Category: Grace

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.

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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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“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!

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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“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:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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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In the eyes of God you are valuable. Valuable enough that God sent His Son to die on the cross for your sins!

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The idea that there are things a man must do to be saved, some people contend to be a product of the legalistic theology of the 19th century. This lesson is a defense of the what the scriptures teach regarding the salvation of man.

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The Psalm indicates for us that God is able to revive us through His word, His judgments, and His lovingkindness.

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In Ephesians 3, Paul’s prayer for them was that they might know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge.

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In Ephesians 3:14-19 the apostle Paul uses the language of superlatives (but not hyperbole) to describe the nature of Christ’s love.

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Lesson 7 of 9, Fall 2016 Gospel Meeting. Speaker: Jeremiah Cox.

The Old Testament Hebrew word “Hesed,” translated in Psalm 36:7 as “Lovingkindness” describes a wonderful concept regarding a righteous man’s interaction, both with God and with his fellow man.

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The wise man of Ecclesiastes had it right in despairing of a contemplated life without God’s presence. “‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher; ‘Vanity of vanities, all is vanity’” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). Life only has meaning if God is in the picture. Otherwise, it is without any lasting value or purpose. Men everywhere live out their short existence on earth without hope beyond the grave. Such an existence is truly vain. “One generation passes away, and another generation comes; but the earth abides forever” (1:4).

Many of the problems we have with sorrow and despair come from this flawed perspective on life. Above all other things, we must recognize our purpose on earth is to serve God. If we do, we can with that realization have a happy and productive life, and after, a sure hope of eternal bliss. As the wise man concluded in his contemplation of life, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (12:13-14).

Continue reading “The Path to Joy” →

The text of 2 Corinthians 3:4-11 is examined, noting the differences between the two covenants.

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Invitation delivered by: Josh Cox

In Romans 5:12 the apostle Paul affirms that death has spread to all men. The only way to escape death is through God’s gift to man (cf. Romans 6:23). As such, we are Debtors (Romans 8:12).

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