The Unparalleled Grace Of Jesus

The Unparalleled Grace of Jesus

2 Corinthians 8:9

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfsKX4pF9x8

When the Apostles talked about our lives, they did so by placing before us the example of Jesus Christ

When they told us to love each other, it was because Jesus Christ loved us.

In John’s gospel Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35 NKJV)

When they talked about our need to forgive, it was because of God the Father through Jesus loved us and forgave us.

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32 NKJV)

When they talk about our need to be humble it is because Jesus humbled Himself even to the point of the death, as He died for us there upon the cross.

“Being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8 NKJV)

When they talk about our need to be patient, they talk about how Jesus endured hostility from sinners.

“For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” (Hebrews 12:3 NKJV)

And when they talked about our need to be benevolent, they used again Jesus as their example in the verse we’re exploring today.

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV)

And so, let’s begin by looking at these Riches that were Christ’s.

The Riches of Christ

“That though He was rich.”

What we need to understand is that these riches were not something that He acquired while here upon the Earth and then lost them. If that were the case, then this verse really has no meaning. Instead, the riches were what Jesus left behind when He came.

This points to what is known as the doctrine of the Godhead, that is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit always existed and existed outside both time and space.

And when we view it like this, then it makes sense as we acknowledge the divinity of Christ, as the prophet Isaiah declared of Him, saying, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given … And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV)

Everlasting Father: Look at what Jesus said about He and the Father. “I and My Father are one,” and “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” (John 10:30; 14:9 NKJV)

And of His name that He is indeed the Lord God, the prophet Isaiah said, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14 NKJV) And the name Immanuel translated means, “God with us.”

And so, the riches refer to Jesus’s divinity as the second person of the Godhead.

Therefore, Jesus’s riches are found in His attributes as God. It is where He is eternal, almighty, filled with infinite knowledge, boundless goodness, immaculate purity, and impeccable truth.

· Jesus is not only great, He is the greatest.

· Jesus is not only high, but He is the highest.

· Jesus is not just a king, He is the King of King and the Lord of Lords.

But Jesus’s riches are also found in His dominion.

Jesus’s Dominion

Jesus’s is also rich in His dominion over all things. He is the Creator of the Universe.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He (The Word) was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” (John 1:1-3 NKJV)

How rich is Jesus, everything in this world, in this universe was and is created by Him and for Him.

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” (Colossians 1:16 NKJV)

Jesus said that if the people did not praise Him then the rocks would. Therefore, the fragrance of every flower is His, the sound of every brook and river is His, the cool breeze on a hot summer day is His, the brilliance of every star in the sky is His, and they all sing His praise.