Boot Camp

In Christ

Message Notes

What does it mean to be “in Christ?”
1. The last three weeks of “Boot Camp” we have been talking about authority over Satan, the blessing called “super-abundance,” and how to overcome fear, doubt and unbelief. Today, we are going to talk about the HIGHEST UNDERSTANDING OF FAITH: Being “in Christ.”
2. To be “in Christ” is much like an aquarium filled with water:
  1. The aquarium represents Jesus. The water that fills the aquarium is all the fullness of God. Jesus is FULL of all of God’s attributes and nature.
  2. The glass represents us. We are like an empty glass before we get saved. When we are saved, God places us “into Christ.” The fullness of God that is in Him gets over into us and WE ARE FILLED WITH the fullness of Christ!
  3. Christ does not pour Himself into us; we are in Him and possess the fullness of His nature: His love, His joy, His peace, His righteousness.
  4. The glass is not TRYING TO BE FILLED. IT IS AUTOMATICALLY FULL BECAUSE IT IS “IN WATER.”
  5. “IN CHRIST” means we don’t have to try to receive something: WE ALREADY HAVE IT “IN CHRIST.” It is not “performance” it is “position.”
“Walk in Him”
1. “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so WALK IN HIIM.” (Col. 2:6)
2. “In Christ” is referred to 13 times from Col. 2: 5-14. It is a walk of faith, learning to “walk in Him,” Christ in you and you in Christ.
3. Filled in Him (v. 9), Buried with Him (v. 12), raised through Him (v. 12), alive with Him (v. 13), forgiven in Him (v. 13), free in Him (v. 14), triumphing in Him (v. 15).
4. “In Christ, I’m saved. In Christ, I’m healed. In Christ, I’m supplied. In Christ, I’m full. In Christ, I can do all things. In Christ, I triumph.”
Four ways to walk “in Him”
1. “WHO YOU ARE in Christ”: “new creature.”
  1. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new (never been before) creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor. 5:17)
    1. You are not an “old sinner saved by grace.” Your spirit man has been born again, you are not the same person anymore. Your spirit has changed, but your flesh and mind are still the same person (you are still baldheaded).
  2. “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM.” (2 Cor. 5:21)
    1. In Christ, you’ve had a change! Jesus took your sin and gave you His righteousness. You stand before God with no shame, fear, or inferiority. You are “in the aquarium” of Christ and His righteousness has filled you up!
      1. This means that you are DELIVERED from sin. Sin has no power over us. In baptism in Christ, you died to sin. You are master over sin and sin cannot control you. That’s WHO YOU ARE in Christ!
“WHERE YOU ARE in Christ”: “heavenly places”
1. “Has raised us up with Him and SEATED US with Him in the HEAVENLY PLACES in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2: 6). (Used only five times, all in Ephesians)
  1. YOUR STANDING IN CHRIST—Your “standing,” your “position” is the secret of faith. Ephesians 1:20 says that God has placed Jesus at His right hand in the heavenly places, “far above” all principalities and demon powers (Eph 1:20).
  2. We must also see ourselves “victorious with Christ” over demon spirits, “seated with Christ” in heavenly places. We are not called to CONTEND with the devil. We are “MORE THAN CONQUERORS.”
    1. a) We are in the “box seats!” (Box seat pass)
      1. An ELEVATOR takes you up to the box seats.
      2. There’s all the FOOD you can eat in the box seats.
      3. The AIR CONDITIONING IS COOL in the box seats.
      4. The CHAIRS are comfortable in the box seats.
      5. You can WATCH the battle better and it’s quiet in the box seats. YOU are in HEAVENLY PLACES!
2. “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ” (2 Cor. 2: 14).
“WHAT YOU POSSESS in Christ”: “joint-heirs”
1. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and JOINT HEIRS with Christ” (Rom. 8: 16)
  1. Roman adoption was complicated, but an adopted child had incredible legal rights. The moment they were adopted, they immediately had the same inheritance as a genuine son. They were “joint-heirs.” Everything that Christ inherited, He shares with you.
2. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3)
  1. Jesus inherited a name—you inherited His Name (Silver and gold have I none, but “such as I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”)
  2. Jesus has all wisdom—He has given you His the mind of Christ. You share in His wisdom for every decision.
  3. Jesus is the Healer—The Healer lives inside of us. We don’t struggle to get healed, we are filled with the Healer!
  4. Jesus has all riches—You have the Provider living inside of you: “My God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory IN CHRIST JESUS” (Phil. 4: 19). IN CHRIST YOU HAVE EVERY NEED SUPPLIED.
  5. Jesus has all love, joy, and peace—His love, joy and peace is living in you.
WHAT YOU CAN DO in Christ: “all things”
1. “I can do ALL THINGS in Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13, RSV).
  1. There is NOTHING you cannot do if God is telling you to do it! All He needs is your “Yes” and your obedience. He takes over and does the work.
  2. God has not called YOU to do the work.
    1. “But Jesus answered them, 'My Father is working until now, and I am working (Jn. 5:17)
  3. It’s not your work, it’s His work. “My Father is working and I am cooperating with Him.” You need Christ and He needs you! He needs a human body, two human hands, a human voice to manifest His power, His love, His healing power.
  4. “Christ IN YOU, the hope of glory” (Col. 1: 27).
Invitation
1. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne” (Rev. 3:20)
2. You don’t understand what Jesus is offering you: a new creation inside, a BOX SEAT in life seated with Him, sharing His inheritance as a member of God’s family, and a Divine calling and purpose to fulfil your life.

Boot Camp

Get ready for Boot Camp—a powerful 4-week series led by Pastor Larry Stockstill, focused on basic training for believers. In a world filled with spiritual battles, fear, doubt, and opposition, this series will equip you with the Word of God to stand strong and walk in victory.

4 Part Series

All the files in the included packages below have been stripped of dates and church branding. Feel free to adjust, change, or tweak as needed. Include your own church logo or swap out the photos.

Full package also available on Dropbox.

Assets & Files

Part 1: The Ten Toes Of Victory

You were never meant to live on the defensive, God has given you authority to take ground and walk in victory. In Week 1 of our new series Boot Camp, Pastor Larry Stockstill kicks off with a bold reminder: the enemy fears you when you're standing on the Word of God.

Part 2: Victory Over Poverty

Poverty isn't a virtue, it's a weapon the enemy uses to steal, kill, and destroy. But Jesus came so that we could have life in abundance. In Week 2 of our Boot Camp series, Pastor Larry Stockstill unpacks the Biblical foundation for abundance, not greed, but God's provision to meet your needs and empower you to bless others.

Part 3: Victory Over Fear, Doubt, And Unbelief

Fear is paralyzing. Doubt is deceiving. Unbelief is disabling. But God has called us to live by faith, not shrink back in defeat. In Week 3 of our Boot Camp series, Pastor Larry Stockstill teaches how to fight back against the internal battles that hold us hostage, reminding us that faith is a choice, not a feeling.

Part 4: In Christ

What if the greatest victory isn't something you fight for, but something you already have? In the final message of our Boot Camp series, Pastor Larry Stockstill takes us into the highest understanding of faith: knowing what it means to live "In Christ."