Water for the Way - Confronted by Grace
March 5, 2023

Lent Confronted by Grace.jpg

Lent

Reflecting on Salvation

Confronted the realities of

and

Genesis 2:16-17 (NIV)

And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

The wages of sin

Romans 6:23 (NIV)

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Our neediness is what leads us to

So much more than theory/theology/religious package

The answer to the human conundrum

The genius of the solution – Salvation by

1. Salvation from Death

Mortality

The dilemma – accepting our mortality, longing for immortality

Two options – Pretension or Depression

Culture’s solution – you make your own values

Just whistling in the dark

The solution of Salvation

Romans 7:24-25 (NIV)

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Does not deny the reality of

1 Corinthians 15:2, 13-14, 20-22, 54-56 (NIV)

By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain… If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

The absurdity of life without

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. …then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Escapes despair through hope of everlasting

By no other name are men saved

2. Grace for Sin

The problem of shame

Genesis 3:7 (NIV)

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Making coverings for ourselves

The dilemma – knowing our own brokenness, needing to be confident in our own goodness

Two options – Self-righteousness or Self-doubt

Culture’s solution – Self-actualization, redefining goodness

Paper thin

The solution of Grace

Romans 3:22-24 (NIV)

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…

Does not deny

…and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Escapes anxiety, shame and insecurity through reliance on

Romans 8:1-2 (NIV)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you a free from the law of sin and death.

Release/Freedom from sin and death

The beauty of Salvation by Grace

3. Accepting the Gift

Free will

Hebrews 4:15-16 (NIV)

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The gift

Confront each year and each day with it

Our choice

Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Which will we choose?

Self-justification leading to

.

Denial leading to

.

Or salvation by grace leading to the

road.

Matthew 7:14 (NIV)

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Action Step: Choose Grace

Lord I need you