The afternoon session is perhaps the toughest to lead as several thousand tired brains wrestle with over-full stomachs to stay awake and alert. Who better to help us in this battle than a loud South African who gets excited as he preaches!
Stephen began by reminding us of Abraham and his faith-filled obedience to God’s call, and his faithfulness during the long delay in the birth of a child. He then reminded us of the astonishing command of God to sacrifice his miracle son of promise, who represented everything he had hoped and longed for.
It is one of the great faith stories of the Bible, and is included in Hebrews 11.
Steve then compared the events on mount Moriah and Calvery. The venue, the fathers, and the sons all had similar roles.
At the point of climax they are altogether different, because the Lord provided a ram for Abraham, but there was no substitute for Jesus. Jesus was the sin-bearer. He was the lamb slain on our behalf.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son” (John 3:16)
Christ died for us!
This is the grand story. It shows us how God loves us. What are the implications?
Philippians 1:1-11
Grace To You
We must be touched by grace personally and deeply as leaders before we touch anything else. Salvation is from God from start to finish. It began with God. He is the author. God finishes what he starts. Our confidence is in Jesus not how many people are coming to the meeting. Our commendation comes from Jesus and is for being faithful.
Grace on Display
Christianity was never meant to be private. God is after a people, a gospel community living for the glory of God. As a body we are to declare to the outsiders, this is what this town could look like if only Jesus was your lord and savior. We are saints because of what Jesus has done. We show wherever we live what it could be like if Jesus was Lord
Grace to the Nations
Not static, but on the move. The community of believers must be connected to God’s global purposes. This is played out through a relationship. They were partners with Paul. This is how they got involved with mission. God saves us by grace, connects us to a community of grace, and then that community gets connected to apostles and hence God’s mission. Its God’s desire that every local church is connected in a genuine gospel partnership with someone who actually knows you.
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