Classic Sermon Outlines
The Believer's Blessings in Christ
2. This means the believer's deliverance from the guilt of sin. The believer is actually acquainted. Hence it is that the apostle, under a sense of this blessed privilege, breaks out in this triumphant language, "It is Christ that justifies, who is he that condemns?" (Romans 8:33—34). Does sin condemn? Christ's righteousness delivers believers from the guilt of it.
Christ is their Savior and the propitiation for their sins. Who shall lay anything to their charge?
C. Christ the Believer's Sanctification.
1. Sanctification is the renovation of the whole man. By sanctification I do not mean a hypocritical attendance on outward ordinances nor a mere outward reformation. By sanctification I mean a total renovation of the whole man. By the righteousness of Christ believers become legally alive, by sanctification they are made spiritually alive. By the one they are entitled to glory, by the other they are made ready for glory. They are sanctified therefore in spirit, soul, and body.
2. Sanctification is the effect and evidence of justification. Although sanctification is not the cause, yet it is the effect of our acceptance with God—"who of God is made unto us righteousness and sanctification." He therefore who is really in Christ is a new creation. To look into our lives and 'see that they are changed and renewed gives to us a comfortable and well-grounded assurance of the safety of our states. By our fruits we must judge whether we have or do not have the Holy Spirit.
D. Christ the Believer's Redemption.
1. Redemption's end. It is the believer's glorification. Our text sufficiently proves the final perseverance of all true believers. God never justified a man whom He did not sanctify, nor sanctify one whom He did not completely redeem an . As for God, His way and work is perfect. He always carries on and finishes the work He begins. Those whom God has justified, He has in effect glorified.
2. Redemption's area. By the word redemption we are to understand not only a complete deliverance from all evil, but also a full enjoyment of all good both in body and soul. (a) Christ's resurrection was an earnest of our resurrection. As in Adam all die so all in Christ shall be made alive. (b) The complete redemption of our souls will be in heaven when the very being of