Rediscovering Awe and Joy in the Gospel
Summary
In this sermon, I sought to remind the congregation of the awe, joy, and wonder that comes with being a follower of Christ. I emphasized the importance of reflecting on the Gospel daily, as we are all vulnerable to experiencing a decreased sense of awe and joy in the Gospel and the amazing work that God has done for us in Christ Jesus. I asked the congregation to consider if at any point in their lives, the joy of the Gospel had grown dim, and if they had become too familiar with being saved. I reassured them that the good news of the Gospel is that we don't ever have to remain in a diminished state of joy, awe, and wonder over our Salvation. We have all we need in Christ and in his word to continue to cultivate hearts that are overjoyed with the power of the Gospel in our lives.
In the second part of the sermon, I focused on the Apostle Paul's contrast and comparison between our condition and fate before Christ and our condition and fate after Christ. I emphasized that every Christian's testimony involves a past reality of deep sinful depravity but also the glorious present reality of living under the ton of God's grace. I encouraged the congregation to reflect on the depth of our depravity and the depth of God's grace to see just how deep God's grace, mercy, and love has reached into our depraved condition to do his saving work in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Reflecting on the Gospel daily is crucial to maintaining our sense of awe, joy, and wonder in the Gospel and the work that God has done for us in Christ Jesus. ([20:30])
- We don't ever have to remain in a diminished state of joy, awe, and wonder over our Salvation. We have all we need in Christ and in his word to continue to cultivate hearts that are overjoyed with the power of the Gospel in our lives. ([21:12])
- Every Christian's testimony involves a past reality of deep sinful depravity but also the glorious present reality of living under the ton of God's grace. ([24:08])
- Reflecting on the depth of our depravity and the depth of God's grace helps us see just how deep God's grace, mercy, and love has reached into our depraved condition to do his saving work in our lives. ([37:07])
- In the miracle of Salvation, God moves towards sinners who are not able to step to him and gives spiritual life to them. This is a miracle to be in awe of because in it, God does what we could not do for ourselves. ([38:43])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 2:1-3 #!!27:04!!#
2. Ephesians 2:4-10 #!!55:39!!#
3. 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 #!!01:00:30!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What does Ephesians 2:1-3 say about our spiritual condition before Christ?
2. How does Ephesians 2:4-10 describe the transformation that occurs when we come to faith in Christ?
3. What does 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 instruct us to do before partaking in the Lord's Supper?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the contrast between our spiritual condition before and after Christ in Ephesians 2:1-10 deepen our understanding of God's grace?
2. What does it mean that we are God's masterpiece as described in Ephesians 2:10?
3. How does the instruction in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 reflect the seriousness of the Lord's Supper?
Application Questions:
1. Reflecting on Ephesians 2:1-3, can you identify ways in which you were enslaved to sin before coming to Christ?
2. Considering Ephesians 2:4-10, how has your life transformed since coming to faith in Christ? Can you share specific examples?
3. In light of 1 Corinthians 11:27-29, how can you prepare your heart before partaking in the Lord's Supper next time?
4. How can you cultivate a sense of awe and wonder over the gospel in your daily life?
5. How can you demonstrate to others that you are a new creation in Christ, as described in Ephesians 2:10?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Gospel in Our Lives
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not just a story, but a transformative power that fills our hearts with awe, joy, and wonder. It is a constant reminder of the profound work that God has done for us in Christ Jesus. Reflecting on the Gospel daily helps us to keep the flame of faith burning brightly, even when we feel vulnerable or our joy seems to diminish. This is the hope that we have in Jesus. [20:30]
Bible passage: 1 Peter 1:8-9 - "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of awe, joy, and wonder in the Gospel in your daily life?
Day 2: The Depth of Our Depravity
Before Christ, we were spiritually dead, living in sin and disobedience. This is a sobering truth that reminds us of our deep depravity. However, it is only by acknowledging this depth that we can truly appreciate the depth of God's grace. It is this grace that has reached into our depraved condition and brought about our salvation. [24:08]
Bible passage: Ephesians 2:1-3 - "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient."
Reflection: How does acknowledging your past spiritual condition deepen your appreciation for God's grace?
Day 3: The Depth of God's Grace
God's grace is deeper than we can ever comprehend. It reaches into our deepest depravity and brings us to life in Christ. This grace is not just a concept, but a reality that transforms our lives. It is the power that saves us and gives us a new identity in Christ. [24:56]
Bible passage: Romans 5:20 - "The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more."
Reflection: How have you experienced the transformative power of God's grace in your life?
Day 4: The Hope We Have in Jesus
In the midst of hardship and suffering, we can still rejoice because our hope is not tied to our circumstances but to Jesus. This hope is not a fleeting emotion, but a steadfast assurance that comes from knowing that we have life in Christ. This hope is what carries us through the darkest times. [17:27]
Bible passage: Hebrews 6:19 - "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain."
Reflection: How has the hope you have in Jesus helped you endure hardship and suffering?
Day 5: The Testimony of Every Believer
Every believer has a testimony that involves a past reality of deep sinful depravity and a glorious present reality of living under the ton of God's grace. Reflecting on this testimony helps us to cultivate a deep awe, amazement, and wonder over the Gospel. [23:31]
Bible passage: 1 Timothy 1:15-16 - "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life."
Reflection: How does your personal testimony reflect the depth of your depravity and the depth of God's grace?
Quotes
1. "This word will hopefully by God's grace and power set our hearts ablaze for joy, awe, and wonder over the Gospel of Jesus Christ and what he has done for us. That is our hope. We need to be sometimes just reminded of truths we already know." - 20:20
2. "The good news of the Gospel is that we don't ever have to remain in a diminished state of joy, awe, and wonder over our Salvation. We have all we need in Christ. We have all we need in his word to continue to cultivate hearts before God that are overjoyed with the power of the gospel in our lives." - 36:05
3. "In the miracle of Salvation, God moves towards, he takes the step towards sinners who are not able to step to him and gives spiritual life to them. It is as if God looked with love, grace, and mercy upon us and reached into a figurative coffin and pulled us out, pulled our spiritually dead bodies and souls out, and breathed spiritual life into them for the very first time." - 36:05
4. "Of all the wonderful works of God in all of creation, there's nothing he calls more masterful than what he has done to make you, believer, into a new creation. He looks at you and says you are his finest work. We're still a work in progress, we're still like clay in the hands of the Potter where he is shaping and molding us and still forming us of what we're going to be in eternity." - 55:37
5. "We live in a fallen and broken world yet you, Lord God, have called us to endure and I pray that we would endure faithfully to the end. We thank you for your word for your word is truth and as we open your word and we are reminded of the truth from Ephesians 2 that apart from Christ we are dead, we are children of Wrath but you have stepped towards us and have made a way that we may have life." - 17:05
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