Embracing Grace: Freedom Through Christ's Finished Work
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound concept of grace, particularly as it relates to the Easter narrative and the finished work of Christ on the cross. We delved into the significance of Jesus' sacrifice, contrasting the disobedience of Adam with the obedience of Jesus, as outlined in Romans 5:19. This comparison highlighted the theological truth that our sinful nature is inherited from Adam, not from our individual wrongdoings. Conversely, our righteousness is not a result of our good deeds but is imputed to us through faith in Jesus Christ.
We examined the transformative power of salvation, which moves us from religion to relationship with God. This shift is marked by a transition from condemnation to freedom, from striving to resting in the finished work of Christ. We are called to renew our minds with Scripture, to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, and to embrace our identity as new creations in Christ, empowered to overcome the enemy with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
The sermon also addressed the finality of Jesus' sacrifice, encapsulated in the Greek term "tetelestai," meaning "it is finished." This declaration signified the completion of Jesus' mission, the fulfillment of the law, and the payment of our sin debt in full. It marked the end of the old covenant's sacrificial system and the beginning of a new covenant of grace and truth through faith in Jesus.
We were reminded that the resurrection of Jesus is the assurance of our eternal life and the validation of every promise of God. It is the guarantee that death and hell have no hold on us, and that the life of Christ within us cannot be extinguished.
In conclusion, we were encouraged to embrace the freedom that comes from understanding that we are not condemned by our actions but are fully accepted by God through faith in Jesus. This revelation invites us to step into a life of freedom, where our desires align with God's will, and we live out of a place of "want to" rather than "have to."
Key Takeaways:
- Our sinful nature is inherited, not earned through our actions. Similarly, righteousness is not achieved by our good deeds but is a gift received through faith in Jesus Christ. This understanding liberates us from the futile pursuit of self-righteousness and invites us to rest in the grace of God. [41:10]
- The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event; it is the cornerstone of our faith. It assures us that the life we receive in Christ is eternal and indestructible. This truth should embolden us to live confidently, knowing that our future is secure in Him. [01:34:04]
- The word of God is our offensive weapon in spiritual warfare. As we internalize Scripture, it transforms us from the inside out, equipping us to stand firm against the enemy's attacks and to live victoriously in Christ. [01:32:52]
- The declaration "It is finished" by Jesus on the cross signifies the complete and ongoing effectiveness of His work. We must recognize that His sacrifice is sufficient for our past, present, and future, freeing us from the need to earn God's favor through religious efforts. [49:22]
- True freedom in Christ is characterized by a shift from obligation to desire. When we understand the fullness of God's grace, our motivation for obedience transitions from a sense of duty to a heartfelt response to His love. This is the essence of living under the new covenant of grace. [01:01:36]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 5:19 (NIV) - "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous."
2. John 19:28-30 (NIV) - "Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, 'I am thirsty.' A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."
3. Galatians 5:1 (NIV) - "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 5:19, what is the significance of Adam's disobedience and Jesus' obedience? How does this relate to our understanding of sin and righteousness? [40:03]
2. In John 19:30, Jesus declares "It is finished." What does this phrase signify about His mission and the fulfillment of Scripture? [42:56]
3. Galatians 5:1 speaks about freedom in Christ. What does this freedom entail, and how are we encouraged to live in it? [01:02:03]
4. The sermon mentioned the Greek term "tetelestai" used by Jesus on the cross. What are the different meanings of this term, and how do they deepen our understanding of Jesus' sacrifice? [48:10]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the comparison between Adam and Jesus in Romans 5:19 help us understand the concept of inherited sin and imputed righteousness? [40:39]
2. What does Jesus' declaration "It is finished" in John 19:30 reveal about the completeness and sufficiency of His sacrifice? How does this impact our view of salvation? [42:56]
3. Galatians 5:1 emphasizes standing firm in the freedom Christ provides. What are some practical ways believers can avoid becoming entangled in a "yoke of slavery" again? [01:02:03]
4. The sermon highlighted the transformative power of understanding grace. How does this understanding shift our motivation from obligation to desire in our relationship with God? [01:01:36]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the idea that our sinful nature is inherited from Adam, not earned through our actions. How does this change your perspective on personal guilt and striving for righteousness? [41:10]
2. Jesus' resurrection assures us of eternal life and the fulfillment of God's promises. How can this assurance embolden you to live confidently in your daily life? [01:34:04]
3. The Word of God is described as our offensive weapon in spiritual warfare. What specific steps can you take to internalize Scripture and use it effectively against the enemy's attacks? [01:32:52]
4. Understanding that Jesus' sacrifice is sufficient for our past, present, and future, how can you let go of the need to earn God's favor through religious efforts? [49:22]
5. True freedom in Christ is characterized by a shift from obligation to desire. Identify one area in your life where you feel obligated to obey God. How can you transform this obligation into a heartfelt response to His love? [01:01:36]
6. The sermon emphasized renewing our minds with Scripture and offering ourselves as living sacrifices. What practical steps can you take this week to renew your mind and live out your identity as a new creation in Christ? [01:31:55]
7. Reflect on the finality of Jesus' declaration "It is finished." How does this truth help you rest in the grace of God and embrace the freedom that comes from being fully accepted by Him? [42:56]
Devotional
Day 1: Inherited Sin, Imputed Righteousness
Understanding our inherited nature and the gift of righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ is essential. This concept is rooted in the idea that our sinful disposition is not something we earn by our actions; it is a legacy passed down from the first man, Adam. This inheritance of sin is a condition that affects all humanity. However, the good news is that righteousness is also not something we achieve through our deeds. Righteousness is a gift, imputed to us through faith in Jesus. This gift liberates us from the impossible task of attaining self-righteousness and allows us to rest in the grace that God freely offers. It is a profound truth that shifts our focus from self-effort to divine provision, from earning to receiving. This understanding is meant to bring peace to the believer, knowing that their standing before God is secure not because of what they have done, but because of what Christ has accomplished on their behalf [41:10].
"For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous." - Romans 5:19 ESV
Reflection: How does understanding that righteousness is a gift and not earned affect your relationship with God and your daily life?
Day 2: The Resurrection: Our Cornerstone of Faith
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a past event but the very cornerstone of our faith. It is the assurance that the life we receive in Christ is not temporary but eternal and indestructible. This powerful truth provides us with a confidence that our future is secure in Him, regardless of the trials and tribulations we may face in this life. The resurrection validates every promise of God, ensuring that death and hell have no claim over us. As believers, we are to live confidently, emboldened by the knowledge that our eternal life is guaranteed by the resurrection of Christ. This assurance should permeate every aspect of our lives, influencing our decisions, our hopes, and our sense of purpose [01:34:04].
"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished." - 1 Corinthians 15:17-18 ESV
Reflection: How does the assurance of the resurrection influence the way you approach challenges and uncertainties in your life?
Day 3: The Sword of the Spirit in Spiritual Warfare
The Word of God is our offensive weapon in the spiritual battles we face. It is not merely a collection of texts but a transformative power that renews our minds and equips us to stand firm against the enemy's schemes. As we internalize Scripture, it changes us from the inside out, enabling us to live victoriously in Christ. The Bible is the sword of the Spirit, and with it, we can overcome the lies and accusations of the enemy. It is through the truth of God's Word that we find strength and courage to live out our faith authentically and powerfully [01:32:52].
"Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." - Ephesians 6:17 ESV
Reflection: What is one Scripture that you can memorize this week to strengthen your ability to stand against spiritual opposition?
Day 4: The Finality of Christ's Sacrifice
The declaration "It is finished" by Jesus on the cross is a profound statement that signifies the complete and ongoing effectiveness of His work. This declaration marked the end of the need for ongoing sacrifices under the old covenant and the beginning of a new covenant of grace. As believers, we must recognize that His sacrifice is sufficient for our past, present, and future sins. This understanding frees us from the burden of trying to earn God's favor through religious efforts and allows us to live in the freedom of His grace. The finality of Jesus' sacrifice invites us to rest in the knowledge that nothing more needs to be done for our salvation and reconciliation with God [49:22].
"He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption." - Hebrews 9:12 ESV
Reflection: How can the understanding that Jesus' work is finished impact your daily struggle with guilt or the feeling that you need to earn God's approval?
Day 5: Freedom in Christ: From Obligation to Desire
True freedom in Christ is characterized by a transformation from obligation to desire. When we grasp the fullness of God's grace, our motivation for obedience shifts from a sense of duty to a heartfelt response to His love. This is the essence of living under the new covenant of grace. We are no longer driven by the fear of condemnation or the need to prove ourselves but are moved by a genuine desire to align our will with God's. This freedom allows us to live a life that is not about following rules but about a relationship with God that is vibrant, joyful, and fulfilling [01:01:36].
"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died." - 2 Corinthians 5:14 ESV
Reflection: What is one way you can move from serving God out of obligation to serving Him out of desire today?
Quotes
1) "You see here is the summary of that verse if I can make it in understandable terms whether you realize it or not not a single person has ever a sinner because they sin... no one is a sinner because they sin we're all born Sinners because we have a sin nature... when you flip it over no one is righteous because we do right we're righteous because one man did right when we believe on him." [41:10]
2) "When Jesus said test Telly he took all that shame and he took all that guilt and he took all that condemnation away forever it's done in Christ there is no more shame there is no more guilt there is no more condemnation for those who believe upon the Son of God in Christ Jesus." [01:12:51]
3) "What he did was good enough for you in your past it's good enough for you in your present and you know what if you get stupid and messed up over here it's good enough for there too it's good it's it's good all the way through it was finished in the past it will remain finished in the present and it remains finished in the future just as well." [49:22]
4) "There's a freedom in realizing you're not condemned for what you do we were condemned because of how we were born and there's a freedom in realizing God's not waiting on you to make a check mark of good enough to become acceptable but that you are fully accepted by God Almighty by Believing on the finished work of Jesus Christ." [01:21:06]
5) "When we begin to get the word now we become a new creation Now we become being filled with the word because the word is the only thing that the Bible describes is a sword it's a sword of the spirit It Cuts Like a Knife it is the only offensive weapon that any of us have." [01:32:52]
6) "You're not a sinner because of what you did you we're all on the same field and we're a sinner because we're born with a sin nature and we inherit it from Adam but you know what by our works we did not become righteous either by our works we cannot cancel out and override what Adam did by our works we cannot cancel what Jesus did in our life." [01:18:04]
7) "The resurrection was the security it was the guarantee that death and Hell could not hold you life was eternal life is in you and life could not be closed down life had to come out and Lord you put that same life in Us in Jesus name." [01:34:04]
8) "When we believe Upon Jesus he goes to our heart and he circumcises it and rips it out and gives us a new nature that is like his and his word is now written Upon Our Hearts we don't need a law on a piece of paper anymore we don't need stone tablets to tell us what to do because when we believe on Jesus we want to do the right thing from our heart." [01:01:36]
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