God's Grace is Greater | Adam 2.0 | Pastor Greg Ford Sermon | One Church Columbus

ICEBREAKER:

What is your dream vacation and why?

MESSAGE NOTES:

Series: Eden Talks

Sermon: Adam 2.0

Text: Genesis 3 + Romans 5

[Genesis 3:6-7]

The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

[Romans 5:12-14]

When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. 13 Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. 14 Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come.

[Genesis 25:29-34]

One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry. 30 Esau said to Jacob, “I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!” 31 “All right,” Jacob replied, “but trade me your rights as the firstborn son.” 32 “Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?” 33 But Jacob said, “First you must swear that your birthright is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left.

Impact Bias

Impact bias, a cognitive bias, is the tendency to overestimate the intensity or the duration of future emotions and states of feeling.

Focalism

Focalism is the tendency to place too much focus or emphasis on a single factor or piece of information when making judgments or predictions.

[Genesis 3:3]

God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’”

[Genesis 3:6]

She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it.

[Genesis 25:29-32]

…Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry. 30 Esau said to Jacob, “I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!” 31 “All right,” Jacob replied, “but trade me your rights as the firstborn son.” 32 “Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau.

How do we get better?

[Romans 5:14-17]

Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. 15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

Do you believe that God’s grace is far greater than your sin, or do you believe that it’s a really close race?

[Romans 5:18-19]

Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

[Romans 5:21]

So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[Matthew 6:25-26]

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

[Romans 6:1-2]

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?

[Romans 6:23]

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

[Romans 7:18-19]

…I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.

[Romans 8:1]

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

[Romans 8:26]

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.

[Romans 8:35]

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

[Romans 8:35-38]

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

[Acts 4:33-35]

…And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

[Hosea 6:6]

I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.

[Matthew 9:13]

Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

QUESTION 1: Like Adam and Eve, what ecosystem has God given you to manage? How can we practically avoid temptation, and how do we respond when we make the mistake?

QUESTION 2: Do you believe that God’s grace is a step ahead of your sin? Why or why not?

QUESTION 3: Personally, what is your biggest takeaway from the parallel stories of Adam & Eve and Jacob & Esau?

QUESTION 4: What has been your experience with impact bias / focalism?

GUIDED PRAYER:

God thank you for your grace that covers my weakness. Help me to manage and steward well, all that you’ve entrusted me with. I praise and worship you. AMEN.

One ChurchAugust 2, 2023