The Tie that Binds

I John 5:20

We are familiar with the scripture’s teaching that the foundation of the church is Jesus Christ.  Today we discover Christ as the “tie that binds” us in fellowship and service.  We are held together by the same power that reached down to save us.

1. I. Tied Together through His Sacrifice - Romans 5:1-2

There is a common tie that binds us together and that is the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The ground is level at the foot of the cross.

POSITIONAL TRUTH - Romans 5: 17-19

Through our union with Christ we have a new position before God.  We are no longer “in Adam” but are now “in Christ.”  I Corinthians 15:22 

Can a believer be saved and not experience their positional standing?  Absolutely!

At any moment in time, the believer is either “spiritual” or “carnal”.

Position deals with my standing with God; state deals with my experience in this world.

Our Position in Christ	Our Experience in Christ
Justified and Regenerated	Faith and Trust
Sealed with the Spirit	Assurance of Salvation
Indwelled by the Spirit	Filling with the Spirit
Justified	Freedom from Condemnation
Part of the Body of Christ	Fellowship with Believers
Child of God	Disciples of Christ
Static	Dynamic
Complete and Perfect	Incomplete and Imperfect

We hold together a common Hope.  

1. II. Tied Together in his Body - 1 Corinthians 12:12;27

There is no institution or organization that has the same DNA as the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Unity is not uniformity. Unity comes from within and is a spiritual grace, while uniformity is the result of pressure from without.

1. III. Tied Together by His Power - Colossians 1:15-17

Man is born broken, and he needs mending. There is only one kind of bonding that makes it possible for man to be mended and reattached to God and that is the blood of Jesus Christ.