FAQs Mondays: What other benefits come from being in Christ?

"FAQs Mondays" is an ongoing series of posts based on an adaptation of The Baptist Catechism.  You can view the original documents from which it is drawn: here, here, and here.  The most recent posts include: "What Is the Work of the Redeemer", "How Is Redemption Applied", and "What Are the Benefits of Effectual Calling".  The previous post explored the benefits of effectual calling during this life.  This post will explore the benefits of being in Christ that extend beyond this life.

What benefits do believers receive from Christ at Death?

At death the souls of believers are made perfect in holiness, and immediately pass into glory.  Their bodies rest in their graves until the resurrection. The author of Hebrews reminds us, "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect" (Heb. 12:22-23, ESV).  Paul states, "For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep" (1 Thes. 4:14, ESV). The realities that await us beyond this life are great enough to provoke a deep yearning within (see Phil. 1:23; 2 Cor. 5:8; Job 19:25-27).

What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the Resurrection?

At the resurrection, believers are raised up in glory; they shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the Day of Judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoyment of God to all eternity.  Jesus said, "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 10:32, ESV).  Paul states, "So it is with the resurrection of the dead.  What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable" (1 Cor. 15:42, ESV).  Again Paul explains, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil. 3:20, ESV).  Also consider: 1 John 3:2 and 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

Conclusion

Being in Christ is of great value, in this life and the next.  The realities of life in Christ generate gratitude and praise from his followers.  But what happens to those who are not in Christ?  We will seek to answer that question next Monday.

Sermon Recap 5-30-10

Morning: The sermon, "A Message for Employees and Employers," expounded upon Ephesians 6:5-9:

 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.  Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.  Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.  And masters, treat your slaves in the same way.  Do no threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him (Eph. 6:5-9, NIV).

Paul is speaking to a context where slavery was fairly common.  Slaves were people who hired themselves out to a benefactor for some reason (like debt or education), or they were people who had been forced to work for another person for some reason (like war, ect.).  Social contracts where an individual agrees to work for a certain amount of money are similar enough to situation Paul describes that we can draw out some important implications.

First, in light of the gospel, we need to realize the there is more at stake than a paycheck.  The way in which we live our lives either confirms the gospel or it denies it.  We might not ever consider saying the gospel isn't affective with our mouth, but if we fail to live out the good news we might practically deny it by our actions.  We labor because work is part of God's good creation.  We labor because our Father is always at work, and we are trying to follow his example.  We labor because in doing so, for the glory of God, we are rewarded.

Second, we have to work as if we are working for the Lord.  We may serve a person or corporation that couldn't care less about us.  However, the reality is that God, in his providence, has provide us with that job opportunity.  Ultimately, we work for him.

Third, we have to work with a sincere heart.  Our labor should be about making us look better.  It should be about glorifying God through our obedient service. We should not just play the part when someone is looking, rather we should work hard whether we get noticed our not.  We must also work with an undivided heart.  We work wholeheartedly when we work with enthusiasm and focus.

Fourth, we must give respect where it is due.  Thus, we should respect and honor our earthly voices, because they reflect the glory of the Creator.  We walk in fear--fear that we might dishonor Christ through laziness or inability.  As we grow in ability and skill, reflect God's glory back into the world.

Fifth, Employers should treat their workers in the same way.  Paul reminds employers that those under their charge are really God's servants.  He also reminds employers that they too are God's servants.  God is not a respecter of persons.  He gives to each what his work deserves.

Finally, we need to labor hard for the glory of God.  God created us to work, and through that work he will bring forth his glory.  We need to be the best at what God has called us to, so that we might honor him.  Employees--work hard.  Employers-- take care of those who work for you.  Any thing less and Christ's glory is diminished. 

Evening: (5 pm) We had our last VBS clinic tonight centered on the question: "What to I do now?"  (6 pm) We looked a Philippians 4:4-9.  In this passage, Paul urges us to live out the gospel with joy, gentleness, an abiding knowledge of God's real presence, prayerfulness, and gratitude.  He also urges us to strive for purity of mind.

Saturday's Seven 5-29-10

Here are some faith stirring, thought provoking articles to help you in the week ahead:

"A Black Cat in a Dark Room--Are Theologians Really Saying Anything?" by Albert Mohler. An excellent article on the place of theology.

"Has Man Created Life?" by Albert Mohler.  A reminder not to believe the hype behind recent scientific studies.

"Weakness" by Ray Ortlund. God is not undone by our weakness, but is an ever-present Help.

"Straight Talk to Church Members about Their Pastors" by Thom Rainer.  This contains some good advice for church members.

"Alert to Spiritual Warfare" by Jerry Rankin.  As a former missionary and former President of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, Jerry Rankin has been on the front lines of spiritual warfare.  This article reflects that.

"The Eyes of Angels and the Face of My Father" by Greg Lucas.  Greg Lucas rights some of the most touching and faith stirring posts I've read.  I find they often break my heart, challenge me, and lead me to pray of Greg and his family. 


"Great Commission Giving and the Annual Church Profile" by Ronnie Floyd.  I think this article helps to clarify some of what the GCR taskforce's recommendations really means.

The Problem with Consciences

You have probably heard the song, "Give a Little Whistle." Jiminy Cricket and Pinocchio sang it in Disney's Pinocchio. The last line of the song states, "And always let your conscience be your guide."  At face value, this statement sounds like sage advice.  However, a closer look at Jiminy Cricket reveals he was a pretty defective conscience.

Jiminy had an eye for the ladies, and ogles them throughout the movie.  Not only is he unable to articulate a clear definition of temptation, he continually loses sight of Pinocchio just long enough for the puppet to get himself into danger.  Jiminy's weaknesses help to explain why Pinocchio was able to get into so much trouble--his conscience was his guide.

Whether intentional or not, Disney was able to capture the human predicament.  We are creatures who at our cores understand that an external "ought" exists which presses its demands on us.  The concept of right and wrong is deeply ingrained into the human experience in almost every culture.  While we may not be able to perceive our transgressions against others, we unmistakably know when we are transgressed against, and we often become enraged at such injustice.  As Paul says, "They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them" (Rom. 2:15).

The truth is our consciences are defective.  Our consciences are quite adept at permitting us to wander off, and then chastising us for wandering.  Sometimes our conscience are unclear as to what is and what is not right or wrong.  The conscience can be heavily influenced by outside forces, or misdirected by personal desires.

If we always let our conscience be our guide, we will find ourselves in as much trouble as the young Pinocchio.  We need a better way.  The author of Hebrews said, "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water" (Heb. 10:22).  How do we overcome a defective conscience?  We overcome defective consciences by drawing near to Christ in faith through the experience of regeneration.  As we draw closer to Christ in faith, the Spirit informs our consciences by the Word of God.  So "when you get in trouble and you don't know right from wrong," always let the Scripture be your guide.

Two Signs You Might Be a Bad Parent

When you want to adopt, you give up all your privacy.  Government agency look into every nook and cranny of your life.  They know if you have been naughty or nice, and usually deny you a child if you've been naughty (rightfully so).  For the most part, you really have to want to be a parent to push through the paperwork, intrusions, and red tape.  I have often wondered what would happen if every person had to go through this kind of screening before they were allowed to have any children.

Have you ever wondered how your parenting skills rate?  While there may be room for improvement in our parenting technique, we are probably not as bad as we imagine.  Remember to love your children, pray for them, and teach them to follow the Lord. Here are two video clips that demonstrate parental failure.  If you have done something similar to this, repent.


Crazy Parents Let Baby Wrestle Cobra - Watch more Funny Videos


Two-Year Old Toddler Smokes Cigarettes - Watch more Funny Videos

Moral: never let your child wrestle with a venomous snake and never let your 2 year old smoke.  It's just bad. 

Praise the Lord

"Praise the Lord! Blessed it the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments" (Ps. 112:1).

The person who fears the Lord is blessed.  The second part of this statement suggests that fearing the Lord is the same as greatly delighting in his commands.  Those who dwell in the favor of the Lord delight in doing his will.  Those who delight in doing his will dwell in his favor.

The natural response to the reality of blessing should be praise. The Lord is infinitely worthy of praise.  Everyday he pours out blessings in abundance.  We should desire to make his name known both far and wide.  We should continually recite his works, on our behalves, to ourselves and others.

Psalm 112 expresses several ways in which we are blessed.  The righteous are perpetually fruitful (2-3).  They experience good (4-6).  They have no reason to fear for they will ultimately triumph (7-8).  They will frustrate their enemies (9-10).

The righteous experience a perpetual fruitfulness, because their faith is contagious.  They train their children to walk with the Lord, and often their children continue to walk with him.  Their children in turn teach their children and the pattern is perpetuated.  Often the righteous a blessed with more than enough, which they willingly share.  Because of their character, their memory influence future generations.

The experience good even in hardship.  Hardship comes to shape and mold, but it cannot destroy.   God tends carefully to us, so that we are not cast down.  The dark night may descend, but the Lord's grace will cause the morning to dawn on us.  Because God is good, good things come about in our lives.  Because good things happen to us, we do good to others.  Because we do good to others, God showers goodness in our lives.  He is the source of all good things.

When we fix our mind on the Lord, on his steadfast and trustworthy nature, we have no reason to fear, because nothing can overcome us.  Satan may besiege us.  Heartache set in.  Difficulties might come in droves.  But God still holds us.  He will not let us be plucked from his hand.  He will not let us slip out of it.  We are his, and he loves us dearly.

In the end, we will see the frustration of our enemies.  Those who rail against the cross of Christ, and who despise the gospel, want to see us pushed from the world, but they cannot overcome us.  They want fame, but the name above every name will one day appear in the clouds.  The want power, but Christ is coming with power.  They want wealth, but Jesus owns it all.  The wants of the wicked will come to nothing.

Our King be praised for his kingdom cannot be overthrown.  Our King be praised because he has caused us to triumph in Christ.  Our King be praised because he has showered us with good things.  Our King be praised because he has made us fruitful forever.  His name be praise.  Praise the Lord.

Defending Walls

"A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls" (Prov. 25:28).

In the ancient world walls were the best defense against invasion.  If a city planned wisely and their walls were strong, they could hold off an enemy indefinitely.  However, once the wall was breached the outcome was determined by those who had greater strength, better weapons, and more skill.  Without a wall, a city was wide open to attack.  There was nowhere to run to and nowhere to hide.

Thus, the analogy is drawn.  A man without self-control is defenseless.  He is wide open for attack.  People that lack self-control are easily manipulated.  They are like lambs to the slaughter.

The Scripture uses various images for the forces of darkness--lions, wolves, locusts, hordes, etc.  Each image is meant to flesh out the dangers posed by demonic forces.  These forces pose a real threat to our lives.  They hunt.  They seek to devour.

If we are not able to keep watch, they will maul us with their malevolence. Catching us off guard, they will pounce.  Solomon's warning strikes home.  Without self-control we are defenseless against them.  There is nothing we can do.


Self-control is not a natural reality.  Although, some individuals are able to control themselves to a much higher degree than others, none of us is always in complete control.  Paul tells us that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit.  Which means that genuine self-control is a supernatural reality.  God must work it in us.


The good news is that through Christ Jesus, we are indwelt by the Spirit and self-control is part of our new nature.  A believer may grieve the Spirit during the process of growing in self-control, or he may quench the Spirit, but if the Spirit is present self-control will follow.  By the Spirit's power, we should begin to see more and more of our attitudes, thoughts, and actions coming under the Spirit's sanctifying presence.


If you are overcome by anger, or given to laziness, or prone to exaggeration, etc., then you need to realize your defenses are down.  The enemy is on the march.  He is rapidly approaching, if he hasn't already set siege to your life.  By the grace of God, erect the walls of self-control around your life, and find in him your hiding place.