Experiencing Abundance: God's Redemptive Plan in Christ

 

Summary

In the book of Ezekiel, chapter 36, verses 29 and 30, we find a profound message about God's plan for redemption and the abundant life He offers. This passage is a foreshadowing of the gospel of Jesus Christ, illustrating the steps and stages of God's redemptive plan. It begins with the cleansing of our sins, emphasizing that no relationship with God can exist until our guilt is addressed. This foundational step is crucial, as it leads to regeneration, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and ultimately, a relationship with God where we can declare, "You are my God, and I am Your people."

The sermon highlights the misconception that Christianity is a narrow, restrictive life. In contrast, it presents the Christian life as one of fullness, satisfaction, and abundance. The world often views Christianity as a life of deprivation, but the truth is that life without God leads to spiritual famine. The sinful life, independent of God, results in a lack of true fulfillment and satisfaction. This is evident in the modern world's spiritual starvation, where people seek artificial stimulants to fill the void only God can satisfy.

God's blessings, often depicted in material terms in the Old Testament, symbolize the spiritual blessings available through Christ. These blessings bring us to a place of fullness, sufficiency, and satisfaction. The Christian life is not about deprivation but about experiencing the richness of God's grace, love, and peace. It is a life where the mind, heart, and moral nature are nourished and expanded.

The sermon calls us to examine our lives and ask if we are experiencing this abundance in Christ. If not, it may be because we have not fully realized our need for God or understood the significance of Christ's sacrifice. The invitation is to come to God, confess our sins, and receive the new life He offers through Jesus Christ. In doing so, we will find true satisfaction and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Redemptive Plan: God's plan for redemption is systematic and purposeful, beginning with the cleansing of our sins. This foundational step is essential for establishing a relationship with God, leading to regeneration and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Without addressing our guilt, we cannot experience the fullness of God's blessings. [06:36]

2. Misconceptions About Christianity: Many perceive Christianity as a life of deprivation, but it is, in fact, a life of abundance and satisfaction. The Christian life offers intellectual, moral, and emotional fulfillment, contrary to the world's view of it as narrow and restrictive. [14:35]

3. Spiritual Famine Without God: A life independent of God leads to spiritual famine and starvation. The sinful life lacks true fulfillment, resulting in a void that only God can fill. This spiritual starvation is evident in the modern world's reliance on artificial stimulants. [21:46]

4. Symbolism of God's Blessings: In the Old Testament, God's blessings are often depicted in material terms, symbolizing the spiritual blessings available through Christ. These blessings bring us to a place of fullness, sufficiency, and satisfaction, illustrating the richness of the Christian life. [12:43]

5. Invitation to Abundant Life: The invitation is to come to God, confess our sins, and receive the new life He offers through Jesus Christ. In doing so, we will find true satisfaction and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, experiencing the abundance of life in Christ. [54:55]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Ezekiel 36:29-30
- [01:17] - The Gospel in the Old Testament
- [03:05] - God's Plan in Redemption
- [05:20] - The Order of Salvation
- [07:40] - The Foundation: Jesus Christ Crucified
- [09:19] - The Result of Knowing God
- [11:03] - Material and Spiritual Blessings
- [13:15] - Fullness of Blessing in Christ
- [15:17] - Misconceptions About Christianity
- [18:23] - The Sinful Life Leads to Famine
- [21:46] - Spiritual Famine in the Modern World
- [25:08] - Starvation of the Mind and Intellect
- [29:22] - Starvation of the Moral Nature
- [31:07] - Starvation of the Heart
- [35:22] - The Abundance of the Christian Life
- [39:35] - Jesus' Promise of Abundant Life
- [42:08] - Intellectual Satisfaction in Christianity
- [45:25] - Moral and Emotional Fulfillment
- [48:25] - Facing Trials with Peace
- [50:32] - Hope in Death and Eternity
- [52:32] - Invitation to Experience Abundance in Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ezekiel 36:29-30

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Ezekiel 36:29-30 reveal about God's promise to save His people from uncleanness and provide for their needs? How does this relate to the concept of spiritual abundance? [00:12]

2. According to the sermon, what is the first step in God's redemptive plan, and why is it essential for establishing a relationship with God? [06:36]

3. How does the sermon describe the world's perception of Christianity, and what is the reality of the Christian life according to the sermon? [14:35]

4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the concept of spiritual famine in the modern world? [21:46]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon interpret the material blessings mentioned in Ezekiel 36:29-30 as symbols of spiritual blessings in Christ? What does this suggest about the nature of God's blessings? [12:43]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a life independent of God leads to spiritual famine? How does this contrast with the life of abundance offered in Christ? [18:23]

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing our need for God. How does this recognition impact one's experience of the Christian life and the abundance it offers? [52:32]

4. How does the sermon explain the relationship between confessing our sins and experiencing the peace of God that surpasses all understanding? [54:55]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. Are there areas in your life where you feel spiritually famished? What steps can you take to address this and seek the abundance offered in Christ? [21:46]

2. The sermon challenges the misconception that Christianity is a life of deprivation. How can you actively demonstrate the fullness and satisfaction of the Christian life to those around you? [14:35]

3. Consider the role of confession in your spiritual journey. How can regularly confessing your sins to God lead to a deeper experience of His peace and abundance? [54:55]

4. Identify one area in your life where you have been relying on artificial stimulants or distractions to fill a void. How can you turn to God to satisfy that need instead? [21:46]

5. The sermon speaks of the richness of God's grace, love, and peace. How can you cultivate a greater awareness of these blessings in your daily life? [12:43]

6. Think about a time when you felt spiritually nourished and fulfilled. What practices or habits contributed to that experience, and how can you incorporate them into your routine now? [35:22]

7. How can you share the message of God's abundant life with someone who perceives Christianity as narrow or restrictive? What personal experiences can you share to illustrate the truth of the sermon? [14:35]

Devotional

Day 1: The Foundation of Redemption
God's redemptive plan is systematic and purposeful, beginning with the cleansing of our sins. This foundational step is essential for establishing a relationship with God, leading to regeneration and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Without addressing our guilt, we cannot experience the fullness of God's blessings. The cleansing of sins is not merely a ritual but a profound transformation that allows us to enter into a new life with God. It is the starting point of a journey that leads to spiritual renewal and a deep, abiding relationship with the Creator. As we acknowledge our sins and seek forgiveness, we open the door to the abundant life God promises. [06:36]

Ezekiel 36:25-27 (ESV): "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."

Reflection: What specific sin or guilt are you holding onto that you need to confess to God today to begin experiencing His redemptive plan in your life?


Day 2: The Misunderstood Abundance of Christianity
Many perceive Christianity as a life of deprivation, but it is, in fact, a life of abundance and satisfaction. The Christian life offers intellectual, moral, and emotional fulfillment, contrary to the world's view of it as narrow and restrictive. This misconception often stems from a misunderstanding of what true abundance means. In Christ, abundance is not measured by material wealth or worldly success but by the richness of a life lived in harmony with God's will. It is a life where the mind is enlightened, the heart is filled with love, and the soul finds peace. [14:35]

John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Reflection: In what ways have you misunderstood the abundance that Christianity offers, and how can you begin to embrace the fullness of life in Christ today?


Day 3: The Reality of Spiritual Famine
A life independent of God leads to spiritual famine and starvation. The sinful life lacks true fulfillment, resulting in a void that only God can fill. This spiritual starvation is evident in the modern world's reliance on artificial stimulants. People often seek temporary pleasures and distractions to fill the emptiness within, but these only lead to further dissatisfaction. True fulfillment comes from a relationship with God, where our deepest needs are met, and our souls are nourished. [21:46]

Amos 8:11-12 (ESV): "Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the Lord, but they shall not find it."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you feel spiritually starved. How can you seek God's presence to fill that void today?


Day 4: The Symbolism of God's Blessings
In the Old Testament, God's blessings are often depicted in material terms, symbolizing the spiritual blessings available through Christ. These blessings bring us to a place of fullness, sufficiency, and satisfaction, illustrating the richness of the Christian life. The material blessings of the Old Testament serve as a foreshadowing of the spiritual abundance found in Christ. Through Him, we receive grace, love, and peace that surpass all understanding, enriching our lives in ways that material wealth cannot. [12:43]

Ephesians 1:3 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places."

Reflection: Reflect on the spiritual blessings you have received in Christ. How do these blessings bring you to a place of fullness and satisfaction?


Day 5: The Invitation to Abundant Life
The invitation is to come to God, confess our sins, and receive the new life He offers through Jesus Christ. In doing so, we will find true satisfaction and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, experiencing the abundance of life in Christ. This invitation is open to all who are willing to turn from their old ways and embrace the new life God offers. It is an opportunity to experience the fullness of God's love and the joy of living in His presence. [54:55]

Isaiah 55:1-3 (ESV): "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David."

Reflection: What is holding you back from accepting God's invitation to abundant life? What steps can you take today to embrace the new life He offers through Jesus Christ?

Quotes


There is nothing that God ever does but that it's done according to some sort of plan. I've no doubt we sometimes have felt that it's very annoying that you have to serve the seed in the ground and bury it out of sight and have to wait weeks before you even begin to discover that it's still alive. [00:03:37]

God will do nothing for you or for me or for anybody else until the question of our guilt has been dealt with. Now, but you say I don't like that doctrine of sin I'm not interested in guilt what I want is some help from God to live my life my dear friend you will never get it until the question of your guilt has been dealt with. [00:05:39]

There is no knowledge of God and no blessing from God except that way. Very well it starts there and then you notice he goes on to regeneration he goes on to the gift of the Holy Spirit and as we saw last Sunday night it all leads up to this to bring us to God. [00:07:47]

The sinful life that godless life the life that is independent of God then doesn't look to him is a life that always and invariably leads to famine here it is like this listen to it I will also save you from all your uncleanness is and I will call for the call and will increase it and will learn no famine upon they had the head of Eman. [00:18:38]

Life without God is a starved life, it's a life of hemming and I mean that first of all with respect to the mind and the intellect. Shirley says someone you're not going to say that this present generation is a generation that is starved in the realm of mind and of intellect. [00:25:01]

There are people in the world today who just don't know what morality means. I'm not condemning them I'm sorry for them they just don't know what morality means it's because their godless it's because they're out of touch with God they see no wrong in what they're doing they misuse their bodies they abdi wisdom they're guilty of foul perversions they see no wrong in it. [00:29:09]

The heart is stalled this is one of the real tragedies of this present age which talks so much about the heart and is so interested in the emotion and in Laveau as I read these newspapers and see what's happening do you know what I feel I say to myself the real trouble with these people is they don't know what love is they don't they're just fascinated for a moment it's some infatuation. [00:31:07]

The sinful life that leads to feminine starvation it is the Christian life that leads to blessing and satisfaction and super abundance I will call for the corn and will increase it I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field blessed be the name of God he daggers Yeller the men of the Old Testament knew something about this. [00:35:22]

The salvation which is obtainable in the Lord Jesus Christ is a full and an abounding and the gloriously abundant salvation and that there is literally no end to the blessings that it has to offer to us now I ventured to suggest to you that there is no aspect of the Christian life that is so missed as just that. [00:13:15]

The Christian life that leads to blessing and satisfaction and super abundance I will call for the corn and will increase it I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field blessed be the name of God he daggers Yeller the men of the Old Testament knew something about this we've already dealt with it twice this evening in the service we sang together that metrical version of the 23rd psalm. [00:35:22]

The peace of God that passes all understanding will keep your hearts and mind it'll act as a garrison ground them so that as the anxious thoughts come they'll be shut out and your heart and your mind will enjoy that blessed peace and rest oh listen to him as he goes on I have learned in whatsoever state I am therein to be content. [00:49:33]

If you haven't got the satisfaction it is simply because you don't know God and why don't you know God well it may be that you've never realized you're a simmer it may be that you never seen any meaning or since in bread and wine that you see no purpose in the death of Christ upon the cross and the shedding of his blood that's the trouble. [00:53:22]

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Transcript
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