IF WE ARE HIS (3)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     It is possible for a man to belong to Jesus Christ. 

1.       In other words, we can be His.

2.       2 Timothy 2:19

 

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

 

B.      We become His when we obey the gospel of Christ (Rom. 6:16-18).

 

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

 

C.     It we are Christ’s, we are fortunate.  We have been richly blessed, but with those blessings comes responsibility. 

 

D.     This is our third and final lesson of this series, entitled:  “If We Are His.”  Let’s note some other things that are supposed to be true if we are Jesus’ purchased possession.

 

I.                    IF WE ARE HIS, WE WILL SHARE HIM WITH OTHERS

 

A.     In our last two lessons, we noted several descriptions of Jesus Christ.

 

B.      One title that should be very, very important to us is Savior.

1.       Two verses:

a.       The announcement to the shepherds in the field at Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:11).

 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 

b.      Peter’s words in Acts 5:31.

 

Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

 

2.       The word “Savior” in the Greek simply means “deliverer.”

a.       Galatians 1:4

 

Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.

 

b.      Colossians 1:13

 

Who delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.

 

c.       1 Thessalonians 1:10

 

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he hath raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from wrath to come.

 

C.     If our deliverance is meaningful to us, we should long for all men to have that deliverance.  We should be eager to share our Savior with all that are in the world.

1.       Philip was asked by Jesus to follow Him (John 1:43).  He quickly found Nathanael and told him about the Christ (John 1:45).

 

Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

 

2.       The woman of Samaria told the men of the city about Jesus (John 4:28-29).

 

The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith unto the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did:  is not this the Christ?

 

3.       When Cornelius sent for Peter, the Bible tells us:  “And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends” (Acts 10:24).

4.       We need to follow the lead of these soul-winners and do all we can to tell others that a Savior, a deliver, has been provided for them.

 

II.                 IF WE ARE HIS, WE WILL SUFFER WITH HIM

 

A.     The Bible is clear about Jesus’ suffering.

1.       Hebrews 2:9

 

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death…

 

2.       1 Peter 2:21

 

For even here unto were ye called:  because Christ also suffered for us…

 

3.       1 Peter 3:18

 

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.

 

B.      If we are His, we, too, will suffer.

1.       John 15:20

 

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord.  If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you…

 

2.       Romans 8:17

 

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

 

C.     We have a tendency to shy away from persecution and suffering for the cause of Christ.  This was not the attitude of those in the first century.

1.       The apostles (Acts 5:41)

 

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

 

2.       Paul (Phil. 3:10)

 

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.

 

3.       Peter’s words to the Christians who were scattered abroad (1 Pet. 3:14).

 

But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye:  and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.

 

D.     Suffering can range from mild to severe.

1.       Calling us names

2.       Lying about what we teach

3.       Cutting us off

4.       Harming our reputation

5.       Public shaming

6.       Physical harm

7.       Imprisonment

8.       Death

 

E.      Jesus pronounced a blessing on those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (Matt. 5:10).

 

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:  for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 

III.              IF WE ARE HIS, WE WILL LIVE WITH HIM

 

A.     You and I have never had the opportunity of meeting Jesus personally.  Our faith rests upon the testimony of reliable eyewitnesses found in the page of the Bible.

 

B.      There are several verses in the New Testament, however, that promise us that one day we will see Jesus Christ and live with Him forever and ever.

1.       John 14:1-3

 

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.

 

2.       1 Corinthians 15:21-23

 

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  But every man in his own order:  Christ the firstfruits; afterwards they that are Christ’s at his coming.

 

3.       1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

 

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:  and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:  and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

C.     We have no way of comprehending what it will like to be the presence of Jesus Christ. 

1.       We cannot experience that joy right now.

2.       We cannot experience that gratitude right now.

3.       What will we say?

4.       How will we act?

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     We have had three lessons entitled:  “If We Are His.”

 

B.      We have looked at several ways to complete that statement.

1.       If we are His, we have obeyed the gospel.

2.       If we are His, we will heed His instructions.

3.       If we are His, we are Abraham’s seed.

4.       If we are His, we will look like Him.

5.       If we are His, we will serve Him.

6.       If we are His, we will share Him with others.

7.       If we are His, we will suffer with Him.

8.       If we are His, we will live with Him.

 

C.     Let’s now go back to the verse used to open this lesson (1 Tim. 2:19).

 

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

 

1.       If you are His, the Lord knows you.

2.       In John 10, Jesus compares our relationship with Jesus to the relationship shared by the shepherd and the sheep.  Twice Jesus teaches that the shepherd knows his sheep.

1.       John 10:3b

 

…and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

 

2.       John 10:14a

 

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep…

 

3.       This is one of the most comforting thoughts a Christian can have.  Jesus knows me!