Putting the You into Union – Part II
INTRODUCTION – In the first part of this message, we found that in the Communion service we recognize the union of the Trinity, remember the union of our humanity with God the Son, and rejoice in the union of all believers with God the Son. Today we will build on these Biblical truths.
- AS WE PARTAKE OF THE COMMUNION ELEMENTS, WE ARE REMINDED THAT WE ARE PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE.
II Peter 1:3-4 – This passage does not teach that we will one day become gods (the lie of Satan in the Garden of Eden and the continuing lie of the New Age movement). No, God is God, we are not, and we (believers in Jesus, God the Son) will eternally worship Him as God. We are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27) to share in His everlasting glory. This sharing is more than communication (a good thing), more than fellowship (also a good thing). Our relationship with God is a union, which includes His “exceeding great and precious promises” (for example, Hebrews 13:5) and the unfolding of the restoration of the divine image in us as we escape “the corruption that is in the world.”
- AS WE PARTAKE OF THE COMMUNION ELEMENTS, WE REJOICE THAT WE ARE PARTAKERS OF THE ENTIRE TRINITY.
John 14:16-17 – The indwelling of God the Holy Spirit within each believer is more than communion; it is a union. Verse 17 points to the union of God the Holy Spirit and God the Son. John 14:23 teaches the union of God the Son and God the Father. The particular role of indwelling belongs to the Spirit, but that role does not exclude the Son and the Father, for there is perfect union within the Trinity. Thus, it is accurate to say, for example, “I have Jesus in my heart.” The specific promise of Hebrews 13:5 – “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” – is thus literal.
- AS WE PARTAKE OF THE COMMUNION ELEMENTS, WE REMEMBER THAT WE ARE PARTAKERS OF A NEW RELATIONSHIP.
I John 3:1-2 – Through faith in God the Son, we become the children of God. In other words, we have the same family relationship with the Father that the Son has. Moreover, in this relationship, we are being transformed and will be transformed to become like the Son, to share in God’s glory, to experience a full union with our Triune God.
CONCLUSION – Are you certain today that you have put the you into union? That is, are you sure that Jesus is your Savior? All of what we have spoken of today – and far more! – is available to each one of us.