Our Identity in Christ
Our Identity in Christ3
Rev. 1:5-6. the Chief Among Ten Thousand
By Horatius Bonar0REV 1:5Horatius Bonar emphasizes the profound love of Christ, who has washed us from our sins with His own blood and elevated us to the status of kings and priests before God. He highlights the unique praise directed to Jesus, the second person of the Godhead, and the significance of His sacrificial love that cleanses and dignifies believers. Bonar explains that this love is not only historical but also present and future, assuring us of our royal and priestly identity in Christ. The sermon culminates in a call to recognize our dignity and live in light of our eternal calling, as we ascribe glory and dominion to Christ forever.
His Workmanship (The Lord's Perfect Provision for His Own Masterpiece)
By Hans R. Waldvogel0PSA 139:14ISA 61:3MAT 6:26ROM 8:172CO 5:17EPH 2:10PHP 1:61TH 5:24JAS 1:21PE 2:9Hans R. Waldvogel emphasizes that we are God's masterpiece, created for good works and sustained by His perfect provision. He illustrates this by comparing God's creation to a flower and the intricate care He provides for all creatures, highlighting that everything is made by His word. Waldvogel encourages believers to yield to God, allowing Him to shape us into His masterpiece, and to trust in His sufficiency during trials. He reminds us that the New Testament serves as God's guide for our lives, providing everything we need to fulfill His purpose. Ultimately, he calls for a deep relationship with Jesus, who is the source of our strength and identity.
The Temple of the Holy Spirit
By Andrew Murray0PSA 91:1JHN 7:38JHN 14:17ROM 8:91CO 3:161CO 6:192CO 6:16GAL 5:22EPH 2:191PE 2:5Andrew Murray emphasizes that believers are the temple of God, where the Holy Spirit dwells. He draws parallels between the physical Temple and the spiritual nature of man, highlighting the three parts of our being: body, soul, and spirit. Murray urges believers to recognize and yield to the Holy Spirit within, as this acknowledgment transforms our lives and empowers us to live in holiness. He stresses the importance of faith in the unseen presence of God within us, which leads to a deeper relationship and service to Him. Ultimately, he calls for a reverent worship and surrender to the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies and blesses us.