{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"West Side Church of Christ - Elkton Ky","title":"Union With Christ (From our 3-1-26 Worship)","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1889,"description":"Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/ll699I-WusoBig Idea: Union with Christ is the central lens of the New Testament that holds all other doctrines together. Our identity, salvation, and purpose are found only \"in Him.\"I. The Concept: The Lego Dinosaur AnalogyThe Problem of Isolation: Individual Lego pieces are meaningless and without purpose on their own.The Power of the Whole: Meaning is derived from being part of the \"whole\" (the dinosaur).The Preposition of Identity: Paul uses the phrase \"in Christ\" (and its variations) more than any other to define a believer. He never calls himself a \"Christian,\" but always describes himself as being \"in\" or \"with\" Christ.“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places...” (Ephesians 1:3)II. The Source: The Prayer of JesusThe doctrine of union isn't just a Pauline idea; it starts with Jesus.The Standard of Unity: Jesus prays that our connection to Him would mirror His connection to the Father.“I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:23)ShutterstockIII. The Three-Fold Reality of Union1. Union in Salvation: The Giver is the GiftThe Temptation: We often divorce the gift (salvation) from the Giver (Jesus).The Reality: We don't just receive salvation from Jesus; Jesus is our salvation.Hidden in Him: Our lives are no longer our own; they are wrapped up in His.“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:3–4)2. Union in the Sacraments: Participation, Not Just MemorialBaptism: It is the act of \"clothing\" ourselves with Christ. Just like glasses become the lens through which we see, Christ becomes the \"garment\" that defines us.“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/lvjrvJQzIzEamCIrdKMIrIgeJhJiQm_6B3NGmBkvnkU/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8yMTFj/NDA4ZDU1M2YyMDdj/ZWFiZjA0MDU1MDE2/NWNmNS5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}