Coming Out of Babylon: Embracing God’s Grace and Everlasting Gospel
Introduction
Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the concept of Babylon in the Bible, reframing it not just as an external system but as a mindset of pride and works-based salvation that can affect even believers. The speaker emphasises God’s grace, the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice, and the assurance of salvation through faith in Jesus. The sermon challenges listeners to move away from self-reliance and performance-based faith towards resting in God’s everlasting gospel.
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Key Points:
- Babylon represents pride and works-based salvation
- God called Abraham out of Babylon to teach about salvation by grace through faith
- The story of Abraham and Isaac illustrates God’s provision and self-sacrifice
- Pride can be subtle, even manifesting in spiritual achievements
- The judgment is ultimately about Jesus’ worthiness, not our performance
- The everlasting gospel causes Babylon (works-based salvation) to fall
- Salvation is transformational, not transactional
- Believers can be confident in their salvation through faith in Christ
Scripture Reference:
- Genesis 11 (Tower of Babel)
- Genesis 22 (Abraham and Isaac)
- Daniel 4:30 (Nebuchadnezzar’s pride)
- Revelation 14:6-12 (Three Angels’ Messages)
- Revelation 17-18 (Babylon the Great)
📖 Daily Reading Plan
Day 1: Coming Out of Babylon
Reading: Genesis 11:1-9, Genesis 12:1-3
Devotional: The story of the Tower of Babel reminds us of humanity’s tendency towards pride and self-reliance. Like the people of Babel, we often try to build our own towers to reach God, relying on our own efforts and works. But God calls us, as He called Abram, to come out of this mindset. Reflect on areas in your life where you might be trying to earn God’s favor through your own efforts. How can you shift your focus from self-reliance to God-reliance? Remember, God’s call is not about what we can do for Him, but about what He wants to do through us.
Day 2: The God Who Provides
Reading: Genesis 22:1-14
Devotional: The story of Abraham and Isaac reveals a profound truth about God’s character – He is Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son was not about blind obedience, but about trusting God’s provision. God doesn’t demand our sacrifices; He offers Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. Consider how this changes your perspective on your relationship with God. Are there areas where you feel you need to “earn” God’s love? Remember, just as God provided the ram for Abraham, He has provided Jesus as the perfect sacrifice for us. Rest in His provision today.
Day 3: Grace Over Works
Reading: Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:21-24
Devotional: The heart of the gospel is grace – God’s unmerited favor towards us. In a world that often values performance and achievement, it’s easy to fall into a works-based mindset in our spiritual lives. But Paul reminds us that salvation is a gift, not a reward for our good deeds. Reflect on how this truth impacts your daily life. Do you find yourself striving to be “good enough” for God? Remember, your worth is not based on what you do, but on what Christ has done for you. How might your life look different if you fully embraced this truth?
Day 4: The Everlasting Gospel
Reading: Revelation 14:6-7, John 3:16-17
Devotional: The “everlasting gospel” mentioned in Revelation is a powerful reminder of God’s unchanging love and plan for humanity. This good news isn’t just for a specific time or people – it’s eternal and universal. God’s love for you was established before the foundation of the world. How does this impact your view of your own salvation? Does it bring you comfort to know that God’s plan for your redemption has always been in place? Take time to thank God for His eternal love and the security we have in Christ.
Day 5: Resting in God’s Judgment
Reading: Revelation 5:9-14, Romans 8:1-4
Devotional: The idea of judgment often brings fear, but for those in Christ, it should bring comfort. The judgment described in Revelation is ultimately about Jesus being found worthy. His worthiness becomes our assurance. We don’t stand before God based on our own merits, but on Christ’s perfect life and sacrifice. How does this change your perspective on judgment? Instead of fearing condemnation, we can rejoice in our advocate, Jesus Christ. Today, practice resting in the finished work of Christ, knowing that in Him, you are accepted and loved.
💬 Discussion Question
In what ways do we sometimes build our own ‘Towers of Babel’ in our spiritual lives? How can we recognize and address pride in our religious practices?
How does the concept of the ‘everlasting gospel’ challenge or affirm your understanding of salvation? What implications does this have for how we view our relationship with God?
How can we balance the assurance of salvation through faith in Jesus with the call to ‘patient endurance’ and keeping God’s commands as mentioned in Revelation?
📣Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with grateful hearts, acknowledging Your profound love and grace. Thank You for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, who sacrificed Himself for us and freed us from the burden of self-reliance. Help us to embrace Your everlasting gospel, to rest in the assurance of Your grace, and to turn away from pride and works. Lead us out of the confusions of Babylon and into the light of Your truth. Fill us with Your Spirit, transforming us to reflect Your love and character. May we stand firm in our faith, confident in Your promises, as we journey in Your kingdom of grace and rest. In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.
📣 Call to Action
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📚 Small Group Guide
Our Bunbury Church Small Group Guide extends the weekly devotional into focused discussions, offering practical support and deeper exploration of God’s word for those eager to grow in Christ.
