The Key to the Treasury
The sermon emphasizes that all spiritual resources and blessings for believers are found in their relationship with Christ.
Theodore Epp emphasizes that all spiritual blessings are found 'in Christ,' highlighting the transformative shift from being in Adam to being in Christ after salvation. This change grants believers a divine nature that aligns them with God's will and provides access to His spiritual resources. Epp stresses that apart from Christ, individuals lack a relationship with God and the ability to experience His blessings, while in Christ, they gain strength and the potential for spiritual victory. He underscores the importance of abiding in Christ to bear fruit and achieve spiritual success, as illustrated in John 15:5. Ultimately, being 'in Christ' opens the treasury of God's blessings for believers.
Text
Ephesians 1:2,3; John 15:1-10
The believer's resources--all spiritual blessings--are "in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). Christ is the life of the believer and thus provides for him all that he needs. Before salvation the individual was in Adam, but after salvation he is in Christ. In Adam the individual possessed only a sinful nature, but in Christ he possesses a divine nature. The divine nature of the believer causes him to want to do the will of God.
Apart from Christ, a person has no relationship to God and God has no relationship to him. Before a person receives Christ, he is unable to benefit from the spiritual blessings God has provided. Only after a person becomes "in Christ" are all the resources of God available to him. God's wealth for the believer is deposited in Christ, and it is only when a person receives Christ that this spiritual wealth becomes available to him.
Without Christ one has no spiritual strength, but in Christ he is able to achieve any spiritual victory. However, even the believer must rely on spiritual provisions if he is to experience spiritual victories. Jesus told believers, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5). Because Paul knew his spiritual resources he said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13).
In Christ a person has position--where He is, the believer is; privilege--what He is, the believer is; possession--what He has, the believer shares. The two words "in Christ" open up all God's treasures for the believer.
"He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5).
Sermon Outline
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I
- Understanding our position in Christ
- The transition from Adam to Christ
- The divine nature of believers
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II
- The importance of relationship with God
- Spiritual blessings available in Christ
- The role of faith in accessing these blessings
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III
- The significance of spiritual strength
- Achieving victory through reliance on Christ
- The necessity of abiding in Christ
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IV
- The believer's position, privilege, and possession in Christ
- The implications of being 'in Christ'
- Accessing God's treasures through faith
Key Quotes
“The believer's resources--all spiritual blessings--are 'in Christ'.” — Theodore Epp
“Without me ye can do nothing.” — Theodore Epp
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” — Theodore Epp
Application Points
- Recognize your identity in Christ to access God's spiritual blessings.
- Abide in Christ daily to experience spiritual strength and victory.
- Understand the importance of your divine nature in fulfilling God's will.