A Continuance Of Grace

Temple Baptist Church - 12-2-2018

Romans 11:1-6

Introduction: 

A.  Verse 1-2 - Paul now asked the obvious question: “Hath God cast away his people.”  Immediately, we find Paul’s answer to the question: “God forbid!”  How could God cast away the Nation of Israel despite the prayers of God’s people. 

Romans 10:1  Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

B.  Going back to Jeremiah, Chapter 18, we find God’s answer to the question:

Jeremiah 18:4-6  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.  (5)  Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,  (6)  O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

C.  Though set aside for a while, God will never cast away His peculiar people, Israel.

Jeremiah 31:1-3  At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.  (2)  Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.  (3)  The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

D.  Verses 2-3 - Elijah prayed against Israel in what we call in imprecatory prayer.  “Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.”

E.  Verse 4-5 – God answered Elijah.  “I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.”  

F.  Though the Nation rejected the prophets in both Old and New Testaments, there has continued to be a remnant of believers in every dispensation.

1.  The Old Testament Saints – Acts 15: 7-11  And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.  And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.  Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?  But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

a)  Grace Was Before The Law - Genesis 6:8  But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

b)  Grace Was During The Law - Jeremiah 31:2  Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.

Psalms 78:37-39, 72  For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.  But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.  For he remembered that they [were but] flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again . . . (72)  So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

2.  The New Testament Saints - Romans 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

a)  Saving Grace - Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Galatians 2:16  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed

in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

b)  Securing Grace - 2 Thessalonians 2:16  Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

2 Timothy 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

c) Sanctifying Grace – Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

            3.  The Tribulation Saints

a)  Evident Grace - Revelation 7:13-14  And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation,and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

b)  Enduring Grace - Revelation 12:11  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

            4.  The Millennial Saints

Isaiah 11:10-11  And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. (11) And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people …

5.  The Eternal Saints (It started in grace and it will always be grace through out all eternity.  Halleluiah!)

Ephesians 2:5-7  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

G.  The Character of God’s Grace.

1.  God’s Grace Is Amazing - Romans 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

1 Corinthians 15:10  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

2.  God’s Grace Is Admonishing - Titus 2:11-12  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

3.  God’s Grace Is Available - Titus 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

4.  God’s Grace Is Attacked - Galatians 1:6  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Jude 4  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

H.  The Consistency Of Grace.  Grace has never changed.

a.  Grace Offered In The Past - Romans 10:21  But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

b.  Grace Offered In The Present - John 7:37  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

Revelation 22:17  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

I.  The Continuing of Grace.  Salvation will always be grace and grace alone and I thank God for it.

1.  Grace Frees Us From Works - Romans 11:6  And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

2.  Grace Frees Us From Boasting - Romans 3:27-28  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

3.  Grace Frees Us From Worry - Romans 4:4-5  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

When The Word Became Flesh

Temple Baptist Church - 12-2-2018

John 1:14

Introduction:

A.  Christmas is almost upon us once again and our hearts turn back to Bethlehem and the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

B.  I want to look at these verses considering His First Advent.  These verses are so profound as they give us valuable insight into who Christ was, what He became, and why He came.

C.  In these verses, we see:

1.  The Eternality of Christ – Verse 1 — “In the beginning was the Word.”  1 John 1:1  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;  (The Gospel of John and the Book of 1 John begin with the same truth concerning Christ’s eternality.  The great “I AM THAT I AM,” the self-existing One, the Everlasting Father of Isaiah 9, the Eternal God.  A truth to be believed though a truth that cannot be comprehended.  He was, He is, He always will be!)

2.  The Union of Christ – Verse 1 – “and the Word was with God.”  1 John 5:7  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.  (John 10 says, “I and the Father are one!”  God is one God, manifesting Himself in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.  All three are co-equal in all power and attributes.  Perfectly one in person, one in purpose, and one agreement.)

3.  The Deity of Christ – Verse 1 – “and the Word was God.”  Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  (The great Jehovah God of the Old Testament; LORD God.  Essential to our ability to glorify God is the knowledge of God’s person.  There are so many names given to God in the Old Testament that give insight concerning His person, position, and power.  El Shaddai-Almighty God, El Elyon-the Most-High God, El Olam-The Everlasting God, Yahweh-the Existing God, Adonai-Master. 

4.  The Creation of Christ – Verse 3 – “All things were made by Him.”  Ephesians 3:9  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:  (Everything that exists came by Christ, through Christ, and belongs to Christ.  God said it and it was done!  The universe, this world, and everything in them belongs to Him.)

5.  The Life of Christ – Verse 4 – “In Him was life.”  John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  (Man cannot give life.  Only Life can beget life and that Life comes from God.  Plant life, animal life, fowl life, and the life of man came from God.  THE life, not a life.)

6.  The Illumination of Christ – Verse 4 – “and the life was the light of men … which lighteth every man.”  John 1:9  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.  (With man’s life comes the “light” of the knowledge of God.  Every man is born God conscious, not atheistic.  Atheism is learned from other atheists.  Theism is inherent in man.  God breathed into Adam’s nostrils the “breath of life.”  God’s life, eternal life.)

7.  The Will of Christ – Verse 7 – “that all men through Him might believe.”  1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.  (God is not willing that any perish.  God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.  To die without Christ is to die out of the will of God.)

8.  The Rejection of Christ – Verse 10-11 – “the world knew Him not … His own received Him not.”  John 15:18  If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.  (The world wants no God.  The world wants to be their own personal “god.”  No God, no accountability; no God, no purpose in life; no God, no life after death.  BUT, we are accountable, we do have purpose, and there is life after death.  “The fool hath said in his heart, there is not God.”)

9.  The Incarnation of Christ – Verse 14 – “And the Word was made flesh.”  1 John 1:2  (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, andbear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)  (The “seed of the woman” was born in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago.  The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.”  That is the Reason for the Season.  “For God so loved the world!”)

10.  The Purpose of Christ – Verse 12 – “But as many as received Him.”  1 John 3:23  And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. (Receiving the promise of God: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”)

Conclusion:  The greatest Gift ever given was the Gift of God’s Son.  Receive Him and have eternal life in heaven; reject Him and have eternal life in hell.

Our Merciful and Faithful High Priest

Temple Baptist Church - 11-28-2018

Hebrews 2:9-18; 3:1-2

Introduction:

A.  The three offices of Christ are Prophet, Priest, and King. 

1.  He was Prophet while in this world.

2.  He will be King in the Millennium and throughout eternity. 

2.  Today, He is our High Priest.

B.  Our Saviour’s work on earth is done; the gospel complete; salvation’s door open.  Verses 9-12.

1.  Because of Condescending – verse 9.  Galatians 4:4-7  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,  (5)  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  (6)  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.  (7)  Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

2.  Because of His Vicarious Substitution – verse 9.  Hebrews 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3.  Because of His Great Salvation – Verse 10.  1 Timothy 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

4.  Because of His Sanctification – Verse 11.  1 Corinthians 1:2  Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

5.  Because of His Acceptance – Verse 11-12.  Ephesians 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

C.  Jesus Christ is the Apostle and High Priest of our profession:  Hebrews 3:1  Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

1.  An apostle represents God to man while a high priest represents man to God.

2.  In His life, Jesus Christ represented God to man but in His death, He represented man to God.

D.  Jesus Christ is our Merciful High Priest – Verses 13-18. 

1.  The work of the Old Testament Priesthood was 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Psalms 134:1  Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.

2.  The work of our High Priest, Jesus Christ, is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  While we sleep, while we are awake, He is working on our behalf.

Hebrews 7:24  But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

Lamentations 3:22-23  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  (23)  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

E.  Jesus Christ is our Merciful High Priest.

1.  Jesus Christ is a Merciful High Priest in Whom we can Trust. – verse 13. Jesus Christ trusts God the Father and, as He intercedes for us, we trust the Father’s will in our lives.

Hebrews 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

2.  Jesus Christ is a Merciful High Priest that has conquered death.  Verse 14. 

1 Corinthians 15:53-57  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  (54)  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  (55)  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  (56)  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  (57)  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

3.  Jesus Christ is a Merciful High Priest that has removed our fears.   Verse 15.

Philippians 1:21-23  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  (22)  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.  (23)  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

4.  Jesus Christ is a Merciful High Priest that can make reconciliation for the sins of His people.  Verses 16-17.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  (19)  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  (20)  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.  (21)  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

5.  Jesus Christ is a Merciful High Priest who can relate to the temptations of His people.  Verse 18.

Hebrews 5:2  Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

Who Of God Is Made Unto Us

Temple Baptist Church - 11-25-2018

John 1:14; 1 Corinthians 1:29-31

Introduction: 

A.  As we begin the Christmas Season, I want our hearts and minds to turn towards Christ.  Christ and sinners are the reason for the season.

B.  Salvation was made in such a way that no man could ever glory in self.  So many people and denominations of our day believe that they are either good enough to be saved or good enough to stay saved.

1.  They have a wrong perception of self.  Romans 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  (These people or denominations believe that they are much more spiritual than the Apostle Paul.  I call that pride.)

2.  They have a wrong perception of sin.  Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (They may admit that they are sinners, but they classify sin by saying that they are not that bad of a sinner.)

3.  They have a wrong perception of salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.  (These people and denominations have no concept of the righteousness that is required for salvation.  It is the imputed righteousness of the sinless Son of God!)

C.  The key word in our text is “made.”  God had to do something special, something extraordinary for mankind as man could not save or keep himself.

D.  The word “made” means to make something that would not be naturally found.  A lady makes a cake from ingredients that would have never come together would be a good illustration.  This morning, our bed was made.

E.  I want to look at what our Lord Jesus Christ, in His incarnation, was made.

1.  What Christ Was Made For The World - 1 John 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 

a.  He was made flesh - John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)full of grace and truth.

Matthew 1:23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

b.  He was made of a woman - Galatians 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. 

Genesis 3:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

c.  He was made of seed of David - Romans 1:3  Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh.

Luke 1:32  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

d.  He was made of no reputation - Philippians 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Isaiah 53:2  For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

e.  He was made in likeness of man - Philippians 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Hebrews 10:5  Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

f.  He was made lower than angels - Hebrews 2:7  Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

Hebrews 2:9  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

g.  He was made under the law - Galatians 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.

Colossians 2:13-14  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having orgiven you all trespasses;  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

h.  He was made a curse - Galatians 3:13  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.

Galatians 3:10  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

i.  He was made sin - 2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1 John 3:5  And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

2.  What Christ Is Made Unto Us – vs. 30.  (These are by His grace, mercy, power, and for His glory.  “Of him are ye in Christ.”) 

            a.  Christ Is Made Unto Us Wisdom.

1) By The Spirit - 1 Corinthians 2:11-15  For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.   But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

2 Corinthians 4:6  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:17-18  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

2) By The Scriptures - Proverbs 2:6  For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Colossians 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Proverbs 1:2  To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

Proverbs 4:5  Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

            b.  Christ Is Made Unto Us Righteousness. 

1) Our Guilt – We Are Deserve Retribution - Romans 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Ezekiel 18:4  Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

James 1:15  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of Godis eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

2) His Grace – We Are Declared Righteous - James 2:23  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Romans 4:9-13  Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.  How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.  And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:  And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.  For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

            c.  Christ Is Made Unto Us Sanctification.

1)  Set Apart From The World - John 17:14-16  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

                        2)  Set Apart For Heaven

1 Corinthians 15:47-48  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.  As is the earthy, suchare they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such arethey also that are heavenly.

1 Corinthians 15:49  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

2 Corinthians 5:1-2  For we know that if our earthly house ofthis tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

Ephesians 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Ephesians 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

d.  Christ Is Made Unto Us Redemption.

Romans 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

1) From The Body Of Sin - Romans 6:9-18  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

2) From The Bondage Of Death - Hebrews 2:14-15  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Romans 8:22-23  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.  And not onlythey, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.1.    The power of God (1 Cor. 1:24)

Conclusion:  Simple?  If it had not been for the love of God and the gift of His Son, there would have been no redemption!

“He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord!”