2 Cor 5:17-21 (NKJV)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

2 Cor 5:17-21 (NKJV)

20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

In Christ2 Cor. 5.17-21

Did you notice how many times the expression “in Christ” or “in Him” were mentioned? In the KJV NT the terms: “in Christ” – 77 times “in the Lord” – 46 times “in Him” – 70 times “in Jesus” – 7 times

What does it mean to be “in Christ” and what blessings are found “in Christ”?

Can we receive forgiveness, salvation, reconciliation, the grace of God, and the hope of eternal life outside Christ?

What role do faith, repentance, baptism, and obedience have in salvation according to the gospel?

A BASIC PRINCIPLE

GOD OFTEN PLACES BLESSINGS IN A SPECIFIC PLACE

NOAH’S ARK

Genesis 6.17-20 Genesis 7.23

HOUSES MARKED BY THE BLOOD OF THE PASSOVER LAMB

Exodus 12.7,12,13,22,23

CITIES OF REFUGE

Numbers 35.9-11, 26-28

RAHAB’S HOUSE

Joshua 2.18,19; 6.17

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “IN CHRIST”?

John 15 says we must “abide in Christ” (John 15. 4, 5, 6, 7)

One person is in another when they have a harmonious spiritual union or fellowship with one another.

The Father & Son are “in” one another (John 14.10,11)

Christians are in the Father & the Son, and the Father & Son are in us (John 14.20-23)

The Holy Spirit is in Christians (1 Corinthians 6.19)Thus – for us to be “in Christ” means to be in a close, harmonious spiritual relation with Him.

WHAT BLESSINGS ARE

FOUND IN CHRIST?

Reconciliation, redemption, & forgiveness of sins in Christ….….but alienation from God

& Christ (Eph. 2.12-17)

New creatures in Christ....….but still the old man of sin outside Christ (Rom. 6.11; 2 Cor. 5.17)

Freedom from condemnation in Christ….

….but condemnation of sin outside Christ (Rom. 8.1; Jn. 15.6)

Salvation from sin in Christ….…but no salvation

outside Christ (2 Tim. 2.10; Ac. 4.12)

Eternal life in Christ…

….but eternal death outside Christ (1 Jn. 5.11-12) All spiritual blessings in Christ….….but separation from these blessings outside Christ (Eph. 1.3)

HOW DO WE OBTAIN THESE

BLESSINGS IN

CHRIST?

In order for one to be in a place (or relationship) there must be some point in life in which he comes into that place (or relationship)

A person takes several steps toward Christ, but there is ONE STEP that puts him into Christ

After coming into Christ, one must then ABIDE in Christ John 15.1-6 Philippians 4.1 Colossians 2.6-7 1 Peter 3.16 1 Corinthians 15.58 1 John 2.3-6 Revelation 14.13

WHERE ARE YOU IN

RELATIONSHIP TO CHRIST????