Grace: How Jesus' Death = Your Forgiveness

Grace: How Jesus' Death = Your Forgiveness

Pastor Andrew Thompson

Grace is THE BIG DISTINCTIVE IDEA of Christianity, yet many Christians struggle to understand it. Most struggle to apply it to themselves and the people around them. This series digs into the big, distinctive idea of grace, discovers how grace changes everything and helps us more fully apply grace to ourselves and others.

Where is it written?

Read Ephesians 1:3-10, making a list of every benefit we receive because of Jesus. (I.e. I am holy and blameless.)

The Doctrine of the Atonement:
Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are made right with God. 

Several biblical “theories” contribute to our understanding of how the Atonement works. Read the listed passages taking note of how Jesus’ death and resurrection contribute to us having right status with God.

Jesus Was My Substitute: (Penal Substitution/ Satisfaction Theory)
Jesus suffered God’s wrath for us, meeting the demands of justice.

Verses: Isaiah 53:4-6, 10-11; Romans 3:22-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:10-14 ; Colossians 2:13-15; 1 Peter 2:24, 3:18

Because of Jesus, my sins are completely forgiven.

Jesus Won The Victory For Me: (Christus Victor/ Ransom Theory)
Jesus conquered sin and death for us, freeing us from the power of evil / the devil.

Verses: Genesis 3:15; Mark 10:42–45; John 10:10; 12:31-32; Acts 2:32-36; 26:17-19; Romans 8:37-39; 1 Corinthians 15:24-26; Galatians 1:3-4, 4:3-9; Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 Peter 3:19-22; 1 John 3:8.

Because of Jesus, sin and its effects no longer imprison me.

Jesus Changed Humankind: (Recapitulation Theory)
Jesus represented all humanity and changed humanity’s relationship with God through his obedience. Jesus is the new Adam, our new representative before God.

Verses: Romans 5:13–21; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 42-49; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 4:5-7; 2 Peter 1:3-4.

Because of Jesus, God sees me as His holy, righteous, sinless child.

How goes your walk?

How does what Jesus did on the cross for you affect how you feel about God? About yourself? About God’s purposes for your life?

Challenge:

Take at least 5 minutes before the end of the day to thank Jesus that He 1) paid for your sin 2) won your victory over evil and death and 3) made you God’s child.

Everywhere

Sermons from Columbia Grove Covenant Church in East Wenatchee WA.

Everywhere

Everywhere

Where is it written?

Read Psalm 139.

What does God know about you? (See verses 1-6)

Where does God see you? (See verses 7-12)

How deeply does God think about you? (See verses 13-18)

Who can we look to for the help and justice we need? (See verses 19-22)

How goes your walk?

How does knowing that God knows you, watches you, and thinks about you change how you live?

Growth Challenge:

Take at least 5 minutes to ask God to 1) search your heart 2) test your thoughts 3) see if there is any offensive way in you and to 4) lead you towards eternal things.

Share with someone what you learned or heard through this prayer.

Grace: Why We Need It

Sermons from Columbia Grove Covenant Church in East Wenatchee WA.

Grace is THE BIG DISTINCTIVE IDEA of Christianity, yet many Christians struggle to understand it. Most struggle to apply it to themselves and the people around them. This series digs into the big, distinctive idea of grace, discovers how grace changes everything and helps us more fully apply grace to ourselves and others.

Ephesians 2:1-10 NIV

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 
Where is it written?
Read through Ephesians 1:1-14, making a list of every benefit Christians receive because of Jesus. (For example - 1:3 “Blessed us in the heavenly realms.”)
After making the entire list, how might you summarize these benefits in your own words?

Read Ephesians 2:1-3 (In several translations.)
What is our situation/ status apart from Christ?
What does it mean to gratify the cravings of the flesh?
What does this way of living result in?
What do all humans deserve?

Word Study - “Wrath”
Read Matthew 3:7 ; Luke 3:7; John 3:36 ; Romans 1:18-20; 2:5; 5:9 and Revelation 6:16-17.
What is God’s wrath? What is God wrathful about? Why is God wrathful? What does God’s wrath result in?

Word Study - “Hell”
Read Matthew 8:12 ; 13:40-42 ; 25:41-46 ; Mark 9:43-48 ; Luke 3:17 ; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 ; Revelation 14:9-11 ; 19:20 ; 20:7-15 ; 21:8.
What is hell? Why does it exist? Who goes there? What happens there?

Read Ephesians 2:4-10
What is our new situation with Jesus?
What have we been saved for?

How goes your walk?
How does knowing that you have been saved from hell affect how you live? Who are you wanting to share this good news with?

Challenge
Take at least 5 minutes thanking God in prayer for all He has saved you from and saved you for.
Tell someone what you learned or experienced through that time of prayer.

Grace Why We Need It

Grace: Why We Need It

Grace is THE BIG DISTINCTIVE IDEA of Christianity, yet many Christians struggle to understand it. Most struggle to apply it to themselves and the people around them. This series digs into the big, distinctive idea of grace, discovers how grace changes everything and helps us more fully apply grace to ourselves and others.
Ephesians 2:1-10 NIV

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Where is it written?
Read through Ephesians 1:1-14, making a list of every benefit Christians receive because of Jesus. (For example - 1:3 “Blessed us in the heavenly realms.”)
After making the entire list, how might you summarize these benefits in your own words?

Read Ephesians 2:1-3 (In several translations.)
What is our situation/ status apart from Christ?
What does it mean to gratify the cravings of the flesh?
What does this way of living result in?
What do all humans deserve?

Word Study - “Wrath”
Read Matthew 3:7 ; Luke 3:7; John 3:36 ; Romans 1:18-20; 2:5; 5:9 and Revelation 6:16-17.
What is God’s wrath? What is God wrathful about? Why is God wrathful? What does God’s wrath result in?

Word Study - “Hell”
Read Matthew 8:12 ; 13:40-42 ; 25:41-46 ; Mark 9:43-48 ; Luke 3:17 ; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 ; Revelation 14:9-11 ; 19:20 ; 20:7-15 ; 21:8.
What is hell? Why does it exist? Who goes there? What happens there?

Read Ephesians 2:4-10
What is our new situation with Jesus?
What have we been saved for?

How goes your walk?
How does knowing that you have been saved from hell affect how you live? Who are you wanting to share this good news with?

Challenge
Take at least 5 minutes thanking God in prayer for all He has saved you from and saved you for.
Tell someone what you learned or experienced through that time of prayer.