Sermon Central
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Bridging The Gap
Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 16, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: How the gap between man and God is bridged by the Savior, by Submission, by Suffering, by the Scriptures, by Supplication, and by the Second Coming. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.
Bridging the Gap
http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BridgingTheGap.html
EZEK.22:30 "I sought for a man that should stand in the gap"
THERE IS A GAP BETWEEN: [examples]
A. Teens and Adults.
B. Communists and Capitalist.
C. Black and White.
D. Heaven and hell.
LUKE 16:30 "Between us and you there is a great gulf fixed"
Spiritually there is a gap between man and God, but…
1. THE GAP IS BRIDGED BY THE SAVIOR. (JH.14:6 - ACTS 4:12)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
a. He is our mediator. (I TIM.2:5)
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
b. He is our Advocate. (I JN.2:2)
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
c. He is our Intercessor. (Heb.7:25)
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
d. He is our High Priest. (Heb.4:14)
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
2. THE GAP IS BRIDGED BY SALVATION. (I PET. 2:5)
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
a. We are branches grafted into vine. (Jn.15:2)
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
b. We are members adopted into the body. (I Cor.12:13)
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
c. We are children born into the family. (Jn 1:12)
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
d. We are sheep in God’s flock. (Jn.10:27)
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
3. THE GAP IS BRIDGED BY SUBMISSION. (EPH. 4:13)
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
a. Younger to submit to the elder. (I Pet.5:5)
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
b. Wives to submit to husbands.
(I Pet. 3:1, Eph. 5 says ‘to one another’)
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
c. Servants to submit to Masters. (Titus 2:9)
Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
d. Children to submit to parents. (Eph. 6:1)
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
e. Believers to submit to one another (Eph.5:21)
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
4. THE GAP IS BRIDGED BY SUFFERING.
A. The suffering of Christ. (I Pet. 3:18)
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
B. The suffering of Christians. (I Pet. 4:12)
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
God is bringing things together and filling in gaps in our lives!
5. THE GAP IS BRIDGED BY THE SCRIPTURES (EPH. 4:11,12)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
All ministers are to be perfecting the saints, and filling in holes in lives!
