JOINED WITH JESUS CHRISTIAN
1. Once a week someone stands at the table in front of us and talks about the Lord’s death.
2. It is not uncommon for the one directing this part of this service to read one or more passages.
3. If you are ever been called upon to take the lead at the table, here is a tip.
4. Do not use Jn. 6:51-57 for the Lord’s Supper.
I HAVE WORSHIPPED IN PLACES WHERE THIS WAS DONE, AND
I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY THIS PASSAGE IS SOMETIMES SELECTED FOR
A. This chapter refers to “eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking His blood.”
B. This sounds a lot like the elements which represent the body given on the cross and His shed blood.
C. In Jn. 6 the Lord’s Supper is not being described.
2. In fact, the communion was not introduced until long after this time.
3. What is being described is found in verse 45 – READ.
4. The theme in Jn. 6 is accepting the Lord’s teaching.
5. The theme is embracing Christ and His ways.
A. The New Testament makes several references to Christians being joined to the Lord.
B. The first of these references (at least the first I can find) is Jn. 6.
C. Jesus used figurative speech to say it is our job to get very, very close to Him and His teachings.
6. He wants us to be so intimate with Him the relationship is described as eating His flesh.
7. This is an unusual picture, but it gets the attention.
8. In Jn. 14 this same subject is discussed but the illustration is changed.
A. The Lord said he was “in” the Father and we are to be “in” Him (verse 20).
B. It is virtually impossible, in physical terms, to be “in” someone.
C. This is the wording Jesus used to describe a Christian’s relationship with Christ.
9. When we think about who a Christian is, Jn. 6 and 14 provide us with important points.
10. A child of God is someone who is very, very close to Jesus of Nazareth.
A. The Lord is not like a distant relative we see every few years.
B. Neither is he like a neighbor we see from time to time.
C. Jn. 6 and Jn. 14 tell us He is to be at our side all the time.
11. We must draw this conclusion because of these two chapters plus what Jesus said in Jn. 15.
A. In this chapter Jesus described Himself as a “true vine” (verse 1).
B. He said His people are like branches on this vine (Him) – verse 5 – READ.
C. A branch must always be attached to the vine or it dies.
D. The same is true for those who are Christians.
E. When someone is saved, they are joined and must stay attached to the Lord Jesus Christ.
F. We cannot disconnect ourselves for a little while and go off on our own.
G. Christians are to be firmly attached to the Lord.
12. Having such a close relationship with the Lord has some advantages.
13. Verse 6 of Jn. 15 – READ – staying attached to Jesus allows us to
avoid condemnation.
14. Verse 7 – READ.
15. When Christians are close to Christ, they know what God’s will is.
16. They will therefore be praying for the right things and God will grant
their requests.
17. A third benefit is found in verse 15 of this chapter – READ.
A. When Christians have the right type of
relationship with Jesus, they are His “friends.”
B.
The creator of
the world says to us, “You can be my friend.”
JESUS BELIEVES IN FRIENDSHIP, AND HE OFFERS A KIND OF BOND WHICH IS VIRTUALLY UNMATCHED AS WE LOOK AT THE UNIVERSE.
A. Paul was aware of this and he found this to be a thrilling relationship.
B. In Gal. 2:20 he said he had been “crucified” with Christ.
C. This cannot be literal or else Paul could not have written these words.
D. This expression was a figurative description of Paul’s relationship with the Lord.
E. He told the Galatians he had become fully joined to Jesus.
F. His previous goals had been exchanged for goals consistent with the Lord’s will.
2. Paul was so close to the Lord he said in Gal. 2:20 Jesus “lived in Him.”
3. This is a magnificent description of a strong Christian.
4. Christ is living in a faithful child of God.
5. The value of this is found in Col. 1:27. Here the scripture says, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
A. Jesus needs to be close to us because He is our hope.
B. He is the way to “glory.”
C. This is why in the next chapter (Col. 2:6-7) the text says,
D. “Walk in Christ.” Be rooted and “built up in him.”
E. This is what Jesus spoke of in Jn. 14:20: us in Him and Him in us.
6. This theme is so important it is found in the book of 1 Jn.
7. I want to read from 1 Jn. 2.
A. John told his readers to “abide” in the Lord.
B. They were to have the kind of close-knit relationship which has been described.
C. A benefit of doing this is found in verse 28 – READ.
8. A Day of Judgment is coming.
9. 1 Jn. 2:28 implies some will be “ashamed.”
10. There will also be those who will not be ashamed.
11. What will be the dividing line between the two groups?
A. The answer is found in two words: in Christ (“IN HIM”).
B. We will evaluated on whether or note we entered into the Lord and “abided” in Him.
C. Did we become a Christian and did we develop a close relationship with Jesus
D. If the answer is yes, it is off to glory. If the answer is no, it is off to the other place.
12. In 1 Jn. 2:28 (KJV) the text says “confidence.” The ASV says “boldness.”
A. Confidence is not cockiness.
B. Confidence is assurance, peace, security, and a strong sense of comfort.
C. If Jesus is our closest ally, we need to have confidence and boldness.
13. If you have turned to 1 Jn. 2, skip over to the next chapter.
14. The exact passage is 1 Jn. 3:24 – READ.
15. Once again we find Christians are “in Christ” and Jesus is “in them.”
A. Perhaps some who are listening to this material are thinking, “It sounds good.”
B. “Having a close relationship with God is something which appeals to me.”
C. “How can I make this work in my life?”
D. “How can I make Jesus my closest friend? How have others done it?”
E. We don’t need to go Barnes and Noble to find the answer.
F. The answer is found in 1 Jn. 3:24.
G. If we “keep His commandments” two things are true:
1) We “dwell in Him” (KJV).
2) He “abides in us” (ASV).
16. By being obedient, we have the kind of close relationship the Bible describes.
17. At the present time there are many who ridicule the idea of commandment keeping.
18. We are told this is an old way of thinking.
19. In our modern times it is said we need a new approach to God and religion.
20. Not every idea is right, and these two ideas are very wrong.
A. The Hebrew writer said (13:8) God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
B. In New Testament times God told people to create a relationship with Him by being obedient.
C. We are still under the New Testament.
D. The unchanging God has not changed the terms of this testament.
E. Men may have new proposals but these approaches are not from God.
21. Some feel they are close to God by using other ways, but feeling and being are not always the same.
22. To be close to the Son and the Father, we must be obedient to what heaven’s word says.
23. If the importance of this is not convincing enough from 1 Jn. 3, let’s look at 1 Jn. 5.
24. This is another place where John comments on our relationship with the Lord.
A. 1 Jn. 5:12 – READ.
B. Do we need a close relationship with Jesus?
C. Yes. If we “have the Son” we have “life.”
D. Without the Son we “do not have life.”
E. Having a close relationship with the Son of God is a must.
F. How do we get and maintain this association?
G. 1 Jn. 3:24 – we must do what God says.
25. In the book of second John this principle is driven home even more deeply.
26. 2 Jn. 9 – READ.
27. In order to have God we must abide in Christ and in His teaching.
28. If we do not do these two things we “have not God.”
A. This makes our choice pretty simple.
B. Do we have God or do we not have God in our life?
C. Is He our closest friend or is He, because we not in Him, our worst enemy.
29. This morning each person here can be “in Christ.”
30. The process begins by baptism.