The Glory of God's Grace Through Christ's Suffering

In this message, we explore the profound mystery of God's grace as revealed through the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain. This concept of the Lamb being "slaughtered" is not a gentle image but a vivid depiction of the suffering that was part of God's eternal plan. Before the foundation of the world, God ordained that His Son would suffer to display the greatness of His grace. This plan was not an afterthought but the very purpose of creation and redemption, as outlined in Ephesians 1 and Revelation 5.

Ephesians 1 reveals that God chose us in Christ before the world's foundation, predestining us for adoption through Jesus Christ. This choice and adoption were made possible through Christ's suffering, which was necessary for our redemption. The ultimate goal of this divine plan is to bring praise to the glory of God's grace. Revelation 5 further emphasizes that the centerpiece of heavenly worship is the Lamb who was slaughtered, highlighting the eternal significance of Christ's suffering.

The entrance of sin and suffering into the world was part of God's mysterious plan to display His grace. Just as Joseph's brothers meant evil against him, but God meant it for good, so too did God use the fall of Adam and Eve to set the stage for the ultimate display of His grace through Christ. Suffering, though not delightful to God, serves a greater purpose in His redemptive plan.

Through Christ's suffering, several profound accomplishments were achieved for believers: the absorption of God's wrath, the bearing of our sins, the provision of perfect righteousness, the defeat of death, the disarming of Satan, the purchase of perfect healing, and ultimately, bringing us to God. Each of these was made possible only through suffering, underscoring the glory of God's grace.

The ultimate purpose of the universe is to display the greatness of God's grace, which is most clearly seen in the suffering and death of His Son. This truth calls us to embrace the riches we have in Christ and to live lives that reflect His grace to a world in need.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Eternal Plan of God: Before the foundation of the world, God ordained the suffering of His Son to display the greatness of His grace. This plan was not an afterthought but the very purpose of creation and redemption. Understanding this helps us see the depth of God's love and the intentionality behind His actions. [12:33]
• 2. The Centrality of Christ's Suffering: The suffering and death of Jesus are the centerpiece of heavenly worship, highlighting the eternal significance of His sacrifice. This truth challenges us to view suffering through the lens of God's redemptive plan, recognizing that it serves a greater purpose in displaying His grace. [20:30]
• 3. The Role of Sin and Suffering: God permits sin and suffering to enter the world as part of His divine plan to display His grace. This perspective helps us trust in God's sovereignty, even in the midst of pain and hardship, knowing that He can bring good out of evil. [23:19]
• 4. Christ's Accomplishments Through Suffering: Through His suffering, Christ achieved profound victories for believers, including absorbing God's wrath, bearing our sins, and defeating death. These accomplishments remind us of the immense cost of our salvation and the depth of God's love for us. [31:50]
• 5. Living in Light of God's Grace: The ultimate purpose of the universe is to display the greatness of God's grace, calling us to embrace the riches we have in Christ. This truth encourages us to live lives that reflect His grace, spreading His love to a world in need. [41:18]
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [11:39] - The Lamb Who Was Slain
• [12:33] - God's Eternal Plan
• [13:49] - Ephesians 1: Purpose of Creation
• [15:22] - Praise to the Glory of His Grace
• [17:19] - Chosen and Adopted in Christ
• [18:00] - Revelation 5: Worship of the Lamb
• [20:30] - The Centerpiece of Heavenly Worship
• [21:41] - The Goal of Creation
• [23:19] - Sin and Suffering in God's Plan
• [25:27] - Creation's Groaning and Hope
• [27:10] - Suffering and Redemption
• [30:14] - The Drama of Redemptive History
• [31:50] - Christ's Accomplishments Through Suffering
• [41:18] - Embracing the Riches in Christ

1. Ephesians 1:4-6 - "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves."
2. Revelation 5:9-12 - "And they sang a new song, saying: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.' Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: 'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!'"

1. What does Ephesians 1:4-6 reveal about God's plan for humanity before the foundation of the world? How does this relate to the concept of grace? [14:17]
2. In Revelation 5:9-12, why is the Lamb considered worthy of worship in heaven? What specific actions are attributed to the Lamb? [18:29]
3. How does the sermon describe the significance of the word "slain" in relation to Jesus as the Lamb of God? [11:58]
4. What role does suffering play in God's redemptive plan according to the sermon? [21:57]

1. How does the concept of being chosen "in Christ" before the foundation of the world impact the understanding of God's grace and purpose for creation? [15:55]
2. What is the significance of Christ's suffering being the centerpiece of heavenly worship, and how does this shape the understanding of worship on earth? [20:30]
3. How does the sermon explain the entrance of sin and suffering into the world as part of God's plan to display His grace? [23:19]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Christ's accomplishments through suffering provide a model for understanding the purpose of suffering in the believer's life? [31:50]

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced suffering. How might viewing that experience through the lens of God's redemptive plan change your perspective? [21:57]
2. The sermon emphasizes the eternal significance of Christ's suffering. How can this understanding influence the way you approach worship in your daily life? [20:30]
3. Consider the idea that God permits sin and suffering to display His grace. How does this perspective affect your trust in God's sovereignty during difficult times? [23:19]
4. Christ's suffering achieved profound victories for believers. How can you live in a way that reflects the depth of God's love and the cost of your salvation? [31:50]
5. The ultimate purpose of the universe is to display the greatness of God's grace. What practical steps can you take to embrace and share the riches you have in Christ with others? [41:18]
6. How can you actively participate in spreading the message of God's grace to those around you, especially in a world that is in need? [41:55]
7. Identify one area in your life where you struggle to see God's grace. What specific actions can you take this week to seek a deeper understanding of His grace in that area? [39:46]