Review:
On the journey we have seen the calling of the first disciples (Andrew and then Simon Peter) and what grace did in their lives.
On the journey we have talked about the fact that God seeks us — not the other way around. That is prevenient or seeking grace.
On this journey we then talked about sin — what it is and what it produces: rebellion, enslavement, and estrangement.
Today our focus is on God's answer to our problem and the grace that makes eternal life possible.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Wages - what you receive for what you have done.
Sin - Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it (James 4:17, NLT). Sin is a voluntary transgression against a known law of God (Wesley). Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of the God's glorious standard (Romans 3:23, NLT).
The wages of sin is death -- death in the Bible always denotes estrangement from God. Sin yields a broken relationship with God. Sin will take you where you don’t want to go and leave you there!
BUT -- God always has an answer for the choices we make!
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
At the heart of God's love stands the CROSS -- God's answer for for our sins.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Free - We do not deserve God's love and there is nothing we can do to earn it.
Gift - What God gives to us without our earning or deserving anything from Him.
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Eternal Life - The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. What we received because of our sins resulted in death. What we are given because of the CROSS is LIFE!
Romans 5:21
so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
But how do we make this gift a reality in our lives? What must happen for us to receive this gift?
Romans 10:9
that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
It is really quite simple: Confess Jesus as YOUR Lord and believe Him and accept all He has done for your forgiveness and salvation.
Ephesians 2:8
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Realize this: A bad tree can't produce good fruit -- do you need to cross this bridge and invite Jesus into your heart?
The Journey of Grace: Eternal Hope for the Journey
Dr. Jon Fillipi
