 One with Christ
(part 3 of 4)
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You have become dead to the Law
through the body of Christ,
that you may be married to Another.
ROMANS 7:4
Who will deliver me from this body of death?
I thank God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord!
ROMANS 7:24b-25a
For the past two weeks, we have stopped to rest in Romans 5 and 6 to ponder the amazing truth of being united with Jesus Christ! Today we will see this continued emphasis in Romans 7.
MARRIED TO CHRIST
A marriage covenant is lawfully in effect "til death do us part." In Christ, you were put to death so that you would no longer be married to sin and your subsequent futile efforts to keep God's Law. With that death, you were free to be married to Christ!
Meditate on words that describe Jesus' wedding
vows to you from the cross and your receiving Him by responding with "I do!"
Married to Christ, you now share His past triumphs, His present life, and His
future glory! (Stephen Olford)
And you can now pray "in Jesus' name"!
Your now have a love relationship, and no longer a legal (law) relationship. You now can love
God and others from your heart that is one with Christ's heart!
Therefore, Christianity is not just about doing something, it is
knowing Someone! (Stephen Olford)
Christianity is all about relationship.
DELIVERED THROUGH CHRIST
Many Christians say, "Just tell me what to do, and I'll do
it. Just give me the key principles to
live by and I promise I will do it. Tell
me which Bible verses to memorize so that I can have victory." The Christian who makes these statements is
still under a law of morality and is experiencing bondage.
In Romans 7:24b, Paul was led by the
Spirit of God to surrender his own efforts in learning "how" to live the Christian life. God's answer
is in Paul's question, "Who will deliver me from this body of death?" Paul finally asked "who ?" instead of "how ?" !!
Paul was not delivered by Christ,
but through Christ. Paul was not delivered by anything Christ did for him at that moment of deliverance. Paul was delivered through
the revelation of the fact that he had already died with Christ to
the power of sin. (William Newell)
CLOSING
In a profound way, there was a funeral and a marriage at the cross. In Christ through His cross, the old Gregg, in sin, had his funeral. In Christ through the cross and resurrection, the new Gregg, a son, was married to Christ!
God bless you in these truths this week,
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PS
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This past week, one of my 3 grand-nephews asked me to teach him how to run a race. This photo is a precious picture of discipleship -- coming alongside someone who is willing to relate to you in order to remind them of their union with Christ and then to encourage them with Hebrews 12:1-2:
Let us lay aside every weight
and the sin that so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance the race set before us,
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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About  Gregg Gibbons
Pastoral Director
Discipleship through
Counseling
Teaching
Training
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Partnership
I believe with all my heart that ministry is through relationships.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you for your partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:3, 5).
Links to my recent ministry newsletters that describe my heart for partnerships:
YouTube link below of my ministry commissioning service that included testimonies from several partners, including Bobby Richardson, former 2nd baseman for the NY Yankees.
Please contact me to learn more about partnering with me. I'd love to hear from you!
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Ministry News Journey in Christ 8-month Advanced Discipleship Training starts May 5. Click link below for more details!
Gregg teaches freedom in Christ at Haven of Rest mission in Anderson, SC Mondays 6:00-6:45 pm. You are welcome to attend with Gregg!
Gregg is mentoring men and couples in an office provided by Holly Ridge Baptist Church in Simpsonville, SC.
Michael is mentoring men and couples in an office provided by Mountain Creek Baptist Church and Pendleton Street Baptist Church.
Journey in Christ female staff are teaching a 12-week on-the-job discipleship training class for women at a local heavy equipment manufacturing industry.
Journey in Christ has received 7 applications so far for our 8-month advanced discipleship training starting May 2012!
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Archives Link for Rest Stops
since August 2010:
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Contact Info
JOURNEY IN CHRIST, INC.
926 N.E. Main Street
Suite F-155
Simpsonville, SC 29681
(864) 483-3201 (Gregg cell)
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