hosted by Greg and Erin Smalley, who head up the marriage team at Focus on the Family.  Each episode addresses a different aspect of marriage, using biblical principles, featured guests, practical advice, and a mixture of humor and candidness.  
 
Music credits:
Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Transcript

Before we get into today’s episode, I wanted to briefly introduce you to a wonderful ministry:  The Agape Puppets.  Their website describes their ministry as one “that shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ with children, teenagers, and adults all over the world. [They] train and equip teams in many countries to reach their children for Jesus… Each year, [they] share with over 70,000 children, teenagers, and adults across five continents,” using puppets, story-telling, juggling, and songs.  Linda Summer, the director, says that their founding desire was “to see children all over the world come to faith in Jesus Christ.”  My wife and I were first introduced to this wonderful ministry decades ago, when they came to our local church as part of our children’s Vacation Bible School program.  In the years that followed, as we learned more about their ministry, my wife and I began to see how this ministry could reach children’s hearts so well with what they call “God’s rescue plan.”  We have been supporting them financially for many, many years.  For more information on this wonderful ministry that is reaching multitudes of children all over the world, and establishing local puppet ministries everywhere they visit, go to www.theapagepuppets.org .  I will also put a link in the show notes.  Now, on to today’s episode.

As we have stated in the previous episode, Paul certainly makes mention of Christ being “in us”:

Colossians 1:27 HCSB  God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

But most of the time, Paul refers to us being “in Christ”:

Galatians 3:28 HCSB  There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Romans 12:5 NASB  so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Romans 16:7 NASB  Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

1 Corinthians 1:30 NASB  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,

1 Corinthians 15:22 NASB  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

2 Corinthians 1:21 NASB  Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,

Ephesians 2:13 NASB  But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Colossians 1:2 NASB  To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

1 Peter 5:14 NASB  Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ.

Philippians 3:8-10 HCSB  More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ  (9)  and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith.  (10)  My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

These are just some of the many instances that Paul refers to us being “in Christ.”

In summary:  

Why does Paul predominately refer to our relationship with Christ as us being “in Christ?”  

1.       He recognized the extra measure of surrender associated with being in Christ:

o   Walking according to the Spirit, rather than according to the flesh (Romans 8:4).

2.      He recognized the incredible blessings associated with being in Christ (which are listed in Philippians 3:8-10).  They include:

o   Gaining the righteousness of God by faith, in place of our own flawed, human-powered righteousness.

o   The privilege of knowing Christ.

o   The knowledge (and experience) of the power of Christ’s resurrection.

o   The knowledge (and experience) of the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings

3.      He recognized that if we are in Christ, then:

o   We go wherever He goes.

o   We are hidden, while He is seen.

o   He is in charge and makes the decisions.

Today, I encourage you to "Reflect on This."