A,B'C's of spiritual warfare - Approach to spiritual warfare

Ephesians 6:10 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might."

Introduction:

The subject of spiritual warfare is of perennial interest among Christians. Understanding Christian spiritual warfare is vital in breaking Christian people out of a spiritual "civilian" mindset to their true identity as "soldiers of the cross". Spiritual warfare explains the tensions we feel between living for God in this world and the opposition from the world in which we live. Ephesians 6:10-13 spells out what I call: "The A,B,C's of spiritual warfare". Today's post will deal with the first of these, namely the approach to spiritual warfare.

The approach to spiritual warfare - Spirit and the Word

Ephesians 6:10 gives us two ways in which one can approach spiritual warfare in the Christian life. The first is by being filled with the Holy Spirit and the second is maintaining one's exposure to the Word of God.

Ephesians 6:10a states - "Finally, be strong in the Lord...". The underlined words indicate an imperative command that is coined in the passive sense of dependency upon someone. To "be strong in the Lord" refers to depending upon the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. With the Person and work of the Holy Spirit, we cannot exercise discernment. Discernment is necessary when fighting the good fight of faith. (Ephesians 1:17) Ephesians 3:16 proves that the source of such strength comes from the Spirit: "that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man." This strengthening of the Spirit comes insofar as we are filled or influence by Him (Ephesians 5:18) and are giving ourselves to Him in prayer (Ephesians 6:18). 

But now we notice the second phrase of Ephesians 6:10 that gives us the second and final way of approaching spiritual warfare, the Word of God - "and in the strength of His might." How do we know that "the strength of his might" is most likely referencing the scriptures? 

1. First, the word of God itself is the offensive weapon of the otherwise defensive armaments in the spiritual armor of Ephesians 6:14-18. 

2. Second, Hebrews 4:12 ties together this concept of God's might and spiritual warfare - "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." 

3. Then thirdly, 2 Corinthians 6:7 alludes to carrying forth spiritual weaponry in the right hand and the left, which in context includes the word of God.  

This then is the two-fold approach to spiritual warfare: namely being filled with the Holy Spirit and being in His Word. 

More next time....

P2 - Envisioning a more awesome church that is saturated with scripture

Acts 2:42 "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

Introduction:
What is it about the Bible that sets it apart from all other books? For one thing, it was the source of the Apostle's doctrine that so captivated those early Christians. The word of God saturated the thinking of the early church because it saturated Jesus Himself Who had came to fulfill every word recorded in the Old Testament. Inasmuch as Acts 2 is about the coming and the arrival of the Holy Spirit to birth forth the church, it can be equally said that the Word of God was at the center of everyone's heart and mind. The events of Acts 2 and following demanded explanation. The events could only be explained by one source - the scriptures; and the only method deemed acceptable - preaching. The church was birthed by and centered around the Word of God. Their devotion to the Apostle's doctrine came as a result of their devotion to the Word of God. We began focusing yesterday on why should churches and Christians be characterized as those who know the Bible? We gave two answers: the Bible's contents and its power to change lives are reasons why it is a more awesome book. When scripture saturates the hearts and minds of God's people in the church - the result will be a more awesome church. Today we want to consider a third reason and some final thoughts and applications. The third reason a more awesome church must be saturated with scripture is because....

The Bible creates unity in the church
How can a book literally transform a body of different people into one, unified church? First and foremost, is such a reality possible? Consider Acts 2:44-46 "And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart." Not only in this key text, but other passages throughout the New Testament link the activity of the Holy Spirit through the Word as the reason for the unity of the church. (Acts 4:30-31; 17:11-12; Eph 4:12-13; Col 3:15-16; 1 Thess 1:6-7; Jude 1:3)

One of those scriptures, Ephesians 4:11-12 states - "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ." God has given to the church a five-fold ministry connected to the Word of God that, when actively working, produces unity. Apostles for instance are those who lay the foundation for the Gospel wherever they go, corresponding today to missionaries who carry with themselves the Apostolic Gospel. These said apostles are not the specific Apostles of Christ that had accompanying signs and wonders, but are more so the "apostles of the church" sent and commissioned in the name of Jesus to spread the frontiers of the Kingdom. (see 2 Corinthians 8:23 KJV) Prophets are those who speak the Word of God to the church at large and have the ability to communicate God's big picture from the standpoint of God's Word bearing on a given situation. There are undoubtedly various preachers today who have been given an unusual anointing by God to have a platform that addresses and influences large segments of Christ's body and at times speak to the culture.

The remaining three offices: evangelist, pastor and teacher, have to do with the ministry of the Word on a more local level. Evangelists are awakeners of God sent to stir the sleeping church. Pastors serve local congregations to feed the church. Teachers within the churches serve to inspire and stretch the minds and hearts of God's people. All five of these offices are connected to the scriptures and when they are working - unity comes. The scripture of course is the catalyst used by the Holy Spirit. Such unity cannot be worked up in the flesh, programmed or manipulated. Such unity is the outcome of both preachers and members surrendering themselves under the yoke of Christ's Lordship as expressed by the Spirit through the Word of God. 

Closing thoughts:
So why does a more awesome church need to be saturated with the scriptures? The Bible's contents, changing power and ability to create unity comprise the reasons behind why any church, aspiring to be more awesome for Jesus' sake, needs to be saturated with the scriptures. 

P1 Envisioning a more awesome church saturated with scripture

Acts 2:42-43 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.

Introduction:

We have a hope chest at our home where we store our most treasured memories. Among those items is a small box where love letters between my wife and I are stored. Those letters record the blossoming of the love that was developing between us in those early days when we first met. I remember the summer of 1995 when we wrote back and forth each day. Every time the mail would come I would be waiting at the mailbox. I would read and re-read each sentence, clause and phrase. You could not pay me anything to give away those letters. To me the love that we have 20 years later is far more profound than it was then - and as well as it should be! To me that fits in the category of more awesome!

When it comes to the written word of God, the Bible, we ought to as Christians have an even greater passion and desire to pour over every word. The late evangelist Leonard Ravenhill observes: "There are just 3 types of people: those who are afraid; those who don't know enough to be afraid and those who know the Bible - L. Ravenhill." What is it about the Bible that sets it apart from all other books? For one thing, it was the source of the Apostle's doctrine that so captivated those early Christians. The word of God saturated the thinking of the early church because it saturated Jesus Himself Who had came to fulfill every word recorded in the Old Testament. 

Inasmuch as Acts 2 is about the coming and the arrival of the Holy Spirit to birth forth the church, it can be equally said that the Word of God was at the center of everyone's heart and mind. The events of Acts 2 could only be explained by one source - the scriptures; and the only method deemed acceptable - preaching. The church was birthed by and centered around the Word of God. Their devotion to the Apostle's doctrine came as a result of their devotion to the Word of God. True doctrine is a by-product of the scriptures and the Holy Spirit's illumination. Today's post aims to conceive of a more awesome church saturated with scripture. Why should a church and a Christians be characterized a those who know the Bible? Consider the following reasons why more awesome Christianity demands scripture saturation:

1. Contents of the Bible are more awesome 

As we strove to explain in the last two blogposts, the Apostle's doctrine centered around at least eight central truths: authority of the Bible, Jesus Christ, God's Sovereignty, Holy Spirit, salvation, church, missions and second coming. Those truths are not just headings or dry dead dogma. When strung together they communicate a powerful narrative of God's redemptive workings. God is ever at work revealing Himself generally in creation. We know about God by way of the vastness of the universe, the smallness of the atom and the paradox of mankind's smallness and bigness. This same God has also chosen to disclose His will and intention by way of words: 419,687 of them in the Old Testament (number of words in the Hebrew/Aramaic behind our English trnaslations) and 138,162 in the New Testament (word count in the Greek text behind our English translations). 

The very words of the Bible as originally revealed bear the imprint of Divine authority. They being from God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2) are without error (i.e inerrant) and incapable of failure (i.e infallible). The central Person of the scriptures is the Person of the Son - Jesus Christ. His virgin birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension culminate the 419,687 words of the Hebrew Scriptures and are the focal point of the message of the 138,162 words of the New Testament. (Luke 24:44; Hebrews 1:1-2). Jesus in His humanity ever remained God and thus when He came He fully revealed the Sovereign God. 

This Sovereign One - the Father - sent the Holy Spirit in the Son's name. The Spirit would be the one responsible for convicting sinner's in their salvation and one by one calling those chosen by the Father into the fold of the church. (see Ephesians 1:1-11) As a result of each converted sinner responding by faith, they would as part of the church be involved in carrying out the great commission issued by Jesus. (Matthew 28:18-20) God's inbreaking into history and life would ever alter how we view human history. To realize that there is an ultimate purpose - God's glory - gives hope to the hopeless, light in the darkness and healing of the soul. Christ's second coming represents the endpoint of history that will carry all the redeemed into eternity. Judgment will be sadly meted out upon those who knowingly rejected the Gospel presented to them. Throughout all eternity, God's grace will be ever revealed through the Son by the Spirit to His people. 

The contents of scripture are more awesome than any other book. No other book can back up the claim of being divinely inspired. There is a second reason as to why a more awesome church needs to be saturated with the scripture...

2. The change brought about by scripture is more awesome

Two main changes that are impossible for men to do are noted clearly in Acts 2:38-47. The first is the change of the human heart in salvation (Acts 2:38-41a) and the second is the continuing on of such change in ongoing sanctification (Acts 2:41b-47). No person in the natural realm can bring about salvation and no natural effort can perpetuate ongoing change in sanctification. Jesus notes in John 3:5-8 "Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” By what means were the 3,000 converted on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:38-41? Was it by their human effort? Religiosity? Water baptism? John 1:12-13 reminds us that no human effort can bring about the New birth. Second, Titus 3:5 reminds us that no amount of religiosity can bring about the new birth. Third, despite what some groups may teach today, there is no evidence of the baptismal waters affecting salvation. The people were saved by One agent - the Holy Spirit, affecting them to freely believe as the result of one agency - the scriptures. Truly the scriptures are more awesome than anything because spiritually dead people are raised to life. (1 Peter 1:3-5, 23)

The scriptures, as already noted, are more awesome because of how the Spirit uses them in our sanctification. Apart from scripture - the Christian will not grow. Period. David Wells writes on page 103 of his book "No Place for Truth": "This same correlation (between doctrine and practice) is forcefully presented in John's first epistle, in which three tests are developed for discerning the presence and authenticity of a biblical spirituality: believing the right doctrine (2:18-27; 4:1-6, 13-21), obedience to the right doctrine (2:3-6; 2:28-3:10), and giving right expression to right doctrine in a life of love (2:7-11; 3:11-18; 4:7-12)." Where does such life changing and ongoing life changing doctrine derive? The Bible. So the contents and change brought about by scripture are what makes for a more awesome Christianity. However, there is one more reason why more awesome Christianity needs to be saturated with scripture. To find out what that reason is, please return tomorrow....

The importance of sound doctrine in the Christian life - change and unity

Acts 2:42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Yesterday we considered the importance of sound doctrine in the Christian life as it pertains to its content. To review, based upon Peter's inaugural sermon at Pentecost in Acts 2:14-40, we can define the contents of "Apostle's Teaching" in Acts 2:42:

1. Authority of Scripture

2. Jesus Christ

3. God's Sovereignty

4. Holy Spirit

5. Salvation

6. Church

7. Missions

8. Second Coming of Jesus

Those eight teachings comprise the heart of the Apostolic doctrine and define the core of the Christian message in regards to the Christian faith and practice. Various church groups may differ of course on the nuance and details of each, as well as perhaps stating other doctrines that fall under secondary and tertiary importance. Nonetheless the eight truths above are found consistently throughout the scripture. 

With the importance of sound doctrine defined by way of its content, we now need to consider today how the doctrine of scripture are vital in terms of the change they bring and their creation of unity.

Sound doctrine is important because of the change it brings

Acts 2:40-41 states: "And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls." As a result of the preaching of God's word that is the basis for Apostolic teaching, great change came about. Sinner's were converted by the Word of God and the exposition thereof and saints immediately grew in their obedience and commitment.

Other scriptures in the New Testament testify to the necessity of sound doctrine for bringing about true spiritual change. The Apostle Paul speaks on this subject by inspiration of the Holy Ghost in Titus 1:9 "holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." 1 Timothy 4:13-16 "Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you." 2 Timothy 3:16-17  "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

Another Apostle, the Apostle John, states clearly the importance of sound doctrine from God's Word as bringing about necessary change and retaining such. 1 John 5:13 "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." 2 John 1:9  "Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son." 

Then of course we come back to the Apostle Peter who wrote the following some 30 or so years in 2 Peter 3:20-21 after that inaugural sermon: "You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." It is abundantly clear the sound doctrine that flows from the preaching and teaching of God's Word is necessary for spiritual change and growth. But now notice also a third reason for the importance of sound doctrine in the Christian life (remember the first two reasons: content of it and the change it brings)...

Sound doctrine is important because it creates unity

Notice the unity enjoyed by the early church in Acts 2:44-46 - "And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart." What was it that caused this church to be unified? Two principle realities: The Spirit and the Word. When sound doctrine is accompanied by the Holy Spirit's working, the church cannot help but to be unified. We see evidence of this for example in Ephesians 4:1-3 in regards to the Spirit's working: "Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." In the same chapter in Ephesians we see the agency of God's Word, expressed in sound doctrine, as the source of unity in Ephesians 4:4-6 "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all." The Person of the Holy Spirit is the uncreated fire of Deity and His Word is the sweet smelling incense of the unity of the church. The Spirit of God will not do His work apart from the scriptures right preached and taught. Without a doubt the Bible ever is and ever will be the Word of God, with the Spirit ever being associated with its words. Conversely, whenever the scriptures are used apart from reliance upon the Holy Spirit, they will come off as a dead letter. If a church or individual grieves the Spirit, He will mute His voice and illuminating ministry until which point their is repentance and return to Him and humility around the cross. (see Ephesians 4:30-32). 

The church today must re-emphasize sound doctrine

These last two posts have labored to show the importance of sound doctrine in the Christian life. Far from advocating "classroom" churches that make members fat and lazy, sound doctrine sanctifies and exhorts the church to be the church and proclaim the life changing power of Jesus Christ. We know that a word-centered, Spirit anointed church is of utmost necessity today as it was in the days of the apostles. In closing, consider these words from Ephesians 4:11-17 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."

The importance of sound doctrine for the Christian life is seen by its content

Acts 2:42-43 "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles."

Introduction:

As we turn our attention today to those earliest days of the church, we read the following statement in Acts 2:42 regarding what the early church did in the wake of the Holy Spirit's arrival at Pentecost and Peter's preaching about that event: "they were continually devoting themselves to the apostle's teaching....". As the first Christians began to grow in doctrine, fellowship and prayer, verse 43 states: "Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe"

The early church was a church that gave themselves to the Apostle's teaching. It can be said that the early church's commitment to the Apostle's teaching was another way of describing them being saturated with the scriptures.   The early Christians were not only practical and spiritual but also doctrinal. Doctrine dominated the early church's thinking, practice and spirituality. Author David Wells writes about the significance of doctrine in the life of the church in his book "No Place for Truth", page 103: No one who is familiar with apostolic teaching and practice could imagine that a bare, credal orthodoxy alone is being advocated in these passages. It is clear, for example, both from the structure of many of Paul's letters and from his many specific statements, that he saw belief and practice as inextricably related to each other, the former being the foundation of the latter and the latter being the evidence of the outworking of the former." Wells then later adds: "The apostolic exposition of God, his character, his acts, and his will (especially as these were focused in the giving of His incarnated Son) for the foundation without which one cannot have the Christian faith."

What exactly defines the "Apostle's teaching" or "content of faith"

So when we read such statements as the early Christians continually devoting themselves to the Apostle's teaching, where does one find out what they taught. Thankfully the search is not a hard one. With the same chapter, Acts 2, we find the first sermon ever preached in that early church - Peter's inaugural sermon on the Day of Pentecost. Everything he preached in that sermon comprises nearly every core doctrine and teaching found throughout the Old Testament, stated specifically by Jesus in the Gospels and spelled out completely by the Apostles throughout the rest of the Book of Acts, the Epistles and Revelation. 

The contents of the apostolic teaching which shaped and defined the early Christian faith is the same teaching that acompananies the faith of Christians over 2,000 years later. By mainly looking at Peter's Sermon in Acts 2:14-40, we can list the major points and doctrines preached to his audience on the day of Pentecost, notice:

1. Authority of scripture. Acts 2:14-21; 25-28; 33-36

We can see the commitment to the Old Testament scriptures as indicated by the various quotations made by Peter. Furthermore, since Peter's sermon is recorded and included in Luke's Gospel by Divine inspiration, by default this includes the New Testament. This demonstrates that the scriptures gave birth to the church and not the reverse.

2. Jesus Christ

Peter preached that Jesus is God (2:34); incarnated in human flesh as a man who lived, was crucified, buried and risen from the dead (2:23-24) and ascended into heaven (2:34-36). Later on the Apostle Paul in his sermon on Mars Hill preached similarly and remarked in Acts 17:31 regarding the Second Coming of Jesus in judgment. 

3. Sovereignty of God. 

We see this truth expressed by Peter in the terms "purpose" and "foreknowledge" in Acts 2:34.

4. The Holy Spirit. 

In Acts 2:33 we see reference to the Holy Spirit in terms of His Person and work: "Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear." Incidently this remark by Peter serves as initial evidence for what would be the later New Testament expression of God being One God existing as Three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

5. Salvation.

Acts 2:38-41 summarizes the earliest preaching of the Gospel following Jesus' ascension - namely salvation by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone. Clearly the 3,000 that got saved in Acts 2:41a were baptized to express publically before many witnesses the miracle work of salvation wrought by the Spirit in their hearts by faith and repentance. 

6. Church

Acts 2:42-46 serves to underscore the necessity of church life for the believer. Without expanding into too much detail, suffice it to say that the believer's connection to the local church is considered at the heart of apostolic teaching and thus the Christian faith.

7. Great Commission.

Acts 2:47 records that many more people were being added daily to the church, which indicates that God was doing so through the witness of the early Christians. 

8. The Second coming.

This final truth is alluded to in Acts 2:20-21 and 2:34. Jesus is returning back a second time to redeem His bride the church and judge the world. 

Final thoughts: Why doctrine is important for the Christian life

David Wells spells out why doctrine is so vital for the Christian life in his book: "No Place for Truth", page 103: "it is this message that is our only ground for hope (Titus 1:9) and salvation (1 Corinthians 15:2; 1 Peter 1:23-25). Without it, we have neither the Father nor the Son (2 John 9). Indeed, Paul says that we can grow in Christ only if we stay within this doctrinal framework, for its truth provides the means of our growth (Col 2:6). It is no wonder that Christians are urged not to depart from the apostolic teaching they received in the beginning (John 2:7,24,26; 3:11) or from what they had heard (Hebrews 2:1), for it is the "faith once and for all entrusted to the saints" (Jude 3). May we recognize this significance and do exactly what the early church did: "continually devote ourselves to the Apostle's teaching". 

The Better Life in Jesus: Empowered to enjoy the better life

Hebrews 11:39-40  "And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect."

Introduction:
In this series we have considered what the writer of Hebrews refers to here in Hebrews 11:39 as “something better for us” or what we could call “the better life”. People all the time are interested in having the so-called “good-life” – a life with no problems, plenty of money and endless possibilities. But why have the “good-life” that is a myth when you can have “the better life” from God that is described here in Hebrews 12-13. The Christian life is of course “the better life” of which we speak. The first one we considered was that Christians are: "Victors Running Out the Better Life". We then considered the second truth that shows why life with Jesus is the better life: Children (of God by adoption & faith) secure in the better life. The third truth we discovered yesterday about the better life in Jesus was: "Heavenly Citizens living out the better life". Today's post will close out this study about the better life in Jesus by considering the final truth: Empowered to enjoy the better life.

Empowered to enjoy the better life. Hebrews 13:20-25

The closing remarks of the book of Hebrews is truly encouraging in Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, ²¹ equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” Why is it that God commands Christians to live holy, Godly lives in Christ Jesus? because only by His grace can such a life be lived. When believers arrive in heaven, everything will be credited to God's enablement - including good works. Here is a question to consider: who lives the Christian life? Some will say "it is I" and others will say "let go, and let God". Both answers are correct, since on the one hand "I am crucified with Christ, and yet it is not longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me..." (Galatians 2:20a). Yet on the other hand consider what Paul writes next in Galatians 2:20 "and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." The better life with Jesus is better because He empowers us to live it by His presence (Colossians 1:27); His Spirit (Ephesians 1:18-20) and His word (2 Timothy 3:16).

Conclusion:

That concludes the reasons why life with Jesus Christ is the better life. As Christians, we are victors running out the better life, children secure in the better life, heavenly citizens living out the better life and empowered to enjoy the better life. 

The Better Life in Jesus: Heavenly Citizens living out life here on earth

Hebrews 11:39-40  "And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect."

Introduction:
A couple of days ago we began a new blog series entitled: "The Better Life in Jesus". In this series we want to consider what the writer of Hebrews refers to here in Hebrews 11:39 as “something better for us” or what we could call “the better life”. People all the time are interested in having the so-called “good-life” – a life with no problems, plenty of money and endless possibilities. But why have the “good-life” that is a myth when you can have “the better life” from God that is described here in Hebrews 12-13. The Christian life is of course “the better life” of which we speak. In the details of Hebrews 12-13 there may be parts which may not sound appealing or good, let alone “better”. However by the end of this blog series we will discover four truths about the Christian identity that demonstrates it to be “The Better Life in Jesus.” The first one we considered was that Christians are: "Victors Running Out the Better Life". Yesterday we considered the second truth that shows why life with Jesus is the better life: Children (of God by adoption & faith) secure in the better life. Today's blogpost features the third truth: "Heavenly Citizens living out the better life". 

Heavenly Citizens living out the better life. Hebrews 12:19-13:19

Paul writes regarding the Christian’s heavenly citizenship in Philippians 3:20-21 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; ²¹ who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” The writer of Hebrews describes the Christian as one who is not approaching God under the fear and judgment of Sinai. By grace through faith we are transfered out of fear of judgment into the freedom of citizenship in God’s Heavenly Kingdom. (1 Peter 2:9-12) 

The writer of Hebrews describes this citizenship as a heavenly reality that is foretasted here on earth in the Christian life. (Hebrews 12:19-24) As citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom of Jesus Christ, we are in the process of receiving an unshakable kingdom (Hebrews 12:26-29) and are called to offer forth our lives and relationships as spiritual sacrifices for Jesus’ sake (Hebrews 13:1-19). Such a better life of Heavenly citizenship impacts our relationships, marriages and handling of resources. (Hebrews 13:1-5) Such a better life includes great and precious promises tied to Jesus Himself. (Hebrews 13:6-14) Such a better life as citizens of the Kingdom yields forth a life of worship and praise to God. (Hebrews 13:15-19) 

More tomorrow...