Why Jesus Is The Greatest Gift Ever! (PT 4)

GOD'S INTERRUPTION OF OUR DESTRUCTION

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by
nature objects of wrath." ~Eph 2:1-3

"BUT… because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions, (disobedient behavior or sin) -it is by grace you have been saved." ~Eph 2:4-5

1. AMAZING Grace – so incredible you cannot fathom it

GRACE means 'God’s unearned or undeserved kindness and favour'

WE deserved to PAY but JESUS made a WAY!

SAVED means 'rescued from the penalty of judgment owed'

The Law of Double Jeopardy:

you cannot convict or punish

for the same crime twice.

• He became sin – that we might become righteous
• He was cursed – that we might be blessed
• He became poor on the cross – that we might become rich
• He wore the crown of thorns – that you might wear the crown of peace

Condemnation points to our PAST – we can’t do anything about it

GRACE has provided for our PRESENT AND our FUTURE – we were bound up, messed up BUT GRACE SET US FREE!

"My life is no longer a disgrace -
because Jesus has given me grace!"

2. ABUNDANT Grace - so immense you cannot comprehend it

"From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another." ~John 1:16

God doesn't want to give you just one gift - God's grace is so good that he is piling up his gifts for you!

Grace also means 'His power to help us live an abundant life and accomplish what we could NEVER do on our own'

3. ABOUNDING Grace – so immeasurable that you cannot contain it

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need." ~2 Cor 9:8

ABOUND means 'to overflow in a continual stream'

His grace isn't bound (restricted) - but it is 'abounding'!

There is NOTHING I can't FACE because of HIS GRACE!

• There are Seasons when we know the MIRACLE God
• There are Seasons when we know the SUSTAINING God

Why Jesus Is The Greatest Gift Ever! (PT 3)

LIVING HOPEFUL in TOUGH TIMES

“…And his name will be the Hope of All the World.” ~Matt 12:21

WHAT IS HOPE?

HOPE means 'a confident expectation that rests on the Promises of God.'

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again - my Savior and my God! ~Psalm 43:5 NLT

And His name will be… 'a confident expectation that rests on the promises that God has made to every one of us.

WE ALL NEED HOPE!

To Hope is to carry on; to push through.

WITH JESUS we are ‘HOPE-FULL’ – We are full of hope!

**We can COPE with EVERYTHING in LIFE when we put HOPE in CHRIST! 

HOW DO WE GET HOPE?

• BELIEVE that Jesus has Great things for you
• PRAY and ask Jesus to help you through
• EXPECT that Jesus will fulfill His great promises for you

CHALLENGE:  Hope… that’s what we all need; it’s what we all want.  If we could have access to hope 24/7, it would be a much better world.  Hope… that’s what Jesus came to give everyone, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, culture or religion.  We do not have to live for one minute without this hope.  Jesus is our hope and we do have full access to Him every moment of every day!  In Romans 15:13 we read, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him.  Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Stop right now and ask Jesus to be your hope.  In the midst of what you are going through, reach out to Jesus… He is reaching out to you with hope today!