IF WE ARE HIS (1)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     In the New Testament, we read phrases such as “they that are Christ’s,” and “them that are his.”

1.       Galatians 3:29

 

And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

2.       2 Timothy 2:19a

 

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his…

 

B.      The words “Christ’s” and “his” are possessive in nature.  There are individuals who belong to the Christ.  They are His.

 

C.     Biblical words like “redeemed,” “ransom,” and “purchased” reveal how Christ came into possession of some individuals.

1.       Redeemed

a.       1 Peter 1:18-19

 

For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

 

b.      Definition:  to be released by means of a payment

2.       Ransom

a.       1 Timothy 2:6

 

Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

 

b.      Definition:  what is given as the price paid for another’s redemption

3.       Purchased

a.       Acts 20:28

 

…to feed the church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood.

 

b.      Definition:  to get for oneself

 

D.     The people who are Christ’s are called by several terms.

1.       As individuals, they are called Christians, disciples, and the faithful.

2.       As a collective body, the most common term by which they are known is “the church.”

 

E.      Most who are in this audience claim to be Christians. 

1.       Thus, we belong to Jesus Christ.

2.       We are His possession.

3.       He paid the ransom price and we were released into His care.

 

 

F.      If we are truly His, then there are some things that are supposed to be true of us. 

1.       In this lesson and one or two more, we want to look at what some of those things are.

2.       The title of our lessons will be:  “If We Are His.”

 

I.                    IF WE ARE HIS, WE HAVE OBEYED THE GOSPEL

 

A.     1 Timothy 2:6 reveals that Jesus gave Himself “a ransom for all.” 

1.       However, not all belong to Jesus Christ.

2.       The teaching known as Universalism” is not true. 

3.       Not all will be saved; some will be lost.  In fact, the Bible teaches that many will be lost (Matt. 7:13).

 

Enter ye in at the strait gate:  for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.

 

B.      Jesus does not force individuals to be His. 

1.       Thus, He has made redemption an option. 

2.       The option involves a choice:  “obey the gospel,” or, refuse to obey.

3.       Obeying the gospel is referred to in several ways: 

a.       Doing the Lord’s will

b.      Submitting to the commands of God

c.       Obeying God’s Word

d.      Conforming to the demands of the New Testament

e.       Giving heed to the doctrine of Christ

f.        Yielding to the truth

g.      Being obedient to “the faith”

 

C.     What is it that one must do to become one a prized possession of Jesus Christ?

1.       Two times in the book of Acts, individuals asked:  “What must I do to be save?”

a.       The Jews on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:37)

 

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

 

b.      The Philippian jailor (Acts 16:30)

 

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

 

2.       Let’s look at the contexts of each of the conversion accounts in order to determine the answer to the question that was asked.

 

Jews on Pentecost (Acts 2)                                        Philippian jailor (Acts 16)

 

-Peter began preaching to the curious crowd (v. 14)             -Paul and Barnabas cast into prison

-Having heard the word, the Jews believed (v. 37)               -Earthquake caused jailor’s question

-Having believed, they were to repent & be baptized (v. 38)        -The initial answer was to believe (v. 31)

-They gladly received the word and were baptized (v. 41)           -To believe, the Word was preached (v. 32)

                                                                                    -Repentance:  washed their stripes (v. 33)

                                                                                    -Same hour was baptized (v. 33)

 

NOTE:  The difference is no difference in their actions:  heard, believed, repented, were baptized.

 

3.       When any individual does what these individuals did, they become possessions of Jesus Christ.  As Paul told the Corinthians:  “For ye are bought with a price…” (1 Cor. 6:20).

 

II.                 IF WE ARE HIS, WE WILL BE INSTRUCTED BY HIM

 

A.     In Matthew 28:18-19, Jesus gave the Great Commission to His apostles.

 

And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

 

1.       Jesus said to teach them.  The Jews and the jailor were taught.

2.       Jesus said to baptize them.  The Jews and the jailor were baptized.

 

B.      Jesus, however, continues in Matthew 28:20.

 

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:  and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.  Amen.

 

1.       When a person obeys the gospel, he comes forth from the waters of baptism as a babe in Christ.

2.       This individual knows the basics of salvation, but there is so much more he/she needs to learn.

3.       If one truly belongs to Christ, he will continue to be instructed by Him.

 

C.     Numerous examples:

1.       The early church “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42).

2.       The Bereans “searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).

3.       Paul prayed that the Philippian’s love would “abound more and more in knowledge and in judgment” (Phil. 1:9).

4.       He prayed that the Colossians would be “filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col. 1:9).

5.       Paul exhorted Timothy to “study to shew thyself approved unto God” (2 Tim. 2:15).

6.       When Paul was in prison, he told Timothy to bring “the books, but especially the parchments” (2 Tim. 4:13).

 

D.     If we are not “in the Good Book,” then we cannot be instructed by Him.

 

E.      NOTE:  Many people need some assistance in learning the Word of God.  This is why it is imperative that we come to worship and attend Bible classes so we can learn from others who have devoted themselves to a study of God’s Word.

 

F.      Salvation in the last day is contingent upon our “continuing in the faith” (Col. 1:22-23).

 

…to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:  if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have learned…

 

 

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     Who is this Jesus?

1.       The Creator of all things (John 1:3; Col. 1:16-17)

2.       The Son of the Highest (Luke 1:35)

3.       The Master Teacher (Matt. 7:28-29)

4.       The Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29)

5.       The precious Savior (Luke 2:11)

6.       The resurrected Lord (Matt. 28:6)

7.       The King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Tim. 6:15)

8.       The Judge of all the earth (Acts 17:31)

 

B.      And, I am His!

1.       I belong to Him.

2.       I am His possession.

3.       He purchased me for His own.

 

C.     Yes, I am His.

 

D.     QUESTION:  Are you His?  The answer to this question comes by answering another question:  “Have you obeyed the gospel?”