Category: Sermons

Living the new life in Christ

September 10, 2025

The title of my message today is “Living the New Life in Christ”. It comes from Colossians 3:1-17. In our passage today it gives us some pointers to help us live effectively for Jesus.

This message is a little bit different to my last two messages I have shared here. The last two were in-depth teachings with application points. This one is more of a general encouragement from today’s passage. I even have props to help us remember.

Reading – Colossians 3:1-17

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Message Points

Now this text has a lot in it and I think you could actually write a book about it. Prayerfully and probably thankfully I found as I looked at the text God wanted me to draw four things out for us all today. There is nothing really new in what I am going to say. It is more about reminding us, because as Christians we need reminders every now and then. They help us to stay on track.

Remember to focus on heavenly things (v1-2)

Verses 1-2 talk about things like setting our hearts and minds on things above. Verse 1 uses the term focus our hearts on things above. We are drawn towards things we love. We do nice things for those we love. Verse 2 uses the term setting our minds on things above. It is a deliberate and intentional focussing of our hearts and thoughts towards God and His Kingdom.

When Paul says to set our hearts and minds on heaven he does not mean that we should never think about the things upon the earth, but he is saying that these things should not be our main aim, our main goal, or our master.

When we focus our hearts and minds on heavenly things we see God’s bigger picture. We still may have problems and struggles along our journey, but if our focus is on heaven, our lives take on an eternal perspective. We are able to be lifted above the current struggles that face us today. Viewing our lives through an eternal perspective gives us peace and comfort and a sense of purpose. It reminds is that we have a destiny and that we are part of God’s grand plan.

I love the line from that great hymn Amazing Grace – when we have been there 10,000 years, we have only just begun. After 10,000 years we have only just scratched the surface of eternity. We need to remember death is not the full stop at the end of the book, it is the full stop at the end of the first chapter. Our lives must therefore have an eternal perspective. We must focus on heavenly things if we are to live out this new life in Christ.

Rope illustration – Coloured one end to show this life and the longer white end represents the time we will spend in eternity.

1 Peter 1:23 – For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.

Remember to put off our old earthly nature

If you look carefully at this passage you see there are five things of the flesh and five things of the mouth that we need to get rid of. Flesh = sexual immorality, impurity, lust, greed and evil desires. Mouth = rage, malicious behaviour, slander, lying and dirty language.

In the Colossians church people had infiltrated the church with the goal to diminish the deity of Christ and to downplay the importance of living right. They reasoned that because the body is made of flesh and it will return to the ground, then it was ok to live you wanted. They believed that an everything goes lifestyle was ok and that you would still be right with God. They figured your spirt would be right with God so everything will be ok. Paul writes to counter these things. Paul writes to remind the people that it is important to live right while walking with Christ.

Getting rid of these things may take time, but we need to remember that at the moment we received Jesus into our hearts and life the Holy Spirit washes us clean and gives us a new nature. Titus 3:5 says, “He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning.” This is known as the Doctrine of Regeneration. It is a work of God that the Holy Spirit does in our lives when we come to Christ.

At that moment when we accept Christ we are also Sanctified. Sanctification is a two-part process. To sanctify means to be set apart for a holy use. So when we accept Christ we are sanctified or set apart. Sanctification is also the process by which the Holy Spirit makes us more like Christ in all that we do, think, and desire. It is an ongoing moral and spiritual transformation. If we look back at our lives 5, 10 or 15 years ago we should see very different people to who we are today.

If we do the right things and allow God to work in our lives, they will slowly drop away. We need to be reading the Bible and allowing it to renew our minds, by praying and spending time with God, by spending time with others who follow Christ, by coming to church and worshipping God and having communion, by focussing on heaven, and by serving God with your spiritual gifts. If we work with the Holy Spirit and do the right things, we will see growth and the old nature’s habits fall away.

Putting off the old self is a key to living the new life in Christ.

Remember to put on our new heavenly nature

In verse 12 Paul tells us some of the things we need to put on. It says, “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience”.

As we saw in the last point there were five things of the flesh and mouth we need to put off. In this section we see five things we need to put on. They are compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. These things sound a lot like the fruit of the Spirit that is mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23.

I love the analogy of clothing ourselves. In the same way as Ephesians 6 tells us to put on the armour of God, it says we need to put on these attitudes and behaviours on like getting dressed. It is a conscious choice to walk in the ways of Christ.

Clothing ourselves with heavenly attitudes is another key to living the new life in Christ. Letting our lights shine, being salt and light, loving one another and living right shows we are Jesus’ disciples. These things will be more important than ever in an ever changing world.

Remember to be Christ’s heavenly representative

The Bible tells us that we are no longer citizens of this world, but are citizens of heaven and of God’s Kingdom. Ephesians 2:19 says, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household”. And Philippians 3:20 says, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ”. We are to live and breathe and walk like members of God’s Kingdom and be his ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). It is our new role in this life. We can add it in to our resume- in my case 21 July 1989 to present “Ambassador of Christ”.

Years ago I used to work at the Immigration Department in Perth. I would often have to visit foreign embassies to pick up passports or paperwork. When I walked through the doors or through the gate I was told to be conscious that I was on foreign soil. Yes, I was in Perth, but I was either in Greece, Russia or Italy. I had to abide by their rules and try hard not to offend their customs. In many ways, this is what it is like for us as Christians when we come into this place. It is God’s embassy. His dwelling place on earth. The Bible says the Lord inhabits the praises of His people and where two or more are gathered He is in our midst. When we meet here were are in His dwelling place. We are His children, doing His work, representing Him. When we leave this place and go home we still have our ambassador hats on. We are citizens of heave representing Him.

So how do we best represent Christ? Verse 16 says the best way to be Christ’s representative is to “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives”. When we let the message of Christ’s love, Christ’s teachings and Christ’s death on the cross for us fill our lives, we want to live for Him and let others know about Him. When we are full of Christ’s love, it has no choice but to outflow on to those around us. Like Jesus said in John 7:39 “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” Streams of living water are a natural outworking of faith in Jesus and the new nature that we are given. As we have seen we need to do the right things to let this new nature flourish and flow out.

This section finishes off with verse 17. It reminds us that whatever we do or say we need to be conscious that we are Christ’s representative. We need to remember that we are the only Bible many people will read. Often people will look at our lives first, before they will ever listen to our message.

Closing

I really like how this passage starts and ends. It has bookends – Set your hearts and minds of things of heaven, at the end it says to remember that we are Christ’s representative in this world. In the middle it talks about putting off your old nature and putting on your new heavenly nature. It is all about living the new life in Christ.

  1. Remember to focus your heart and mind on heaven
  2. Remember to put off our old earthly nature
  3. Remember to clothe yourself with your heavenly nature
  4. Remember to be Christ’s heavenly representative in all you do.

Prayer

Dear God, please help me to live my new life in Christ in a way that honours You. Please help to focus my heart and mind on heavenly things. I pray that You will help me to spend time doing things that feed my new nature. I pray that You will help me to clothe myself with tender hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. I pray I will be a worthy representative of Christ to those around me. We ask in Jesus name, Amen.

Remember these things

August 10, 2025

This morning I was reflecting on who I am in Christ and what I have. I was reminded of a sermon I did a few years back titled, “Remember these things”. I thought I would share it here. Please enjoy…

Remember these things

In Old Testament times they celebrated a number of festivals and ceremonies each year to remember certain things that God had done for them. I think for us as Christians today we need to be reminded of certain things too. Today I want to share three main ideas and a number of verses. Today it is more about letting Scripture speak. So I will read my point, read the Scripture and make a brief comment.

1. Remember who you are in Christ

a. I am a child of God

Galatians 3:26 – All of you are God’s children because of your faith in Christ Jesus.

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we become members of God’s eternal family. We are God’s children and members of His eternal household. When we step out in faith to take on new things, the devil often tries to make us forget who we are and who is our Father. So it is vital we remember this very important foundation.

b. I share in God’s divine nature

2 Peter 1:4 – And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

When we were born into this world we were affected by sin. We were all made in God’s image, but the fall of man effected this. But the good news is Jesus death restored what the fall did. Now as Christians the image is fully restored. We have Jesus is our hearts and the Holy Spirit lives within us. We are partakers in God’s Divine nature. We are one with Him through Christ and He is one with us.

c. I am a new creation

2 Corinthians 5:17 – This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

This is the NLT. The NIV says we are a new creation. New. Completely new. The old is gone and the new has come. The devil wants to make us doubt who we are. He wants to remind us of our old lives. But God says who we are – we are a new creation.

d. I am more than a conqueror

Romans 8:37 – No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

Again, this is the NLT. The NIV uses the term “more than conquerors”. When I looked up the Greek word used for this I found it was hoop-er-nik-ah’-o. This means to vanquish beyond, to gain a decisive victory: – not that conquering, more than conquer. You are more than a conqueror. If you are in Christ, you have overwhelming victory. Jesus defeated sin, Jesus defeated death, Jesus defeated all the powers and principalities of this world… and you are on His team. You are more than a conqueror.

2. Remember what you have in Christ

a. I have eternal life

1 John 5:11-12 – And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.

Right throughout the NT it tells us that if we trust in Jesus for our salvation, we have eternal life. Not a vain hope at the end of our lives. A present reality. Eternal life begins at the moment we accept Christ. Our names are written in the Lambs Book of Life. Our eternal passports are stamped “Citizens of God’s Kingdom”. Whoever has the Son has life. He has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son.

b. I have abundant life

John 10:10 – The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

The Bible says that the thief comes to do damage and tear down. Jesus says His purpose is to come and give a rich and satisfying life. Another version says abundant life or life more abundant. The Greek word for abundant is per-is-sos. This means exceeding abundantly above, more abundantly, or beyond measure. The life we have in Christ is a life of love, peace, blessing, abundance, hope, and security. I wouldn’t trade these things for all the money in the world. These are things that can only be given by God.

c. I have divine provision

Philippians 4:19 – And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

One of my favourite sayings is “God owns all the cattle on all the hills”. If He needs you to do something, then He will supply your needs out of His riches. Matthew 6:33 echoes this when it says, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all things will be added to you”. It doesn’t say some a few things will be added. It doesn’t say some things. It says all things. We have divine provision to fulfil His Kingdom purposes in this world.

d. I always have Jesus with me

Hebrews 13:5b – For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

God promises to be with us always. That means He is not leaving. He is not going anywhere. No matter what we face in this life, He is always right beside us. The same God who was with David when he fought Goliath is with you. The same God who was with Daniel in the Lion’s Den is with you. The same God who was Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego in the fiery furnace is with you. And He promises to never leave you or fail you.

3. Remember what you can do in Christ

a. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.

We can do all things through Christ. I remember years ago I got asked to be best man and MC at a wedding. I have never spoken publicly before and I really panicked. For four months I was petrified. As I was a new Christian I looked into the Bible for help. I found this verse and I wrote it on a piece of paper. Every time I got up to speak at the wedding reception I put my hand in my pocket and recited “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. I believed it and I survived. It was life changing and I actually thought maybe one day I could be a preacher. I gained strength from God’s Word and from Jesus who is the one who backs up that statement.

b. I can fulfil God’s plan for my life

Ephesians 2:10 – For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.

As I have shared with you a number of times. God has a plan for all of our lives. Our part is to recognise it and just walk it out. Not only does God have a plan but He has gifted you to carry it out. 1 Peter 4:10reminds us that, “God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another”. As Christians, we need to remember that we are not here with no purpose. Our purpose is to love God, love on another and fulfil God’s plan for our lives.

c. I can walk in love

1 John 4:19 – We love each other because He loved us first.

What a great verse – we love because He first loved us. God is a loving God who love us. Because we are made in His image, we are capable of extending His love to others. Now we all have people in our lives that are hard to love at times and it can be a challenge. But if we relaxed and ask God to allow His love to flow through us it becomes easier. One thing that helps me is Galatians 2:20. It says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”.

d. I can do what is good

Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Have you ever wondered God requires of you? This verse tells us. 1. Act justly or fairly 2. Love mercy or show mercy to others 3. Walk humbly with God. These three things set us on the right path to doing what is good in God’s eyes. Because God is with us, because we have been born into God’s eternal family and we have the Holy Spirit, we can do what is good.

Closing summary

Today as we finish this message I want us all to remember these three things.

Remember who you are in Christ
Remember what you have in Christ
Remember what you can do in Christ

Amen

F.A.I.T.H.

July 14, 2025

Many years ago I did a sermon using the letters of the word faith for the outline – F.A.I.T.H.

When preaching I always try and do something like that so people have something to hang on to and to help them remember.

By the time you make the point and read the passage you only need a paragraph or two to create a 10 minutes homily. Here are the dot points.

F – Freedom in Christ

John 8:36 NLT – So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

A – Assurance from Christ

Mark 5:36 NLT – But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”

I – Involvement for Christ

Matthew 9:37 NLT – He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.

T – Triumph through Christ

Romans 8:37 NLT – No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

H – Heaven with Christ

John 14:2-3 NLT – There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? [3] When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

Using an acronym is a simple way of making things easier for people to remember. Whenever I did a homily like this, most people could at least tell me some of the points a week later.

Blessings,

Dave

Pentecost – our help from above

June 8, 2025

Bible readings: Acts 2:1-11, Romans 8:8-17, John 20:19-23

Today is Pentecost Sunday. It is the day in the church calendar that we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to the first believers and the birth of the church. It is a day when we remember the help that comes from above. Today I have three reflections from our readings.

The Holy Spirit comes in power

In Acts chapter one we see Jesus told the disciples to not leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the gift from God that He had told them about. This gift was the Holy Spirit which would give them power to be His witnesses. Fast forward to chapter two and today’s first reading, we see this happens. The Holy Spirit comes in power. In verses 2-5 we read there was a rushing wind and flames of fire, that tongues of fire came upon them, and they spoke in various languages as the Spirit enabled.

This was such a powerful event that people came to see what was happening. They were shocked with what they saw – ordinary men from Galilee speaking in about a dozen languages of the hearers. They were praising God and declaring His wonders for all to hear and understand. They were filled to be the witnesses that Jesus spoke about. Now they had the power to continue His mission of seeking and saving the lost.

True followers of Jesus live by the Spirit

In our second reading we see there are two ways to live this life – by the flesh or by the way of the Spirit. Verses 9-11 encourages us to live by the Spirit and not our natural human nature. It reminds us to not live at the level of our natural fleshly nature that seeks the fleshly comforts of this world like riches, comfort and physical pleasure. God wants us to set our sights higher and seek what the Spirit wants by seeking the Kingdom of God above all else (Matthew 6:33).

Romans 8:11 reminds us that the Spirit that came at Pentecost, and whom lives in all true believers, is the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. You and I have resurrection power inside of us! When Jesus returned to His Father in heaven, He did not leave us alone to fumble and stumble through this life. He sent us the Holy Spirit so we could continue His mission of seeking and saving the lost, loving one another and doing good works. He gave us the power to chose life – the Kingdom life that He calls us to live.

We are sent out by Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit

In our last reading from John we see that Jesus sends out His followers. He said, “As the Father sent Me, I am sending you.” This call echoes Jesus last words to His disciples before ascending to heaven in Matthew 28:18-20. It says, “Jesus drew near and said to them, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. [19] Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, [20] and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.”

This call to His first disciples is also our call today. In the same way the disciples were called and sent out, so are we. However, we are not sent out alone. Just like the first believers were filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and empowered for their mission, so are we. We are filled with the same resurrection power that enabled the disciples to preach and bring thousands in to the Kingdom in one day! Just continue reading on in Acts 2 to read about Peter’s first sermon that was empowered by the Holy Spirit. Three thousand were added to the church from one Holy Spirit empowered sermon. Yes I will admit that Jesus’ call to continue His mission can be daunting, but if we keep focussed on the Kingdom and allow the Holy Spirit to work through us, then we have all we need to continue His work.

Closing thoughts

Today as we celebrate Pentecost Sunday I want us to be reminded of these three things. That Jesus did not leave us alone as Holy Spirit came in power, that as true followers we chose to live by the Spirit’s power, and as we do we can fulfil Jesus’ call to make disciples of all nations. The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost means we have help from above to continue Jesus’ mission in this world.

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for Pentecost. Thank You that You sent the Holy Spirit to us as followers of Jesus. Right now Holy Spirit I submit to You. I ask that You will empower me and use me to continue Jesus’ work in this world. Give me confidence and boldness to speak of God’s Kingdom and salvation through Jesus. Please help me to make disciples of all nations. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

10 things God says about you

April 9, 2025

The title of my message today is “10 things God says about you in the Bible”. Today I want to use Romans 12:3 as my starting verse and go from there.

Romans 12:3 says, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

This verse reminds of the important of having a right view of ourselves. It says we should think of our self with sober judgement. The Greek word used here for sober is so-fron-eh’-o. It means to think and be in your right mind or to think correctly about ourselves. Some people think too highly of themselves, while others have a too low opinion. The best way to think right about ourselves in by seeing who God we are in the Bible.

As Christians I believe at times we need to be reminded of who God says we are. Sometimes we forget just how loved we are and just how important we are to God. Today I want to look at 10 Scriptures that changed and transformed my life. They helped me to see myself through God’s eyes and are helping me to fulfil the destiny God has before me.

The main focus is to let God’s Word speak to our hearts and minds. I will read each Scripture and make a short comment.

1. You are created in God’s image

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)

We are made in God’s image. According to most theologians or Bible scholars, being made in God’s image has three aspects or three schools of thought…

  • Structural – Structural in the way we are made. We think, can reason, make choices and love. We are logical cognitive beings. When we do these things we reflect God’s image.
  • Vocational – God is vocational. He is creative in the way He works and created this world. When we create and work and use our gifts in the world around us we reflect God’s image.
  • Relational – God is in the perfect loving triune relationship – the Trinity. Three persons, but one in love, purpose, mission, unity and relationship. When we love God and relate to each other in loving ways we reflect God outwards to the world around us.

While most theologians or Bible scholars fall into one of those camps, I believe that being made in the image of God is a combination of all three. When we make choices, when we work using God’s gifts and when we related lovingly to each other, we reflect God’s image.

As Christ followers we need to remember that God’s DNA is stamped on us. Yes the fall of man skewed the image when God cast Adam and Eve out of the garden and sin entered the world, but it was restored in Christ’s death and resurrection. We are able to reflect all God wants us to be.

2. You were chosen before the foundation of the world

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— (Ephesians 1:4-5)

God chose us before the creation us the world. What did He choose us for? To be holy and blameless in His sight. Why? Because that would give Him pleasure! It was His will and prior choice to have you in His Kingdom and adopted into His eternal family.

3. You were created for good works

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

We are created by God for good works that He planned for us before He made the world. You were on His mind and He had a job for you to do. Like Queen Esther was chosen for a time such as this, so are you. God made you perfectly to play your part. He used all the right ingredients when moulding you on His potter’s wheel. You are gifted with everything you need to do all He needs you to do. Next week we will look into this in a deeper way when we look at using our gifts well.

4. You were adopted as children of God

Yet to all who received him [Jesus], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— (John 1:12)

We are God’s children. Adopted into His eternal family because our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. We are co-heirs with Christ. We are all born into this world in to natural families. Some are good and some are not so good. But when we come to Christ we enter the eternal family of God. We here are brothers and sisters. Not just for this life, but for all eternity.

As I shared in my message a few weeks ago – we will spend way more time in eternity than we will on earth. When we have been there 10,000 years we have only just begun. Look around and see your brothers and sisters in Christ. These relationships will last for eternity. We are brothers and sisters in Christ forever and ever and ever. We are adopted into Christ and God’s eternal family.

5. You have the power of the resurrection inside you

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (Romans 8:11)

Not only are we God’s children and made in God’s image, but we have part of God living inside us. We have resurrection power living in us. The Bible also tells us that we are a Temple of the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit resides in you (1 Corinthians 6:19). When we come together we have part of the Creator of the universe resides in us (1 Corinthians 3:16). We don’t have to feel powerless because the same Spirit who hovered over the waters and the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is alive and active in you.

6. You are no longer condemned

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)

Often we feel condemned and unworthy in the face of a Holy God. God tells us in the Bible there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. None at all. The Greek word used here for condemned is kat-ak’-ree-mah. It means an adverse sentence or judgement from a judge. We are condemned and ready to be sentenced to jail. But this verse says there is no condemnation. No sentence against us. Our judgement has been put aside.

As a result we can’t let other people make us feel condemned, or the devil and we can’t even condemn ourselves. We are free. Personally I was the worst offender at condemning myself. If I spoke to you the way I spoke to myself most of the time, then you would not want to be my friend and you would definitely not want me preaching up front! Romans 8:33-34 NLT told me that if God has said we are right with Him, who can condemn us. No-one! Not even ourselves! Now I am free to live in the love of Christ. Free from condemnation.

7. You are alive and seated with Christ

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-7)

When Jesus returned to heaven He took up the highest place in the universe – seated at the right hand of the Father. These verses tell us that spiritually we are seated right there with Christ. You hold a special place in the heavenly realm. Learning this at Bible college changed my whole perspective on life and how I see myself. I now see my standing as with Christ. I can hold my head up high.

8. God created you in your mother’s womb

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13).

This is David praying/talking to God. David realised the special role God played in creating him. He knit him together in his mother’s womb. The potter moulded and shaped him into a future king. God also knit you together. Making you exactly how He wanted you to be. There are no mistakes. You are what He intended you to be. God said that same thing to Jeremiah. Jeremiah 1:5 says, “before I created you, I knew you.”

9. God loved you and sent His Son for you

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:9-10)

God loved you so much that He couldn’t bear for you to miss out on spending eternity with Him. He sent Jesus to die for you. Jesus gave His life for you. For God so loved you as it says in John 3:16. It is the greatest sacrifice and the greatest demonstration of love of all time. He loved you first and planned always for you to be His treasured possession. You are God’s treasured possession. Loved and treasured. God is besotted with you.

When God looks at you He looks at you with the pride and love of a parent holding their new born child, or like when you watch your children play, or like when you see your child ride their bike for the first time, or when you see your child grow up and marry. There is an immense love and pride in you. God loves you. He adores you. He is besotted with you.

10. You are free in Christ

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)

If you are in Christ, you are free. Free of worry about salvation, free of worry about the future, free of the past, free of sin, free of guilt, free of condemnation, free of striving to be accepted, free of the need to know if God loves you or not. He loves you and accepts you. You are His. You are chosen. You are part of His eternal family. You are free of everything that would hold you back from being all God wants you to be.

Closing

Today we have looked at 10 passages that tell us who we are and what we have in Christ. And this is only just scratching the surface of the amount of passages in the Bible that tell us how important to and how loved we are by God.

When we fully believe these verses it changes our hearts and minds and it truly changes the way we live. We can stand taller and we can be confident in taking on the world knowing that God loves us, is with us and is on our side.

Summary

  1. You are made in God’s image
  2. You were chosen before the world was made
  3. You were created and equipped for good works
  4. You are adopted into His family
  5. You have the Holy Spirit living inside you
  6. You are no longer condemned
  7. You are seated with Christ
  8. You were knit together in your mother’s womb
  9. You are truly loved by God
  10. You are free in Christ. Free from everything that would hold you back.

It is my hope and prayer that you will take these Scriptures home with you and read them everyday this week. Let them sink deep into your heart and mind. Amen.