The Greatest Exchange in History

 This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on  April 6th 2025 by Navaz. For the audio & video please click here.  For the worship please click here.

INTRODUCTION

We are in the season of Lent, and it is good for us to reflect on the Cross and some of the things Jesus did for us.

As we know from Genesis chapter 3 to Calvary, God has been patiently pursuing lost humanity. Rebellion, waywardness, self-centeredness, pride, and self-rule are so deeply ingrained in our hearts that humans often run away from God, disobey Him, fall into trouble, and then cry out to Him as though He has neglected to look after them. God would rescue him with His mighty arm, and you would think that they would have learnt their lesson, but no. A few years later, the same downward spiral of rebellion and self will start, and the whole nation of Israel will be in a mess again.

But God. Thank God for the But God!! God had a plan set in eternity where the Lamb of God was slain before the foundations of the Earth were laid. Rev 13:8

Jesus, in the fullness of time, came to reconcile us to the Father (2 Cor. 5:18). He came to redeem humanity, which was enslaved to sin and Satan’s rule (1 Cor. 1:30). He came to restore us to our divine calling, which was given in the Garden of Eden – to rule, have stewardship of the earth, and increase and multiply so that, as God’s image bearers, God’s glory would fill the whole world. This is what we have been saved for!

But for all this to happen, another perfect human, a perfect second Adam, needed to come and show us how to be truly human the way God intended all along. Only He could pay the price, live a perfect life, redeem by one selfless act and surrender life that Adam had gambled away.

THE EXCHANGE

OUR PLIGHT		WHAT JESUS DID FOR US
·      Two Trees Where Adam ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil that led to death	Jesus hung on a cruel cross to give us life. 1Pet 2:24
·      Rejection We rejected God in our wayward rebellion and became orphaned beings.	Jesus took upon Himself our rejection so that we could be accepted. Matthew 27:46, Jesus cries out, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?", which translates to "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Is53, Eph1:5-6.
·      Sonship We were sons and children of God who became children of the devil.	Jesus, the Son of the Father, had to become a son of man so that we could become sons of God. Gal 3:26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith."
·      Unrighteousness	Jesus took upon Himself all our filth, our unrighteous acts, so that we could be clothed in His garments of righteousness. Zech 3:4 The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.”
·      Sin ·	He who knew no sin became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor 5:21. God made him who had no sin to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Shame We were filled with shame because of what we had done.	Jesus took our shame and gave us glory. Heb12:2 For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God
·      Guilt We were guilty as charged and needed to pay the penalty for our sins, which is death	. Jesus took our guilt and washed us clean. Is 53:6 and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. What is the difference between shame and guilt? Shame is an emotion you feel around something you may have done or about how someone makes you feel about what you have done. Guilt is focused on action or behaviour.
·      Punishment We deserve punishment because we are guilty.	But our punishment was laid upon Him, and by His stripes, we are healed from everything. Is 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."
·      Curse Adam and Eve were cursed for their transgression, and that curse was passed on to all humanity	Jesus took our punishment, guilt, shame and curse on the Cross. Gal 3:13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree'
·      Wrath A Holy God cannot stand sin. He was angry with sin	Jesus allowed the Father’s wrath to come upon Himself so that through the Cross, we might have peace with God. Rom 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Bondage ·	Jesus took all our bondages, oppression and pain on himself so that we could enjoy freedom. John 8:36, Gal 2:13-15, Gal 5:1 5 Stand[a] fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage
·      Mourning and heaviness ·	Jesus took our despair, mourning, and heaviness and gave us joy, hope, and beauty. Ps 30:11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off [a]my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,”. Is 61:3
·      Eternal Death and Damnation We deserve to die and be eternally separated from God	But Jesus paid the price so that we might have Eternal life. He died in my place so that I might live. He took our damnation and gave us destiny! Rom 6:23, John 10:10, John 3:16

THE PASSOVER LAMB

·      God’s timing is perfect. Jesus dies at the time the Passover is being celebrated. Did you know that lambs slaughtered for the Passover were reared in Bethlehem?  One perfect Lamb was also born in Bethlehem.

·      Where lambs were sacrificed every year, the Lamb of God was sacrificed once and for all, an atoning sacrifice for all of mankind’s sins for all time!!  (John1:29). This Lamb, just like the other Passover lambs, was without spot or blemish, and not a bone was broken or out of place.

·      Passover was about the liberation of enslaved people. The blood of a lamb was put on the wooden doorposts to save them (Ex 12:3). Now this Lamb shed His blood on a wooden cross to save us from death.

·      The firstborns of the oppressors were struck dead, while the firstborns of those under the blood were spared. God’s firstborn was struck in our place, and His shed blood protects us who believe.

·      Right from Eden, blood was sacrificed as a covering. Throughout the OT, we see blood spilled in sacrifice for repentance and atonement.

·      When Jesus died, blood and water flowed from His side (Jn 19:37, Zech 13:1) - blood for atonement, for the forgiveness of guilt.

Water – purification to wash stains.

This is symbolically displayed in the two ordinances or sacraments we are asked to follow, namely the Breaking of Bread and Water Baptism.

·      Sacrifices were made in the temple. Jesus talks about Himself as the temple when He says in three days, he will tear it down and raise it up. John 2:19 -21 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” The temple was associated with sacrifice (Jn 2:21). Blood and water flowed in the physical temple. There is blood sacrifice and ceremonial washing. Blood and water flow from Jesus's side into the world out of the temple.

Jn 7 -Rivers of living water will flow out from you

In Ezekiel 47, you see the water flowing out from the temple into the world, giving life wherever it flowed.

·      While the Jews were looking for liberation from Roman rule, Jesus liberated us from Satan’s rule. The former had bearing only in a particular time and space. The latter has implications for eternity.

CONCLUSION 

·      The Son of God became the son of Man so that we, the sons of Man, could become sons of God.

·      The eternal living one dies so that those condemned to eternal death might have life forevermore. 

This is the greatest exchange of all history. Let us stand and worship and take part in one ordinance instituted for us, which is the Breaking of Bread.

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

Focus 2024 - Part 3 - Who are you living for?

 

This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on January 21st 2024  by Colin. For the audio & video please click here.  For the worship please click here. ( Sorry there is no sermon recording for this message)

WHO ARE YOU LIVING FOR – Part 3

Matt 16:13 - When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He was. This is the greatest question you can be asked, and your answer will determine your future. This answer can only come by revelation.

1.  The Greatest Question and the Greatest Confession

Matt16:17 - 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.

At the end of time ( Rev20:7-10) we see the destiny of Satan and all who follow him.

Rev20:7-10 - 7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

V11. When Jesus came on the Earth there was no place for Him to be born. But at the end of time, we are told that Earth and sky will flee from His presence and both the great and small will stand before Him.

Revelation 20:11 - Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.

Today in our courts evil people can get away with murder but NOT on that Day. We are all guilty. Only those whose names are not written in the Book of Life will be thrown in the lake of fire. But those who have put their trust in Jesus will have their names written in the Lambs Book of Life! We cannot guarantee the number of days we live therefore today is the day of salvation!

2.  The Greatest Example

Jesus was the greatest example that ever lived! Heaven is an amazing place and that is what He left to come to Earth to identify with us. He came poor, homeless and then served and suffered a cruel death. At the CROSS he defeated Satan.

Heb 2:14-15 tells us how he defeated Satan

14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

Col2:14 tells us that He cancelled our debts and our sins were paid for.

 14 having cancelled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

2 Cor 5:21 His good deeds have been credited to us. His righteousness has been given to us.

God made him who had no sin to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

3.  The Greatest Commitment

Jesus asks each of us to make a choice. 

Matt 16:24 - Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 

Luke 14:25-26 - 25 Large crowds were travelling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.

Jesus is not impressed with the crowds. He turns to them and challenges them to become His disciples. This is outworked in practical ways. The following must be worked out in practical ways.

Deny: refuse to associate with. Deny is to disassociate with our needs, wants desires and selfishness.

Jim Elliot: He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

What are we willing to give up for the sake of the gospel? To see the great salvation of many will require a great commitment on our part.

4.  The Greatest Community – The church

Jesus came for His church, His bride. He died for His church.

Matt16:18 - And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 

One day everything will fade but the Church of Jesus will go on forever. It is a privilege to be a part of the church.

Every community has a code of conduct. Heb 10:25 – Let us not give up the habit of meeting together. We are here to be the Light of the World.

5.  The Greatest Return

Matt 16:27 Jesus will come back to reward each one according to what they have done. We live with this hope!

 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

Matt 24:30-31 He will come with power and glory to gather His elect.

30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth[c] will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.[d] 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

1Thes 4:16-18 The dead in Christ will rise first. We will be with the Lord forever.

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Rom 8:18 -  I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Rev 22:12 God is coming with His reward.

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

What is my answer to the greatest question?

What is our response in the face of suffering? Can we look to Jesus and say His grace is sufficient? Am I putting Christ first and do I value the church?

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.   

Six Signs that the Kingdom of God is near

 

This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on July 9th 2023  by Ranjit Rodrigues. For the audio & video please click here.  For the worship please click here.

Six Signs that the Kingdom of God is near

Matthew 6:31-33 - ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

When we come to Jesus, our souls find Him. We start thinking about how shall we seek, what should we do for Him.

When we come to Jesus, our souls find their home. Many children’s stories start as “Long time ago there was a kingdom and a king in it..” We were made to be ruled by a good king.

When we come to Jesus, our souls are at rest.

We are living in a very uncertain world. Very few things are stable and dependable. The Kingdom of God never goes down. If you put your money in His Kingdom, returns are guaranteed.

In the Bible, if you see, Jesus talked about His Kingdom many times. He was very clear. He has an agenda – Preaching Good News to all.

Jesus taught us the prayer – Let Your Kingdom come. Our prayers should be Kingdom prayers.

From the time of John, till now, the Kingdom of God is increasing. What should we be talking about? As you go, preach the message – The Kingdom of God is near.

Everything that Jesus is, everything that He does is for the Kingdom.

Here are the 6 signs that the Kingdom of God is near –

1. 1.     Kingdom of God overcomes spiritual darkness and Jesus becomes our King

Col 1:13 - For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.

There’s no place called “No man’s land”. You are either in the Kingdom of Son He loves or Kingdom of darkness.

What kingdom are you in?

Martin Lloyd Jones – Before he died, he thought of only this verse –

Rev 13:8 - 8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.

How do you get into the Kingdom of God? It is by putting our faith in Jesus.

All good things do not bring you into the Kingdom of God. St. Augustine wrote, “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they can find rest in you.”

Jesus is the King of the Kingdom. If you take Jesus out, there’s no Kingdom left. When the Queen of England died, the Kingdom did not end but continued. God’s Kingdom is greater than any other kingdom.

 

1. 2.     Kingdom of God overcomes condemnation and brings forgiveness and acceptance.

Luke 5:20-23 - 20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” 

21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?

Here, the greater issue was a sin. Man’s greatest problem is not poverty, hunger or illiteracy. Man’s greatest problem is that we are all sinners and we need a Savior. In the Kingdom of God, condemnation is taken away.

There was a man who used to steal nuts and bolts from train tracks. Someone saw him and felt that he needed a good education. So, he spent money and gave him an education at Harvard. The man after getting an education came back and started stealing the train tracks. Here, the key issue was not dealt with.

 

1. 3.     Kingdom of God overcomes confusion and wrongdoings and is replaced with righteousness.

Luke 19:8-9 - 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 

Jesus did not tell Zacchaeus to do that. When the Kingdom of God comes, everything changes. Righteousness replaces confusion and wrongdoings.

I used to smoke a lot. But after I got to know Jesus, I did not need it. I just left that habit. Righteousness is given to us and we become acceptable to God and we work out righteousness in our daily life.

1. 4.     Confusion and lack are replaced with God’s powerful peace.

Jesus said “Peace be with you.” when he met His disciples. Not as the world gives but the peace I give to you. Peace is a very powerful word.

The Greek word “Irene”. This is completely different from the English word “peace”.

The English word, “Peace” means the absence of conflict. But the Greek word, “Irene” means permanently reconciled and connected with Him. In the Kingdom of God, you and I have a permanent place and a connection with God. But peace with God precedes peace of God. How? It is by entering God’s Kingdom. All the benefits like healing, deliverance etc., follow later.

1. 5.     When the Kingdom of God breaks in even nature bows to its power

Mark 4:39 - ³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Do we deal with the forces of nature? Nature submits to God. So speak to fever, sickness, waves and storms of your lives.

 

1. 6.     When the Kingdom of God breaks in misery is removed and joy replaces it.

 John 15:11 - ¹¹ I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Joy of the Lord is my strength and the misery of the devil is my weakness. Miserable Christians are a contradiction. Joy of the Lord is like glucose. We survive because of His joy.

Application:

a.     Seek the King and enjoy His presence

No King, No Kingdom. Let us make time and seek Jesus. Let the busyness of our lives not take over.

b.     Learn to love what the King loves and learn to hate what the King hates. When we love Jesus, we start loving everything that He loves.

c.      Let us serve the King

We don’t get rewards because of our titles but for what we do for the King and His Kingdom.

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.