TITLE: DISCIPLESHIP: It’s A Relationship, Not A Religion!
TEXT: Romans 6:4-7
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What kind of relationship do we have with God?“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.”
CONCISE OUTLINE:
I. It's A Past Relationship - via our Old Nature!
II. It's A Present Relationship - via our New Nature!
III. It's A Prophetic Relationship - via our Promised Nature!
TRUTH CLAIM: Our relationship with God is not only in the shadow of today but in the shadows of the yesterdays and tomorrows, as well. A relationship requires two people; that is, we need a person on the other side of a relationship, to have one.
We have relationships with all sorts of people (e.g., family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc.), but love relationships are few, as they rightly ought to be.
Christianity is the only spiritual body that has or ever has claimed to have a God who desires, let alone allows, a personal, love relationship with His followers.
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What kind of relationship do we have with God?
Not to dismiss the majesty and wonder of a love relationship with our Creator, let me say that we have -
I. A Past Relationship - via our Old Nature!
A. As a Debtor!We are related to God through Grace!B. As a Dead-man!
[BURDEN] Debt of any kind is a burden. God tells us to owe no man anything; He understands the nature of debt. All of us have been in debt
at sometime; some quite seriously. It’s a heavy weight to bear - when the debt is finally lifted, what a relief."For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God - ."What a gift!Ephesians 2:8"[For] God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him."What a God! What a relationship!Romans 5:8-9Remember, it was accounted to Abraham because he believed! That is, God credited his account to pay his debt!We are related to God through death!C. As a New Man![PLOTS] An acquaintance shared with me that he had a visit from an inexperienced and very nervous salesman the other day. The young man was selling cemetery plots. Being gracious, he allowed the sales pitch to be presented. But when finished he informed the youngster that he and his wife had previously purchased two burial plots at a competitor’s across town.
Awkwardly, the salesman excused himself and made his way to the door. As he hurried down the sidewalk, he turned and petulantly said, "Well, I hope you’ll both be very happy there!""Well, God has purchased us a burial plot only we won't have to stay there for long ... ."1 Thessalonians 4:16-18Read Romans 6:2-7, in its entirety.We’re dead to sin! We’re free from the bonds of sin and death! We’re alive to God in Christ!We are related to God through life; through our new nature![BUTTERFLY] Think about the freedom the butterfly must feel as it experiences its new nature. Oh, I recall my joy when I shed my old nature and flew with the eagles!"- if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."2 Corinthians 5:17This segues us neatly into the present.
II. It's A Present Relationship - via our New Nature!
A. As a Citizen!B. As a Stewards and Ambassadors!We are related to God through citizenship! We are aliens, strangers, andforeigners in this land![CALVYN] For almost two years our church had a visitor from Indonesia, a student at one of the local universities. No amount of effort or prayer on our part could change the fact that he was from Indonesia. In our land he was and always would be an alien, a stranger, and a foreigner.So too are Christians on this The Third Rock from the Sun!"- conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth -"1 Peter 1:17b"- our citizenship is in heaven -"Philippians 3:20We are related to God through the Gospel of the King!C. As a Family Member!"Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy."1 Corinthians 4:1-2"I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes - For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith -"Romans 1:16-17a"- we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel -"1 Thessalonians 2:4"- we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."2 Corinthians 5:20III. It's A Prophetic Relationship - via our Promised Nature!We are related to God through our blood-line - we’re brothers and sisters of the Father’s only begotten Son!"'And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,' says the Lord Almighty."2 Corinthians 6:18We are related to God through our blood-line - we’re children of God![ADOPTIONS] This past Saturday, judges, social workers, and attorneys from all over California gathered in Los Angeles to do their annual "one-day" adoptions.Normally, it can take years to process an adoption in Los Angeles County due to the bureaucratic red-tape. But once a year these folks get together to speed it up. The Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court presided; over 200 foster kids were process through the system to new families.Praise God we have been adopted by the Father through the Son. The Chief Justice of Creation’s Supreme Court presided over our adoption. What the Law could not accomplish in a lifetime of lifetimes, God accomplished on the Cross in the twinkling of an eye."Beloved, now we are children of God -"1 John 3:2a"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him."Romans 8:16-17As an Heir apparent!
We are related to God through hope!"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."1 Peter 1:3-5
APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Oh, my beloved brethren, there are so many other aspects of our relationship to God that I could present but time and space prevent me.
God in His wisdom revealed through His Son our relationship with the Father - past, present, and future!
Praise God we’re related to Him -
- through grace - we’re no longer debtors!
- through death - we’re no longer bound by it!
- through life - we’ve received a new nature, the old has passed away!
- through citizenship - our kingdom is not of this world!
- through the Gospel - we’re stewards of the Good News, ambassadors for the Prince of Peace and Reconciliation!
- through blood - we’re so glad to be a part of the family of God!
- through hope - we’re heirs of the King!
And our God has never, ever broken His Word!
Do you know this? Do you have a relationship? Can you say that you are related in this way? If not, why not? And why do you delay while the Father waits by the road for His prodigals to return?
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