Sermons by Patrick Rossel
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Sermons by Patrick Rossel

Remember God’s Grace

In Ephesians 2:1-10 we find three helpful things to remember as Christians: our prior state, our salvation by God’s grace, and the good works God has recreated us to walk in. Apart from faith in Christ all mankind finds themselves in a grotesque state. Because of sin they are hopeless and helpless. This is the state we as Christian’s all once found ourselves in. This should cause us to walk in humility because there is only one reason we no longer find ourselves in that state. And that is God’s grace. While we were dead in our trespasses and sins God made us alive together with Christ. He saved us from our prior state along with the wrath we deserved and gave us new life through faith in Christ. This is a gift and should cause us to praise God as we remember His kindness towards us. We should also remember that He has re-created us to walk in the newness of life that He has planned for us. We do this not out of a desire to earn salvation, but because we already have salvation through faith in Christ.

Spiritual Blessings: Inheritance in Christ

In Christ we have become God’s special possession. We exist for Him and His glory. We have become this because God in His sovereignty has predestined us to this end. As a result of knowing the God who controls all things and what He has done for us through the Cross we can trust Him. The more we know of His character and love for us the more we will enjoy him. The more we enjoy Him the more His name will be praised. This is the chief end of man, and this is why he has made us His. To enjoy Him and glorify Him. As a result of being God’s special possession, we have an inheritance to look forward to. He has given us His Spirit as a guarantee of this. Yet, we will ultimately obtain this when He completes his redemption of us and we inherit heaven. There we will fully enjoy God for all of eternity.

Spiritual Blessings: Redemption in Christ

God’s eternal purpose has always been to accomplish redemption. Before the foundation of the world, God the Father planned this. And at the cross, Christ accomplished it. Those who are united to Christ by faith presently have this redemption. This consists of freedom from the guilt of sin and freedom from sin’s mastery. We once were enslaved to sin but have been redeemed through Christ’s blood. This was previously a mystery. But at the cross, it has been revealed. What happened there was the focal point of all history where God sums up all things in Christ. Christians are to praise their Triune God for accomplishing this redemption and walk in light of it.

The Reality That Awaits Those Who Persevere

God’s Word gives us a picture of the New Heaven and New Earth. This is where God will dwell with His people for all of eternity. There the effects of the fall will be done away and the world will be renewed. We can trust this is to come because God who is sovereign over all of history promises it. This is promised to those who persevere and should motivate us to do so.

The God Who Loves Nobidies

God displays His wisdom in the Church by calling the lowly to Himself. The message of a crucified savior seems foolish to the world. But to those who are called it is the power and wisdom of God. This turns the wisdom of the world upside down. To prevent anyone from being able to boast God calls the “nobodies” of the world to Himself so that no one may boast. He lavishes His love on these “nobodies” and radically transforms their identity in Christ so that He receives the glory. Paul calls us to remember who we were and that our salvation is all of grace from start to finish.

The Glorious Nature of the Church

God has chosen the Church to be His people in the world. He has bestowed on them a special status and made them to be a set apart people. He has done this out of His own kindness and mercy through the gospel. The Church is to glorify him through worship and tell of His goodness to the world as a result of His kindness and mercy toward them in Christ. A people who were once not a people are now the people of God because of the Cross.

Four Aspects of Christ’s Commission to Make Disciples

The mission of the Church is to make disciples. Therefore, that is our purpose as individuals who comprise the church. Making disciples is based on the worship of the living God and His authority. Making disciples assumes we are disciples ourselves believing in the risen Christ and trusting in the gospel. It demands that we share the gospel with others, baptize converts, and teach them to obey the commands of Christ. We are not left to do this in our own strength but promised that Jesus will accompany us til the end of the age.

The Lord’s Comprehensive Care of His Sheep

The Lord’s care of His sheep is comprehensive. He cares for His sheep in every way possible. He cares for them physically and spiritually. He comforts and protects His sheep. He receives them and blesses them both now and for eternity
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