Bible Study - Living - Confident - Ephesians 1, Romans 8, 2 Corinthians 5 - July 29, 2012

Bible Study – Living – Confident – July 29, 2012

This is our final lesson in our series entitled “Living Beyond Yourself.”

Our scripture is Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:14-17; 2 Corinthians 5:1-5.

Christians can live with confidence because they have been saved from the consequence of sin, which is eternal death, through the passion of CHRIST. The proof that CHRIST was and is GOD’S SON is HIS resurrection and paid the debt for sin in full for all who will believe in HIM.

The Bible gives Christians assurance that when they receive CHRIST as their Savior, they become GOD’S children. Salvation  is only through CHRIST. In GOD’S Word, JESUS expressed the miracle of becoming GOD’S child as being born-again. The Apostle Paul referred to this process as adoption. Either way of expressing the process results in being GOD’S Sons  and Daughters. I personally like rebirth as expressed by JESUS, which I will elaborate on later.

It is interesting that adoption was not part of the Jewish law. Generally, a family member of the Jewish race would take an orphaned child into their home and he/she would become a member of their family. When the orphaned child became a member of that family he/she had the full rights and privileges as their natural born child or children. However, the Romans had a system for adoption. In both societies, the orphan officially taken in by the family opening their home or by the adopting family became a full member of that new family.

In John Chapter 3, JESUS discussed rebirth as necessary for a person to be born-again in the spirit.

John 3:1-8:

1 There was a man from the •Phariseesa Mk 7:3 named Nicodemus,b Jn 3:4,9; 7:50; 19:39 a rulerc Lk 8:41; 12:58 of the •Jews.
2 This man came to Him at night and said, “•Rabbi,d Jn 11:8 we know that You have come from Gode Mk 1:45 as a teacher,f Mk 4:38; Eph 4:11 for no one could perform these signs You do unless God were with him.”g Ex 3:12; Jn 15:24; Ac 10:38; Rv 21:3
3 Jesus replied, “•I assure you: Unless someone is born again,h The same Gk word can mean again or from above (also in v. 7).i 1Pt 1:3; 1Jn 2:29 he cannot see the kingdom of God.”j Mk 1:15; 9:1
4 “But how can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked Him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “I assure you: Unless someone is bornk Mk 9:43 of water and the Spirit,l Or spirit, or wind; the Gk word pneuma can mean wind, spirit, or Spirit, each of which occurs in this context.m Ezk 36:25-27; Ac 22:16; Tit 3:5 he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
6 Whatever is born of the fleshn Php 3:3 is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirito Jn 1:33 is spirit.
7 Do not be amazed that I told you that youp The pronoun is pl in Gk. must be bornq 1Pt 1:3 again.
8 The windr The Gk word pneuma can mean wind, spirit, or Spirit, each of which occurs in this context. blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going.s Jn 8:14 So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”t

The Bible speaks of GOD’S Spirit as the divine sperm. We have to use the Amplified Bible to see this 1 Peter 1:23 and 1 John 3:9:

1 Peter 1:23:

23 You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God.

1 John 3:9:

9 No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and h Marvin Vincent, Word Studies. habitually] practices sin, for God's nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God.

I like to think of the human spirit as the egg. I have NOT found a reference in scripture that the human spirit is an egg. I am taking the concept that with GOD’S Spirit being the divine sperm, then there is an egg.

When we ask CHRIST to forgive us for our sins and for HIM to come into our lives, the Spirit of GOD (Divine Sperm) unites with our spirit and Spiritual conception takes place. We are truly born into the family of GOD through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth. When we shed this mortal body our born-again Spirit leaves our earth suit and goes to heaven. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:1 that Christians will have a Spiritual body while they are in heaven. When CHRIST returns to earth, to rapture the church, those who have departed earth in the death of their human body, will accompany HIM and receive their new Glorified bodies, which will be like CHRIST’S resurrected body.

Paul speaks of adoption. Paul spoke of those who accept CHRIST as their Savior as being adopted by GOD, as HIS Sons or Daughters. Paul states the concept of adoption in Romans 8:14, which is part of our scripture in today’s study. I think since Paul’s ministry was primarily to the Gentiles, they could relate to adoption. The end result is the same.

Sin has separated every person from his/her heavenly Father. All Christians were orphans but CHRIST redeemed and reconciled all who believe in HIM back into the family of GOD. How do we know that? It is because GOD gives the Holy Spirit to every true Christian as a security deposit, a down payment to confirm that he/she belongs to HIM. Every true Christian has GOD’S protective seal upon him/her until he/she departs earth and beholds HIM in heaven. Let’s explore.

Let’s read Ephesians 1:13-14:

13 When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 14 He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory.

Paul told the Christians in Ephesus that the instant they received CHRIST as their Savior, they were sealed by the Holy Spirit. GOD’S seal is HIS mark of ownership and authenticated by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The seal cannot be removed by anyone. A Christian is GOD’S child for eternity.

The Holy Spirit is GOD’S gift to every true Christian as a down payment which ensures that GOD will fully redeem them at their death or when CHRIST comes for HIS church. A down payment was common practice in ancient times. For example, a purchaser of a piece of property would give a down payment to the seller as a security deposit or assurance that the purchaser was committed to purchase the property in full.

When Christians accept CHRIST as their Savior, CHRIST comes into their lives in that instant. They are saved from sin and death. But they remain on earth to obediently serve GOD. GOD in HIS wisdom gives to every true Christian a down payment or security deposit of the Holy Spirit, Who confirms that they belong to GOD through the miracle of rebirth or adoption.

Christians are GOD’S children but they live in the body of flesh while they remain upon earth so they can obediently serve GOD as directed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Therefore, they are not fully redeemed until they escape their body of flesh and go to heaven. When CHRIST returns to earth for HIS church (the rapture) those who have departed and are waiting in heaven will follow behind HIM and will receive their new Glorified bodies. This is when all Christians will receive their Glorified bodies. Paul wrote about this in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: (My Insert)

The Comfort of Christ’s Coming 

13 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are •asleep (died), so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep (died as Christians) through Jesus. 15 For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

So how do Christians know this is true? GOD has given to every Christian the Holy Spirit as proof and guarantee that it is true. But this is confirmed only to Christians because they are the only ones who have the indwelling Holy Spirit. Let’s go to Romans.

Let’s read Romans 8:14-17:

14 All those led by God’s Spiritf Gl 5:18 are God’s sons.g Hs 1:10; Mt 5:9; Jn 1:12; Rm 9:8,26; 2Co 6:18; Gl 3:26; 1Jn 3:1; Rv 21:7
15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,h 2Tm 1:7; Heb 2:15 but you received the Spirit of adoption,i Gl 4:5 by whom we cry out, “•Abba, Father!”j Mk 14:36; Gl 4:6
16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spiritk Ac 5:32 that we are God’s children,
17 and if children, also heirsl Ac 20:32; Gl 3:29; 4:7; Eph 3:6; Tit 3:7; Heb 1:14; Rv 21:7—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing thatm Or provided that we suffer with Himn 2Co 1:5,7; Php 3:10; Col 1:24; 2Tm 2:12 so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Paul wrote to the Christians in Roman. Christians who are led by the Holy Spirit belong to GOD. It is the Spiritual fruit of Christians that reveals their relationship to GOD – Matthew 7:20 - 20 So you’ll recognize them by their fruit. The Bible is clear But each Christian knows whether or not he/she is GOD’S child. Paul made it clear that those truly born-again or adopted into the family of GOD do not fear losing their salvation. They are secure in the family of GOD and nothing will ever change that. In fact, Christians have an intimate relationship with GOD through CHRIST such that they can call GOD “daddy” or “papa.” They can go to HIM and crawl into HIS lap and fellowship with HIM, praise HIM, love HIM, thank HIM, tell HIM all of their burdens and troubles, ask HIM for wisdom, help, guidance, comfort and the list goes on. Just keep in mind that GOD knows the best for HIS children and will never give them something that will harm them. GOD’S response to our requests may be okay, wait or no. HE is sovereign.

The indwelling Holy Spirit confirms this Father and child relationship. This confirmation occurs in the “eyes of our heart,” which is the most intimate, secret place of every human being. It is a knowing and an assurance that you belong to GOD, through CHRIST. If you do not know it, then confess it and ask GOD to reveal to you why you do not have this assurance. I know in my life, I did not trust GOD to be able to lead and guide my life or if HE did HE would ask me to do something that I did not want to do. You cannot hold anything back. Here I am Father as I am make me into the Christian YOU want me to be.

As children of GOD, Christians are also heirs of GOD and coheirs with CHRIST. CHRIST was obedient to GOD even unto death. None of us like the thoughts of suffering and verse 17 can be troubling to many Christians. But GOD does not mince words. Yes, when Christians obediently serve HIM, they may be called upon to suffer. But Paul was contrasting the suffering of this world pales compared to the joy of eternity. When Christians have the mind of CHRIST, they suffer (broken hearted) over those who are lost. They may suffer physically.

In our next scripture, Paul writes about eternity and the type body Christians will have when they exit their earth suits and go to heaven before the rapture.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 5:1-5:

Our Future after Death 

1 For we know that if our temporary, earthly dwelling is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. 2 Indeed, we groan in this body, desiring to put on our dwelling from heaven, 3 since, when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 And the One who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

Paul considered the human body as a temporary dwelling for a Christian’s born-gain Spirit. In verse 1, he stated that GOD has a Spiritual body ready for Christians to put on which will serve them while they are in heaven. This could be our born-again Spirit which will be released and will immediately be in the presence of CHRIST and GOD.  Will our born-again Spirit slide into heavenly clothes upon the death of our earth suit? We need to keep in mind that it is believed that Paul died when he was stoned and went to the third heaven.

Acts 14:19-20: (Possible death of Paul)

19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and when they had won over the crowds and stoned Paul, they dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead.r Ac 13:45,51; 2Co 11:25; 2Tm 3:11
20 After the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.s

2 Corinthians 12:1-10: (Paul caught up to the Third Heaven – the first heaven is where the birds and clouds are. The second heaven is where the planets and galaxies are and the third heaven is where GOD is.)

1 Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visionsa Lk 1:22 and revelationsb 1Pt 4:13 of the Lord.
2 I know a man in Christ who was caught upc 1Th 4:17 into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know, God knows.
3 I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know, God knows—
4 was caught up into paradise.d Lk 23:43 He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak.
5 I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.
6 For if I want to boast, I will not be a fool, because I will be telling the truth.e Ps 119:142; Jn 8:14; 14:6; 2Co 11:10; 1Jn 5:20; 3Jn 3 But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me,
7 especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the fleshf Nm 33:55; Ezk 28:24; Php 3:3 was given to me, a messengerg Or me, an angel of Satanh Mt 4:1,10; Ac 13:10 to torment me so I would not exalt myself.
8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me.
9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for poweri Other mss read My powerj Mk 5:30; Lk 1:35; 6:19; Ac 19:11; 2Co 13:4; Rv 11:17 is perfected in weakness.”k Isa 40:29-31; 1Co 2:5; Php 4:13 Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.
10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ.l Mt 5:11-12; Rm 5:3; 2Co 13:4 For when I am weak, then I am strong.m Eph 6:10

This Spiritual body will serve them until they receive their Glorified bodies when the church is raptured. Paul’s main point is that Christians will not be disembodied Spirits while they are in heaven. As some of you know, I had an experience many years ago where I saw a lady walk with JESUS when she died. She had what appeared to be a normal body and she had on a white garment. She, Mrs. Green, was the mother of a lady I worked with. I had never met her but had been praying for her. A booming loud voice told me that Mrs. Green had just passed away but she was walking with the LORD. The young lady I saw walking with the LORD appeared to be her twenties, with long flowing brunette hair. When I saw this I had no idea or conception of what would happen once a  person died. I had heard sermons on soul sleep until the rapture. I believe that once a Christian dies, he/she is immediately in heaven. Paul confirms this. So let’s focus on Paul’s writing.

In verse 2, Paul had a desire to go to heaven but he also knew that there was work that GOD wanted him to complete on earth before HE called him home. Paul had a health issue, which he referred to as his thorn in the flesh. GOD did not relieve him from this condition, whatever it was. He was anxious to put on his heavenly clothes but he also wanted to  obediently serve GOD  to the fullest.

Jews dreaded the thought of being naked and thought it was a disgrace. Paul was writing to all Christians, Jews and Gentiles, to assure them, that as Christians, they would not be disembodied spirits, they will have a Spiritual body suitable for heaven. We know that in 2 Corinthians 5:21 -
21 He (GOD) made the One (CHRIST) who did not know sinn 1Jn 3:5 to be sino Or be a sin offering for us,p Rm 8:3; Gl 3:13; 1Pt 2:24 so that we (Christians) might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Christians are clothed in the righteousness of GOD through CHRIST. Christians will not be found naked because they are secure in CHRIST because of HIS shed blood upon the cross. They have put on the righteousness of CHRIST. HE died just for you that you might have eternal life through faith in HIM. That is how much HE loves you. Accept that love right now by asking HIM to forgive you for your sins and to come into your life. If you asked HIM to forgive you for your sins and to come into your life, now thank HIM for HIS great salvation. This is the beginning of an awesome Spiritual journey.

Paul considered the human body as a tent. A tent was for nomads and was considered a temporary dwelling. The human body was fashioned for us to use while we live upon earth but in Christians dwells their born-again Spirit. Paul has an interesting thought.

He thought that while Christians are living in their human body that they live such that their Spiritual life consumes their human body until the two become one. When that happened, it no longer matters where we reside – earth or heaven – our desire is to obediently serve GOD. GOD gave Christians the Holy Spirit to help bring the human body into the will and purpose of GOD. Christians have the mind of CHRIST and GOD’S thoughts are revealed to them through the Holy Spirit.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 5:6-10:

6 So, we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.
7 For we •walk by faith,j Mt 8:10; Ac 3:16; Rm 1:8; 1Co 2:5; Gl 2:16; 1Tm 1:2; Heb 4:2 not by sight,k Lk 3:22
8 and we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord.l Php 1:23
9 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasingm Heb 13:21 to Him.
10 For we must all appear before the tribunaln Jn 5:22-30 of Christ,o Mt 25:31-46; Php 1:6; Heb 10:31 so that each may be repaidp Mt 16:27 for what he has done in the body, whether good or worthless.

Paul put it well when he wrote that whether Christians are in their earth suits or in heaven, their desire is to obediently serve GOD. Christians are cognizant that their obedience will be rewarded when they obediently serve GOD upon earth. The key is for all Christians to be led by the Holy Spirit versus being led by their own desires.

A Christian can be confident that salvation is real because it is confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. When a Christian dies, he/she makes a smooth transition from earth to heaven. When I saw Mrs. Green walk with our LORD, she was walking with HIM, about 25-30 minutes before her body was declared dead by the doctor. One day, we will all know exactly the death process but until we do, the Holy Spirit is our guarantee that it will happen as GOD planned and we are secure in HIM.

Have you accepted CHRIST as your Savior? If not, why not right now? CHRIST gave HIS life that by having faith in HIM, you will be set free for sin and its consequence, eternal death. HIS free gift is eternal life, assured and secured by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Blessings!!!