20080106 8am and AAW
Sunday 6 January 2006
Jn 1:10-18 and Eph 1:3-14
Theme: Because the word became flesh we have God’s grace through redemption and forgiveness of sins.
Introduction:
Today is the 12th day after Christmas…
· What has happened to all the gifts from Christmas?
How are you using them?
· What about any New Year’s resolutions?
AAW – Transformers as a present
The word became flesh:
· God has given us a present – Jn 1:14
· What is “the Word”? John starts his account of the gospel in a way that will resonate with his readers. He says “In the beginning…” Gen 1:1…but then he changes it…read Jn 1:1. So the Word is God.
· However, God then “became flesh”. This means he became a human being in the person of Jesus.
· So the present God has given us is himself, but this goes further…
The gift of Grace:
· The present is also the grace of God – Jn 1:16
· This grace is that we have received one blessing after another. Also Eph 1:3..who has blessed us…with every spiritual blessing
· But, What is Grace? Eph 1:6&7 says… etc etc …in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. But that’s a mouthful and difficult to understand.
· The Message version has:
“Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free!”
· So we can experience God’s riches because of what Jesus has done for us – or put another way, we can have God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Spells GRACE.
The purpose of the gift:
· This present of Jesus and of grace, has been given to us for a purpose:
· Christmas presents may have been given for a purpose too, normally pleasure, but these are given…
· Eph 1:12 In order that we…might be to his praise and glory.
· As we accept this present, this gift of grace, we glorify God by the manner of our living. In our homes etc…
· These words are addressed by John and Paul to all who have received him, so you also were included when you believed. See Jn 1:12 & Eph 1:13
· So having believed, we have been “marked with a seal, the promised holy spirit.” Eph 1:13b
Conclusion:
· AAW – When the transformers searched for Allspark, it was to gain control so that they had unlimited power.
· We receive power through the Holy Spirit, that same power that raised Jesus from the tomb is there to help us bring God glory in the way we live our lives
· We acknowledge that power when we finish saying the Lord’s prayer by saying ‘The kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
· AAW – we don’t control the power as transformers try to, God’s power belongs to God, but he helps us to live in a way that will please him when we ask him to help us.
· So as we go from here today, let us remember the purpose of having received the gift of Jesus and of his grace, that we may glorify him in the way we live.
Almighty God
As you became flesh and lived among us and have given us the fullness of your grace,
So help us to live our lives in a manner that will bring you glory through the power of your Holy Spirit.
Amen