Today, we begin to take closer look at the work of the Holy Spirit. The reality of the Holy Spirit and His work is one of the most neglected topics in some circles. But we need to know how the Spirit is at work in order to grow in the Way of Jesus. Jesus reveals that He would send the Spirit to work both 1) in the World and also 2) in His people. First, we focus on what Jesus teaches about the Spirit’s work in the World.
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2 Corinthians 13:13
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and
the love of God and
the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
This week, we focus on how The Father, Son and Spirit are at work now. It is important to realize that Jesus is still at work in our world. As the Father and Son oversee all things from the Heavenly Realm, they have sent the Holy Spirit to work powerfully in our world. For all those who are “in Christ”, the Spirit brings the personal presence of Christ Himself so that Christ indwells us and empowers us to do all things for the glory and pleasure of the Father.
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In our final reading for the week, we consider how Jesus has reversed the catastrophic effects of Adam’s rebellion. We make a comparison of what Adam has done to us with what Jesus has done for us. Whereas Adam brought sin, death and condemnation in our World, Jesus has brought righteousness, life and peace.
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What happened to Jesus on The Cross? This is one of the most profound questions we can consider. Today, we discuss just a small portion of what we can know from the words of Jesus himself.
…what actually happened when ‘God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ’ is a mystery whose depths we shall spend eternity plumbing… “
John R. W. Stott, The Cross of Christ, 18.
1 Corinthians 15:45
Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
Just as Adam was tested and failed to trust God, so also Jesus was tested. Jesus, however, remained faithful, trusting His Father even in light of bearing the sins of the World on The Cross. The first man Adam brought sin and death into the human experience through his rebellion. The Last Adam – Jesus – brings righteousness and life through His faithfulness to all those who trust Him.
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This week, we deal with the question, “What Did Father-God Do to Save Us?” The LORD was not obligated to intervene after Adam chose to rebel against Him. However, our Heavenly Father chose to send His One Unique Son Jesus to call us back to Himself, cleanse us of our sins, and heal us of our rebellious and darkened hearts.
John 3:16
“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”
Yesterday, we heard how Adam’s rebellion brought sin and death into the human experience. So, what does this have to do with us today? Adam’s “vote” resulted in disastrous consequences for the whole human race. Today we consider how Adam’s failure has touched each and every one of us.
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