90. The Grace Of Jesus Christ And The Fellowship Of The Holy Spirit Series

IN GOD’S IMAGE 90 – GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST AND FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

This message is part of a series of 90 sermons based on the title, “In God’s Image – God’s Purpose for humanity.” This series of free sermons or the equivalent free book format is designed to take the reader through an amazing process beginning with God in prehistory and finishing with humanity joining God in eternity as His loving sons and daughters. It is at times, a painful yet fascinating story, not only for humanity, but also for God. As the sermons follow a chronological view of the story of salvation, it is highly recommend they be presented in numerical order rather than jumping to the more “interesting” or “controversial” subjects as the material builds on what is presented earlier. We also recommend reading the introduction prior to using the material. The free book version along with any graphics or figures mentioned in this series can be downloaded at www.ingodsimage.site - Gary Regazzoli

We have reached that point in the narrative where God has achieved His goal of creating “man in His image” and as a consequence, God and man can dwell face to face in the New Jerusalem.

• God through His work has created for Himself a bride, a holy people within whom he can now come and dwell (Revelation 21:3).

• We have been looking at what insights we can discern from scripture on what life will be like in heaven.

• Last time we started looking at the major benefit of life in heaven and that is, we will come to know the God who is the Trinity in not only His majestic glory, but also in a very personal way.

It is a testimony to God’s great love for humanity that we have arrived at this point where God and humanity now dwell face to face.

• Each person of the godhead has contributed His own unique part to the process of redemption.

• The Father initiated the process of salvation, the Son has effected it, and the Holy Spirit applies it to humanity.

• So as we finish this series, we are summarizing each of these roles according to the way they are described in the benediction in 2 Corinthians 13:14.

• 2 Corinthians 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

• Last time we looked at the role of the Father from whom the love of God flows as He initiates the process.

Now we’ll look at the primary role of Jesus Christ – how he has effected salvation for all through “grace.”

• When man rebelled, God had to overcome two problems if reconciliation was to come about.

• Man through his sin had separated the two parties and created a barrier between himself and a holy God.

• So the question became, how could a holy God approach sinful mankind? And how could God draw sinful mankind back to Himself?

• The solution could not possibly come from sinful humanity, so what was God to do?

• God’s solution to these two problems is breathtaking in its audacity and is testimony to the great love God has for us.

• But in order to make this dream possible a terrible price had to be paid, but it was a price they willingly paid.

• As it was impossible for reconciliation to happen from the side of humanity, God’s solution was, “I will come and do it for you. I will send you my beloved Son, and He will act vicariously on your behalf.”

• As we learned, this great event in salvation history is what the Christian world calls the miracle of the incarnation, where God the Son would empty Himself of His glory and join humanity as God in the flesh (John 1:14).

• Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

• Not only does God the Father devise this incredible plan, but now provides the means which will accomplish it through the life of His Son.

• Here is the sacrifice God the Father was willing to make so He could draw near to us and in the process draw us near to Him.

• But it was a sacrifice Jesus, too, willingly accepted with joy in order to make this dream a reality as we read over in Hebrews 12.

• Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.