The cosmic battle for your soul

Topics: Grace of Christ

I. Christ alone offers the gift of grace

* Christ's gift of grace is bestowed on every Christian!

1. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift (Eph. 4:7).
2. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).
3. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).

II. Christ alone can set the captives free

* Christ conquered all enemies' depravity, the devil and death!

1. Therefore, it says, "When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men?" (Ephesians 4:8).
2. (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? (Ephesians 4:9).
3. Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You." But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth?" (Matthew 12:38-40).
4. He looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses? (Acts 2:31, 32).

III. Christ alone is the one who fills all things

* Christ fills the whole universe with His presence!

1. He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) (Ephesians 4:10).
2. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything (Colossians 1:18).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, September 7th, 2025.

Life Group Flow and Discussion Questions

The cosmic battle for your soul

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Remembering that we fight from victory and not for victory is essential in living an abundant triumphant life. How can your Life Group encourage one another with this daily victorious mindset and spiritual influence (2 Corinthians 2:14)?

Getting Started:

1. How does it impact your gratitude to understand the cost of grace and the radical measures Jesus took to rescue your soul (Colossians 1:13, 14)?
2. What is a biblical definition of grace? How does God's grace differ from God's mercy?

Discussing Truths:

1. Why did Jesus tell the thief on the cross, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise?" (Luke 23:43)?
2. What makes the story of the rich man and Lazarus different from the parables that Jesus told His audience (Luke 16:19-31)?
3. How does God's great love for us (Ephesians 2:4-7; 1 John 3:1-3) inspire grace-motivated obedience?
4. Discuss the glorious ascension of Jesus Christ as Sovereign Victor over Satan, sin and death! How should that change our attitudes?
5. Why was the incarnation of Christ necessary to accomplish our spiritual liberation (Hebrews 2:14-17)?
6. How does the Apostle's Creed support the persuasion that Jesus descended into Hades and liberated those faithful saints held captive there?

Now What? Application:

1. First, have you received the free gift of God's grace in salvation (Ephesians 2:8, 9)? Next, are you walking in freedom because Jesus has set you free (Isaiah 61:1)? Thirdly, are you allowing Jesus to fill you completely (John 15:11; Colossians 1:18)?
2. Ask God every day to lovingly manifest Jesus' active presence in and through you so that lives are transformed forever!