One of the great privileges for those who have had their sins washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ, is sharing the joy of the grace of God with others – in a sense “carrying Christ” into the many spheres of our influence. It really is actually quite a shock that God would include us – with all our many flaws – to be used as His vessels to announce the Kingdom of God.
As we enter into Holy Week and remember Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem we will examine the Apostle Paul’s conviction to share the grace of God and encourage the church to carry Christ and His love to those who need to hear of the grace of God.
Ephesians 3:10-12
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of Godshould be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
1 – God’s plan is that we make Christ known
2 – The Grace of God is the message, we are just the messengers
1 Corinthians 1:27-29
“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.”
3 – “Through Christ we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”
Questions:
- How am I making Jesus known?
- Where am I carrying Jesus?
- How can I keep the messenger from getting in the way of the message?