Brian Stone

I recently preached a sermon and at the end listed 38 Bible verses that begin to describe what it means to be in Christ (there are many more throughout scripture). In the sermon I only mentioned the book and chapter with the truth they teach, I have included the verse reference here but hope you will take the time read the context and better grasp each truth. I hope to post this video clip from the sermon soon.

What it means to be “in Christ”

Do you realize that the moment we step in to Christ we are not longer the same person but have been born again into a new life as a new person?

So many things radically change at the moment of salvation…

• Eph. 2:1-5 – once dead but now have been made alive
• Titus 3:5 – washed and regenerated by the Holy Spirit
• John 14:17 – Spirit of Christ in with you and in you
• Eph. 5:18 – as you yield to the Spirit you are filled with the Spirit
• Ro. 6:4 – baptized in the death and resurrection of Christ
• 1 Co. 6:11 – positionally sanctified in Christ
• 2 Co. 5:18 – reconciled to God
• 2 Co. 5:21 – imputed with the righteousness of Christ
• 2 Co. 5:17 – new creation, old things have passed away, and behold, all things have become new.

You are not the same person!

I haven’t mentioned some the basics yet.

• Col. 2:13 – forgiven of all your sins
• John 3:16 – born again
• John 6:47 – given eternal life
• John 17:3 – experiential relationship with the Father
• Eph. 2:10 – His workmanship created in Christ for His purposes

You are now part of the out working of the eternal plans of God in the world!

And then there is the book of Romans

• Ro. 3:24 – justified before God
• Ro. 4:5 – credited with righteousness
• Ro. 5:1 – at peace with God
• Ro. 6:11 – dead to sin and alive in Christ
• Ro 7:6 – set free from the bondage of the Law
• Ro. 8:15 – adopted into His family
• Ro. 8:35-39 – nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus

 I wish we had time to go through everything because there is more…

• 1 Pt. 2:9-10 – become acceptable to God
• Eph. 2:13 – brought near to Him
• Ro. 5:9 – the object of His “much more” care and love
• 2 Co. 4:3-4 – delivered from the power of darkness
• Col. 1:13 – translated into the Kingdom of His Son
• Matt. 7:24-27 – we have been placed on the solid rock of Jesus Christ
• 1 Co. 12 – Fellowship of the saints, placed in the body of Christ, and uniquely gifted to edify others for His glory
• 2 Co. 5:20 – ambassador and representative of Christ in the world
• John 17:6 – You are now a gift from God the Father to His Son Jesus Christ

You are a gift!

 And all of these things are forever secure for us… 

• Eph. 2:8-9 – salvation is the gift of God to us
• Ro. 11:29 – the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable

Listen…

• John 10:27-30 – placed in the hand of the Father and no one can snatch us out
• John 6:37-39 – Jesus is standing guard making sure none get lost
• Eph. 1:13-14 – sealed by the Holy Spirit which is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the day of redemption

The Trinity is a work keeping you secure in Christ!

• 1 Pt. 1:3-5 – recipients of an inheritance that is imperishable and will never spoil or fade, reserved in heaven for us
• Phil. 3:20 – this is where our permanent citizenship is, we are citizens of heaven
• Ro 8:1 – no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus…you have escaped the condemnation of God and you should allow others to experience this escape…especially within the body of Christ. Even further, you should recognize this is true for you and not submit to the condemnation of others.

I wish we had time to go through everything. I have not even mentioned Ephesians chapter 1 or spent time in Romans 8…but I pray that you will.

Go and live out in your practice what is true for you in position.

My Prayer (really it’s Paul’s in Ephesians 1:18-21)

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.