From Spiritual Bankruptcy to Abundant Life in Christ
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound contrast between life in Adam and life in Christ. Life in Adam is characterized by spiritual bankruptcy, a perpetual state of moral and existential debt that humanity has inherited since the fall. This life is marked by a constant striving and failing, a cycle of sin and death that leaves us spiritually impoverished. However, life in Christ offers a radically different reality—one of abundance, grace, and redemption. Jesus came to rewrite the human story, to fulfill the vocation that Israel could not, and to offer us a new way of being human, fully connected to God.
Through the lens of Romans 5:12-21, we examined how sin entered the world through one man, Adam, and how death reigned as a result. Yet, through Jesus Christ, the free gift of grace abounds even more. This grace is not merely a counterbalance to sin; it is a superabundant gift that overflows, offering justification and righteousness to all who believe. The scandal of grace is that it covers all our trespasses, inviting us into a life where we reign with Christ, not just in the afterlife, but here and now.
We are called to move from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance, recognizing that in Christ, we are no longer spiritually bankrupt. This shift requires us to let go of past mistakes, fears, and self-reliance, and to embrace the peace, forgiveness, and provision that God offers. As recipients of this grace, we are also called to be conduits of it, sharing the surplus of grace with others and living out the new humanity that Jesus inaugurated.
Key Takeaways:
1. Life in Adam vs. Life in Christ: Life in Adam is marked by spiritual bankruptcy and moral debt, while life in Christ offers abundance and grace. Jesus came to fulfill the human vocation and offer a new way of being fully connected to God. [02:50]
2. The Scandal of Grace: God's grace is scandalously abundant, covering all our sins and offering justification and righteousness. This grace is not just a counterbalance to sin but an overflowing gift that invites us to reign in life with Christ. [08:27]
3. Moving from Scarcity to Abundance: Embracing our identity in Christ means rejecting the bankrupt behaviors of guilt, fear, and self-reliance. Instead, we are called to live in the abundance of God's peace, forgiveness, and provision. [24:28]
4. The Call to Share Grace: As recipients of God's superabundant grace, we are called to share it with others. This involves being generous with our time, resources, and love, reflecting the overflow of grace we have received. [19:03]
5. Training to Reign with Christ: Our journey with Christ is about more than just personal salvation; it's about participating in His mission to transform humanity. We are training to reign with Him, living out His love and grace in the world. [30:58]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:36] - Spiritual Bankruptcy in Adam
- [02:50] - Jesus: The New Humanity
- [04:56] - Romans 5:12-21 Overview
- [06:36] - Sin Before the Law
- [07:32] - Adam as a Type
- [08:27] - The Abundance of Grace
- [09:46] - New Mercies Every Morning
- [11:24] - Reigning in Life
- [13:12] - Surplus of Grace
- [14:58] - Allegiance to Jesus
- [18:08] - The Gift of Relationship
- [19:03] - Sharing the Abundance
- [24:28] - From Scarcity to Abundance
- [30:08] - Embracing the Feast of Grace
- [30:58] - Training to Reign with Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 5:12-21
- John 3:16
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 5:12-21, how did sin and death enter the world, and what was the result for humanity? [04:56]
2. What does the sermon describe as the "scandal of grace," and how does it contrast with the consequences of sin? [08:27]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the difference between life in Adam and life in Christ using the concept of spiritual bankruptcy and abundance? [01:36]
4. What role does Jesus play in offering a new way of being human, according to the sermon? [02:50]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "superabundant grace" challenge traditional views of justice and forgiveness? [08:27]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers are called to move from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance? [24:28]
3. How does the sermon interpret the role of Jesus as the "faithful Israelite" in fulfilling the vocation of Israel? [02:50]
4. What does it mean to "reign in life" with Christ, both now and in the future, according to the sermon? [11:24]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually bankrupt. How can embracing your identity in Christ help you move towards spiritual abundance? [24:28]
2. The sermon calls us to be conduits of grace. Identify one person in your life who could benefit from the grace you've received. How can you share it with them this week? [19:03]
3. Consider the areas in your life where you rely on self-effort rather than God's provision. What steps can you take to trust more in God's abundance? [25:49]
4. How can you practice letting go of past mistakes and fears to fully embrace the peace and forgiveness offered in Christ? [24:28]
5. The sermon mentions the importance of allegiance to Jesus. What does this look like in your daily life, and how can you strengthen this allegiance? [14:58]
6. Think about a situation where you have been holding onto unforgiveness. How can the concept of superabundant grace help you release this burden? [25:49]
7. How can you actively participate in Jesus's mission to transform humanity through love and grace in your community? [30:58]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
Day 1: From Spiritual Bankruptcy to Abundant Life
Life in Adam is marked by spiritual bankruptcy, a state of moral and existential debt inherited since the fall. This life is characterized by a cycle of striving and failing, leaving humanity spiritually impoverished. In contrast, life in Christ offers a radically different reality—one of abundance, grace, and redemption. Jesus came to rewrite the human story, fulfilling the vocation that Israel could not, and offering a new way of being human, fully connected to God. Through Jesus, the free gift of grace abounds, offering justification and righteousness to all who believe. This grace is not merely a counterbalance to sin; it is a superabundant gift that overflows, inviting us into a life where we reign with Christ, not just in the afterlife, but here and now. [02:50]
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 areas of your life do you feel spiritually bankrupt? How can you invite Christ's abundance into these areas today?
Day 2: The Scandalous Abundance of Grace
God's grace is scandalously abundant, covering all our sins and offering justification and righteousness. This grace is not just a counterbalance to sin but an overflowing gift that invites us to reign in life with Christ. The scandal of grace is that it covers all our trespasses, inviting us into a life where we reign with Christ, not just in the afterlife, but here and now. This grace challenges us to move beyond our past mistakes and fears, embracing the peace, forgiveness, and provision that God offers. As recipients of this grace, we are called to be conduits of it, sharing the surplus of grace with others and living out the new humanity that Jesus inaugurated. [08:27]
2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: How have you experienced the abundance of God's grace in your life? How can you share this grace with someone in need today?
Day 3: Embracing Abundance Over Scarcity
Embracing our identity in Christ means rejecting the bankrupt behaviors of guilt, fear, and self-reliance. Instead, we are called to live in the abundance of God's peace, forgiveness, and provision. This shift requires us to let go of past mistakes, fears, and self-reliance, and to embrace the peace, forgiveness, and provision that God offers. As we move from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance, we recognize that in Christ, we are no longer spiritually bankrupt. This transformation invites us to live out the new humanity that Jesus inaugurated, fully connected to God and empowered by His grace. [24:28]
Philippians 4:19 (ESV): "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are living with a scarcity mindset? How can you begin to embrace God's abundance in this area today?
Day 4: Sharing the Overflow of Grace
As recipients of God's superabundant grace, we are called to share it with others. This involves being generous with our time, resources, and love, reflecting the overflow of grace we have received. The call to share grace is an invitation to participate in God's mission to transform humanity, living out His love and grace in the world. By sharing the surplus of grace with others, we become conduits of God's love, extending His peace, forgiveness, and provision to those around us. This act of sharing is not just a duty but a privilege, as we reflect the new humanity that Jesus inaugurated. [19:03]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the grace you have received? How can you intentionally share God's love and grace with them today?
Day 5: Training to Reign with Christ
Our journey with Christ is about more than just personal salvation; it's about participating in His mission to transform humanity. We are training to reign with Him, living out His love and grace in the world. This involves embracing our identity in Christ, rejecting the bankrupt behaviors of guilt, fear, and self-reliance, and living in the abundance of God's peace, forgiveness, and provision. As we train to reign with Christ, we are called to be conduits of His grace, sharing the surplus of grace with others and living out the new humanity that Jesus inaugurated. [30:58]
Revelation 5:10 (ESV): "And you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."
Reflection: What does it mean for you to reign with Christ in your daily life? How can you actively participate in His mission to transform humanity today?
Quotes
Life in Adam is just perpetually overdrawn. Just constantly. Just bankrupt. And life in Christ is perpetually abundant. And we have co-signed the loan with Adam and Eve. I mean, the day you woke up and started just grabbing other people's toys, you're like, yep, he's one of them. He's one of them. She's one of them. And until Christ came, there was a debt to pay. [00:01:06] (29 seconds)
Because this passage can be so easily mistaken because God's love for you is so scandalous. Why does He love you? Why does He continue to pour Himself out for you? Why would He continue to do that? Because in Christ, the gift, the grace is so amazing. So we're going to look at Romans 5, 12-21. [00:04:56] (20 seconds)
The free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God. And the free gift by the grace of that one man, Jesus Christ. What happened to that free gift of the grace of that one man, Jesus Christ? It abounded. So this is an over and above. It super abounded. [00:08:27] (24 seconds)
I'll see your sin and raise you, my grace. Actually, I'm all in, says Jesus, for your salvation. I am all in. I am all here for you. And so it's not just a one for one. It's like sin is the bringing of the death. For if many died through one man's trespass, how much more the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man, Jesus Christ, abounded over and above for many. [00:08:54] (32 seconds)
You can be pleasing to God. You didn't know it. You didn't feel it. But you can be made pleasing to God, justified, made right, rightly aligned with the Father through this free gift. For if... Because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man. Much more. Like, come on. Let's multiply as much more will those who receive the abundance or the surplus of grace. There's so much. And the free gift of righteousness. We will reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. [00:11:24] (36 seconds)
If death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance, the surplus of grace, and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. How many of you have received a surplus of grace? I mean, it's extra, right? It's so extra. A surplus of grace. The free gift of being made right with God. [00:13:12] (25 seconds)
here comes more more grace from god this is where sin increased grace and the word is super abounded it's like super over and above just like just like a wave taking you out just like i'll i'll cover that and i'm going to cover that and i'm going to come coming after you this is why it's scandalous this is why people say so you're saying it doesn't matter if i sin well we'll get to that next week but the answer is it matters why would you why would you press on that why don't you just receive the grace and let it change you and wash over you so the where sin increased grace super abounded so that as sin reigned in death grace might also reign through the righteousness through righteousness leading to eternal life through jesus christ our lord this is the forever trajectory of the super abundance the life that we reign in life with christ now has an eternal trajectory as well jesus christ our lord king jesus our lord so this free gift gives the super surplus abundance gift super abounding overflowing generosity of god and so our bankruptcy issues right are overtaken and this is the super abundance it's just the main point it's pretty simple but if jesus doesn't have your allegiance now he's due it's time give him your allegiance [00:16:14] (97 seconds)
Allegiance to Jesus moves us from Adam's bankruptcy to Christ's riches. And he means to pour it out on you and through you to other people. If you have a surplus, you are told you've got to give it away. He is forgiven much, needs to love much. If you've been given a lot, you need to steward that. What are you going to do with the abundance of grace that you have? [00:17:51] (28 seconds)
Hear, hear. Flawless performance is the only thing that's acceptable. It's just perfection. It's not that much to ask, right? What's the deal? As opposed to realizing grace that overcomes our weakness. And so, church, if you're in Christ, you're not just surviving. You're not just treading water. You're not just barely making it. You are thriving. You're called to thrive. You're called to reign in life through the abundant riches of God just laid out before you like a buffet. And so we need to eat. [00:29:20] (32 seconds)
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