Message Notes

YAG RETREAT II
Session #4
Tuesday, 1 November 2005
Evening Session
Theme: The Great Makeover
CONTEMPLATION OF TRIUMPH OVER SIN
KEY TEXTS

A. The Blessings of God Ephesians 1

B. The Redemption in Christ

1. Appreciating our salvation in Christ

a) Before salvation

b) Salvation by grace

c) Through the Lord Jesus Christ Ephesians 2

2. Doctrine of Salvation

Well covered in the Epistle to the Romans

C. The Power of God

1. Prayer for the power of God to operate in life Ephesians 1
2. An appreciation of the greatness of God’s power in our life Ephesians 3

D. The Ministry of the Church

1. Ministers of God Ephesians 3, 4
2. Members of the Body of Christ Ephesians 4:15-16

INTRODUCTION

A. The Triumphant Redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ

1. Justification by grace

Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

Romans 3:24

2. The Place of Faith

Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace…

Romans 4:16

Therefore, having being justified by faith…

Romans 5:1

3. Access to God

Through whom (Christ) also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God

Romans 5:2

4. The Hope God has placed in our heart

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 5:3

5. The Gift of the Spirit of God

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 5:4

6. The Promise of Grace

But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more…

Romans 5:20b

B. The Continuing Sanctifying Work of God

1. Our Identification with Christ in Baptism

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life

Romans 6:4

2. Our old sinful nature is crucified with Christ

Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin

Romans 6:6

3. Set free from the power of sin

And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness

Romans 6:18

4. Newness of the Spirit

So that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit

Romans 7:6b

5. Deliverance through the Lord Jesus

O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God – through Jesus Christ our Lord

Romans 7:24

C. THE SPECIAL WORK OF TRANSFORMATION

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord

2 Corinthians 3:18

1. The work of transforming us into the image of the Lord Jesus
2. This is a special work of the Spirit of God
3. There will be a glorious transformation

D. RETREAT CHALLENGES

1. It is vital that we understand that Change is to be found in the context of the Redemptive work of Christ
2. It is of utmost importance that we wait patiently as we observe how the Spirit of God works in our life, transforming us.
3. Our part:

a) To understand

b) To appreciate

c) To yield to the leading of the Spirit of God