THE GRACE SERIES

THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE- – EPHESIANS 1:1-7

Art Davison THE GRACE SERIES 0 Comment
THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE
EPHESIANS 1:1-7

Introduction:

The message of the riches of the grace of God is a vast subject. This message will only touch a very small part of it. In the preparation of this message I have been made aware again of how great God’s love for man is.
Man is a sinner and at best he has failed to recommend himself to God. His ONLY HOPE is Jesus Christ.
In this message we will see the riches of God’s goodness, the riches of His glory, the riches of His redemption and the riches of His love for mankind.
I. The Riches of His Goodness
“In man is NOT a mere passive quality, but the deliberate preference of right to wrong, the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil, and the choosing and following of all moral good.” Romans 2:4, “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
A. God’s forbearance, Romans 3:25, “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”
B. His longsuffering, 1 Peter 3:20, “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.”
C. His Goodness leads us to repentance, 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
II. The Riches of His Glory
A. The vessels of mercy Romans 9:23, “And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,” (See v. 21)
B. His glory through his kindness toward us, Ephesians 2:7, “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
C. The praise of his glory, Ephesians 1:12-13, “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”
III. The Riches of Redemption Through his blood.
A. The forgiveness of sins, Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
B. Justification through His blood, Romans 5:9, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
IV. THE RICHES OF HIS LOVE
Matthew 6:31-32, “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”
A. The Riches of His Supply, Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
1. His Riches are “Exceeding abundant,” 1 Timothy 1:14, “And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”
2. His Riches are shed on us abundantly Titus 3:6, “Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;”
B. They are More Precious than Earthly Riches, Hebrews 11:26, “Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”
C. They are Enduring Riches, Proverbs 8:18, “Riches and honour are with me; yea, DURABLE RICHES and righteousness.”
1. The treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Christ, Colossians 2:3, In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
2. The treasure of sound wisdom and its application, Proverbs 8:5, O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
3. The Lord helps us to know how we should pray, Romans 8:26, Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
CONCLUSION
4. The Riches of God’s Grace is far beyond our ability to comprehend and yet we are the recipients of that grace. We are the ones who enjoy the blessings that flow from the font of God in Heaven. We are the ones toward whom His love flows and to whom His blessings are aimed. That ought to make us thankful to our Savior Jesus Christ for that grace.
5. The Lord is good to all of us, Psalms 145:8, “The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.”

THE GRACE OF GOD- – I CORINTHIANS 15:8-11

Art Davison THE GRACE SERIES 0 Comment
THE GRACE OF GOD
I CORINTHIANS 15:8-11

Introduction:

What is the grace of God? The Greek word charis means FAVOR, that is, that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, or loveliness.
In relation to God’s will, it refers to loving-kindness, the merciful kindness by which God, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ. By His grace He keeps and strengthens the believer and increases their faith, knowledge and affection. By His grace He moves in the heart of the believer to exercise his Christian virtues.
I. WHAT DOES THE GRACE OF GOD DO?
A. It saves those who receive Christ by faith, Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
1. The basis is grace.
2. The only means is faith, Romans 3:22, 25, “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”
B. It gives direction to our lives, Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
1. Salvation is God’s workmanship.
2. We were saved by His grace “unto good works.”
3. Our purpose in life is “that we should walk in them,” that is, glorify God through serving Him.
II. WHAT GRACE DID IN PAUL’S LIFE.
1 Corinthians 9:19-27
A. I made myself servant unto all, v. 19, “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.”
1. To them that are under the law, v. 20, “And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;”
2. To them that are without law, v. 21, “To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.”
3. I am made all things to all men, v. 22, “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
B. This I do for the gospel’s sake, v. 23, “And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.”
1. Paul was motivated by what God’s grace had done for him and not by possible reward.
2. The change in the believer’s life should move him to serve the Lord, 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
III. WHAT THE GRACE OF GOD HAS DONE ACCORDING TO PETER.
A. Peter shows that the Grace of God is not a new thing.
1. God determined in eternity past that Jesus would die for our sins, Acts 2:23, “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:”
2. Peter shows how that by the grace of God we have become “a peculiar people,” 1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”
a. “Peculiar” means a “purchased possession,” one who has been obtained, 1 Corinthians 7:23, “Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.”
b. We were not a people before the grace of God, 1 Peter 2:10, “Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”
B. The God of all grace is mentioned by Peter referring our future glory, 1 Peter 5:10, “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

1. He has called us unto his eternal glory, that is, Heaven.

2. After we have suffered a while,…

a. Make you perfect –“to equip, put in order.”

b. Stablish you,… “to make stable or firm.”

c. Strengthen you,… “to cause or make to stand.”

d. Settle you, “to lay the foundation,” that is, to ground you in the truth.

GROW IN LOVE AND KNOWLEDGE- – COLOSSIANS 1:3-6; 2 PETER 3:18

Art Davison THE GRACE SERIES 0 Comment
GROW IN LOVE AND KNOWLEDGE
COLOSSIANS 1:3-6; 2 PETER 3:18
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory now and for ever. Amen.”
Introduction:
The Apostle John tells us, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” (1 John 3:14a). Verse 16 of the same passage tells that our love toward our brethren should be like that of our Lord for them, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” Let’s examine our love for the brethren and others, as well as our love of knowledge of the Lord.
I.    LOVE FOR THE BRETHREN
A. UNFEIGNED love, 1 Peter 1:22, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:”
1. “Above all things have fervent charity [love] among yourselves,” 1 Peter 4:8, “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”
2. Genuine [unfeigned] love, John 13:34, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
B. Love with a PURE HEART, 1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
C. Some of the QUALITIES of fervent love, 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;”
1. Love suffers long, = to persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles.
2. Love is kind, to show one’s self mild.
3. Love does not envy.
4. Love is not proud.
5. Love is not easily provoked, to arouse to anger.
6. Love thinks not evil, Numbers 12:3, “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)”
II. FOR THE SINNING BROTHER
A. He “shall save a soul from death,” James 5:20, “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”
1. The subject here is sin among believers.
2. The “death” here is physical death, not spiritual death.
B. He “shall hide a multitude of sins,” Proverbs 10:12, “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” 1 Peter 4:8, “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”
III. KNOWLEDGE OF OUR GOD AND SAVIOR
A. Seek to know more of him in his divine nature.
1. In his human relationship, John 13:1, “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”
2. In his finished work, John 5:17, “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.”
3. In his death, Philippians 3:10, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”
4. In his resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:19-21, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.”
5. In his present glorious intercession, 1 John 2:1, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”
6. And in his future His royal advent, John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
B. The best tests of growth in grace is…
1. An increase in love for Jesus, Matthew 22:37, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”
2. A more perfect understanding of his love toward us…
a. He laid down his life for us, 1 John 3:16, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
b. God sent his Son to be the propitiation [the means of appeasing] for our sins, 1 John 4:10, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
c. If we love one another his love is perfected in us, 1 John 4:12, “No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” [to accomplish a goal]
CONCLUSION
Are we growing in grace? If you don’t see some of these signs in your life, perhaps it is time to take stock to see where you stand in your relationship with Christ.

GROW IN GRACE- – COLOSSIANS 1:3-6; 2 PETER 3:18

Art Davison THE GRACE SERIES 0 Comment
GROW IN GRACE
COLOSSIANS 1:3-6; 2 PETER 3:18

“ But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

Introduction:

I am not speaking of a grace, but all of the graces mentioned in the Scriptures. This is the Christian growing and maturing in the knowledge of what Christ has done for us in Salvation and beyond in our Christian experience.

I.   GROW IN THE ROOT OF GRACE – FAITH

A. BELIEVING the promises, Romans 4:20-21, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

B. INCREASING our faith,
1. Lack of faith limits what we can do for the Lord, Mathew 17:19-20, “Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
2. Lack of faith results in not being filled with God’s FULLNESS, Ephesians 3:19, “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”
3. Strengthening our faith in the Lord results in CONSTANCY, Romans 4:20, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;” 1 Peter 5:10, “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
4. Strong faith sees the SIMPLICITY that is in Christ, (not self seeking, openness of heart manifesting itself by generosity), 2 Corinthians 11:3, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
II. GROW IN HUMILITY.

A. Seek to grow UPWARD.
1. Having FELLOWSHIP IN PRAYER with the Lord, Psalm 69:13, “But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.”
2. Having more INTIMATE FELLOWSHIP with Jesus, 1 Corinthians 1:9, “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 John 1:3, “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may
have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”
B. Seek to “grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour.” Ephesians 3:19, “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” Philippians 1:9, “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;”

III. GROW IN LOVE…

A. For the brethren, 1 Peter 1:22, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:”
B. For the lost sinner, James 5:20, “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”
IV. REST NOT CONTENT WITHOUT AN INCREASING KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS

A. Seek to know more of him in his divine nature.

1. In his human relationship, John 13:1, “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”

2. In his finished work, John 5:17, “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.”
3. In his death, Philippians 3:10, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”
4. In his resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:19-21, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.”
5. In his present glorious intercession, 1 John 2:1, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”
6. And in his future His royal advent, John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

B. The best tests of growth in grace is…
1. An increase in love for Jesus, Matthew 22:37, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”
2. A more perfect understanding of his love toward us…
a. He laid down his life for us, 1 John 3:16, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

b. God sent his Son to be the propitiation [the means of appeasing] for our sins, 1 John 4:10, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

c. If we love one another his love is perfected in us, 1 John 4:12, “No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.”

CONCLUSION

Are we growing in grace? If you don’t see some of these signs in your life, perhaps it is time to take stock to see where you stand in your relationship to Christ.