2 Corinthians 8:9 Paul’s 4-fold Description of Jesus– is He?

First description of Jesus: GRACE “To speak of sin by itself, to speak of it apart from the reality of …grace, is to forget the resolve of God. God wants shalom and will pay any price to get it back. Human sin is stubborn, but not as stubborn as the grace of God and not half so persistent, not half so ready to suffer to win its way…

…but to speak of grace without sin is surely no better. To do this is to trivialize the cross of Jesus Christ…and therefore to cheapen the grace of God that always comes to us with blood on it. What had we thought the ripping and writhing on Golgotha were all about? In short, for the Christian church…to ignore, euphemize, or otherwise mute the lethal reality of sin is to cut the nerve of the gospel. For the sober truth is that without full disclosure on sin, the gospel of grace becomes impertinent, unnecessary, and finally uninteresting.” —Plantinga

Application 1. Do you have a limited view of grace? 2. Do you think you are the #1 in the universe? 3. Does the grace of Jesus affect your life? —Do you look to him for victory over sin? —Check your grace monitor in your relationships to the Lord and others

Jesus– is He?

Second Description of Jesus: HE IS RICH Nicene Creed (AD 325) “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, begotten of the Father, Light of Light, very God of very God…” Arelius Prudentius (d. AD 413) “Of the Father’s love begotten Ere the worlds began to be He is Alpha and Omega, He the source the ending he Of the thing that are, that have been And that future years shall see Ever more and ever more”

Application 1.Rejoice in the glory of God in Christ Jesus—do not misunderstand the “frail baby”. 2.He is able to bring the resources of the Godhead to minister to us in need. 3.We must stop sinning and pursue his glory!

Jesus– is He?

Nicene Creed (AD 325) …Who for us men and for our salvation, came down and was incarnate and was made man; he suffered.” Arelius Prudentius (d.AD 413) O that birth forever blessed When the Virgin, full of grace By the Holy Ghost conceiving, Bore the Savior of our race And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer First revealed his sacred face, Ever more and ever more. Third description of Jesus: HE BECAME POOR

Application 1, Why did he become poor? ON ACCOUNT OF US!!! 2.Grace was never more clearly seen than in the advent of Jesus. 3.In tough times, remember—go to Him. He can sympathize 4. Be willing to suffer with Him.

Jesus– is He?

Fourth description concerns us! Because of Him WE BECOME RICH! Our Response? 1. You can become rich beyond your wildest imagination this Christmas. 2.Believe on Jesus for your salvation! 3.Live as one is rich—in spite of the outward circumstances of life.

Conclusion Satan wants to blur the ultimate question of life WHAT??? WHERE??? WHY??? But remember to start with

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS JESUS!