1. What did we receive from Adam without our choice?
Rom. 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned
1Cor. 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
ANSWER:
Sin (Sinful nature)
Death
2. How many were led to be sinners because Adam’s disobedience?
Rom. 5:19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
ANSWER:
Many
3. How many people have sinned?
Rom. 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God
ANSWER:
All
4. How did Jesus describe those who sinned?
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
ANSWER:
Servant of sin
CONCLUSION:
All became subject to dominion of sin and death through Adam’s sin
5. Who or what can free us from the bondage of sin and death?
Rom. 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
ANSWER:
The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus
NOTE:
“The Spirit of life” has to do with the power of resurrection Rev. 11:11 “And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.”
6. How did Jesus make it possible to free us from the dominion of sin?
Rom. 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Rom. 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
ANSWER:
Putting us under grace. BUT this does not mean we are free to commit sin.
7. How did Jesus make it possible to free us from the dominion of death?
Rom. 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Rom. 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
ANSWER:
Through His resurrection.
CONCLUSION:
Adam gave us the bondage of sin and death but Jesus gave us the freedom from sin and death through the resurrecting power of Jesus. Jesus offers this gift freely to us by His grace.
EXTRA NOTE:
Observe the early apostolic movement and see their central power of witnessing.
Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Making All Things New: A New Humanity
1. According to Romans 8:1-4, what did Jesus had to do in order to deliver us from condemnation which is the bondage to the law of sin and death?
Rom. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom. 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom. 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom. 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
ANSWER:
Jesus took upon the “likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh (sinful flesh)”
2. According to Romans 8:1-4, what is the result for us when Jesus took the “likeness of sinful flesh”?
Rom. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom. 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom. 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom. 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
ANSWER:
“No condemnation” (Which means justification and no second death)
“That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us” (Which means overcoming sin)
3. What is the condition for “no condemnation” and “the righteousness of the law” to “be fulfilled in us”?
ANSWER:
If we are “in Christ Jesus” (Which means to believe in Jesus by faith)
If we “walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Which means surrender to Jesus by faith)
4. According to the book of Romans, what is the characteristic of “sinful flesh”?
Rom. 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
ANSWER:
“Sinful flesh” cannot “perform that which is good”
5. Then how could Jesus condemn sin in the flesh?
John 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
John 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
OBSERVATION:
In order to condemn sin you need to be “without sin” according to the above story from John chapter 8.
ANSWER:
Because Jesus committed no sin
6. Was Jesus tempted? And how did Jesus overcome sin?
Heb. 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Matt. 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Matt. 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
ANSWER:
Jesus was tempted in “all points” “like as we are”
Jesus surrendered to the word of God.
7. How could we “perform that which is good” in our sinful flesh?
Rom. 4:18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
Rom. 4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:
Rom. 4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
Rom. 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Rom. 4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
OBSERVATIONS:
Abraham and Sara could not depend upon their body (sinful flesh) to produce a child.
Abraham and Sara had only one way in order to produce a child, a new life.
That only way was having strong faith in God’s promise that God was able to perform.
ANSWER:
We cannot depend upon our sinful flesh to produce a new spiritual life.
There is only one way to have a new life.
That only way is having a strong faith in God’s promise (God’s word) that He is able to perform that which is good in us.
8. What kind of experience do we need in order to live in our “flesh” by faith?
Gal. 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
ANSWER:
Dying to self, surrender of self
9. What needs to be “crucified” in order to experience the new life according to the book of Romans?
Rom. 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom. 6:4 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.
Rom. 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom. 6:6 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.
Rom. 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
ANSWER:
“Our old man”.
CONCLUSION:
Jesus came in the likeness of sinful flesh to condemn sin in His flesh.
Therefore if we are in Christ then we are free from condemnation.
And if we walk after the spirit by faith and not depend or follow our own flesh then the righteousness of the law can be fulfilled in us.
In order for us to be in Christ and to live by faith, our old man needs to be crucified.
This is the way God makes all things new in us and we become a new humanity.
Union With Christ
1. Observe the following verses. What experiences do we need have “with Christ” and why?
Rom. 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him
Rom. 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Gal. 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Eph. 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Col. 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col. 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Rev. 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
ANSWER:
We need to die “with Christ” that we may live with Him.
We need to suffer with Him that we may have joint-heirs with Christ.
We need to be crucified “with Christ” that Christ may live in us.
We can be quickened together “with Christ”. And this is the work of salvation by His grace.
We need to seek Christ sitting on the right hand of God if we have been risen “with Christ”
We need to die “with Christ” that our life may be hid “with Christ” in God.
We need to be willing to die for Christ that we may reign “with Christ” in heaven.
2Tim. 2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
2Tim. 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Life is promised to those who die for Christ. Crown is promised to those who suffer for Christ. Therefore our part is death and suffering. But God’s response is the crown of life.
2. Practically speaking, how do we experience spiritual death and suffering with Christ that we may receive the crown of life?
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
ANSWER:
Enduring temptation
3. What experience did Jesus have when He endured His temptations?
Heb. 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
ANSWER:
Suffering
4. What did apostle Peter say about the suffering of Christ?
1Pet. 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin
1Pet. 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Pet. 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Pet. 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
ANSWER:
We should have the same mind of Christ because He was willing to suffer the flesh in order to overcome temptation.
CONCLUSION:
What does it mean to be with Christ? It means we can only surrender our will with Christ. Without Christ it is impossible to “crucified” self. It means we can only endure temptations with Christ. Without Christ it is impossible to “suffer” our flesh in order to overcome temptation. Therefore we need to be “with Christ” to die and to suffer so that we may live and reign with Christ with the crown of life on our heads.
“In Christ”
1. What is “in Christ”?
Rom. 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
Rom. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom. 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom. 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1Cor. 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
1Cor. 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1Cor. 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
2Cor. 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
2Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Cor. 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Cor. 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Gal. 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
Gal. 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
Eph. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph. 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Phil. 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Phil. 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
2Tim. 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
2Tim. 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
ANSWER:
Justification and Redemption
No condemnation
The Spirit of Life
The love of God
Sanctification
Wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption
Resurrection
Triumph
New creation
Reconciliation
Simplicity
Liberty
Covenant
All spiritual blessings
Unity of all things
Humility and Obedience
The high calling of God
Faith and Love
Salvation
2. What is promised to us when Christ (including above list) is in us?
Col. 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory
ANSWER:
We have the hope of glory
3. Could the experience of ‘we in Christ and ‘Christ in us’ be separated?
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me
John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
John 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
1John 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.3
ANSWER:
No
CONCLUSION:
God the Father put all the gifts of heaven in Christ therefore if we are “in Christ” then we have access to all the gifts of heaven and the reality of the gift is experienced through Christ in us. This union of Christ in us and we in Him is the work of atonement.
In Christ: The Spirit and the Church
1. Read Romans 8:9. How to be a part of Christ?
Rom. 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
ANSWER:
To be in the Spirit, the Spirit of Christ needs to dwell in us.
2. What happens when “the Spirit of Christ” dwells in us?
Rom. 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
ANSWER:
Death to sin and alive to righteousness.
3. What other promise is given to us when “the Spirit of Christ dwell in us?
Rom. 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
ANSWER:
Resurrection and translation: Immortality.
4. What is the result of those who are led by the “Spirit of God”?
Rom. 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
ANSWR:
They become sons of God.
5. Read Hebrews 2:10-12.Who are the sons of God?
Heb. 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Heb. 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Heb. 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
ANSWER:
Sons of God are the sanctified ones. Sanctified ones are called “brethren”. “Brethren” are called “the church”.
CONCLUSION
Through the Spirit of God dwelling in us, we can die to self, live unto righteousness, and wait for the hope of immortality. The church of God is made up with those who have the Spirit of God dwelling in them.
APPLICATION QUESTION:
What does it mean to be a part of God’s church in the light of the “in Christ” theme?
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