Embracing the Gift: Finding True Richness in Christ

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we recognize that salvation is a divine gift, freely given by God, yet it requires a personal transaction to truly become ours. This transaction is not about earning salvation but about receiving it with open, empty hands. As Christians, we come to understand that Jesus Christ and all that He embodies is ours. This realization transforms our lives, marking a definitive change in our spiritual journey.

One of the evidences of this transaction is the richness we find in Christ. As Paul states in Ephesians 1:3, we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul further emphasizes that all things are ours—life, death, the present, and the future—because we belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. This profound truth means that we never have a reason to feel impoverished or sorry for ourselves, for in Christ, we possess everything.

Another mark of this transaction is the end of our spiritual searching. Like the merchant who finds the pearl of great price and ceases his trading, when we find Jesus, our search is over. If we still find ourselves on a perpetual quest, it may indicate that we have not yet fully embraced Christ. When we truly find Him, our life's pursuit becomes knowing Him more deeply and experiencing the power of His resurrection.

The good news is that the pearl of great price, Jesus Christ, is available to all. Whether you are new to the church or have been attending for years, if you recognize that your experience has been more religious than relational, today is the day to make Jesus yours. Go to God, acknowledge the supreme value of His Son, and express your readiness to forsake all else for Him. Declare that you are done with living for lesser things and are ready to embrace Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. In doing so, you will find the true treasure that surpasses all else.

Key Takeaways:

1. Salvation as a Gift: Salvation is a divine gift that cannot be earned but must be received with open hands. This transaction signifies a personal acceptance of Jesus Christ and all He offers, marking a transformative moment in our spiritual journey. [00:11]

2. Richness in Christ: In Christ, we are spiritually rich, possessing every blessing and all things—life, death, the present, and the future. This richness means we never need to feel sorry for ourselves, as we have the Son of God and all that He encompasses. [00:49]

3. End of Spiritual Searching: Finding Jesus is akin to discovering the pearl of great price, ending our spiritual quest. If we continue searching, it may indicate we haven't fully embraced Christ. True faith leads to a life focused on knowing Him more deeply. [01:48]

4. Invitation to Embrace Christ: Regardless of our past religious experiences, the invitation to make Jesus ours is open. By acknowledging His supreme value and forsaking lesser pursuits, we can embrace Him as the way, the truth, and the life. [03:14]

5. Commitment to Christ: Embracing Jesus means committing to a life where He is the central focus. This involves acknowledging past pursuits and choosing to live for Him, recognizing Him as the ultimate treasure worth any cost. [04:15]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Salvation as a Gift
- [00:31] - Evidence of the Transaction
- [00:49] - Richness in Christ
- [01:14] - All Things Are Yours
- [01:35] - End of Spiritual Searching
- [01:48] - The Pearl of Great Price
- [02:01] - Done with the Market
- [02:17] - Knowing Christ More
- [02:33] - Life's New Course
- [02:49] - Supreme Value of Christ
- [03:14] - Invitation to Embrace Christ
- [03:29] - Sealing the Deal with God
- [03:54] - Forsaking Lesser Pursuits
- [04:15] - Commitment to Christ
- [04:30] - Conclusion and Call to Action

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 1:3 - "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."
2. 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 - "So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God."
3. Matthew 13:45-46 - "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 1:3, what kind of blessings are we given in Christ? How does this relate to the idea of being spiritually rich? [00:49]
2. In 1 Corinthians 3:21-23, what does Paul mean when he says "all things are yours"? How does this reflect our relationship with Christ? [00:49]
3. How does the parable of the pearl of great price in Matthew 13:45-46 illustrate the end of spiritual searching? [01:48]
4. What are the two evidences mentioned in the sermon that indicate a transaction with Christ has taken place? [00:31]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to receive salvation with "open, empty hands," and how does this concept challenge the idea of earning salvation? [00:11]
2. How does recognizing the richness we have in Christ change our perspective on life's challenges and our sense of self-worth? [01:14]
3. In what ways does finding Jesus as the "pearl of great price" shift our life's focus and priorities? [02:33]
4. How can someone discern if their spiritual journey is more religious than relational, and what steps can they take to embrace a more relational faith? [03:14]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual journey. Are there areas where you feel you are still searching? What steps can you take to fully embrace Christ as the end of your search? [02:01]
2. Consider the blessings you have in Christ. How can you remind yourself of these blessings when you face feelings of inadequacy or self-pity? [01:14]
3. Identify any "lesser pursuits" in your life that may be distracting you from fully committing to Christ. What practical changes can you make to prioritize your relationship with Him? [03:54]
4. How can you actively acknowledge the supreme value of Christ in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate this commitment? [03:29]
5. Think about a time when you felt spiritually impoverished. How did your understanding of being "rich in Christ" help you overcome that feeling? [00:49]
6. If you were to describe your faith journey to someone new to the church, how would you explain the concept of receiving salvation as a gift? [00:11]
7. What does it mean for you personally to declare that you are "done with living for lesser things"? How can this declaration shape your future decisions and actions? [04:15]

Devotional

Day 1: Salvation as a Divine Gift
Salvation is a divine gift that cannot be earned but must be received with open hands. This transaction signifies a personal acceptance of Jesus Christ and all He offers, marking a transformative moment in our spiritual journey. When we acknowledge that salvation is a gift, we understand that it is not about our efforts or merits but about God's grace and love. This realization invites us to approach God with humility and gratitude, recognizing that our salvation is secure in His hands. As we embrace this truth, we are called to live in the freedom and joy that comes from knowing we are saved by grace. [00:11]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: In what ways have you tried to earn God's favor? How can you shift your mindset to fully embrace salvation as a gift today?


Day 2: Richness in Christ
In Christ, we are spiritually rich, possessing every blessing and all things—life, death, the present, and the future. This richness means we never need to feel sorry for ourselves, as we have the Son of God and all that He encompasses. Understanding our spiritual wealth in Christ transforms our perspective on life. We are no longer defined by our material possessions or circumstances but by the abundant blessings we have in Jesus. This richness empowers us to live confidently and generously, knowing that we have everything we need in Him. [00:49]

2 Corinthians 8:9 (ESV): "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich."

Reflection: How does recognizing your spiritual richness in Christ change the way you view your current circumstances?


Day 3: End of Spiritual Searching
Finding Jesus is akin to discovering the pearl of great price, ending our spiritual quest. If we continue searching, it may indicate we haven't fully embraced Christ. True faith leads to a life focused on knowing Him more deeply. When we truly find Jesus, our search for meaning and purpose comes to an end. We realize that He is the answer to our deepest longings and the fulfillment of our desires. This discovery invites us to shift our focus from seeking to knowing, as we embark on a journey of deepening our relationship with Him and experiencing the power of His resurrection. [01:48]

Matthew 13:45-46 (ESV): "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it."

Reflection: What are you still searching for in your spiritual life? How can you redirect your pursuit towards knowing Christ more deeply today?


Day 4: Invitation to Embrace Christ
Regardless of our past religious experiences, the invitation to make Jesus ours is open. By acknowledging His supreme value and forsaking lesser pursuits, we can embrace Him as the way, the truth, and the life. This invitation is a call to move beyond mere religious rituals and into a vibrant, personal relationship with Jesus. It challenges us to evaluate what we truly value and to make a conscious decision to prioritize Christ above all else. As we embrace Him, we find the true treasure that surpasses all else, leading to a life of purpose and fulfillment. [03:14]

John 14:6 (ESV): "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

Reflection: What lesser pursuits are competing for your attention? How can you intentionally choose to embrace Christ as your ultimate treasure today?


Day 5: Commitment to Christ
Embracing Jesus means committing to a life where He is the central focus. This involves acknowledging past pursuits and choosing to live for Him, recognizing Him as the ultimate treasure worth any cost. Commitment to Christ is not a one-time decision but a daily choice to follow Him wholeheartedly. It requires us to examine our priorities and align our lives with His will. As we commit to Christ, we experience the joy and peace that come from living in alignment with His purposes, knowing that He is worth every sacrifice. [04:15]

Luke 9:23 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"

Reflection: What does it mean for you to take up your cross and follow Jesus today? How can you make Him the central focus of your life?

Quotes


all know that salvation is a gift from God that we do not earn but it is a gift that must be received it's received with empty hands yes but there is a definite transaction by which what he gives actually becomes yours and that's the point here that as a Christian is a person who has come to know that Jesus Christ and all that is in him actually is mine [00:00:00]

when Jesus Christ is yours you know that you are rich we are blessed Paul says Ephesians 1:3 with every spiritual blessing in Jesus Christ Paul puts it this way in 1 Corinthians in chapter 3 all things are yours life is yours death is yours the present and the future are yours and you are Christ's and Christ is God's if you are in Jesus Christ you never have reason to feel sorry for yourself you have the Son of God you are rich in him all things are yours [00:37:77]

and when Jesus Christ really is yours another mark that he's yours is that you know in your heart that you are no longer searching so you think about this peril trader and he's treating this one for that one and then these three for a bigger one and then he sells all that he has in order to get the pearl of great price that means he's done with the market [00:87:57]

he's no longer treating because he cannot give up the one pearl that he's given everything else had to obtain so he he's done with the market he's no longer in that business he said no no no I'm no longer searching for pearls I found the pearl for which I was searching so if you reckon a church person and you're still seeing oh well I'm on this long kind of searching journey I'm saying to you that language indicates you've not yet found Jesus Christ [00:110:96]

when you've found Jesus Christ the kind of things you'll be seeing or rather like what Paul says I want to know him and I want to know the power of his resurrection I've found the pearl of great price and therefore the the course of my life is about knowing more of him and entering more and more into all that he is and all that he has for me that's what it looks like to be a Christian [00:145:20]

you know that you're rich you know that you have found the one of supreme value and that the course of your life is about everything that it means to follow him the good news is that the owner of the parallel is ready to sell I say to any person was the first time you've ever been in the church here if you've been here for twenty years but you know that what's being spoken of today is beyond your just generally religious experience [00:167:55]

I'm saying to you either way that if you will have Jesus Christ today then Jesus Christ will be yours but you must go to God you must seal the deal the treasure is his he is God's Son so go to God tell him that you see supreme value in his son tell him that you've been living for the wrong things tell him that you see that nothing you have been living for can compare in value with who he is and all that he offers to you [00:204:83]

tell him that you're ready for selling tell him that you have been pursuing your own way tell him that you've been defining your own truth tell them that you've been following the course of your own life but from this day you're done with that that these perils are sold and for you Jesus Christ will be the way he will be the truth he will be the life because you have come to see that he is the pearl of great price and whatever it costs you want him to be yours and you want yourself to be his [00:248:76]

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Transcript
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