Scripture: John 1:12-13

12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Last week, the question was posed: What sort of persons ought you to be?

The answer: You ought to be a person who is Alive with Christ.

As children of God:

I. You were Crucified with Christ

Romans 6:6

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 5:24

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

II. You Died with Christ

Romans 6:3

Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

Romans 6:8

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

Romans 6:11

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:3 (AMP)

For you died (to this world), and your (new, real) life is hidden with Christ in God.

III. You Were Buried with Christ

Romans 6:4

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Colossians 2:12

Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

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When Christ was crucified, you were crucified.

When Christ died, you died together with Him.

When Christ was buried, you were buried with Him.

When Christ was raised, you were raised with Him.

IV. You Were Resurrected with Christ

Romans 6:5

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Ephesians 2:4-5

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Colossians 2:13

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.

If you share in His death, then you will share in His life.

If you suffer with Him, then you will reign with Him (2 Tim.2:12)

V. You Ascended and Seated with Christ

Ephesians 2:6-7

6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8-10

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

You are made alive with Christ to show HIs love, grace, kindness, goodness, and mercy to the lost.

You are His anointed vessel, ambassador, servant, minister, representative and channel of blessings.

As you go about doing His will, you must:

1. Guard Your Heart

Proverbs 4:23-26

23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. 24 Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. 26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.

How to guard your heart? Maintain your spiritual disciplines

- Read and study the Bible; pray and maintain close fellowship with God; cast away doubt, pride and unbelief; resist sins and temptations; seek wise and godly counsel; choose wise and godly friends.

2. Guard against Apostasy

1 Timothy 4:1-5

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

How to guard against apostacy?

1. Know Satan's mission and intention (v.1)

2. Beware of False Teachers (v.2)

3. Beware of False Teachings (v.3)

4. Know Biblical Truth (vv.4-5)

Being Alive with Christ, we will:

• reach out and evangelize the lost for His Kingdom
• guard our hearts against sin, doubt, pride and worldliness
• guard against apostasy
• live for God and do all things for His glory and honour
• walk by faith and not by sight
• walk the straight and narrow road that leads to life eternal

Have Faith in God and Trust Him to do

the miraculous,

the supernatural,

the unthinkable, 

the impossible for you and your family!