When we believe Jesus died to make God's grace possible for us, we get to experience the love of the Father in a new way. Watch as Dr. Stanley describes how Jesus humbled Himself so that we might inherit the riches of God. Though His grace is free to all, the price He paid was immense.
Sermon Outline
Just believe and you’re saved? It’s true that salvation costs us nothing but our pride, but it came at a high price. This week, Dr. Stanley discusses the cost of our redemption and why Jesus deserves our love and gratitude.
Key Passage: 2 Corinthians 8:9
Supporting Passages: Psalm 24:1; Ezekiel 18:20; John 1:1-3; John 3:16; John 17:5; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 1:15-16; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 4:5
We often want to do something to “help” God or add to what He has done. But grace is God’s goodness toward us, something we could never earn or merit.
► “The most valuable thing you and I have is the grace of God.”
The high cost of God’s grace and our salvation:
There is nothing we can do to merit it. When it comes to forgiveness and salvation, we are helpless.
Salvation is free for us but very costly to God.
Not even our faith comes from us; it’s a gift from Him (Eph. 2:8-9).
Jesus gave up His riches so we could become rich (2 Cor. 8:9).
The payment required for sin is death (Rom. 6:23), and Jesus’ death paid our sin debt in full.
Because of God’s grace, we have all we need (2 Cor. 9:8).
► “Jesus is the Logos, the second member of the Trinity, and what is He doing? Washing dusty feet!”
Jesus laid aside His personhood:
Jesus Christ is God (John 1:1; Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3).
He laid aside His glory and came into the world as a servant (Phil. 2:5-8).
Jesus laid aside His position:
Since eternity past, He was with His Father, ruling over all creation.
He was in glory with the Father before the world existed (John 17:5). In fact, the world belongs to Him (Ps. 24:1).
Jesus laid aside His power:
Nothing exists apart from His infinite creative power (John 1:1-3; Col. 1:16).
He voluntarily gave up that power and endured the humiliating punishment of the crucifixion.
This was necessary as part of God’s loving plan to save us (John 3:16).
After Watching
Dr. Stanley explored what Jesus laid aside—possessions, personhood, position, power. Which one of these losses strikes you most deeply and why?
At this point in your life, where are you trying to “help God out” or add to what Christ already finished?
