Ransom, Part 3: God's Sustaining Grace

  Our theme verse for this series: (Matthew 20:28) “…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."The title of my message today is:  God’s Sustaining Grace(Romans 5:15) (NLT) “But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.”(Galatians 3:3) (NLT) “How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?”(Ecclesiastes 7:20) “There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.”(Matthew 11:28-30) (The Message) "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? (Matthew 11:28-30) (The Message) …Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. (Matthew 11:28-30) (The Message) …..Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."“Whatever you build your life on must sustain it.” Sustaining Grace1.    Look for the Ransom when you are tempted. What is your temptation?  (Hebrews 4:14-15) (The Message) “Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let's not let it slip through our fingers. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin.  (Hebrews 4:16) “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”(1 Corinthians 10:13) (NLT) “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”(Psalm 50:15) “and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."(Philippians 2:12)  “—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,”2.    Accept the Ransom of peace when we face trouble(John 16:33) "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."(2 Corinthians 12:7) (NLT) “even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.(2 Corinthians 12:8-9) (NLT) “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. (2 Corinthians 12:10) (NLT) “That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”Joe & Marcie Snider Story(Philippians 4:7) “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”3.    The Ransom provides energy and rest when we are tired(Matthew 11:28-30) (The Message) "Are you tired? Worn out? (Matthew 11:28-30) (The Message) “…Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."     For more information on the vision of Freedom Church, please visit our website at www.freedom-church.org