Sunday Services

But God….Pt3

Scripture: Eph 2:4-7.

Stream or download the unsearchable riches of Christ, Pt25

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IV. WHAT A GLORIOUS HONOUR IS THUS CONFERRED UPON THE CHRISTIAN.
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2:6-7.
1. Not merely made alive but made to share in Christ’s glory. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne, Rev 3:21. We are citizens of heaven. For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, Philippians 3:20. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people, Psalm 113:7-8. And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen,  Rev 1:6. And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth, Rev 5:10.
2. In us will be displayed God’s grace. As the glory of Solomon display God’s mercy to the king, so it will be with us, I Kings 10:6-9.
3. The glory of which the Christian is a partaker cannot be imagined.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is, 1 John 3:2.
4. Humbly, thankfully we must say now what our enemies will one day acknowledge. Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought! Num 23:23.

But God…, Pt2

Scripture: Eph 2:4-7.

Stream or download The unsearchable riches of Christ, Pt24

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III. GOD’S SALVATION CAME TO US THROUGH CHRIST.

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Eph 2:5-6.

Please note that Paul speaks in the past tense. Hath quickened; hath raised. This is our present position and possession. Remember 1:18-20. Paul would have them know that this is what they have, where they are. The phrase by grace ye are saved means literally, by grace ye have been saved.

1. God’s grace is conveyed to us through Jesus Christ. You know nothing of God’s grace until you are united to Christ. Woman with issue of blood, Mark 5:25-29; the dead and the bones of Elisha, 2 Kings 13:21.

2. Every Christian has a real and vital union with Christ. We were joined to Christ in the covenant of grace before the worlds began but there came a time when experimentally, I was brought into union with Christ and was made spiritually alive.  But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit, 1 Cor 6:17; But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his, Rom 8:9. This uion is represented under different analogies, planted, Rom 6:5; “glued, cemented” 1 Cor 6:6:17; partnership, Hebs 3:14.

3. As the branch partakes of the life of the trunk, even so we are partakers of Christ’s life. John 15:5. We live off Christ. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me, Galatians 2:20. If you are not united to Christ the life then you are dead in your sins.

“But God” 

Scripture: Eph 2:4-7.

Stream or download The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Pt23

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Having considered the lost estate in which we as sinners were born, Paul takes us on to consider the change God wrought and how it was God delivered us from such a dreadful condition. The Christian has had a spiritual resurrection.

I. The author of man’s salvation is God.
“But God.”

1. Can we ever emphasis this truth sufficiently? It is the chief of errors for man to believe that he is the author of his own redemption. (Article on salvation – RC Church).
Chief for it was the first manifestation of man’s sinfulness, Genesis 4:3, the labour of man’s hand brought as a sacrifice. Chief for it is to this error man every reverts. Chief for it is universal.

2. This error is the greatest hindrance to conversion. As long as man feels that he controls this matter he will not heed God’s warnings and exhortations.

3. This error is the last to be overcome in the sinner’s heart. This sin keeps the sinner hard and unbowed. It must be overcome before there is a bending of the knee before Christ.

This man must learn before he can be saved.

II. SALVATION SPRINGS FROM GOD’S LOVE AND GRACE.
If it is not of man then it must be of God and that unmerited and undeserved.

1. Love is the foundation of God’s plan of salvation. Love is the fountain, the spring of all that God undertook to do for His elect. John 3:16; 1 John 4:10; Titus 3:4.

2. He graciously undertook the work of redemption. Out of His love sprang His free unmerited plan of deliverance, verses 5, 8.

3. His rich mercy in Christ was the result. His benevolent action toward the sinner sprang from His love and grace. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, Titus 3:5.