Divine Intervention: God's Power in Salvation

 

Summary

Salvation is entirely the result of God's action, a truth that underscores the Apostle's message. The comparison between the crucified, dead, and buried Jesus Christ and the power that raised Him from the dead illustrates the divine power at work in Christians. Humanity, in its natural state, is dead in trespasses and sins, enslaved by the prince of the power of the air, and driven by the lusts of the flesh and mind. This condition leaves humanity utterly incapable of seeking or pleasing God. Yet, in this state of hopelessness, God intervenes. The Bible is a record of God's activity in saving humanity, from the fall in the Garden of Eden to the call of Abraham and Moses, and ultimately, the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ.

God's nature is fundamentally different from ours. While humans are self-centered, vindictive, and unforgiving, God is rich in mercy and love. His mercy is a deep pity for our wretched condition, and His love is an active force that compels Him to save us. This love is demonstrated in the exceeding riches of His grace, which means showing kindness and mercy to those who deserve nothing but wrath. Even when we were dead in sins, God acted out of His own loving mercy, not because of anything in us.

The power of God is essential for salvation. It is not human effort or decision that saves, but the mighty power of God. This power liberates us from the wrath of God, the dominion of Satan, and the thraldom of sin. It is the power of God unto salvation, a power that can reach anyone, no matter how hopeless their situation may seem. There is hope for all in this redemption, for no one is beyond the reach of God's power. Whether struggling with personal sin or praying for a loved one, we must remember that with God, nothing is impossible.

Key Takeaways:

1. Salvation is entirely God's work, not dependent on human effort or desire. Humanity, in its natural state, is dead in sin and incapable of seeking God. This truth highlights the necessity of divine intervention for salvation. [29:44]

2. The Bible is a record of God's saving activity, not humanity's quest for God. From the fall to the call of Abraham and Moses, and ultimately in Jesus Christ, God's actions demonstrate His initiative in salvation. [32:16]

3. God's nature is fundamentally different from ours. While humans are self-centered and unforgiving, God is rich in mercy and love, actively seeking to save us despite our sinfulness. [37:28]

4. The exceeding riches of God's grace mean showing kindness and mercy to those who deserve wrath. Even when we were dead in sins, God acted out of His own loving mercy, not because of anything in us. [39:22]

5. The power of God is essential for salvation, liberating us from sin and Satan's dominion. This power offers hope for all, as no one is beyond the reach of God's redemption. [45:10]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [29:16] - God's Work in Salvation
- [29:59] - Humanity's Hopeless State
- [31:15] - Divine Intervention
- [32:16] - The Bible: A Record of God's Activity
- [33:35] - God's Call Throughout History
- [36:28] - The Contrast Between God and Humanity
- [37:47] - Rich in Mercy
- [38:18] - Love in Action
- [39:08] - The Exceeding Riches of Grace
- [40:15] - Kindness Toward Us
- [41:11] - The Sacrifice of Jesus
- [42:19] - The Power of God in Salvation
- [45:10] - Hope for All
- [46:47] - Encouragement for the Hopeless

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 2:1-10
2. Romans 5:6-8
3. Psalm 103:8-14

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#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 2:1-3, what is the natural state of humanity, and how does it affect our relationship with God? [29:59]
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between God's nature and human nature? [36:28]
3. What examples from the Bible were given in the sermon to illustrate God's initiative in salvation? [32:16]
4. How does the sermon explain the role of God's power in the process of salvation? [42:19]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. In Ephesians 2:4-5, Paul speaks of God's mercy and love. How does the sermon explain the significance of these attributes in the context of salvation? [37:28]
2. Romans 5:6-8 describes Christ's sacrifice for the ungodly. How does the sermon illustrate the depth of God's grace and mercy through this act? [41:11]
3. The sermon mentions the "exceeding riches of God's grace." How does this concept challenge common human perceptions of justice and mercy? [39:22]
4. How does the sermon suggest that understanding God's power can change our perspective on seemingly hopeless situations? [45:10]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt hopeless in your spiritual journey. How can the understanding of God's power and mercy, as discussed in the sermon, provide encouragement in such times? [45:10]
2. The sermon highlights the contrast between God's nature and human nature. In what ways can you actively seek to reflect God's mercy and love in your daily interactions? [36:28]
3. Consider the idea that salvation is entirely God's work. How does this influence your approach to sharing your faith with others? [29:44]
4. The sermon emphasizes that no one is beyond the reach of God's redemption. How can this truth impact the way you pray for and support loved ones who are struggling with sin? [46:47]
5. How can you cultivate a deeper appreciation for the "exceeding riches of God's grace" in your life, especially when you feel undeserving? [39:22]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to rely more on God's power rather than your own efforts. What steps can you take to surrender this area to Him? [42:19]
7. The sermon mentions God's kindness and compassion. How can you demonstrate these qualities in a practical way to someone in need this week? [39:56]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Initiative in Salvation
Salvation is entirely God's work, not dependent on human effort or desire. Humanity, in its natural state, is dead in sin and incapable of seeking God. This truth highlights the necessity of divine intervention for salvation. In our natural state, we are spiritually lifeless, unable to reach out to God or even desire Him. It is only through God's initiative that we are drawn to Him. This divine intervention is not based on our merit or actions but solely on God's grace and mercy. The Apostle's message emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God, underscoring the power and love of God in reaching out to humanity. [29:44]

Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."

Reflection: In what ways can you acknowledge God's initiative in your life today, especially in areas where you feel spiritually stagnant or distant?


Day 2: God's Historical Acts of Salvation
The Bible is a record of God's saving activity, not humanity's quest for God. From the fall to the call of Abraham and Moses, and ultimately in Jesus Christ, God's actions demonstrate His initiative in salvation. Throughout history, God has consistently taken the first step in reaching out to humanity. The stories of the Bible are not about human efforts to find God but about God's relentless pursuit of us. From the very beginning, God has been orchestrating a plan of redemption, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This narrative reminds us that God is always at work, even when we are unaware. [32:16]

Genesis 12:1-3 (ESV): "Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.'"

Reflection: How can you see God's hand in the history of your own life, guiding and shaping your journey even when you were unaware of His presence?


Day 3: The Contrast Between God and Humanity
God's nature is fundamentally different from ours. While humans are self-centered and unforgiving, God is rich in mercy and love, actively seeking to save us despite our sinfulness. Our human nature often leads us to act out of self-interest, holding grudges and seeking revenge. In contrast, God's nature is one of mercy and love, reaching out to us even when we are undeserving. His love is not passive but active, compelling Him to intervene in our lives and offer salvation. This profound difference between God and humanity highlights the depth of His grace and the transformative power of His love. [37:28]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: In what ways can you strive to reflect God's mercy and love in your interactions with others today, especially those who may not deserve it?


Day 4: The Exceeding Riches of God's Grace
The exceeding riches of God's grace mean showing kindness and mercy to those who deserve wrath. Even when we were dead in sins, God acted out of His own loving mercy, not because of anything in us. God's grace is abundant and overflowing, extending kindness and mercy to us even when we are undeserving. This grace is not earned but freely given, a testament to God's character and love. It is through this grace that we are saved, liberated from the consequences of sin and brought into a relationship with God. This understanding of grace should inspire us to live lives marked by gratitude and humility. [39:22]

Titus 3:4-5 (ESV): "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit."

Reflection: How can you extend the grace you have received from God to someone in your life who may not deserve it, reflecting His love and mercy?


Day 5: The Power of God in Salvation
The power of God is essential for salvation, liberating us from sin and Satan's dominion. This power offers hope for all, as no one is beyond the reach of God's redemption. God's power is not limited by our circumstances or failures. It is a mighty force that breaks the chains of sin and sets us free. This power is available to all, offering hope and redemption to even the most hopeless situations. No one is beyond the reach of God's saving power, and this truth should fill us with hope and confidence in His ability to transform lives. [45:10]

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel trapped or hopeless? How can you invite God's power into that situation today, trusting in His ability to bring transformation and freedom?

Quotes


Salvation is entirely and solely the result of God's action entirely and solely the result of God's action that is obviously the Apostle's whole point here you notice his comparison the comparison is between the Lord Jesus Christ crucified dead and buried in the grave he literally did die there was no life left he died and as the apostle was telling us at the end of that first chapter it's the power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand that's the power that's working in Christians and that's the analogy it is entirely God's work. [00:29:00]

For Man is dead in trespasses and sins he is entirely the slave of the prince of the power of the Earth the spirit that now worketh in the children of Disobedience he's entirely walking according to the course of this world he is Led he is held by the pollutive nature that's in him this lust of the flesh expressing itself in desires of the mind and desires of the flesh or of the the body he is guilty he's under the wrath of God that's man he doesn't even desire God the natural mind is enmity against God. [00:30:00]

The Bible is nothing but a record of the activity of God and there has been no more devastating result of the appalling higher critical movement that is so contr controlled the thinking of the Christian church for 150 years almost than the way in which it is persuaded people to think that this is an account of man's quest for God what a travesty it's the exact opposite it's all the record of God's activity in Saving men and the be the Bible I say is nothing but a record of it. [00:32:16]

God came down into the garden and addressed men and spoke to him it's there in the call of Abraham isn't it called out of paganism in order that God might turn him into a nation it was God who did it the call of Moses who was a Shepherd there you remember 40 years seemed to have given up all hope and suddenly one afternoon he takes his flock of sheep to the backside of the mountain not expecting anything at all suddenly the burning bush he's arrested he met God. [00:33:35]

It's the contrast between God and us in the matter of his nature God is so unlike us and it's because God is so unlike us that we are saved and we are Christians if God were like us we would all be damned and doomed what are we like well we've already seen we are creatures of lusts and passions we are governed by the lusts of the Flesh and the desires of the mind which means this that we are selfish and we are self-centered. [00:36:28]

God and what a striking difference who is rich in Mercy what does that mean well it means that he's full of pity he looks down upon us and he sees us in that pitiful wretched condition and though we are in that condition because we've sinned against him and rebelled against him he feels sorry for us he is full of compassion with respect to us go back and read that 103rd Psalm again and there it is he's sorry for us and he wants to do something to help us. [00:37:47]

Grace means unmerited favor Grace means to show kindness and mercy and compassion and love to somebody who really deserves nothing at all from you who deserves nothing but wrath and Punishment and hell that's why we are Christians because God has this exceeding Riches of his grace you notice how Paul puts it even when we were dead in sins he's done this for us it's in spite of us we are saved in spite of our being what we are and as we are. [00:39:22]

The power of God and to Salvation to everyone that believeth it's God's power this not men deciding something or determining to do something no no it's the mighty power of God laying hold upon them what's my ambition you you ask the Apostle Paul what's your ambition Paul and he'll tell you that I may apprehend him of whom I have been apprehended I want to lay hold of him who's laid hold of me says Paul the grip the grasp the hold of God. [00:45:10]

There is hope for all that no one is beyond the reach of this Redemption because it's God's power no one's hopeless and the world is full of hopeless people education hasn't made them go straight money can't keep them straight the love of a dear wife and children can't keep him straight the man can't help himself he's a victim of a lust and a passion and a desire a heat in the flesh and he can't control it much as he would like to do so he's hopeless you say the world has given him up but God. [00:46:47]

The whole power the Eternal Everlasting power of the almighty God is engaged and no one is hopeless don't talk to me therefore about the difficult temperament of that person I don't care what his temperament is is he can be created a new don't tell me about the particular type of sin and what a vicious one and what a vile one it is I preaching one to you who conquered the Devil Himself who is the author of all sin tell me nothing about the depth of sin. [00:47:57]

There is hope for All in This Redemption there is none who can send himself Beyond its reach and Ambit am I speaking to someone who's feeling hopeless at this moment about himself or herself in the grip of sin in the grip of something that gets you down my dear friend the power of God but God With God nothing shall be impossible or am I speaking to some Christian person who's breaking his or her heart about some dear relative you see him in the grip of sin and evil. [00:48:44]

You've done your utmost You've pleaded you've persuaded you prayed for years but still it continues and it goes on and you're almost on the point of stopping and giving up and giving in don't I say but God the whole power the Eternal Everlasting power of the almighty God is engaged and no one is hopeless don't talk to me therefore about the difficult temperament of that person I don't care what his temperament is is he can be created a new. [00:49:33]

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Transcript
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