Restoring Fellowship: The True Essence of the Gospel

 

Summary

In the book of Ezekiel, chapter 36, verse 28, we find a profound promise: "And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God." This passage, while a prophecy to the Israelites in Babylonian captivity, also speaks to the Christian Gospel and salvation. It highlights the tragedy of our time: the neglect of the Gospel due to false notions about Christianity. Many assume Christianity is merely about living a good life, missing the Gospel's true greatness and completeness. The Gospel is God's perfect work, offering miraculous and supernatural salvation.

The Gospel's steps reverse the fall of man. When humanity sinned, the first and most terrible consequence was the loss of fellowship with God. This broken relationship led to uncleanness, opposition to God's laws, and spiritual darkness. God's salvation reverses this order, starting with cleansing through the cross, granting a new mind and understanding, and leading to holiness. Ultimately, it restores us to fellowship with God, the highest point of salvation.

Being God's people means being His peculiar possession, separated from the world and under His special care. This relationship offers assurance of His personal interest, confidence in prayer, and the knowledge that His power supports us. The Gospel's ultimate goal is to bring us to God, not just to receive His gifts but to know Him personally. This is the essence of Christianity: a personal relationship with God, secured through Christ's sacrifice.

Key Takeaways:

- The Gospel is often neglected due to false assumptions about Christianity. Many believe it is merely about living a good life, missing its true greatness and completeness. The Gospel is God's perfect work, offering miraculous and supernatural salvation. [02:34]

- The steps of salvation reverse the fall of man. Humanity's sin led to a broken relationship with God, uncleanness, and spiritual darkness. God's salvation starts with cleansing through the cross, granting a new mind and understanding, and leading to holiness, ultimately restoring us to fellowship with God. [10:29]

- Being God's people means being His peculiar possession, separated from the world and under His special care. This relationship offers assurance of His personal interest, confidence in prayer, and the knowledge that His power supports us. [30:22]

- The Gospel's ultimate goal is to bring us to God, not just to receive His gifts but to know Him personally. This is the essence of Christianity: a personal relationship with God, secured through Christ's sacrifice. [39:19]

- In Christ, we are assured of God's eternal interest and care. This assurance provides comfort and strength, knowing that nothing can separate us from His love. It is the foundation for facing life's uncertainties and challenges with confidence. [36:34]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to Ezekiel 36:28
- [01:16] - Prophecy and Christian Salvation
- [02:14] - The Tragedy of Gospel Neglect
- [03:11] - False Notions of Christianity
- [04:15] - The Greatness of the Gospel
- [05:09] - God's Perfect Work
- [06:28] - Steps of Salvation
- [07:43] - Cleansing and New Heart
- [09:20] - God's People and His Order
- [10:29] - Reversing the Fall
- [13:14] - The Marvel of Salvation
- [16:03] - The Ultimate of Salvation
- [19:02] - Gifts vs. The Giver
- [24:31] - Becoming God's People
- [30:22] - Assurance of God's Interest
- [36:34] - God's Eternal Care
- [39:19] - Personal Knowledge of God
- [45:19] - Eternal Security in God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ezekiel 36:28: "And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God."

---

Observation Questions:

1. What is the significance of the promise in Ezekiel 36:28, and how does it relate to the Israelites' situation in Babylonian captivity? [00:13]

2. According to the sermon, what are some false notions about Christianity that lead to the neglect of the Gospel? [03:11]

3. How does the sermon describe the steps of salvation as reversing the fall of man? [10:29]

4. What does it mean to be God's peculiar possession, as mentioned in the sermon? [30:22]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the promise in Ezekiel 36:28 reflect the ultimate goal of the Gospel, as described in the sermon? [39:19]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Gospel is often misunderstood or underestimated in its greatness and completeness? [04:15]

3. How does the sermon explain the process of being cleansed and receiving a new mind and understanding as part of salvation? [07:43]

4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of a personal relationship with God, beyond just receiving His gifts? [19:02]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your understanding of Christianity. Have you ever viewed it as merely about living a good life? How has this sermon challenged or changed that perspective? [03:11]

2. The sermon emphasizes the reversal of the fall through salvation. In what areas of your life do you feel the need for God's cleansing and renewal? [10:29]

3. Consider your relationship with God. Do you see yourself as His peculiar possession? How does this identity affect your daily life and decisions? [30:22]

4. The sermon highlights the importance of knowing God personally. What steps can you take this week to deepen your personal relationship with Him? [39:19]

5. How does the assurance of God's eternal interest and care provide comfort in facing life's uncertainties and challenges? Can you think of a specific situation where this assurance would be particularly meaningful? [36:34]

6. The sermon mentions the danger of stopping at receiving God's gifts without seeking the Giver. How can you shift your focus from the gifts to the Giver in your spiritual journey? [19:02]

7. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. What actions or changes can you make to restore and strengthen your fellowship with Him? [11:19]

Devotional

Day 1: Rediscovering the True Greatness of the Gospel
The Gospel is often misunderstood as merely a guide for moral living, but it is far more profound. It is God's perfect work, offering miraculous and supernatural salvation. Many people today neglect the Gospel because of false assumptions about Christianity, believing it to be just about living a good life. However, the Gospel's true greatness lies in its completeness and the miraculous salvation it offers. It is not about human effort but about God's perfect work in redeeming humanity. This understanding calls for a reevaluation of how we perceive and live out our faith, recognizing the Gospel as the foundation of our relationship with God. [02:34]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: In what ways have you reduced the Gospel to merely a set of moral guidelines? How can you begin to embrace its true greatness and completeness in your daily life?


Day 2: Reversing the Fall Through Salvation
The steps of salvation reverse the fall of man, restoring what was lost through sin. Humanity's sin led to a broken relationship with God, uncleanness, and spiritual darkness. God's salvation begins with cleansing through the cross, granting a new mind and understanding, and leading to holiness. Ultimately, it restores us to fellowship with God, which is the highest point of salvation. This process is a divine reversal of the fall, where God takes the initiative to restore and renew. Understanding this transformative journey can deepen our appreciation for the work of salvation in our lives. [10:29]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: What specific areas of your life still reflect the old self? How can you actively participate in God's work of renewing your mind and restoring your relationship with Him today?


Day 3: Being God's Peculiar Possession
Being God's people means being His peculiar possession, separated from the world and under His special care. This relationship offers assurance of His personal interest, confidence in prayer, and the knowledge that His power supports us. As God's peculiar possession, we are called to live distinctively, reflecting His character and values in a world that often opposes them. This identity provides a sense of belonging and purpose, knowing that we are under God's special care and protection. Embracing this identity can transform how we approach our daily lives and interactions with others. [30:22]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: How does knowing you are God's peculiar possession change the way you view your identity and purpose? What steps can you take to live more distinctly as His possession in your daily life?


Day 4: The Essence of Christianity: Knowing God Personally
The Gospel's ultimate goal is to bring us to God, not just to receive His gifts but to know Him personally. This is the essence of Christianity: a personal relationship with God, secured through Christ's sacrifice. It is not about what we can get from God but about knowing Him intimately and experiencing His presence in our lives. This relationship is the foundation of our faith, providing strength, comfort, and guidance. Understanding this can shift our focus from seeking God's gifts to seeking God Himself, deepening our relationship with Him. [39:19]

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from seeking God's gifts to seeking a deeper relationship with Him? What practical steps can you take to know God more personally today?


Day 5: Assurance in God's Eternal Care
In Christ, we are assured of God's eternal interest and care. This assurance provides comfort and strength, knowing that nothing can separate us from His love. It is the foundation for facing life's uncertainties and challenges with confidence. Understanding God's eternal care can transform our perspective on life's difficulties, providing a sense of security and peace. This assurance is not based on our circumstances but on God's unchanging character and promises. Embracing this truth can empower us to live boldly and confidently, trusting in God's eternal care. [36:34]

Psalm 121:3-5 (ESV): "He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust in God's eternal care? How can you remind yourself of His promises and character when facing uncertainties and challenges today?

Quotes



The Gospel is God's perfect work, offering miraculous and supernatural salvation. It is all of God; it is all God's action; it is God's work. He's been saying it at great length, he's been repeating it. God says, "I have pity for my Holy Name which the house of Israel had profaned." It's nothing in men; it is altogether because of God's love and grace and mercy and compassion. [00:04:39]

The steps of salvation reverse the fall of man. When humanity sinned, the first and most terrible consequence was the loss of fellowship with God. This broken relationship led to uncleanness, opposition to God's laws, and spiritual darkness. God's salvation reverses this order, starting with cleansing through the cross, granting a new mind and understanding, and leading to holiness. [00:10:29]

Being God's people means being His peculiar possession, separated from the world and under His special care. This relationship offers assurance of His personal interest, confidence in prayer, and the knowledge that His power supports us. In Christ, we are assured of God's eternal interest and care. This assurance provides comfort and strength, knowing that nothing can separate us from His love. [00:30:22]

The Gospel's ultimate goal is to bring us to God, not just to receive His gifts but to know Him personally. This is the essence of Christianity: a personal relationship with God, secured through Christ's sacrifice. In Christ, we are brought to an inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us by God. [00:39:19]

The tragedy is that we somehow fail to realize the greatness of the Gospel. Indeed, it's often true even of those of us who are Christian. The greatest trouble with Christian people even tonight is that they don't realize the greatness of the Christian salvation. We stop at a given point, and we go no further, thereby detracting unconsciously from the glory of God. [00:06:00]

The Gospel is often neglected due to false assumptions about Christianity. Many believe it is merely about living a good life, missing its true greatness and completeness. The Gospel is God's perfect work, offering miraculous and supernatural salvation. It is all of God; it is all God's action; it is God's work. [00:02:34]

The Gospel's steps reverse the fall of man. Humanity's sin led to a broken relationship with God, uncleanness, and spiritual darkness. God's salvation starts with cleansing through the cross, granting a new mind and understanding, and leading to holiness, ultimately restoring us to fellowship with God. [00:10:29]

Being God's people means being His peculiar possession, separated from the world and under His special care. This relationship offers assurance of His personal interest, confidence in prayer, and the knowledge that His power supports us. In Christ, we are assured of God's eternal interest and care. [00:30:22]

The Gospel's ultimate goal is to bring us to God, not just to receive His gifts but to know Him personally. This is the essence of Christianity: a personal relationship with God, secured through Christ's sacrifice. In Christ, we are brought to an inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us by God. [00:39:19]

In Christ, we are assured of God's eternal interest and care. This assurance provides comfort and strength, knowing that nothing can separate us from His love. It is the foundation for facing life's uncertainties and challenges with confidence. [00:36:34]

The Gospel is God's perfect work, offering miraculous and supernatural salvation. It is all of God; it is all God's action; it is God's work. He's been saying it at great length, he's been repeating it. God says, "I have pity for my Holy Name which the house of Israel had profaned." [00:04:39]

The steps of salvation reverse the fall of man. When humanity sinned, the first and most terrible consequence was the loss of fellowship with God. This broken relationship led to uncleanness, opposition to God's laws, and spiritual darkness. God's salvation reverses this order, starting with cleansing through the cross, granting a new mind and understanding, and leading to holiness. [00:10:29]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 25, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?