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Sermon: 2 Cor. 1:21-22
turn with me to
2 Cor. 1:21-22
21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts
INTRO: With Thanksgiving closing in on us quickly this message will hopefully prepare our hearts to be thankful. Often we get so involved in everyday life that we take for granted the things the Lord has given us and all that we have in Him. Pause with me today and consider just how blessed we are. If you have accepted Christ as your lord and Savior you are indeed blessed beyond measure. If you have not, then hopefully this message will help entice you by sharing what blessings we have in Christ.
I. he Stablisheth us . v. 21
One definition of the word “Established” is “continuation or permanence.” According to the Word of God we have been established, with permanence, to one another in a continual relationship.
Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
If I may slip a word in here that tells in terms we understand in today’s society…We are part of the FAMILY of God. We are a permanent part. We may not always honor the position but we’re still family, continually. Nothing makes you feel more accepted than knowing you are part of the group. This group is not just a club or fellowship but FAMILY. Being part of the family entitles us to several things…
Romans 8:1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ
We are sanctified in Christ Jesus
We have hope in Christ.
We have rejoicing in Christ.
We’re a new creature in Christ.
We have liberty in Christ.
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus
We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ
We have peace in Christ.
This is only a partial list of the wonderful things we have “In Christ.” The list actually goes on and on of the provision that has been made for us as Family members of God’s Family.
Stop with me for just a moment and consider what you Got………
ILLUS: Moses was asked of God once…. Now I am paraphrasing here You ….GOT WHAT..? He answered the Lord, “Just a stick” That little insignificant stick became his companion for the next 40 years and God worked miracle after miracle through it. After some deliberation I’m sure Moses would say…. It is far more than “just a stick.”
What we have in Christ has tremendously blessed us and will continue to bless us throughout eternity. When you think of the togetherness we have as brothers and sisters in the same family, the combined
strength, encouragement, wisdom, comfort, confidence, fellowship, and compassion that we share…. Nothing can compare with it. A little thought and evaluation of our possession causes it to take on new value.
The proof of our position is seen in the phrase.. “hath anointed us.” The phrase indicates “to install somebody officially or ceremonially in a position or office” God has established us with one another in an official position for eternity.
We are HIS…
He has Sealed Us…………. V. 22
To seal is to preserve and to keep value within.
Our text says God is the one who sealed us.
1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Our remaining in the family and on our way to heaven does not depend upon our ability's or talents because we are kept by His power.
ILLUS: as I was preparing the message for this morning I thought about Brother Moon and a story he had told me that took place recently he told me that as him and Nancy was going through some things he found a jar of vegetables that his former wife had canned from many years ago and he ate these vegetables and they were actually pretty good still
you see it had been properly sealed that's why a lot of people can fruits and vegetables they seal them for a future date then they open that jar and the contents is as fresh as the day they put them in. A fresh, crisp pickle or sweet blueberries in the middle of the winter, when it can’t be grown for the cold, is a wonderful treat. Our sealing carries the same idea of preservation.
The proof of our sealing is seen in this verse as well… given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
God doesn’t leave it to wonder for us,
here in this life. We can, with confidence, declare our position in Christ.
John said, “1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
let me illustrate it his way
When you place a bid on a property, in order for them to know you mean business and are surely interested in purchasing …. They require Earnest money. which is money placed down to state your intention is genuine. It is money that you lose if you back out of the deal. It is not something you take a chance with, you’re serious when you place down Earnest money.
When God gave us His Holy Spirit to come and indwell us, as believers, He was and is serious about what He has promised. His intention is genuine and His promise is absolute.
Jesus left us with a beautiful promise. John 14 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
He is His Earnest or serious of that promise.
When you pause to consider what you have IN Christ…
Together IN the Family
IN His promise
IN the Heavenlies
It can’t help but stir your gratitude.
It makes you grateful for what has been given you …
Not because you deserved it …. But because He loves you…
You cannot do anything to cause others to love you…
Real love is unconditional and is extended through Grace.
Unmerited favor…….
The gifts God has given us cannot be obtained from any other source in this world
only by the grace of God
ILLUS: There’s a story of a common man who was visited by the Son of the King. The prince was searching for someone he could honestly help. Finding this common man the prince said, “Come with me and I will do thee good.” The man said, “Where do we have to go?” The prince answered, “To my castle.” The man responded with a question after each affirmation the prince would make. His question was, “What’s the catch?” After the promises of a banquet of the finest food, the best accommodations in the land, riches to be lavished upon him, the prince said, “and you can have a bath to wash all the filth off, plus a new wardrobe to wear.” The man, used to living in his common ways said, “Ah hah! I knew there was a catch.”
he didn't want to clean up
Listen friend, there is no “catch” with God’s promises.
You are the apple of His eye…
You are His prized possession…
You are His ambassadors…
You are the Crowning work of His creation..
You are the only creature made in His image….
You are so loved that God’s Only Begotten Son died for you..
That is ample reason for gratitude.
We should be thankful because of our position
We should be thankful because of what we possess in Christ
We should be thankful because of the promises of God
and
We should be thankful because it is commanded of us to be…
Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
I hope this coming Thanksgiving will find us flowing over with gratitude.
May our hearts fill to the point of bursting with gratitude when we consider how blessed we really are.
Friend if you do not know Christ….
If You are not IN Christ….
If You do not KNOW you are the recipient of God’s Promises…
You can be today..
you know Paul may have been traveling down the wrong road when he was on his way to damascus, but after he saw the light and was saved by the grace of God. he sure left us the right road to guide us to heaven. It often has been called the Roman Road.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
if you have already done that you have a real reason to be truly Thankful
if you have not you can have the best Thanksgiving ever if you will just come to Christ today
this altar is open
Let's pray!
