RLJ-817OL

CHRIST IN YOU-THE HOPE OF GLORY
Part One

By Pastor John S. Torell

21  April  2002
Very few people have peace in their lives. Even some of the most seasoned Christians are succumbing to stress, anxiety, doubt and unbelief.  This goes directly against what Jesus said when He told us that He would give us His PEACE, NOT AS THE WORLD GIVES IT!  John 14:25-27.

Jesus also told his disciples that He was going to give them REST!  Not many Christians are resting in His REST! Matthew 11:25-30.

As we look upon ourselves and upon each other, we do not see a lot of peace and rest in our lives. WHY?  Because many of us have missed the message from God.  His message is, Christ in you, the hope of glory - Colossians 1:25-29.

We have instead taken hold of the understanding that we can improve upon ourselves and through will power and discipline become better persons and do the work of God on this earth. The truth is that our personal righteousness is like filthy rags - Isaiah 64:6; there is nothing good in the human flesh - Romans 3:10-20; and that we do not have the capacity, strength or wisdom to do the works of God. Yes, even when we have been saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, if we try to do the work of God in our own strength, we will become tired, weary, disappointed, discouraged, disgusted etc.

Let us now move into the PROMISED LAND, where there is peace, joy, faith and rest!

DWELLING IN THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH
The word of God tells us, that he that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalms 91:1-16.

How does a person dwell in this secret place? Through Jesus Christ!

Let us slowly read, verse by verse, the following Bible reference - John 1:1-14.

The new birth (being born again) is a supernatural event, which gives us an eternal component, to complete the soul. This is the spirit which is born of God.  John 3:1-8.

However, God does not intend the "Born Again Person" to operate independently from Jesus Christ. Very clearly has Jesus stated that without Him we can do nothing!  John 15:1-6.

Jesus is the groom, each believer in Christ is part of" the Bride of Christ!"  Revelation 19:5-9.

When a human couple (a man and a woman) makes the decision to get married, they plan to spend the rest of their lives on the earth together, not apart from each other.  The man is the head of the family, and he gives strength and comfort to the wife and the children.  The wife gives love, submission and herself to her husband.

Jesus is the head of the church - Ephesians 1:1-23.

Salvation is an eternal relationship with God, beginning at the moment of salvation! John 3:16.

God the Father and God the Son take up residence in each believer in Christ!  John 14:21-26.

This new birth (salvation) is a gift from God; it cannot be earned by man; it was fully paid by Jesus on the cross at Calvary!  Ephesians  2:8-10.

GOD DOES NOT GIVE THE BELIEVER IN CHRIST THE ABILITY TO OPERATE FAITH, JOY, HOPE, AND LOVE APART FROM GOD!  INSTEAD GOD IMPARTS CHRIST THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND IT IS THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHICH WILL BE MANIFESTED!  Galatians 5:22-26.  Bonus Scripture:  Hebrews 12:2