CHRIST CHURCH

LIKE CHRIST

JOHN 9: 1 – 4

1 ¶ And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Tonight we want to look at a church that is 1.) Living Christ, 2.) Awake in Christ, 3.) Unspotted from the world, and 4.) Preaching Christ.

Let us first clarify that the church of the New Testament is not a fiscal building but a body.

Col. 1: 18 Paul writes that Christ is head of the body.

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Phil. 4: 15 - 16 Paul writes that the church at Philippi were the only ones that sent to him.

15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

In each case Paul says the church is the Christians Christ added.

I.           Romans 6: 3 - 13 Christ church is to be living Christ.

Paul writes to the Christians in Rome to remind them of what they should know.

Romans 6: 3 - 13

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

First we must be baptized into Christ to put on Christ. Then to remain in Christ we must be alive in service unto him. We can not return to sin and we instruments of righteousness unto God.

A.             John 3: 1 - 3 Nicodemus came to Jesus by night.

1 ¶ There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus was not a Christian, he was a Pharisee. We don’t know if Nicodemus obeyed Christ, but we know he helped bury him.

John 19: 38 – 40 It seems that Nicodemus was a good man. Being a good man alone will not save you, not even in Christ.

B.         Eph. 5: 13 – 16 Paul writes to the brethren in Ephesus to walk in the light which is Jesus Christ.

Eph. 5: 13 - 16

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

We must be a light unto the world that they might see Jesus in us.

C.             John in Rev. 3: 1 writes what Jesus says write.

1 ¶ And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

It is possible to have one time been living for Christ, faithful and obedient and now be spiritually dead, as was the church at Sardis. Let us never think that God is pleased with us when we stop serving him.

IV.        Eph. 5: 14 Paul said to the church, Awake.

14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

It is possible to be in Christ and be asleep, but unless we wake up and serve Christ we will not be found faithful.

A.             Rom. 13: 11 Paul says awake to the time at hand.

11 ¶ And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Each day we grow closer to death, are we ready? Making preparation?

B.             1 Cor. 15: 33 – 34 Paul reminds us we are influenced by the evil we associate with

33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Why not wake up to righteousness? Do we lack the knowledge of God that Paul speaks of? Then we need to study more. Be in bible class.

C.             Mark 14: 37 – 42 Three times Jesus returns and finds his disciples asleep.

37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

 38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

 39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

 40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

 41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

 42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

First he says to Peter, Could you not watch one hour? Peter and the rest were weak in the flesh. The second time they did not know what to say. The third time Jesus says sleep on and then says rise up, let us go. Jesus was disappointed, but understood they were human and were sleepy. They had no real understanding about what was about to happen. We know Peter didn’t get much sleep after this. I know my self that I can be so sleepy and then something happen and I am wide-awake for hours. We can be thankful we have a God and savior that understands.