The Believer's Position and Promises In Christ

Here tonight in this meeting we're starting our second series. And this series is probably one of the most powerful in this school. It is called the almighty blood. The greatest revelation you can ever have is on the blood of Jesus. And especially because we are at the end of the age. And we tonight go to our first message in this blood series. Our title, the believers position and promises in Christ. Our title is the believers position and promises in Christ. And first we read from 2 Corinthians 5, verse 17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new. Then in Ephesians 1, verse 20-22. With whom he worked in Christ, through her he raised him from the dead and placed him in heaven above all nations. And he has given him wealth, power, power, dominion and everything else that has a name. Not only in this world, but also in the future. And he has done everything under his feet. And then Ephesians chapter 2, verse 6. And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. And then Ephesians 2, verse 6. And he has raised us up and placed us in heaven above all nations. Now in heaven on the table in Christ Jesus. Luke chapter 10, verse 19. Behold, I give on to you power to tread on serpents and Scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you. See, I have given you power to tread over snakes and scorpions and to tread over every force of the enemy. Matthew 28, verse 18. And Jesus came and speak unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and earth. Verse 20, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I've commanded you. And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. And then last of all, Romans 16, verse 20. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. Our message, the believer's position and promises in Christ. To begin this series on the almighty blood, we must first of all look at our position because of the blood. All along the way in the Christian life, this life of God is working in us, bringing us into the image of Jesus Christ. Ultimately, we will awaken his likeness. Now, in this process of sanctification and becoming holy, God will have to deal with these hearts of ours. God is going to deal with lots of things that need dealt with in these hearts. Things that do not please him. At times we're going to face a wilderness in our heart. And God is going to bring us to a place where these things are revealed. Anything that isn't Jesus, he'll put his finger on. So it's very important for you and I tonight to look at the blood when we consider this. This is all part of your growth and expansion in Christ. But when God begins to deal with your heart, the accuser of the brethren, the devil is going to come at that time. When God tries to deal with that heart, the devil will say your relationship with God is broken. If you're deliberately walking in sin, you must repent. But listen to me carefully, especially you young Christians. Never allow your experience of God's sanctifying you dealing with things in your heart to cross over and touch that experience of justification by faith. You are justified by faith, saved by the blood of Jesus. But then God starts to change you by dealing with your heart. And this is why you must have confidence in the value of the blood of Christ. When Israel was getting ready to leave Egypt, the very last act of God was to bring Pharaoh to his knees. And he did it by the death of the firstborn in Egypt. God said to the Israelites, kill a lamb. And put the blood on the two posts of the door. And when the death angel passes over that night, if he saw the blood, he passed over. He didn't go inside that house. And looked to see if anyone was still smoking cigarettes. It is the blood of Jesus that saves you. It's not okay to smoke. But that isn't an issue of salvation. A young Christian came to my grandfather. He had just got born again. He said, I'm still smoking. Will it send me to hell? My grandfather said this. He said, no, it won't stop you going to heaven. But you'll go there smelling like you've been in hell. That smoking, God will deal with it when you get born again. But you never look at that to see if you're saved. It is the blood of Jesus that saves you. And we must understand this and believe it. Never confuse justification and sanctification in the face of Satan and all the forces and power of hell. We need to remember that God has made provision for the redeemed of God. And that provision is mainly found in the blood of Jesus. We are not to be afraid. We must be filled with courage and with faith. We need to look at some of these truths tonight. And God is going to make us rejoice here tonight. In this pilgrimage to our heavenly home. There is a lot ahead of us. A lot of troubles. A lot of conviction of sin. And it's a bad theology that makes you think you can tiptoe past the devil. You will have to walk through a wilderness to get to heaven. But the Holy Spirit will lead you if you allow him. And to get there, you've got to understand the blood of Jesus. Our position in Jesus has many great benefits. When the Bible says we are in Jesus, it implies that he surrounds our entire spiritual walk in life. If you're in water, the water surrounds you. If you are in Jesus Christ, that means every part of your life is surrounded by the person of Christ. All of this means something. In order for Satan to reach you, he's got to come through Jesus Christ. There is no access to you directly if you're born again. The devil can never touch a saved Christian without dealing with Christ. So this restricts every attack of the devil. In the Old Testament, Job had a hedge put around him by God. Then again in 1 Corinthians chapter 10, verse 13, the apostle says there is no temptation taken us but as is common to man. But God is faithful. He will not suffer you to be attempted above that you're able. But will with the temptation also make a way of escape. But you may be able to bear it. That escape is the Lord Jesus Christ. When we come to understand this, victory is certain. I want you to read with me Psalm 91 tonight. In the context of what we're preaching tonight. If you want to read Psalm 91 in its entirety, you need to know what it's talking about. In Jesus Christ, the blood of Jesus Christ is our covering and our protection. In Jesus Christ, the blood of Jesus Christ is our covering and our protection. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I'm talking about your position in Christ. This secret place of the Most High is the Lord Jesus Christ. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God and Him will I trust. Verse 2, and speak to the Lord, my refuge and my fortress, my God on whom I hope. For he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler and from the noisome pestilence. If you stay in Jesus Christ, you won't get AIDS. If you stay in Jesus Christ, you won't get AIDS. He shall cover thee with his feathers and under his wings shall thou trust. His truth shall be thy shield and thy buckler. He shall cover thee with his feathers and under his wings shall thou trust. His truth shall be thy shield and thy buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by night, nor by the arrow that flies by day. Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. This is a dangerous hour in our world. But if you stay in this position in Christ, you will be safe. A thousand shall fall at thy side and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee. And so we continue through Psalm 91. All of these great promises. Where do you find them? In a certain position in Jesus Christ. Outside of Christ you have none of these promises. But if you abide in the secret place of the Most High, all of these promises will be made real in your experience. What a hope we have tonight. What a promise we have. People try to make the promises of the Bible work. But you've got to find your position in Christ. You can never take the promises of the Bible out of context. Jesus Christ is Lord as well as Savior to all true believers. We are his servants. Paul the Apostle made it very clear that we are bondservants of Jesus Christ. Any attack on Jesus is an attack on us. And as his servants we are his responsibility. He protects us and he defends us. There is safety in Jesus Christ. We are not just like sinners in this world. He supplies our needs. He arms us with weapons. He leads us in the battle. And he gives us directions. We are guaranteed to succeed if we dwell in him. He will give us power to gain victory. Isn't it a wonderful thing to be under the Lordship of Christ? If you don't submit to Christ, then you'll never have authority over the devil. In Ephesians chapter 1 where we read, we see that Jesus has been exalted above all spiritual realms. That includes Satan and his kingdom. It also shows us that Satan and all of his forces are beneath the feet of Jesus Christ. Then connect that to Ephesians 2 verse 6. We are in Jesus. The implication is very clear. That as believers, we are positioned spiritually above Satan on high ground. This is always the advantage in war. I was in the army for five years. And if you're in war, you don't want to be looking up the hill at the enemy. You want to be on top of the hill looking down upon the enemy. That's where we are spiritually. We are in Jesus Christ. Paul said we have been exalted far above principalities and powers. Because we're in Jesus, the earth has become the footstool of Jesus Christ. His enemies are under his feet. And I am in Jesus. That's my position. And God has given us that position over Satan. When we face the devil in warfare, we're not fighting as inferior to him. We only face Satan in a superior position in Christ. We don't need a bargain, beg, nor plead. But only to claim this position, this heavenly position through Christ. When you begin to understand your position, then all the promises are in the right place. This is not our battle, but his battle. We enforce the victory of Jesus Christ. But to do that, we need to recognize our position in Christ. And tonight, as we begin the series in the blood, I want you to see that it's because of the blood that this position has been secured. We're going to look at the blood of Jesus very extensively over the next two days. We'll look at every aspect of it. What it means to God. And what it means to us. We have been brought into this position in Christ by his blood. And this is your only ground of victory. Not how holy you are. And you know we have a very high view of holiness. But we're dealing with the blood here. The blood of Jesus has secured the high ground for us in spiritual warfare. And we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. This is one of the greatest truths of this school. And never is this truth more important than right now in world history. We are about to see the greatest warfare against church in history. And because of this, you need to know your position in Christ. As well as all the weapons that are provided for us. I know there is victory. Jesus said the gates of hell shall not prevail against this church. In my own life, I've got to enforce this victory. Now listen closely to me here tonight. Not only is the position of the born-again believer an advantage, but God has also given us many exceeding great promises because of that position. We have been placed in an exalted position. If we abide in Christ, Satan has to come through him to reach us. We are the responsibility of Christ. We are Christ's responsibility. Jesus said to the disciples, Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing shall by any means hurt you. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing shall by any means hurt you. These words were spoken to the disciples of Jesus. They had been given power over the enemy. The spirit of this world was made subject unto them. The spirit of this world was made subject unto them. But in verse 20 he says notwithstanding in this rejoice not that the spirits are subject unto you but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven. Do not rejoice because your position over the devil but rejoice that your name is written in the Lamb's book of life because of the blood of Jesus. In Matthew chapter 7 verse 22 and 23 we receive a very strong warning and tonight we're talking about the blood salvation is of the blood here God is telling us of the position in which the blood has brought us and in Matthew 7 he says many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord we have prophesied in thy name in thy name we have cast out devils in thy name we have done many wonderful works and in verse 23 and then I will profess unto them I never knew you depart from me ye that work iniquity and then verse 23 and 22 have we not done many wonders in thy name then I will confess unto them I never knew you depart from me ye that work iniquity this is a very strong warning that power is no evidence of salvation this is a very strong warning that power is no evidence of salvation casting out demons, prophecy and miracles are not the most important thing casting out demons, prophecy and miracles are not the most important thing the important thing is the blood of Jesus Christ rejoice in salvation through the blood if that position is right you will have power over the devil you can go straight ahead with that but you have to understand that power is not the same as salvation there's apostates who do miracles but they know very little about the blood of Jesus Christ when there's sin in your life it's not okay men prophesy and yet their life isn't right with God a man could cast out a demon and yet he's not ready for heaven in Matthew 28 verse 18 in Matthew 28 verse 18 and Jesus came and spoke unto them saying all power is given unto me in heaven and earth it was given to him as the man Christ Jesus and that means it was given to the church and that power is there for us tonight if you abide in Christ there is power and we've been put there by the blood of Jesus Jesus has all power including victory over Satan and he always dwells with his blood-washed people Ephesians chapter 1 says that this power raised Jesus Christ from the dead and it's the very same power granted to believers in 1 John chapter 4 verse 4 it says the Holy Spirit resides in our physical bodies again in 1 Corinthians chapter 6 verse 19 and 20 it says our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost and greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world it is only as Satan robs us of this power he blinds us to the power we have he'll lie to you and say you don't have any power over him and then on that basis he comes to defeat you we are in a war with Satan you are gonna meet him you are gonna face his power but God has never protected his people from the adversary let me explain what I mean he never stopped Satan coming to tempt you or to test you this is not for our destruction but for our perfection temptation is a part of our sanctification and we must demonstrate as believers that what we have is greater than what he is in James 4 verse 7 it says submit yourself therefore to God resist the devil and he will flee from you this shows our need to submit to God before we enter the battle in this charismatic generation I've seen many involved in spiritual warfare rebuking and binding the devil and yet they were not submitted to God they are the biggest gossips in the church they tell lies and criticize everyone they are always gossiping about what happens in the church and these are the ones who think they have power over Satan the devil laughs at such fools they are deceived Romans 16 verse 20 helps us to understand something if we obey God and if we walk with him we can see Satan bruised under our feet instead of us doing all of the suffering we can trample him under our feet and leave him behind us bruised that's what the bible says you see in the church they are always scared of Satan jumping upon them Kenneth Copeland that great prosperity preacher in America he said he needed to buy that expensive airplane and fly privately because if he travelled on the normal airlines the demons and the sinners would jump on him and disturb his spirit I want to assure you I don't want to listen to that preacher let me sit on a plane with sinners and I'll tell them about this Jesus Christ I'm not scared of the devil or sinners so this is what God wants us to hear tonight if we realize that we abide in this place in Christ that if we realize and stay in this place and stay in Christ and that we are brought there through his blood then we are in a position to gain victory over Satan and to destroy all of his works we must believe this tonight if you're a preacher we must preach the blood preach it in the church to the old Christians many of them have forgotten this preach it to the new Christians preach it in evangelism preach it when we share our own testimony in the church of this generation there is a great lack of preaching about the blood of Jesus no wonder there's so little victory in the church because we have not taught the people to plead the blood of Jesus to stand on the blood to believe in the value of the blood our preacher must take on the preaching of the blood of Jesus so that in the local church a great confidence will arise because people realize their position through the blood as we proclaim the blood people will rest secure on that solid ground of victory it's a very sad fact tonight that there are so few songs and choruses written about the blood of Jesus I spoke to a young worship leader in Ireland many years ago he was in one of the biggest Pentecostal churches in our country and he told me he was only a young Christian and they put him in that worship team leading the worship in the church on a Monday morning he rushed to the nearest Christian bookshop and found a CD with the latest songs for the church he said he was a Christian three years before he learned any songs on the blood he had to come out of that church before he learned to sing about the blood this is a tragedy in the church of our generation most of the worship songs sung in the church today I could sing to my wife Candice I wouldn't need to change any of the words they don't even mention the name Jesus there's no theology no message of the cross no truth of the blood of Jesus Christ it's all about me and my power but very little about the Lord Jesus Christ the world out there puts their theology in the songs of this generation if you listen to those songs affecting the young people in our generation if you listen to those songs affecting our young generation they put their theology of sex and drugs in those songs suicide and murder because they're after the mind of this generation we the church need to rediscover this again preach the blood again sing about the blood again we need the message of the blood back in the church and return to this sound doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ since we're starting tonight with our position in Jesus Christ and for the next two days we're going to look closely at the blood of Jesus Amen