In Christ - Part 3
We are Fully Equipped
Jesus has the power of God, by which he has given us everything we need to live and to serve God. We have these things because we know him. [Relationship]
2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
Sanctification
- Greek: hagiasmos (hog-ee-oss-moss')
- Purified, consecrated, "to separate"
We are equipped with:
- The Word of God/the Bible
- Gifts of the Holy Spirit
- The Armor of God
- The Fruit of the Spirit
- Wisdom
- Each other/the Body of Christ
The Word of God/the Bible
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 NIV
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Peter Wagner, Discover Your Spiritual Gifts (28-ish spiritual gifts)
- Motivations/ministries/manifestations
- Ordinary gifts/extraordinary gifts
- Enabling gifts/servicing gifts
In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.
Romans 12:5-6 NIV
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good...all these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 11 NIV
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Song of God and become mature, attaining tot eh whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Ephesians 4:7, 11-16 NIV
Don't confuse spiritual maturity with emotional maturity.
The Armor of God
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. Therefore put on the full armor of god, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:10-11, 13 NIV
The Fruit of the Spirit
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
Wisdom
We have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16 NIV
Each other/The Body of Christ
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him--you also like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house [temple] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:3 NIV
