Category: Grace
Subject: Grace
COVID-19 (1) Remember the Works of the Lord
I have decided to write what I hope to be a daily, short article, to help everyone at West Side (another others who read it) during this time of isolation from one another. I will at least do the weekdays, though I can’t promise which time of day it will be posted. (I’m not that organized!)
The 77th Psalm, a psalm of Asaph, begins as follows:
“I cried out to God with my voice— to God my voice;
And He gave ear to me.
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;
My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing;
My soul refused to be comforted.
I remembered God, and was troubled;
I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed” (1-3).
Today is a day of trouble for our nation, and brethren everywhere. We are concerned and anxious, and there is a tendency in times such as these to question. We appeal to God and we ask why? We complain, we feel overwhelmed. It is hard for us to focus on the blessings of God; to trust in His providential care; to see the possibility of an end to our suffering. We ask with the Psalmist, “Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?” (9).
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The Patternists: To Whom and to What Should We Appeal?
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul expressed the purpose of his ministry and our work as Christians, given by God. “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily” (1:27-29). Paul taught men the doctrine of Christ, and established disciples (learners) of Him. It enabled Paul — and enables us as well — to present to the Lord mature, capable saints.
If we denigrate, alter, or substitute for the gospel of our Lord, what will we become? For those who chafe at the idea of adhering to the pattern of the New Covenant of our Lord, what do you offer? Paul addressed that question in chapters two and three in his letter to the Colossians.
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Be The Exception
A friend recently lent me a book to read. There is much good material in it. In one chapter, the basic premise is the need to recognize that the world is broken.
It is not something that should shock us. Rather than get surprised and offended when we see evil, we should instead note its commonality, and give thanks to God for His intervention and ultimate cure for sin. Following is a quote from the book:
War is not exceptional; peace is. Worry is not exceptional; trust is. Decay is not exceptional; restoration is. Anger is not exceptional; gratitude is. Selfishness is not exceptional; sacrifice is. Defensiveness is not exceptional; love is. And judgmentalism is not exceptional… But grace is.
(Brant Hansen, Unoffendable, page 40)
It is in this way that Christians are able to be an influence for good in our world (cf. Matthew 5:13-14). In the midst of a broken world, we are to be peacemakers, to trust in God, to edify, to give thanks, to give, to love, and to forgive.
We are to be as God is, who has extended His grace to all mankind. It is easy to “walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk” (cf. Ephesians 4:17). Instead, “put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).
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Sermon: For God So Loved the World (3:9-21)
Lesson 6 in series (John 3:9-21)
The conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus continues, and Jesus talks of death by crucifixion, God’s grace, and the necessity of faith and repentance.
Sermon: In Everything Give Thanks
A discussion of things for which we should give thanks: Christ’s victory over sin and death, the revelation of truth, life’s physical provisions, our brethren, God’s grace, the authority of our Lord. All are established scripturally and discussed.
Be Strong in Grace
Paul’s admonition in 2 Timothy 2:1, is amazingly sublime, “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
There are truths that are intimated by these simple words. First, it affirms Paul’s words in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The redemptive grace of God is accomplished through the sacrifice of His Son. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).
Second, it affirms that God’s will for any individual can be resisted and thwarted. Stephen told the Jews, “You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you” (Acts 7:51). Though God is “not willing that any should perish” (cf. 2 Peter 3:9), some refuse to come to repentance.
Consequently, we understand our responsibility to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling! (Philippians 2:12). This does not mean that God’s sovereignty is denied, nor does it in anyway indicate that we earn our salvation by works of merit. Rather, it acknowledges man’s free will, and the obligation of our salvation debt.
Paul understood it, do we? “Be strong in the grace”!
Sermon: Christ, Our Peace
A discussion of the entire context of Ephesians, chapter 2. The sermon establishes the central position of Jesus Christ in our scheme of redemption, and refutes the false dichotomy that salvation by Grace precludes the necessity of obedience.
Sermon: Healing a Paralyzed Man
Lesson 13 in series.
In this lesson on our series of the life of Christ, we note his healing of a paralyzed man in Luke 5. The blessings of friendship, the graciousness of the Lord and the meaning of the phrase “Son of Man” are discussed.
Sermon: “Put your trust in the Lord”
Psalm 4 is a wonderful psalm of praise to God. The text reveals that He is worthy of that praise because He is righteous, merciful, gracious, trustworthy and helpful.
Sermon: The Woman About to be Stoned
This lesson discusses an example of Jesus’ masterful dealing’s with man. We see His ability to deftly handle the efforts of His enemies to destroy His reputation, to convict the hearts of men, and His great compassion and love for the souls of men.
In Days of Old
God is powerful, sovereign, and has imposed His will on men in ages past. This was especially true with Israel, who inhabited the land of Canaan only because of God’s intervention. “For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; but it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored them” (Psalm 44:3).
But, how did the Psalmist know of this great victory? “We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, the deeds You did in their days, in days of old” (Psalm 44:1).
Today, we are blessed to have such deeds preserved in the Bible itself. The annals of God’s demonstration of might, justice and mercy to His people. These things strengthen and establish our faith.
“In God we boast all day long and praise Your name forever” (Psalm 44:8)
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My Soul Shall Be Joyful in the Lord
“And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation” (Psalms 35:9).
The Psalmist rejoiced in the protection Jehovah afforded him from his enemies. “All my bones shall say, ‘Lord, who is like You, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?’” (vs. 10). While this protection certainly shows both the strength and mercy of God, it pales when compared to the spiritual protection He offers to all who name His name.
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).
We are so blessed to have God on our side. In this uncertain and ungodly time – where the faith of Christian is demeaned, and the degradation of morals has led to an epidemic of selfishness, anarchy and violence – we place our confidence in the Almighty. “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Fear God and serve Him. Rejoice in His salvation!
A Pattern of Mercy
Paul, in his letter to Timothy, revealed himself to be an egregious sinner. He had been guilty of persecuting Christians. He described himself as “formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man” (1 Timothy 1:13). God, though, extended His grace to all men, including Paul. Paul wrote:
“However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life” (1 Timothy 1:16).
Note the words of Paul. By his example, Jesus Christ has established a “pattern.” We look to the example of Paul, and from it we are assured that no matter how horrible our sins may be, we can be saved. If Paul could receive forgiveness, so can we.
Many deny that we can look to scripture as a pattern. Most commonly, it is because they desire the freedom to live as they like, and do not want to be constrained by God’s revealed will. But, it works both ways. We better hope that Paul is right, and that his example establishes a pattern! That way, we can be confident that we too can obtain mercy, no matter how horrible our sins!
“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1:15).
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Singing with Grace in your Hearts
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).
The word grace, found in this text, comes from the greek word (charis), defined by Thayer, “that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech.”
We know that singing has the potential to lighten our hearts. It is one way that we express our joy and thankfulness to God. However, it should be noted that this verse is in the form of an admonition or instruction. We are commanded to sing with grace in our hearts. This requires a number of things:
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A proper type of song. Not all songs bring “grace” to mind. The intent of the song is to sing with grace, and the style or melody can impact the success of that intent.
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A proper sentiment in the song. Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs teach God’s will. They should be scriptural in their sentiment to bring edification. We can’t sing with grace in our hearts if the words we sing do not accord with God’s will.
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A proper heart when singing. As Paul wrote in Ephesians 5, “making melody in your heart to the Lord” (19). We must not be going through the motions when we sing. It is only when we worship God “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24) that our worship is acceptable to God.
By singing with the intent to bring something pure and lovely to our brethren, we admonish and teach each other, and are mutually edified by our efforts. It brings such joy to sing to God!
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Sermon: What is Your Value?
In the eyes of God you are valuable. Valuable enough that God sent His Son to die on the cross for your sins!
