Divine Intervention: God's Grace in Salvation
Summary
In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of divine intervention, focusing on the ultimate act of divine intervention - the salvation of sinners. He refers to Ephesians chapter 2 verses 1 through 3, which describe the total depravity of unredeemed humanity. He explains that total depravity does not mean that humanity is as bad as it can be, but rather that every aspect of the human experience is corrupted by sin. He emphasizes that without Christ, every human being is on a collision course with holy justice, divine wrath, and eternal condemnation. However, God, in his sovereign grace, has intervened to save us. The speaker also discusses the good news of divine intervention, stating that the bad news is that we cannot save ourselves, but the good news is that we don't have to - God did it all.
The speaker goes on to discuss the motivating factors of divine intervention, which he identifies as the mercy and love of God. He explains that mercy is God withholding deserved punishment, while grace is God bestowing unmerited favor. He emphasizes that God's mercy is rich and his love is great, and that it was these qualities that moved God to save us. He also discusses the saving work of divine intervention, stating that God made us alive with Christ, raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavenly places. He concludes by emphasizing that this was all done by God's grace, and that it is a cause for celebration and gratitude.
Key takeaways:
- Divine intervention is the sovereign, direct, and unmistakable way God works in human affairs, and the ultimate act of divine intervention is the salvation of sinners. #!!02:20!!#
- Total depravity means that every aspect of the human experience is corrupted by sin, and without Christ, every human being is on a collision course with holy justice, divine wrath, and eternal condemnation. #!!03:47!!#
- The good news of divine intervention is that we don't have to save ourselves - God did it all. #!!10:40!!#
- The motivating factors of divine intervention are the mercy and love of God, which are rich and great respectively. #!!12:19!!#
- The saving work of divine intervention involves God making us alive with Christ, raising us up with him, and seating us with him in the heavenly places. #!!21:46!!#
Study Guide
Bible Passages:
1. Ephesians 2:1-10
2. Romans 5:6-8
3. Titus 3:5
Key Points from the sermon:
1. Divine intervention is the sovereign, direct, and unmistakable way God works in human affairs, especially in the salvation of sinners.
2. God's mercy and love are the motivating factors for divine intervention.
3. God's grace is the means by which He saves us, even when we were dead in our trespasses.
Observation Questions:
1. What does Ephesians 2:1-10 say about the state of humanity before God's intervention?
2. How does Romans 5:6-8 describe God's love towards us?
3. What does Titus 3:5 say about the basis of our salvation?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Ephesians 2:1-10 describe the process of divine intervention in our salvation?
2. What does Romans 5:6-8 reveal about the nature of God's love and how it motivates His actions?
3. How does Titus 3:5 explain the role of mercy in our salvation?
Application Questions:
1. How can we respond to God's divine intervention in our lives, as described in Ephesians 2:1-10?
2. In what ways can we reflect God's love, as described in Romans 5:6-8, in our interactions with others?
3. How does understanding God's mercy, as explained in Titus 3:5, affect our view of ourselves and others?
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Intervention in Human Affairs
God's intervention in our lives is a testament to His love and care for us. He is not a distant God, but one who is intimately involved in our lives, guiding us, protecting us, and providing for us. His intervention is not always obvious or dramatic, but it is always purposeful and for our good.
Exodus 14:21 - "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you experienced what you believe was divine intervention in your life? How did that experience impact your faith and relationship with God?
Day 2: Total Depravity of Unredeemed Humanity
The Bible teaches that without God's grace, we are all lost in sin and incapable of saving ourselves. This is a sobering truth, but it is also a reminder of our desperate need for God's grace and mercy.
Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt the weight of your own sinfulness. How did this realization affect your understanding of your need for God's grace and mercy?
Day 3: God's Holiness, Justice, and Sovereignty
God is holy, just, and sovereign. He is perfect in all His ways, and His justice is always fair. His sovereignty means that He is in control of everything that happens, and nothing can thwart His plans.
Isaiah 6:3 - "And they were calling to one another: 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.'"
Reflection: How does understanding God's holiness, justice, and sovereignty affect your view of your own sin and need for redemption?
Day 4: The Good News of Divine Intervention
The good news of the gospel is that God has intervened in our world to save us from our sins. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have been given the opportunity to be reconciled to God and to experience His love and grace.
John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Reflection: How has the good news of divine intervention brought hope and transformation in your life? Can you share a specific instance where you felt God's intervention in a powerful way?
Day 5: The Motivating Factors of Divine Intervention
God's intervention in our lives is motivated by His love, grace, and mercy. Even when we are undeserving, He reaches out to us, offering forgiveness and salvation.
Ephesians 2:4-5 - "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: How have you experienced God's mercy, grace, and love in your life? Can you share a specific instance where you felt undeserving of His love, yet He showed His love to you anyway?
Quotes
1. "This sermon is about divine intervention. Divine intervention is the sovereign direct and unmistakeable way God works in human affairs. God intervenes many various ways. God intervenes by changing circumstances, executing justice, healing sickness, meeting needs, providing resources, solving problems, and silencing lies. But I want to talk to you today about the ultimate act of divine intervention, the salvation of sinners." - 02:16
2. "God is holy. In fact, holiness is the defining attribute of God. To say that God is holy is to say that he is holy W. H. O. L. I. Holy other, morally perfect, infinitely separated from all that he has created. God is not like us. God is holy." - 06:14
3. "God is the sinners problem, but what Paul is declaring in this text is that the sinners problem became the sinner's solution. What God required, God supplied. God intervened to save us from himself. We were headed to damnation, down the path of total depravity, egged on by the combined forces of the flesh, the world, and the devil. Only one power could arrest us, God." - 09:00
4. "The bad news is you cannot save yourself. The good news is you don't have to. God did it all. My part was the sinning and his part was the saving. There is the good news of divine intervention." - 10:21
5. "The motivating factors of divine intervention are the mercy of God is rich. We sing about amazing grace, but you do know that mercy is amazing too. The mercy of God is not just an attribute of God. It is the very nature of God. God is merciful." - 05:28
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