25 Aug Joined to Christ
Last Sunday, Jason Elvington closed our series: Worship Exalts God, with a sermon from Romans 11:36-12:8 called “Worshiping in Community.” Jason showed us that authentic worshipers grow together as the church and pointed us to remember the mighty works of God, pursue holiness together, serve and be served, and love like Jesus.
Read: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3
This Sunday, Pastor Jeremy Chasteen will begin a new series in 1 Thessalonians called Model of Discipleship. We will consider the truth that God’s church prevails as disciples are rooted in Christ and bear fruit. As you prepare your heart for our Sunday gathering, be encouraged by this devotional from John MacArthur.
Reflect: “Joined to Christ”
“… That you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit for God.”
Romans 7:4
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No longer married to the law, the believer is now married to Jesus Christ.
Of the many New Testament metaphors used to describe the church, the most intimate is that of the bride of Christ. Paul describes that relationship in Ephesians 5:24–27: “But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless.”
By describing Christ as “Him who was raised from the dead,” Paul stresses the believer’s union with Jesus not only in His death but also in His resurrection (Rom. 6:4–5). Thus, our marriage bond with the living Savior will last forever.
The result of our union with Christ is “that we might bear fruit for God.” It is the goal of every believer’s life to glorify God by bearing fruit. There is no such thing as a Christian who bears no fruit, because the inevitable result of salvation is a transformed life. Jesus continues that process of transformation throughout our lives, continually pruning us so that we may produce even more fruit to His glory (John 15:1–2).
Spiritual fruit may be defined as any righteous act that glorifies God. It may consist of godly, Spirit–produced attitudes (Gal. 5:22–23), praise to God (Heb. 13:15), others led to Christ (Rom. 1:13), giving to those in need (Rom. 15:26–28), and righteous living (Phil. 1:11).What a great privilege is ours, to be eternally “one spirit” (1 Cor. 6:17) with the Lord of Glory!
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Suggestions for Prayer: Pray that God would enable you to do all things for His glory (1 Cor. 10:31).
For Further Study: Read the list of the fruit of the Spirit Paul gives in Galatians 5:22–23. Using a concordance, Bible dictionary, or other reference tools, study each aspect of fruit listed. ✧ Look for ways to implement into your daily life what you learn.
“Joined to Christ,” October 23rd Reading, in Strength for Today, by John MacArthur.
Sing: Song List for Sunday
1. “Let the Nations Be Glad,” by Matt Boswell
2. “Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb,” by People & Songs
3. “Jesus, There’s No One Like You,” by Sovereign Grace Music
4. “Is He Worthy,” Arr. Shane & Shane
5. “Christ Be All,” by Grace Worship