Our Sufficiency In Christ Sufficient Acceptance

SceneTopicPoint #1AlienationEach of us is born alienated from God. #2ReconciliationChrist has reconciled us to God. #3AcceptanceChrist will present us fully acceptable to God. #4ExhortationDon’t stop believing this.

Sufficient Acceptance Fuzzy Cloud “Christ is sufficient… …for character growth.” What Exactly Happens Here?

Our Sufficiency In Christ Week 1: Sufficient Hope Week 2: Sufficient Wisdom Week 3: Sufficient Control Week 4: Sufficient Acceptance Week 5: Sufficient Power

Sufficient Acceptance 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now [Christ] has reconciled you by [his] physical body through death to present you holy in [God’s] sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. Scene #1 – Alienation

Sufficient Acceptance Scene #1 – Alienation An Illustration from Marriage: The Story of John Barger “I swaggered through my marriage for many years, ruling my wife, Susan, and my seven children with an iron hand while citing Scripture as justification for my privileges and authority. Years of dominating my wife and children left them habitually resentful and fearful of me, yet unwilling to challenge me because of the fury it might provoke. I alienated Susan and the children and lost their love. Home wasn't a pleasant place to be.”

Sufficient Acceptance Scene #1 – Alienation An Illustration from Marriage: The Story of John Barger “Then a number of dramatic events occurred which brought a profound change in my moral, psychological and spiritual life. The first of these events was when Susan began to hemorrhage in delivering our baby that was still-born. At two in the morning, in a stark, bright hospital delivery room, I held in my left hand my tiny, lifeless son and stared in disbelief at his death.”

Sufficient Acceptance Scene #1 – Alienation An Illustration from Marriage: The Story of John Barger “I realized at that moment I had the power to make my family's lives worse by raging against my baby's death and my wife's lack of love - or to make their lives better by learning to love them properly. I had to choose. In that instant, by God's grace, I chose the arduous, discouraging path of trying to be good.”

Sufficient Acceptance Scene #1 – Alienation An Illustration from Marriage: The Story of John Barger “Frankly, once I started listening to Susan, I was startled at how many were her wounds and sorrows….Well, it took three years of patience, listening, and growing in Susan's trust, spending literally hundreds of hours talking. But eventually, Susan's anger dissipated, overcoming her cynicism.”

Sufficient Acceptance Scene #1 – Alienation Explanation of Verse 21 We were alienated from God. We were hostile to God in our thoughts. We were hostile to God in our actions.

Sufficient Acceptance 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now [Christ] has reconciled you by [his] physical body through death to present you holy in [God’s] sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. Scene #2 – Reconciliation

Sufficient Acceptance Scene #2 – Reconciliation An Illustration from the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Sufficient Acceptance Scene #2 – Reconciliation An Illustration from the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Sufficient Acceptance Scene #2 – Reconciliation An Illustration from the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Sufficient Acceptance Scene #2 – Reconciliation Explanation of Verse 22a God took the initiative in our reconciliation. The reconciliation is complete. The cost of this reconciliation was the death of Christ.

Sufficient Acceptance 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now [Christ] has reconciled you by [his] physical body through death to present you holy in [God’s] sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. Scene #3 – Acceptance

Sufficient Acceptance Scene #3 – Acceptance An Illustration from the Murder of Gerald Gase

Sufficient Acceptance Scene #3 – Acceptance Explanation of Verse 22b Holy = Morally Pure Without Blemish = No Moral Defect Without Accusation = Chargeless

Sufficient Acceptance 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now [Christ] has reconciled you by [his] physical body through death to present you holy in [God’s] sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. Scene #4 – Exhortation

Sufficient Acceptance Scene #4 – Exhortation An Illustration from Racing

Sufficient Acceptance Scene #4 – Exhortation God’s Perspective: Our Perspective: Holy Spirit Came Here God’s Children Will Continue in the Faith (Ephesians 1:13-14) God’s Children Must Continue in the Faith (Colossians 1:23) Here? Life Timeline