Christ In You — the Hope of Glory

Though forever remaining subject to the Father and Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:24-28), the glorified saints shall share many of God’s attributes, his power, his honor and splendor, his brilliance. Daniel 12:3 and Philippians 3:21 show that the bodies and faces of the glorified saints will shine forth with supernatural brilliance, just as that of the resurrected, glorified Christ, symbolically described in Revelation 1. There are not a few who might consider such a teaching blasphemous, but that nevertheless is the true teaching of Scripture. David wrote, “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness” (Psalm 17:15). John wrote, “…we know that when he [the Father] is revealed, we shall be like Him…” (I John 3:2). Your destiny, if you’re a true Christian, and if you remain faithful, is to become like God, sharing in his glory for all eternity.

What assurance do you have that this magnificent, astounding purpose will be fulfilled in you? What is the basis for your hope of glory in God’s Kingdom? Both your destiny as a true Christian, and the means of its accomplishment, is reflected in the phrase, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Your destiny, if you are a true Christian, is to be glorified with God. And that can be accomplished only by Jesus Christ living in you through the Spirit of God. If Christ is living in you, and as long as Christ continues to live in you, you have the hope and the promise of glory with God.

Assuming you have believed the true gospel, repented and received the Holy Spirit, what can you do to assure that Christ will abide in you, dwell in you, to the end, so that the hope you presently have is fulfilled?

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Are You Faithful?

We are instructed in Scripture to “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith” (II Corinthians 13:5). The Bible has a great deal to say about being faithful, and faithfulness. We are told that those who will be with Christ in his kingdom are “called, chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:14).

In the message  “Are You Faithful?” are reviewed a number of Scriptures relating to both the faithfulness of God and the faithfulness he requires of his people. Every Christian is being tested with regard to his faithfulness to God and his way of life, and it’s a matter we need to give attention to and take seriously.

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Knowledge and Conversion

Many people believe that to be a Christian — to be converted — you don’t have to know much of anything and you don’t have to do anything. More than a few have sought to juxtapose knowledge and faith in such a way as to make it appear they are in opposition to one another. The only “truth” you need to know as a Christian, some allege, is “that the gospel is Christ plus nothing.” The implication, perhaps stated in various ways but amounting to the same idea, is that if you profess faith in Christ as your savior, nothing else matters.

Does the Bible have anything to say about the value, even the necessity, of knowledge in connection with conversion and salvation? Does God honor ignorance? Is knowledge something to be abhorred, shunned and avoided. Or might it be an essential element in one’s relationship with God, and in having a place in God’s Kingdom?

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What is Death?

Even when we face sickness and death, God is aware of our plight, and if we maintain godly faith, we are safely in his hands. In this sermon, Rod Reynolds explains what the Bible says concerning death – what death is and what is the hope that lies beyond the grave for all human beings.

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