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INTRODUCTION:
When a person gets saved over 30 things happen. In this message we want to look at just a few of them.
A Christian is someone who has trusted Christ for his salvation.
A Christian is also someone who is a work of God’s grace.
As we look at these works of grace we should gain a greater appreciation for the greatness of God’s work and grace.
We must keep in mind these things are the work of God and not that of ourselves.
THE BIBLE gives us this information so that the Christian can rest in assurance OF GOD’S WORK in our lives. This knowledge gives us the confidence to TALK THE TALK AND WALK THE WALK.
At the moment of salvation we are redeemed..forgiven..justified..a new creation..sealed by the spirit…no longer condemned and a member of the body of Christ.
Part one of this message covered just three..redeemed forgiven and justified.
In part one of this message we learned about some very important things that happen when we believe on JESUS CHRIST.
We are REDEEMED..that is bought back from the slavery of sin.
Paid for with the Blood Of CHRIST.
God now owns us. He is our master..please remember that.
We are FORGIVEN ..this act of God releases us from the prison which was holding us.
We are released from the penalty and consequences of sin.
We are restored to a complete relationship with God.
We are JUSTIFIED …THAT IS DECLARED RIGHTEOUS.
JUST AS IF I HAD NEVER SINNED.
Jesus took upon Himself my guilt and my sin and paid for me on the cross.
In part two of this message we will see that a Christian:
IS A NEW CREATION.
IS SEALED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
IS NO LONGER CONDEMNED FOR SIN
IS PART OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.
IV WHEN WE GET SAVED WE ARE A NEW CREATION..
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
?? WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A NEW CREATURE??
At the very moment of salvation we become a new creation in Christ.
Once dead…now alive to God
Once a child of the devil…now a child of God
Once no relationship with God..Now indwelt by God
Once living a life of sin….Now living a life of holiness
This comes about as a result of the death of Christ. [ 2 Cor 5:14-16]
The BORN AGAIN person then takes on NEW PRIORITIES.
The first goal in life is to stop serving self and serve Christ.
THE BIBLE BECOMES A BOOK TO STUDY INSTEAD OF DECORATION.
Church attendance becomes important for:
Obedience…… support,… learning God’s word
and fellowship with like minded people.
??HOW DOES THIS NEW CREATION COME ABOUT??
When a person believes in Christ…God places and positions that person in Christ.
APPLICATION..I have a fresh start…with new priorities.
I can look at life in a brand new way. I’m on God’s side.
V WHEN WE GET SAVED WE ARE SEALED BY THE SPIRIT..
Eph 1:13-14 and 4:30
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Eph. 4:30 (KJV)
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
?? CAN YOU IMAGINE THE BLESSINGS THE EPHESIANS RECEIVED WHEN THEY READ THESE INSPIRED WORDS FROM BRO. PAUL?
???What does it mean to be sealed by the Holy Spirit??
A seal indicates ownership.
A seal indicates a matter has been handled in a proper and official manner.
SEALED by the Holy Spirit tells us that God is marking and claiming ownership of those He has purchased.
?? HOW does being sealed by the Holy Spirit enter into our daily life as Christians??
Our salvation is signed..delivered.. and sealed.
We are secure in our salvation.
We can relax in God’s protection.
We can show the fruit of the Spirit.
We are free to use the GIFTS of the Spirit in our Local Church.
VI WHEN WE GET SAVED WE ARE NO LONGER CONDEMNED FOR SIN..Rom 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
NO CONDEMNATION…means..Jesus took it for us.
Means.. the Christian is not doomed and damned.
Means..the believer is not judged as a sinner.
Means the believer is delivered from death and Hell.
Means the Born again one will not be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment.
HOWEVER: there is the judgment seat of Christ for the believer.
AND ... please note the last part of ROM 8:1..this tells us the Christian is one who walks not after the flesh but after the SPIRIT.
The Real Christian will be concerned about the THINGS OF GOD. Here is a scripture to explain it for us.
Titus 2:12 (KJV)
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
The assurance and the security we have do not give us a license to sin.
Remember..Sin always has its consequences…For the Christian Hell is not one of them.
We are to maintain fellowship with Our Father by immediately confessing any known sin.1 John 1:9 (KJV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
VII WHEN WE GET SAVED WE ARE A PART OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.. EPH 4:16
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
?? WHAT IS MEANT BY THE BODY OF CHRIST??
This is one of several word pictures used in the New Testament for the Church.
The word BODY is a good word to describe the INTERRELATED nature of each saved person to other saved persons.
Think about how your arm relates to your hand.
Your shoulder to your arm and hand.
Your head to your entire body.
Each part is extremely important for the proper operation of the body. If one part fails the whole body is affected.
So you see everyone is important to the proper operation of the Body Of Christ.
It is necessary for each member of the body to use his SPIRITUAL GIFT SO THE BODY FUNCTIONS THE WAY IT IS DESIGNED TO FUNCTION.
The local Church, which is the local visible BODY OF CHRIST provides the place for each Christian to develop his gifts and ministry.
Similar to the home where a child is nourished, learns skills and grows up, the local church is the SPIRITUAL equivalent for SPIRITUAL maturity or growing up in the LORD.
SO can you see how important it is to be a healthy, active and willing member of the LOCAL BODY?
CLOSE:
In this message we have discovered what it means to be:
A NEW CREATION..that is one who has new priorities directed toward God.
SEALED BY THE SPIRIT…that is to have God’s seal of ownership stamped on us. To know our salvation has been handled properly and will last eternally.
NO LONGER CONDEMNED….We can know we don’t have to stand in the judgment of the lost…those who are going to the lake of fire.
A PART OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.. that every saved person is a vital part of this great body…and all are important.
I fear there may be some here who have never had these wonderful things to become a part of your life and soul.
Right now is the time to come to Christ… then these things we have looked at will be yours also.
PRAYER
INVITATION