Going on in Grace We have shared about being grounded in grace, and growing in grace we start today with another message series about grace: Going on in Grace. Gal. 1: 6-12
What was the greatest battle that Paul fought? Why do you think he was persecuted? Most of the time over this doctrine of grace; He devoted much of his letters to this subject and in fact one entire letter was devoted to this issue.
HE ENCOURAGED THE BELIEVERS TO GO ON IN GRACE. WHY DID HE HAVE TO CONSTANTLY DO THIS?
Because the message of grace: forgives the unfaithful spouse; it forgives the rapist, the child abuser, the addict, the aids riddled homosexual. IT RUNS TO WELCOME THE PRODICAL, WHO HAS NOT ONLY DESTROYED HIS WORLD BUT YOURS AS WELL.
IT WASHES THE FEET OF THE BETRAYER, IT FORGIVES WHILE BEING CRUCIFEID, IT TURNS THE OTHER CHEEK, IT SITS DOWN AT A WELL WITH THE WOMAN WHOSE LIFE HAS CONSISTED OF HUSBAND AFTER HUSBAND AND OFFERS HER THE WATER THAT WILL QUENCH HER THIRST FOR LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE.
Why is it a battle? Because it allows us, you and I to be the individual God created us to be. It allows us to love and accept and forgive the ones who have torn our world apart. It reaches out to a Maple who is now 84, but at the age of 15 sold her baby and her body, and says to her “grace to you maple welcome to the family of God”.
It is a battle when we are on the hurt end but it is a blessing when we are on the hurting end.
Many leave a church that preaches this message of grace, and many flock to hear it as well. Some have left our church because we have preached this message, and many won’t come because we practice it.
Grace does not excuse sin, but it offers hope to the saint and sinner alike that sins.
As we allow God to EXPRESS HIS CHARACTHER (THE GOD OF ALL GRACE) THROUGH US, WE WILL BECOME DISPENSERS OF GRACE.
I want to encourage you this morning to GO ON IN GRACE IN THREE AREAS;
1. GO ON IN GRACE IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD; Gal. give some history, does any one know who the Judaizers were? Add something to salvation; Circumcision; if this was followed then a person’s relationship with God was based on works. Performance based acceptance. Paul’s response to this intrusion: Gal.1: 6-12 in other words, “now what scripture and verse did you get this from”;
Gal. 2:15-21; how did Paul say he lived in 2:20; Now Application: WHAT IS YOUR CIRCUMCISION? What can make you more justified than you are? Our relationship to God is based entirely on JESUS CHRIST PERFORMACE NOT OURS!!!! God was satisfied with the blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins, why can’t we be satisfied with our forgiveness or the one who has hurt us? Read the following passages and then listen to the question…. Col.2: 8-3:4; Gal.3: 21-29; …Again I ask you what is your circumcision?
2. GO ON IN GRACE IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH LIFE; In this life we are going to encounter the opportunity to sin. I want to address this issue of sin as it relates to grace. Many people depart the true grace of God here because they believe it gives people a license to sin. People are going to sin with out a license. Because of the grace of God three things you need to know about the sin issue.
a. The penalty for our sins has been paid, why would you go on throughout your life trying to pay for your sins or trying to pay God back for His payment? Romans 3:19-23; Romans 5:1-2; Romans 8:1-2; Heb.10: 1-18; YOU HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN FOR HOW MANY OF YOUR SINS? ALL OF THEM, PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE!!
b. THE POWER OF SIN HAS BEEN BROKEN; where does sin get its power? 1 Cor.15: 56; Are we saved by grace or law? Romans 5:12-21; God’s grace broke the power of sin; and now you can reign in life, you and I don’t have to let sin reign over us. God went to great expense to break the power of canceled sin, and set the prisoner free, his blood can make the foulest clean His blood availed for me!!!!! Are you living right now in a state of mind that you sense you are under the power of sin? You just can’t forgive, you just can’t reconcile, you just can’t get free from the addiction, and you just can’t rest and trust God with your family? Then my friend I have great news for you, Sin has lost its’ power over you, the devil had the keys taken away, don’t give them back. God through His son Jesus Christ has given the keys to abundant life to you don’t give them up.
c. The presence of sin has been dealt with; sin that is in our face on our plate every day; what am I to do? Well the penalty of sin has been paid; the Grace of God, so now lets address the practical side about the presence of sin so we can experience the reality that Jesus has broken the power of sin. Romans 6:1-18
a. A death we must accept 6-11 the death that has been arranged;
b. A desire we must have; 8-11; to be alive to God
c. A decision we must make; 12-14 we don’t let sin reign in our bodies
GOING ON IN GRACE: Get two things settled; In your relationship with the Lord; Go on in Grace not law, not rules but a vital relationship based on grace, and in your relationship with life as you encounter the opportunity to allow God to express His grace through you into the hurt, decisions, and circumstances of life. Go on in Grace.
