Unveiling The Glorious Gospel of God’s Grace in Christ“A Grace Precepts Bible Study”

by Jim Hodges

JamesH2567@aol.com

(Version 7.0AE - Updated June 20, 2001)

Preface.......................................................................................................................................................................4

Index & Study Guide..................................................................................................................................................6

Introduction................................................................................................................................................................7

I. Why Ponder the Gospel of God’s Grace in Christ?.........................................................................................10

John Bunyan best described the state of gracelessness in “Pilgrims Progress”.....................................................11

How did gracelessness begin?................................................................................................................................11

The world’s answer to gracelessness – No big deal! We’ll work on the anxieties!.................................................11

Today’s worldly wisdom – Substitute a self-power for God’s power in grace!..........................................................12

Is there any hope for this strange deadly disorder?.................................................................................................12

Abiding in Christ - the Exchanged Life of Unity........................................................................................................13

Grace to you!...........................................................................................................................................................13

II. Why does Satan desire to keep Grace a MYSTERY?.....................................................................................15

III. Seeking to Define God’s Amazing Grace........................................................................................................17

IV. What Does the BIBLE say about God's Amazing Grace?.............................................................................19

(Seven Biblical Truths about God’s Amazing Grace in Christ).................................................................................19

V. Putting the Amazing Back into Grace..............................................................................................................42

VI. Discovering the Grace Empowered Will of God............................................................................................44

PART 1. God’s will for you “TO BE” enabled by His Grace - “You in Christ”..........................................................49

PART 2. God’s will for you “TO DO” enabled by His Grace - “Christ in You”..........................................................51

To be anointed “TO DO” and GO requires God’s grace “TO BE” at rest.................................................................52

Another (works based) religion “TO DO” list? No! No! No!.....................................................................................52

Worship and Grace..................................................................................................................................................53

Summary: Receiving the Victory!............................................................................................................................54

VII. Experiencing God's Grace..............................................................................................................................56

God’s Grace Energizes Actions of Godly Love........................................................................................................56

Grace and the Trinity................................................................................................................................................57

The Parables of Jesus; Living Stories of Grace.......................................................................................................58

"In Christ" the true vine - Grace flows to the branches bearing fruit........................................................................59

Experiencing Grace Producing Fruit........................................................................................................................61

Grace enables the Gospel to bear fruit and grows churches and individuals..........................................................63

Central Christian Focus: Staying Plugged into God's Grace “In Christ”..................................................................64

Is Grace limited?......................................................................................................................................................67

Can we get more grace? Yes!..................................................................................................................................67

Can we ask for blessings beyond God’s will for us “TO BE” and “TO DO”?............................................................68

What is a believers role in Appropriating God’s Grace to His Glory.........................................................................68

Grace, Mercy and Peace were at the heart of Paul’s ministry.................................................................................71

What Paul understood about grace he experienced!...............................................................................................71

VIII. Biblical Examination – The Grace Test for Believers – Examine yourself!...............................................73

Biblical Examination – The Grace Test for Churches...............................................................................................74

IX. Can Churches and Believers fall from Grace? YES!....................................................................................76

A Church fallen from Grace – the Revelation Church at Ephesus..........................................................................77

Satan attacks God’s Grace in the Church through veiled apostasy.........................................................................77

X. Grace awakening (Revival)...............................................................................................................................78

Grace brings healing to religious disillusionment.....................................................................................................78

XI. Growing in Grace..............................................................................................................................................81

Paul’s final words on Grace – “A Legacy of Grace”.................................................................................................86

The Graceless Warning!..........................................................................................................................................87

XII. Completing the Picture of God’s Grace in Christ.........................................................................................88

Summary: What have we learned about Amazing Grace?......................................................................................88

Summary: What have we learned about Amazing Grace?......................................................................................89

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Appendix 1..............................................................................................................................................................91

Appendix 2..............................................................................................................................................................95

“Spill Jesus on the World”........................................................................................................................................98

Appendix 3..............................................................................................................................................................99

Parable of the talents discussion:..........................................................................................................................100

Consequences of rejecting God’s Grace:..............................................................................................................100

Consequences of Accepting God’s Grace.............................................................................................................100

THE MEANING OF THE STORY:..........................................................................................................................102

WARNING: DO YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO EGYPT?.....................................................................................102

THE MEANING OF THE STORY...........................................................................................................................103

The solemn WARNING!.........................................................................................................................................103

Appendix 4............................................................................................................................................................108

Appendix 5............................................................................................................................................................116

Appendix 6.1.........................................................................................................................................................122

Appendix 6.2.........................................................................................................................................................126

Appendix 7............................................................................................................................................................142

Appendix 8............................................................................................................................................................148

Putting off the old, putting on the new....................................................................................................................148

Appendix 9............................................................................................................................................................153

Appendix 10..........................................................................................................................................................154

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Preface

Before embarking on this study, it is appropriate to explain the limitations inherent in considering a boundless

subject like God's grace. This study does not intend to place the character of God’s grace above His other

attributes implying any hierarchical order (i.e. love, holiness, faithfulness, longsuffering, mercy, grace, justice,

etc.). The scripture passages used have been inserted from the NKJV Bible (unless otherwise stated) to allow the

reader to not have to jump back and forth between the scripture and the study for the purpose of maintaining

continuity. The Bible itself should be used whenever a more in-depth contextual understanding is appropriate.

Appropriately, the study of the Gospel of God’s grace in Christ begins at the cross. In this sense, the word Gospel

literally means “Good News!” It is at the cross where we can learn the fundamental wisdom of God’s grace in

Christ. By God’s grace, through Christ’s faithful obedience, sin and its curse of death were put to death on the

cross. At the moment of Christ’s death, the Jerusalem Temple veil was torn from top to bottom. God’s grace had

been unveiled! The cross had destroyed the barrier to the flow of God’s grace to all the beloved who would

accept, by faith, Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Paul had this attitude: “But God forbid that I should boast

except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” To him the cross of Christ was the greatest manifestation of God’s

grace and love. The physical appearances of the resurrected Lord during the next 50 days would accomplish the

faith necessary for the spiritual anointing of God’s grace at Pentecost. Henceforth, an abiding faith relationship “in

Christ” was sufficient for men and women to enjoy His grace filled resurrected life. For He alone is the author and

finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2). Therefore, let us return to the cross often and humbly pray to be washed in His

blood bought mercy. This should be our humble preparation for understanding each area of spiritual truth. As

each truth about God’s grace in Christ is revealed, let us pause and give thanks in His rich inheritance.

Since his defeat on the cross, Satan has been hard at work veiling the Gospel of God’s grace in Christ to

believers and non-believers alike. He has even confounded the very definition of the word grace. Satan’s scheme

is to make God’s grace in Christ vague thereby making witnessing to that good news GIFT awkward for believers.

Moreover, the rich inheritance of God’s grace in Christ resulting from Christ’s death can only be fully enjoyed by

believers who obediently and faithfully follow the will of the One who has died! Likewise, there is an executor

designated to help understand and implement His will (i.e. The Holy Spirit). It is only by the grace of God in Christ

operating in us through the Holy Spirit that we can have a behavior that righteously obeys the will of the Father.

Therefore, a considerable part of this study is dedicated to a Holy Spirit guided understanding of the will of God;

wherein lies the secret riches of a King’s inheritance! But how do we appropriate God’s grace? Can a believer

who has received eternal life pass-up the full inheritance of God’s grace and joy for this life? Can we receive

more grace? Can we fall from grace? These related questions along with many others have increased the

thickness of this document, hopefully to His glory!

We often approach the Christian life in Christ as a subject to be learned rather than as a grace-filled life of joy

established to experience both suffering and victory. The Bible commands us to: "Grow in the grace and

knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” We cannot grow in grace through a seminar, through a book,

through a sermon, or during a quiet time, as good as those may be. For that matter, we cannot even grow in

grace through this study. Every newborn believer is eternally saved by the grace of God through faith as they

become hidden “in Christ” at the cross. But each believer can only grow in that grace by learning to abide above

“in Christ”, becoming hidden in His resurrected life (Col. 3:1-4). Abiding above, we can rest by faith in Christ who

enables God’s grace and truth for daily living. For without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). And

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whatsoever is not of faith is sin (Rom. 14:23) -- everything else is counted dead loss to be consumed by fire like

wood, hay and stubble! We must discover the secret of how to vacate spiritually and abide above on a lifelong

rest of faith! By abiding above in Christ, the Christ in you becomes visible to will and to do miracles in you and

through you by the grace of the Father. Furthermore, as far as God is concerned; Christ is the preacher, Christ is

the missionary, Christ is the Christian worker, and Christ is the witnessing Christian.

My prayer is that this study will encourage you to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus

Christ (2 Peter 3:18) . To Him be the glory both now and forever! AMEN.

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Approximate

Study Time

Index & Study Guide

Page(s)

I. Why Ponder the Gospel of God’s Grace in Christ? 5-8 2 Hrs.

II. Why Does Satan Desire to Keep Grace a MYSTERY? 9 1/2 Hr.

III. Seeking to Define God’s Amazing Grace 10 1/2 Hr.

IV. Seven Biblical Truths about God's Amazing Grace

1. God gave full grace and truth to Jesus 11-13 1 Hr.

2. God desires for all to be saved by grace 13 1/2 Hr.

3. God's grace appears to all men 14-15 1 Hr.

4. God gives grace only to the humble 16-17 1 Hr.

5. Kingdom treasure – God’s grace in Christ 18-22 1 Hr.

6. Christ reigns & Grace rules 23 1/2 Hr.

7. The great mystery of godliness 24-30 2 Hrs.

V. Putting the Amazing Back into Grace 31-32 1 Hr.

VI. Discovering the Grace Empowered Will of God 33-43 4 Hr.

VII. Experiencing God’s Grace 44-59 4 Hr.

VIII. Biblical Examination - The Grace Test 60-62 1 Hr.

IX. Falling from Grace 62-63 1/2 Hr.

X. Grace Awakening - Revival! 64-65 1/2 Hr.

XI. Growing in Grace 66-71 2 Hr.

XII. Completing the Picture of Grace 72-73 1/2 Hr.

Appendices & Homework:

Appendix 1 - Application of Amazing Grace to Life 74-77

Appendix 2 - Abiding Grace for Personal Ministry 78-81

Appendix 3 - Grace Stories 82-89

Appendix 4 - The Great Mystery (Part 1) 90-97

Appendix 5 - The Great Mystery (Part 2) 98-102

Appendix 6 - By Grace through the obedience of Faith 103-120

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Appendix 7 - The Throne of Grace – Charles Spurgeon 121-125

Appendix 8 - The Abiding Presence – Or Absence? 126-130

Appendix 9 - Grace filled Books & Websites 131

Appendix 10 - Grace Study Videotapes 132

Introduction

Paul appealed to the Hebrew Christians to see to it that “no one misses the grace

of God.” Likewise, Jim Cymbala, pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, echoed this

same concern for the modern-day church in his book “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire”:

"Hebrews 4:16 does not say "Let us come to the sermon." We in America have made the sermon the centerpiece of the church, something God never intended. Preachers who are really doing their job get people to come to the throne of grace. That's the true source of mercy and grace that brings miracles." "To every preacher and every singer God will someday ask, "Did you bring people to where the action could be found…. At the throne of grace? If you just entertain them, if you just tickle their ears and gave them a warm fuzzy moment, woe unto you. At the Throne of grace I could have changed their lives. Jim Cymbala, did you just dazzle people with your cleverness or did you make them hungry to come to me?"

A philosopher once said that there are only two things essential to joyful living. One is light or wisdom for

discovering the secret mysteries of life, and the other is mastering one’s full potential in life. Light and

Life...everyone is searching to find these fountains of joy, both Christians and non-believers alike. They are not

reachable by anyone preoccupied with seeking happiness, wisdom, and success in all the wrong places. They

are not obtained by diligently working in futility to personally achieve what only God can freely give. When one

seeks and finds a life transforming grace relationship “in Christ”, the search is over! He is the MASTER of all light

(truth) and life (grace). Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. The disciples even called Him MASTER.

He alone fills the God created void in every hungry heart and brings the joyful “indescribable gift” of God’s grace

for life. Therefore, each of life’s decisions centers around taking every thought captive, by faith, to the person of

Jesus Christ who brings the Father’s empowering gift of grace. God lovingly awaits those decisions of faith “in

Christ” within each circumstance of life, and then:

“God will provide all the riches of His grace for what you need, when you need it, in the way you need it, in order to accomplish His will and purpose in you; when you are ready and willing by faith in Christ to receive it.” (Author-St. Ben)

Let us begin our study by letting the Bible be the roadmap for the study of God’s grace and truth in Christ?

Certainly the words contained in the New Testament’s four Gospels and Acts together give us a “presentation” of

the undeniable truth about the Person of Jesus Christ. Likewise, the fullness of God’s empowering grace was

demonstrated in Jesus’ obedience to the will of the Father made complete at the cross. Jesus himself proclaimed

the power of the Father’s grace operating in Him when he said “apart from the Father I can do nothing.” Jesus

demonstrated grace in action throughout His ministry and through each of His parables. Yet grace itself was

mysteriously never explained in the Gospels. John 14:20 would capture Jesus’ explanation about grace when he

said: “I in you and you in Me” but few understood this mystery. The Gospels are God's inspired image of Jesus

Christ as He is. Likewise, Acts is a historical record of the “anointing” of this wonderful, magnificent personality

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within others who believed and began the “proclamation” of that good news to the whole world. Together these

books are inspired to teach us and instruct us in the one Person who can transform lives through the power of

another, the Father Himself. Of course, the entire Bible is about Christ, but particularly in the Gospels and in Acts

we find in Christ, God stepping out of the shadows as a living, breathing man, in whose life we see all the

indwelling character and glory of God manifested in terms of human personality and loving actions of grace and

truth.

However, when we come to the Epistles -- which occupy the largest part of the New Testament -- we begin

dealing with not just the presentation of Christ, but with explanation and instruction on the mystery of God’s grace

in Christ. Paul was called to be a minister to the Gentiles of this mystery of the Gospel of grace in Christ. The

Spirit inspired purpose of the Epistles was to present this good news on such a kindergarten level of truth that

anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord may be saved, understand, apprehend, lay hold of, and enter into a

life of grace and truth in Christ. Thus, it is appropriate that the Epistles will be the focus of this study of God’s

grace in Christ. Notice the order of the Epistles as they appear in the New Testament. They were not written in

chronological order. Romans was not the first letter written, by any means; rather it is likely that the letter to the

Galatians or possibly the Thessalonians was written first. Their present positional order and location within the

Bible is an awesome mystery as they were compiled under the oversight of the Holy Spirit, being grouped

together in three main themes associated with the good news about God’s grace in Christ. These main themes

are presented within three distinct groupings of Epistles in the unique sequential order as they occur. For here

the great truths of the Gospel of grace in Christ are crystallized – focused -- as follows:

1. The first group (four Epistle sequence) emphasize “CHRIST IN YOU”-- Romans,1st and 2nd Corinthians, and

Galatians -- are grouped together around the first theme about God’s grace: "Christ in you, the hope of glory," as

Paul would later phrases it. Spiritually “Born Again” man is to be the vehicle of divine life! Man’s body, soul, and

spirit are the instruments by which God expresses Himself. This is Eden’s lost secret or mystery of humanity.

This is the way an invisible God becomes visible in His creation. Only on this basis, which is what we were

designed for and created for, do we find eternal life and our full potential in His life. This is what makes us

different, if we are different at all, from other human beings on earth -- Christ in you! -- Doing God’s will! -- the only

hope of glory! These four Epistles develop this central theme starting with the process of repentance and

redemption.

2. The next group (nine Epistle sequence) emphasize “YOU IN CHRIST“ -- Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians,

1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. These are grouped around the second theme

about God’s grace: "You In Christ” When we talk about being hidden in the body of Christ, abiding above, we

receive the enabling grace of the Father “to be” who we were called “to be”. Our character (soul) is being

transformed from the inside out by God’s grace into the image of the Son and the saintly spiritual status and title

which was inherited at redemption. By grace through faith in Christ, we are made able ambassadors of the body

of Christ living temporarily apart from our current heavenly home. Here we have the church coming to view -- we

no longer live our Christian lives as individuals apart from His body. We are not just so many people struggling

along trying to lay hold of Jesus Christ, but that we encourage one another “to be” the image of Christ to a lost

world. We belong to each other in His body as well as belonging to Christ. We find rest and joy only as we exhort

one another to be seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus…abiding above at the Throne of grace. Going

always to the Author and Finisher of our faith who is seated there at the right hand of God. Thus, when we pray

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or give thanks or corporately worship and praise God in spirit and truth we are abiding above in Christ. Likewise,

being available to His call to go and proclaim the good news signifies abiding above, “faith resting” in Christ.

3. The last group (eight Epistles) emphasize the “method of life in Christ, which is faith" --Hebrews, James, 1 and

2 Peter, 1, 2 and 3 John, and Jude -- how to walk by faith in Christ. Jesus Christ alone is the Author and Finisher

of our faith which enables the outpouring of the grace of God. Faith in Christ alone brings the gift of the Father’s

grace. He is the Alpha and Omega of the grace filled life of joy. Therefore, the result of all grace is fittingly to His

Glory! This method of life by the Grace of God in Christ operates entirely through faith in the Son!

Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,

Therefore the secret to the Christian life is “looking unto Jesus.” Do not take your eyes off Him! By the power of

God’s grace, through faith, believers are uniquely enabled to be who they were created to be and do what they

were created to do to His glory. Therefore beloved, abide in Him as He abides in you. On this basis we

experience anew these great span of Epistles, designed together to reveal all the mighty good news about God’s

grace in Christ to be gripping, captivating, compelling, but beyond that, to be experientially real. Their purpose is

to give us practical experience for living the grace filled life of freedom and joy in Christ to His glory.

Therefore the result of this Bible study should, through the teaching of the Holy Spirit, change you. Furthermore,

the complete Biblical based definition of God’s grace remains to be concluded at the end of this study. Hopefully,

each reader will be persuaded to invest the time to fully discover the joy derived from continually looking unto

Jesus and resting by faith in the one who bring the "indescribable gift.”

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I. Why Ponder the Gospel of God’s Grace in Christ?

Mastery of the Bible’s good news about God’s grace in Christ is a most important step in pursuing the Christian

life and its blessings. The ability to reflect Christ-like character, the ability to function effectively in a church body,

and the effectiveness of a personal ministry - all are absolutely dependent on how well one understands and

applies grace principles. Consider other key reasons for studying the Biblical teachings on grace:

Grace is the most important single precept in the Word of God apart from a personal knowledge of Jesus (the

object of our faith), the cross, and the resurrection. Grace’s greatest expression is found in the cross.

Salvation is "by grace through faith", and the Christian joy-filled life functions entirely on grace principles.

“Man is born broken. He lives by mending. The grace of God is glue.” (Eugene O’Neill)

Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things (God’s grace in Christ) will be added unto you.

Apart from the gift of God’s grace through Jesus Christ we cannot inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. Grace’s

antithesis is sin. Grace is at the heart of every Bible story where God is at work transforming people's lives.

God is love. God’s love is made visible (manifest) through His actions of grace which bring joy and peace.

Grace energizes and makes Godly love real, tangible, and visible.

God’s purpose in creating the world was to “UNITE ALL THINGS” in heaven and earth “IN CHRIST” to His

Glory (Ephesians 1:9-12) that “GOD MAY BE ALL IN ALL” (1Cor. 15:28). We are to be good stewards of the

mysteries of God’s plan (will) for achieving this purpose (1Cor. 4:1-2) of which we are to testify to the Gospel

of grace’s “GREAT MYSTERY” for attaining holiness in Christ.

Faith enables us to withstand, by God’s grace, what we cannot understand! Everything spiritual is sustained

by God’s grace. God’s grace is the medium of exchange and storehouse of value (spiritual currency) in the

Kingdom, given through Christ alone to accomplish God’s will. Grace, when exchanged, brings eternal Glory.

In Christ, believers become "conduits of grace" from the Throne of grace to a broken world. Families become

grace families; churches become grace churches, centers of great grace influence. Beginning on that day we

hear and know the grace of God in truth, the Gospel bears much fruit (Col. 1:5-6). Apart from grace and Truth

we cannot Glorify the Name of Jesus Christ.

God’s grace indwells and enables Christian hearts to become available wellsprings of His love shining

unto lost souls in darkness through the Spirit of truth, bearing much fruit.

God’s grace empowers a personal testimony to the kingdom of God, its King, and His mysteries and

truths about the past, present and future.

Grace principles give believers great knowledge and confidence in God's will, His truth, His provisions,

and His blessings, which come from becoming hidden "in Christ." Currently, Kingdom blessings come

from God’s Throne of grace, through the presence of the Holy Spirit in believer’s hearts, and through

the body of Christ. To Israel it was the Mercy Seat and the presence of God’s prophets. The rapture

will usher in the Bema (blessing) seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10). At Christ’s triumphant coming with all the

angels, He will sit on the Throne of His Glory and rule the millennial kingdom with His crowned saints

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(Mat. 25:31). This will be followed by a Great White Throne of Judgment, and Heaven’s eternal

Throne of Glory.

We are accountable to the Master for being good stewards of His goods (grace) and for doing His business

(God’s desired will) in our personal ministry. Believers are commanded to grow in the grace and knowledge of

our Lord. (2 Peter 3:18)

Therefore, the goal of this study is to seek God’s heart of grace. By seeking Him prayerfully and humbly, God the

Holy Spirit will unveil those biblical truths relative to the who, what, when, where, how and why of His grace in

Christ. The primary objective is to unveil the biblical process for receiving the anointing of God’s grace in Christ to

enable individuals to find their true identity as they become hidden in Him, abiding above.

John Bunyan best described the state of gracelessness in “Pilgrims Progress”

Porter: What is your name?

Pilgrim: My name is now “Christian” but my name at the first was “graceless."

How did gracelessness begin?

In their innocence and before the fall, Adam and Eve acted consistently in their lives under the gracious and

exclusive influence of the righteous grace and truth from within, being spiritually inhabited by God Himself.

Gracelessness began in Eden as a consequence of man’s rebellious act to choose to leave God out by doubting

in His word/will (faithlessness). As a consequence of sin, the power and strength of God’s grace was immediately

cut off to Adam and Eve and their future descendents. It was as if the “divine power cord of life" (representing

God’s grace and truth) was severed as the source of power to light the way of man. Man had turned off the

master switch of life…faith, and God’s Spirit withdrew from the human spirit. When the life went out, the soul of

man was plunged into the abysmal darkness of a fallen humanity, uninhabitable by God. Man’s heart condition

became graceless (a dead spirit) and void of truth (light); henceforth, darkness and death entered in. Man had

been converted by Satan from being God-centered to being self-centered.

When Adam and Eve sinned against God's authority, not only did their innocent spirit die to God so that they had

no life toward God, but they became converted. Conversion of the spirit begins with a changed mind, in this case

toward God! Man’s dead spirit mind of imaginations and emotions became the converted playpen of Satan. The

power of sin entered into man and took control over his spirit, soul, and body. He became a Satan's spiritual

convert, born of the same rebellion that Satan had already initiated in heaven before Creation. From that time

forward, all men inherited this same converted spirit being in human form totally uninhabitable by God and

available to Satan (see Ephesians 2:1-2).

Romans 5:19 For as by one man's [Adam’s] disobedience many were made sinners,

Not only was his spirit now dead to God, but his soul and body were dying by degrees as well. The race against

time had started! If men, loved by God, did not repent and become re-converted to God-centered spirits before

being ejected from their dying earthly bodies, they would have to eternally exist as spirit sons (or daughters) of

Satan destined for eternal hell. Man's spirit & soul had become lost in space between sin and grace! He was on

his own and lost! At least - he thought he was! BUT GOD!

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Eph 2:4-6 (RSV} But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead

through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and

made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

The world’s answer to gracelessness – No big deal! We’ll work on the anxieties!

“Man’s sensitivity to small things, and his insensitivity to the most important things, are surely evidence of a

strange disorder.” (Blaise Pascal, French Mathematician & Philosopher – 1662)

Because of sin, man is graceless and in darkness. Smallness, pettiness, un-forgiveness and selfishness always

result from gracelessness. This state can only be mended by humbly calling, by faith, upon the Name of the Lord

to receive God’s Mercy and restore God’s grace. The world’s answer to gracelessness is restless ego-centered

achievement, the striving for money, power and possessions, self righteousness, legalism, and blindness to the

reality of death and dying, all prideful counterfeit enemies of grace. They are indeed strange disorders. A recent

poll taken amongst the universities of Europe indicates how those students approached life and death. It was

discovered that far and away the most common approach was focused anxiety – not an anxiety about death, but

an all consuming anxiety about life itself and the struggles of today overriding any the concern for tomorrow. But

how could anyone deny the harsh statistical reality that one-out-of-one will die? We have been brought up to

believe the universal lie of our day, which is being persistently flung at us through the media, that we deserve to

live. However, the constant termination of life around us reminds us that this is not so. In the eyes of the God of

the universe something in us deserves to die; that is what universal death declares. Man declares that we can

live life happily by fixing the anxieties and symptoms of lawlessness and ignore the disease of gracelessness. In

the best selling memoirs of a dying man with ALS, “Tuesdays with Morrie” we learn death’s greatest lesson:

“Learn to live and you’ll know how to die; learn how to die and you’ll know how to live.” Within everyone is a deep

passion to find the mystery of life, and death is what demands a search beyond ourselves.

Today’s worldly wisdom – Substitute a self-power for God’s power in grace!

Have you observed any of this worldly wisdom? What is the power being denied?

2 Tim. 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Is there any hope for this strange deadly disorder?

Have you ever asked the questions “Why do I exist on planet Earth? Why was I born? What was God’s purpose

in bringing me into the world?' Certainly, God’s PLANS (WILL) and God’s POWER (GRACE) act together to

achieve God’s sovereign PURPOSE. But what is God’s "big picture" PURPOSE in life and in creation?

Have we somehow missed the big WAR? Remember the major rebellion in heaven! Before creation, rebellious

Lucifer and one third of the angels of heaven had already been cast down and were the first to wear the title

graceless and cut off from the glory of God. Darkness had created a time warp in eternity where God’s GLORY

had been temporarily interrupted. But God purposed before the foundations of the Earth that His glory would be

restored in all. Therefore rebellion had started in heaven before Adam and Eve were created and were able to

commit that first earthly sin that caused all men to likewise inherit Lucifer's graceless condition. They became

Satan’s first earthly converts. One can only conclude from scripture that God's slowness to judgment was

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attributed to His longsuffering character. Why else would He provide multiple opportunities to graceless dead

spirits deserving immediate judgment and condemnation? God Himself declared the essence of His unchanging

character to Moses, displayed with the image of His Glory in a burning bush and by physically passing nearby:

Exodus 34:6 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,

God purposed to use His creation to put down rebellion and bring an end (death) to the root cause of this strange

graceless disorder (sin). He certainly knew beforehand that the sin and graceless rebellion started in heaven

would spread to His creation on earth. Likewise, God chose to accomplish His PURPOSE by revealing the image

of Himself manifest on earth "in Christ," who by demonstrating His character of grace and truth, would put to

death on a cross both sin and its curse of death and restore His glory to heaven and earth. Only God Himself

could purpose to restore heaven and Earth by “uniting all things in heaven and earth "in Christ” to His Glory."

Ephes. 1:9-12 …having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

1 Cor. 15:28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

God's GRACE is the POWER behind God's WILL (plan) to achieve God's PURPOSE: TO UNITE ALL THINGS IN HEAVEN & EARTH "IN CHRIST”! That “GOD MAY BE ALL IN ALL” (1 Cor.

15:28)- Thus God’s Glory shall be restored both in Heaven & Earth!

God isn't in heaven saying: "Let's make a deal! " God is here calling out: “This is the deal!” Arise from the dead! Accept (or reject) My free gift of grace, through faith in Christ Jesus alone.

Ephes. 5:14-17 Therefore He says: "Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

2 Tim. 1:6-9 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

Abiding in Christ - the Exchanged Life of Unity

God purposed spiritual rebirth as a GIFT of grace through faith in the person of Jesus Christ and the power of His

Cross and Resurrection. Instead of my sins being between myself and God, as before, it is Jesus Christ who is

now between me and my sins; and the One who has interposed Himself has given me to know that He has

brought me to Himself, and turned my heart to His own praise. By grace, through faith, the "old Adam man" was

nailed to the cross and buried in the tomb; by grace, through faith, the old Adam man will be kept there.

Romans 5:17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

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All the powers of Deity (grace) which already wrought together in the accomplishment of the first part of God's

eternal purpose, the revealing of the Father's likeness in His only son Jesus Christ to take away sin and

gracelessness at the cross, are equally engaged to accomplish the second part, to work that likeness in each of

the Father's children to His Glory. God's purpose is being achieved by uniting all things in heaven and earth "in

Christ." Heaven and earth is to be restored that GOD MAY BE ALL IN ALL! Glory Restored!

Grace to you!

Are you like a cordless drill, running on your own power all week and then attending church on Sunday to get your

batteries recharged? That's not God's plan for flowing His grace “in "Christ”! We're to operate like a drill that's

plugged into the wall socket which draws its life from a great hydroelectric generator! Living like this will so fill you

with gratitude and love for Christ that you'll gather with the church each week to release your praise.

Consider this, in a master craftsman’s workshop there are drills, saws and a grinders. All these tools serve

different functions, yet all three are plugged into the same power source, the electrical outlet. The electricity is

their "life." The "life" doesn't make them identical. It actually gives them their unique identity. So long as the "life"

flows, each of these tools manifests its true identity. It's the "life" that reveals their uniqueness and purpose for

being. Do you know when they lose their identity? If you unplug them! Without their "life" they would be exactly

the same….paperweights!

Believers are specifically born again "in Christ" to offer their earthly body to Christ Jesus to express His "life"

through them. It's His life that gives believers their identity. His abiding life enables the power of God’s grace for

experiencing one’s true identity as each was created to be. This is sure JOY! Just think? You and the God of the

universe cohabiting in the same earthly body while spiritually you are at rest seated in the heavenlies "in Christ”!

You say, "I don't feel like I am in heaven today!” Well rain on how you feel! God says that you are spiritually there

already in Ephes. 2:6. And if your feelers seem to tell you that you aren't; which is the liar, God or your feelers?

Therefore go boldly, by faith in Christ, to His Throne of grace and pray down the miracles of heaven!

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II. Why does Satan desire to keep Grace a MYSTERY?

Satan has veiled God’s purpose, plans (will), and power (grace) relative to:

1. Overcoming sin/Satan, gracelessness and death2. Doing the Lord’s business.3. Glorifying the NAME of Jesus Christ.4. JOY --- Satan is the original killjoy!

2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Graceless Consequences of Satan’s joy killing

By veiling grace and it’s necessary precursor of faith in Christ, Satan steals Joy! The consequences of

gracelessness and leaving God and His grace out (Satan’s Lie) are painfully evident today in the increasing

smallness, pettiness and brokenness of the world:

Creation without God = unsaved evolutionists, survival of the fittest wisdom, and bad science.

Man doubting God = sin/death/separation/gracelessness

Life after death without the cross = cults/work-based religions

Law without the Cross = legalistic society, enslaving, hypocritical, judgmental

Love-love without grace = new age, unwanted pregnancies, homosexuality

Spirits without grace = charismatic chaos/sorcery/psychics/out-of-body experiences, new age

Works without grace = religious legalism, restless achieving, spiritual fruitlessness

Goodness without grace = hypocrisy, legalism, maligning, unrighteous apostasy

Sacrifice apart from grace = abortions, euthanasia, war, genocide

Beauty apart from grace = lust, pornography, immorality

Possessions apart from grace = idolatry, greed, selfishness, crime, starvation, homelessness, slavery

Happiness apart from grace = drugs, alcohol, gossip, unhappiness, sorrow, sin

Power without grace = gang-bangers, school shootings, spousal and child abuse, hate crimes, racism

Churchgoers apart from grace = unsaved churchgoers or wretched but saved Christians

Revival apart from grace = the program of the year vs. the experience of joy for eternity

Some Bible Translations Confound “Grace” - Most do not!

Watchful observation: One Bible translation, the Living Bible, has removed the word grace in many places and

has substituted other errant words in many locations! Notice highlighted <substituted> words where the word

<grace> has been replaced:

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John 1:14-17(LB) And Christ became a human being and lived here on earth among us and was full of < loving forgiveness > and truth. And some of us have seen his glory --the glory of the only Son of the heavenly Father! John pointed him out to the people, telling the crowds, "This is the one I was talking about when I said, 'Someone is coming who is greater by far than I am--for he existed long before I did!' "We have all benefited from the rich blessings he brought to us--< blessing > upon <blessing > heaped upon us! For Moses gave us only the Law with its rigid demands and merciless justice, while Jesus Christ brought us < loving forgiveness > as well.

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III. Seeking to Define God’s Amazing Grace

Why is the definition and true meaning of a powerful spiritual word like grace so unclear?

How can a believer grow in grace if the truth about God’s Amazing grace in Christ is unclear?

If there are so many distorted or incomplete meanings of the word grace, what does the Bible say about the

true meaning of the word grace?

Various Published Definitions for the Word Grace

Webster’s Dictionary: grace (Noun) : Unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or

sanctification, grace (Verb) : to confer dignity or honor on

Strong’s: The divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life.

The root of “grace” or “charis” in the Greek is traced to an action verb meaning “I rejoice, I am glad,

joyful."

Related Bible used words in the Greek derived from the root “charis” are:

“charisma” (grace as a noun) - a free gift, a benefit, a spiritual gift.

“chairo” (verb) - to rejoice, to be glad, to be joyful or to be cheerful or to be calmly well off. In parting

as “God Speed” or “Be Well”

“charidzomai” (verb) - to gratify, to bestow in kindness, to remit a debt, to forgive.

“eucharistia” (noun) - gratitude or thankfulness as a result of receiving grace (from which eucharist or

communion is derived). “eucharisteo” (verb) - to give thanks

Grace: God withholding what we do deserve and giving us what we do not deserve.

A part of some church names.

Prayer before meal – “saying grace.”

Amazing grace – The Song.

Important word (grace) for the unsaved, not very important word for the saved.

Archbishop Trench wrote in “Synonyms of the New Testament” about the Greek word for grace: “It is

hardly too much to say that the Greek mind has in no word uttered itself and all that was at the heart more

distinctly than is this.”

Handy incomplete definition for those who forget: (G)Gods - (R)Riches - (A)At - (C)Christ’s - (E)Expense.

Max Lucado’s definition of grace: If God be for us, who can be against us. (Romans 8:31)

Sam Sasser: God’s ability to give you new desires and then nurturing those desires until His will is

accomplished.

Miles Stanford - grace: love and mercy in action, which results in undeserved favor.

Bill Gothard: An active force within us giving us the desire and the power to do things God’s way.

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Steve McVey (author of "Grace Walk" & "Grace Rules"): grace is divine enablement for one to powerfully

express the life of Jesus Christ through their lifestyle.

Grace: Unmerited favor. (Most common and incomplete definition)

If you believe that you found the true meaning of grace listed above, then you may have

a joyful surprise awaiting you from the Bible so read on!

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IV. What Does the BIBLE say about God's Amazing Grace?

(Seven Biblical Truths about God’s Amazing Grace in Christ)

First Spiritual Truth: God gave full grace and truth to Jesus associated with God’s Glory.

Apart from grace and truth, God cannot be Glorified. Why was it so important that Jesus, after being virgin

born of the flesh and filled with the fullness of truth also be given the fullness of God’s grace as a child? God’s

full grace enabled Jesus “TO BE” the unblemished lamb of God (fully tempted but without sin) and “TO DO”

the work of the Father which was to seek and save the lost.

Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Luke 19:10 …for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

1 Peter 1:19 ...but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Question: If the definition of grace is “unmerited favor” does that mean that Christ was unmerited to

receive the fullness of God’s grace? Of course Christ merited God’s grace! Therefore this fact alone

casts heavy doubt that the most commonly used definition of grace as “unmerited favor” is errant.

The fullness of the Father was present “in Christ.” The disciples were puzzled by Jesus’ response that the

Father was “in Me”. Furthermore, how could Jesus be in the Father? How could God be in someone?

How does a Holy God become manifest in the flesh? How can God live a life through another? In a

word, grace! Jesus described the grace of the Father in Him. He said: “Believe Me” either because of

this MYSTERY of the Father “in Me” or for the sake of the works themselves. Remember that Christ was

filled with “grace and Truth” as a child. Jesus was overflowing with continuous actions of divine love

empowered by grace which would reach a pinnacle at the cross. The Father was in Him and He was in

the Father. Amazing grace indeed. (Luke 4:1, 4:14, 4:18) ( Matthew 4:1)

John 14:7-11 "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

John 10:38 …but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him."

Jesus’ whole ministry embodied grace. He spoke of the grace of the Master in the parable of the talents

(Mat. 25:14-30). Jesus gave a complete description of grace in John 15:1-11 as that living life giving

water which flows from the vine to enable the branches to bear much fruit. Appropriately, these same

verses will be fully discussed in detail in Appendix 3 (Parable of Talents and Grace) and on page 47 ("In

Christ" the true Vine).

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How did God's grace affect Jesus' ministry?

Do you know how many miracles Jesus could have done apart from the Father dwelling within Him doing

the works? Not one! He couldn't have done a thing! Jesus lived His life on earth through the source of all

abundant life and power, the Father. Jesus could only do what God the Father was doing through Him. If

you disagree lets review what Jesus said:

John 5:30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

John 7:16-18 Jesus answered them and said, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.

John 8:28 Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.

John 12:49-50 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."

Get this picture! Jesus lived as a normal man who was totally helpless apart from the Father’s grace

(Divine enablement). God was manifest in the flesh through the Son. Immanuel, was God with us. God

was living a life of empowering grace through the life of another, His Son. The Son chose to be in total

submission and dependence upon His heavenly Father.

Acts 2:22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know--

REFLECTION: If Jesus found it necessary as a man to depend on the life of the Father to be expressed

in Him and through Him, what makes us think that we can manage our own lives apart from Jesus who is

our chief priest and advocate at the Father's right hand? He imparts three blessings, the way to the Father

(cross), the truth, and the abundant life by grace, through faith. Apart from Him we can do nothing!

The Bible is clear:

John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

1 Thes. 5:24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it .

Philip. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

APPLICATION: As Christ was one with the Father we are called to be one "in Christ" and not called to do

anything except simply appropriate by faith our union in Him as He did from the Father. The Bible is clear,

Jesus will do it, not us! He will appropriate the divine empowering grace of the Father as we submit our

earthly bodies, by faith, for Him to use.

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Jesus’ parables revealed secret mysteries

Jesus’ Parables were all pictures of grace. Jesus’ parables portrayed the Kingdom as a kind of secret

force giving grace for grace. Sheep among wolves, treasure hidden in a field, the tiniest seed in the

garden, wheat growing among weeds, a sprinkle of salt on meat, a vine causing its branches to bear fruit

– all these hint of a movement that brings grace to individuals and society, allowing the Gospel of grace

and love to change people, in their faith, from the inside out.

Jesus preached the MYSTERIES about the “Gospel of grace” and the Kingdom to the masses in

parables. The great men of God in the Old Testament did not receive the Gospel of grace which was

hidden and a mystery to previous generations. Jesus in the Gospels revealed these mysteries through

parables. Appropriately, the mystery of holiness through God’s grace in Christ will be discussed in the

context of Paul’s epistles as the “Seventh Spiritual Truth” about God’s Grace. Record these amazing

words in your memory because they become important truths in recognizing the significance of the

mystery of the Glorious Gospel of grace! If you made a mental record, say an appropriate AMEN after

reading the following:

Matthew 13:34-35 All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "I will open My mouth in parables: I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world."

Jesus revealed the Kingdom and the Kingdom riches of grace through parables. He would reveal these

mysteries in-total only to the disciples and to believers after Pentecost and to the apostle Paul. Paul’s total

ministry was to be the Lord’s appointed apostle and messenger of the mystery of the “Gospel of grace” to

the Gentiles. Note: Paul is our unique messenger appointed by the Lord; therefore, we should listen to

him and receive a great insight into the MYSTERY of the Gospel of God’s grace in Christ.

Second Spiritual Truth: God desires that all be saved by grace through faith

God’s desire is that all should come to repentance and the rich inheritance of His grace. However, God

requires that we must choose by faith. A faith that recognizes that Christ can do it but we cannot!

1 Tim. 2:4 …who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

God’s goodness is the appearance of His grace within life’s suffering circumstances which calls out

loudly to lead men and women to find repentance and faith in that source of goodness totally outside

themselves.

Worthy quote:

God’s law condemns the best of men!

The grace of God saves the worst of men! (source unknown)

The Problem - The unsaved are a law unto themselves condemned under the law and graceless, outside

the promise of grace and truth, knowing God but rejecting His grace in Christ by which He is glorified:

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Romans 3:10-12 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one."

Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Romans 1:18-22 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools,

Third Spiritual Truth: God’s grace appears to “ALL MEN”

God’s grace appears to all men as a spiritual light of truth shining in the darkness. Grace appears to the lost

through God’s visible actions manifested in their daily lives by God’s grace empowering truth, goodness and

love. Often this occurs through visible actions of Christ’s love from grace filled believers. When one finds

Jesus the search is over! He alone satisfies the call within every hungry heart to fill the void/vacuum created

by God within every human soul. He fills the void in the heart and brings the joyful gift of grace. Everyone is

searching for the fountain of everlasting joy.

Remember the Greek word for grace “charis” is traced to an action verb meaning “I rejoice, I am glad,

joyful." True JOY can only result from God’s grace being made visible (manifest) through faith in Christ!

Joy is not reachable by anyone preoccupied with self. Without faith “in Christ” and a humble

repentance toward God the Father, grace may reappear to unbelievers but it will not remain or abide

within the human spirit and soul.

Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

The key words are that the grace of God “has appeared to ALL MEN."

Billy Graham has estimated that over 60-70% of churchgoers are not saved. Could a big mission field

exists within the church itself? Unsaved churchgoers have accepted the “appearance” of grace (Warm

spiritual feelings and emotions, experienced from preaching, worship, music and fellowship to quell the

conscience as if a drug for pain). The world has veiled spiritual truth and made many blind (John 3:19),

unable to see the light (2 Cor 4:3-7) and demonstrate the spiritual anointed fruit of the Gospel of grace:

“Christ in you, the hope of Glory.”

Could Billy Graham’s observation just be validating what it states in Col 1:4-6:

Col. 1:4-6 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;

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NOTE: The Gospel bears real fruit ONLY where believers “hear and

understand (know) the grace of God, in truth.”Likewise: It is not truth that sets one free but rather the knowledge of (faith in) that truth!!!!

God’s grace even appears or is shown to the wicked but it does not abide!

Isaiah 26:10 Let grace be shown to the wicked, Yet he will not learn righteousness; In the land of uprightness he will deal unjustly, And will not behold the majesty of the Lord.

Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

God’s grace appears as God’s awesome visible presence (Acts 17:22-30)

God’s powerful sovereign presence is displayed in the universe (e.g. Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Tornadoes,

Infinite Stars, nature itself, etc.) and is evident in the lives and ministry of believers who are living

testaments of God’s Love and grace in Christ. In the last days these appearances of grace will increase.

Romans 1:18-22 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools,

Acts 17:26-27 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;

Acts 17:30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,

Acts 17:31 …because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."

Why all this blindness to the Gospel of God’s grace in Christ?

Noted theologian Major Ian Thomas in his book “The Saving Life of Christ” has illustrates the blinding

lie of Satan that controls through a thought provoking story:

“Imagine for a moment that I steal the uniform of a policeman who represents the true empowering presence of authority in the midst of rush hour traffic. I step out into the middle of a busy street and hold up my hand. What is the result? All the traffic stops! Although I am exercising a stolen authority, all the drivers obey me for the policeman they believe me to be. But what I am is a lie! They obey my signal – but what I do is a lie! All that I am and all that I do is one big lie, but the traffic still stops, and I control the behavior of every driver who does not know the truth! Everything I say as a bogus policeman will appear to carry the weight of an authority I do not possess in them who are still in the dark about the truth, and who go on believing a lie!”

By the way, there is no statute of limitations on the punishment for the crime that Satan has committed

masquerading as the religious “angel of light” and for those who imitate him.

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“It is pathetically possible to be engaged in all kinds of religious activity that is nothing less than Satan’s

subtle masquerade of the Gospel of grace of God.”

Any substitute righteousness or works on the basis of any other belief than by God’s empowering grace

through FAITH in the Person of Jesus Christ is a lie straight from the father of lies, Satan himself.

2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Everyone should objectively assess in their own hearts using the Word of God to determine whether they

internally possess the grace of God in Christ. You know it if you found Him as He leaves no doubt! This

truth is experienced as an empowering spiritual presence of the living Christ that enables a life of

godliness (and is presently destroying ungodliness and gracelessness from within) and brings forth real

fruit. Hence, the truth is that God’s true authority “in Christ” activates God’s power (grace) in and through

man, bringing righteousness. That is why it takes Christ Himself abiding in a believer to be a Christian –

for Christ in a Christian puts God back into the re-birthed spiritual man. That is the work of God – BY

GRACE THROUGH FAITH in Christ.

John 6:2 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."

Fourth Spiritual Truth: God gives grace only to the humble.

Proverbs 3:34 Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.

James 4:5-7 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Isaiah 23:9 The Lord of hosts has purposed it, To bring to dishonor the pride of all glory, To bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.

Humble loving WARNING by Jesus!

Luke 14:11(NIV) For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

If one chooses to humble themselves, they can avoid affliction and scorn. They will be exalted by the grace of God in Christ. However if one chooses to exalt themselves, it is only a matter of time until they will be humbled because of the absence of God’s grace in that area of their life.

Definition: Humbleness is the gift given upon graduation from the school of man’s self-afflicted suffering.

Jim Cymbala describes God’s attraction to weakness in his book "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire."

"I discovered an astonishing truth: God is attracted to weakness. He can't resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need Him."

Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

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Luke 18:13-14 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Matthew 18:4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Isaiah 66:1-2 (NAS) Thus says the LORD, "Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? "For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being," declares the LORD. "But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.

God gave the fullness of grace to Jesus as a child. Was He humble? Yes! Yes! Yes! Thank you Lord

Jesus for being the model of humbleness. You alone are worthy of the fullness of God’s grace:

Philip. 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

2 Cor. 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

2 Cor. 13:4 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

Grace was the essence of Paul’s humble being and who he was, a new creation, in Christ Jesus:

1 Cor. 15:9-11 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Read the story of the humble prodigal son and the graceless older brother (Luke 15:11-32)

The lost prodigal son had to be found to allow the Father to pour out abundant Mercy and grace. The

story does not tell how he was found but it does indicate the prodigal son’s humbleness. The prodigal

said: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your

son. Make me like one of your hired servants." The Father was not confused about the cause and effect.

He declares: “this, my son, was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” We didn’t see anyone

find him. Just because we didn’t see it happen, it does not mean the light of salvation did not shine!

God's grace appeared (called) and there was a response of humble repentance. God the Holy Spirit’s

work is indeed like the wind; we see it and know it as truth, not directly, but by its effects.

Notice the legalism and gracelessness of the older brother. For so many years he had worked hard

serving the father. He did not even refer to the younger son as his brother saying to the father…“but when

this son of yours came..” Neither did the older son go into the house and celebrate but stayed outside the

house and the father had to come out and entreat him. The father said: “you have always been with me.”

The older brother lacked humbleness and became the accuser of his brother and brethren who wore the

robe and ring of grace (Rev 12:10). Who received the gift of grace? Was it the passion filled son who

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suffered scorn, was lost but and was found or was it the legalistic son who stayed outside and could not

accept his brother? Had the older brother fallen from grace?

Definitions of humility

Humility is a loving reverence for God….Humility is wisdom & strength under control of the Holy Spirit.

Humility is the gift given for graduating from the school of experiencing God’s grace.

Hebrews 12:28-29 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.

1 Peter 5:5-6 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. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time

The 7-steps from gracelessness to glory:

1. Rebellion (man exalted) begets gracelessness/lawlessness/sin.

2. Gracelessness begets man’s self-created affliction in the presence of God’s goodness!

3. Affliction begets choice of humbleness towards God or higher rebellion (return to step #1).

4. Humbleness chosen begets faith in Christ Jesus (the author and finisher of our faith)

5. Faith in Christ begets God’s grace.

6. God’s grace begets humility from a believer and Glory to God!

7. Humility begets doing the will of the Father in thanksgiving and praise to the glory of God!

Fifth Spiritual Truth: Kingdom treasure - God’s grace in Christ!

Let us begin with three parables Jesus only gave to the disciples and which describe the kingdom from three

viewpoints. It also describes the relationship of grace to the kingdom. Here are the three kingdom parables:

(#1) Matthew 13:44 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Firstly, the parable of the man represents a believer since the man must already be saved and in the

field (in Christ) and working and seeking in the field in order to find the kingdom treasure. Logically,

you have to be in the field in order to find the treasure! What was the treasure the man found? This

parable describes a believer finding the treasure of God’s grace and God’s glory for living the Christian

joy filled life found by abiding “in Christ.”

(#2) Matthew 13:45-46 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Secondly, the parable of the merchant represents either a Jew of Jesus’ day or an unsaved person

who both feel secure in their head knowledge of beautiful pearls (religion or religious knowledge).

Merchants describes themselves as being knowledgeable of their trade. However, only by seeking

can the merchant find the one pearl of great price (Christ). That great price was bought by Jesus at

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the cross! Thus, receiving the pearl is a free gift fully paid by a kings ransom. This parables described

finding “the way” of salvation by Grace through faith in Christ! It describes turning away (repentance)

and becoming totally sold out to Christ. The pearl received is Christ! “Christ in you” the hope of glory!”

Only one way to the kingdom PEARLand GIFT! By grace through faith.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Ephes. 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, that no one should boast.

Note: Not gift from God; rather the gift of God Himself, dwelling within us. We call “The Gift of God

Himself”, the third member of the trinity, “God the Holy Spirit.” grace is the ministry/work of the Holy

Spirit, one gets both upon redemption. We are justified by grace (that was full in Christ) being

exchanged for our sin as we are hidden with Him and redeemed at the cross through faith.

Romans 3:24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

(#3) Matthew 13:47-48 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.

Thirdly, the parable of the dragnet describes the current kingdom reality that some from every tongue

and nation both good and bad will be captured and gathered into the church which is the kingdom

dragnet. But not all in the church will inherit the kingdom. There will be a judgment in the fullness of

time and only those saved having “Christ in them the hope of glory” will be the good taken into the

glory of the kingdom. Jesus described a good man:

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

How does one find kingdom treasure and glory?

The first two parables emphasize seeking in order to find. However, the object of the seeking is different!

Both parables indicate becoming completely “sold out” to Christ as the primary object and freed from

earthly bondages by the enabling power of God’s grace in Christ! But only the man enjoys the life

changing earthly blessing of kingdom treasure! Here is a detailed interpretation of that joyful treasure that

any born again seeker may find and enjoy today:

Matthew 13:44 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

treasure = God’s grace and glory, lost to man because of gracelessness..

hidden = The Gospel of grace of God is hidden in Christ.

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field = Jesus Christ

found = the treasure of God’s grace was found in the field (in Christ).

hid = treasure of grace becomes hidden in the man’s heart by faith.

Col. 2:3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Col. 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

joy = The grace of God “in Christ” floods the spirit and soul of the man with joy!

Critical to understanding this parable: The root of “grace” or “charis” in the Greek is traced to an action

verb meaning: I rejoice, I am glad. I am filled with joy (NOTE: Joy is the direct result of God’s grace).

he goes = the man goes, joyfully by faith, to the source of strength and enabling power to be freed

from all earthly bondages and sufferings.

sells all that he has = the man behaves as being separated from “all earthly bondages that he has.”

He joyfully becomes totally “sold out to Christ!” (sanctification)

buys that field = he buys the field (by abiding in Christ)! He chooses to abide above in Christ, seated

in heavenly places (kingdom citizenship) while the Christ in him (able ambassador) enables the

believer by the grace of God to do the will of the Father to His glory.

Col. 3:1-4 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

2 Cor. 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

Only one way to the kingdom TREASURE! By grace through an abiding faith in Christ.

Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

FAITH

False faith: “I can, with God’s help.”

Faith: “I cannot! But “He can!”

Great faith does not create or produce, but rests and rejoices in what God has already done.

“Born Again” spiritual rebirth likens itself to the delivery of a newborn baby!

Since God purposed both the physical birth and the spiritual rebirth processes one would logically expect

to see a consistency in these two God created processes, and we do:

Everyone is physically born inheriting a graceless spiritual dead condition at the age of accountability.

Unless there is a spiritual rebirth in Christ, the human spirit and soul cannot enter the kingdom of God.

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John 3:5-7 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born again.''

Is their evidence of birth pains preceding spiritual rebirth?

Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

Where does spiritual rebirth begin. God’s grace appears to all men (Titus 2:11-12) demonstrating His

goodness in the midst of human self-inflicted grief and sorrow. Sorrow in an imperfect sinful world is a

wake-up call for a simple truth! God is good all the time; Satan is bad all the time! It is only a matter of

time before this truth becomes reality and every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus

Christ as Lord. The Holy Spirit quickens the human spirit (heart). God created that human spirit to be

a higher power with control the human soul (mind, will and emotions). It is the goodness of God

communicated to the human spirit that results in redemption through a humble repentance within the

soul. The dissected meaning of repentance is (RE= return, PENT= top). Simply stated, the word

REPENT is humbly returning from a life of sin to the top (the FATHER).

Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Where does spiritual delivery begin?

There is a turning of the newborn both in physical birth and spiritual rebirth signaling delivery. The

head of the newborn is turned 180 degrees awaiting delivery through the birth canal. Likewise, the

spiritual mind (head) and heart must turn 180 degrees in repentance prior to spiritual delivery. To not

have this turning results in stillborn spiritual death. By the way, God does not do spiritual Caesarians

but does offer multiple longsuffering opportunities to choose humble repentance and spiritual rebirth

through faith in Christ.

William Tyndale, the father of the English Bible described repentance as a conversion of heart and

mind:

“Concerning the word REPENTANCE… the very sense and signification both of the Hebrew and also of the Greek word is, to be converted and to turn to God with all the heart, to know His will, and to live according to His laws; and to be cured of our corrupt nature with the oil of His Spirit <grace>, and wine of obedience <faith> to His doctrine.”

Through faith in Christ Jesus and a humble repentance toward God, we receive mercy and are

washed in his blood and justified by the redemptive gift of God’s grace. Faith and repentance are one

and the same act preceding redemption. Repentance is recognition of being incapably LOST while at

that same moment turning to calling upon the capable Lord to be FOUND and redeemed by faith.

Redemption in Christ Jesus is not by human workings, nor by proper behavior, nor by being a good

person or not even by believing there is a God (for even Satan believes in God) but by grace through

faith in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the only way as there is none righteous, not even one

(Romans 3:10). God’s antithesis for sin is grace in Christ, not human virtue and goodness.

Meanwhile the expectant church Body of Christ is continually going through the Master’s biblical

training for assisting spiritual rebirth. When called by the spirit induced labor pains, believers are to

lovingly help in pre-delivery faith encouragement and in post-delivery sanctifying faith encouragement.

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Believers are to have a labor of love as part of the body of Christ but not work during this process of

deliverance, for it says:

Col. 1:29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

1 Cor. 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Christ alone delivers the spiritual born again child of God from death to life, by God’s grace through

faith. He Alone delivers the gift of God’s grace. When we begin to comprehend Romans Six, we know

that our death "in Christ" unto sin was completed at Calvary. We see the foundation of our

deliverance--the fact that we died with Christ on the cross; and also the conditions of our deliverance--

that we reckon ourselves dead unto sin and yield to God as those that are alive from the dead. Rebirth

requires our identifying ourselves (becoming hidden) spiritually both in His death on the cross and in

His resurrection life. Two spirits abiding together first in death and then in life:

Ephes. 2:14-16 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

Col. 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Ephes. 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

When we have been in Romans Seven for a time, we come to realize that we have been struggling to

produce that which God has already accomplished for us "in Christ". Romans Eight describes the

means and the method for a “born again” believer’s daily deliverance--that it is through the blessed

Holy Spirit alone that we are actually daily delivered by the cross, from sin's reign. The moment we

cease from all our own efforts and let Him do all the work by grace through faith, He will begin

delivering us from the power of sin. How long it takes some of us to come to the end of our own efforts

can be seen in Romans Seven!"

Hebrews 4:10-11 (KJV) For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

This is why Paul, a “born again” believer still needed daily deliverance? A daily walk of faith!

Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

Our soul (mind, will and emotions), like Paul’s, is subject to great deception because it is the only

remaining realm where the principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness still have limited access to

influence the born again spirit. If our spirits are truly in Christ and walking by faith, then our souls

are totally inaccessible to Satan. Regardless, our souls are being continually lied to and deceived

about who we are in Christ!

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A believer must respond as Paul did learning to abide in Christ as He abides in us which is a higher

spiritual dimension than the weaker soul. We must simply learn to abide above at the Throne of

grace by faith and let God’s grace in Christ bring the victory in our lives below.

Philip. 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Jesus gave Paul the answer:

2 Cor. 12:9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Paul had faith in the Master’s deliverance by grace through faith and testified to the results:

Philip. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Unveiling the mystery of the renewal of the mind!

Romans 12:1-3 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

Picture the believer as a temple…the “Holy of Holies” is at the center of every born again believer’s

spirit. It represents the unchangeable Spirit-filled presence of Christ in us the hope of eternal glory.

This is the part of a Christian that qualifies us as saints and where we have been sealed by the Holy

Spirit! This is the exact picture of Israel’s Leviticus Tabernacle Holy of Holies but with two major

distinctions. First, the mercy seat has been replaced by the Throne of Grace. Secondly, the Levite

chief priest could enter into the Holy of Holies only once a year but now a believer can chose, by faith,

to continually abide spiritually in the Holy of Holies! By the authority of the blood and the cross of

Christ, a believer can chose to abide in the presence of the Lord at the Throne of Grace of God. This

represents only that part of our soul which we have chosen by faithful obedience to abide in Christ.

Only that part of our soul which has surrendered to Christ by faith abides in the Holy Place.

Beyond this “Holy of Holies” lies the “Holy Place” part our soul (mind, will and emotions). There has

been a major change here from the Leviticus Tabernacle in that the veil between the Holy of Holies

and the Holy Place has been removed! The incense aroma that we smell here represents PRAYER in

spirit and truth. By prayer we may boldly approach the Throne of grace to receive mercy first and then

grace for help in time of need. Going out we receive the renewal of the mind (soul) in the presence of

the living God as a Trinity. Going out we may receive blessings (if we ask to receive) that renew the

mind as follows:

The empowering GRACE of God

The light which represents the TRUTH of the Spirit (represented by the menorah in the

Tabernacle’s Holy Place)

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The Tabernacle bread representing the living WORD of God

Satan cannot influence the inner court and Holy Place and has no ability to influence the Holy of

Holies, our newborn spirit in Christ.

Beyond the inner court lies the outer court of our souls where we are to be strengthened by the body of

Christ (represented by the Church) in preparation for ministry. Here we receive encouragement to

enter often into the Holy of Holies by faith to be empowered by His grace. This is where the battle

occurs for the mind! Do we chose to be empowered by the Holy of Holies and encouraged by the

body of Christ (Church) or do we go into the world on our own strength? It is in the outer court where

Satan continues false teachings and to re-veil the life of grace and to hide the source of strength which

lies in abiding by faith in the Holy of Holies in Christ.

2 Cor. 3:13-16 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

Psalm 23:3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.

Beyond the outer court is the world, the flesh and Satan and the constant bombardment which tests a

believer’s faith whether to return to the Holy of Holies for strength. It is also where we have a mission

and calling to go with the good news. Outside the outer court we must be in the world but not of the

world. However, where a believer has bondages to sin in their life, Satan has erected a veil to that part

of their soul to the Holy Place. Those areas of life remain soul remain outside the blessings of the

Holy Place under the daily influence of a gracelessness and lawlessness world.

So what is the renewal of a believers mind?

As we pick up our cross daily in living sacrifice and turn to the Lord and allow our self by faith to be

crucified with Christ, then just like the moment Jesus died, God’s glorious Spirit, using the two-edged

sword of truth, splits the veil (Satan’s veiled influence) that hides the grace of God in Christ in the Holy of

Holies from the soul (mind, will and emotion). The veil is rent in two, divided asunder (Heb 4:12) and the

empowering grace of God in Christ flows and floods the inner court (soul) bringing glory and victory into

our lives. We must go by faith into the Holy of Holies, our internal point of abiding in Christ at the Throne of

grace! Our hope rests on abiding in the author and finisher of our faith, who brings the riches and power

of God’s gift of grace through faith. To Him be the glory both now and forever. AMEN!

Unveiling God’s glorious plan for abiding in Christ

God purposed that a new kingdom would restore his glory by uniting all things in heaven and earth in

Christ. Earth will to be restored as it was prior to Adam and Eve’s sin. Heaven will be restored as it was

before the fall of Lucifer and a third of the angels. The Bible states that God allows a person to chose to

die "in Christ" at the cross so they can be reborn (resurrected "in Christ") into a new heavenly kingdom of

grace and truth in Christ. Faith in Christ is the Master’s key that unlocks the treasure and riches of God's

grace! To Him be the glory forever and ever!

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God's grace is the POWER behind God's WILL (plan) to achieve God's PURPOSE:

“TO UNITE ALL THINGS IN HEAVEN & EARTH IN CHRIST” (Ephes. 1:9-12 )

“THAT GOD MAY BE ALL IN ALL” (1Cor. 15:28)

Thus God’s Glory shall be restored both in both Heaven & Earth!

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (NOTE; All these things = God’s grace in Christ)

2 Cor. 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

Matthew 13:52 Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."

Sixth Spiritual Truth: Christ Reigns & Grace Rules

Those “In Christ” and are not under the law, but under the rule of grace requiring faith in Him.

Though freed from the law with its stern commands,

No longer ruled by its harsh demands.

I’m a bondservant of Christ’s love and only free,

To joyfully act by God’s grace, righteously. (J.H. ‘98)

Grace is the source of spiritual power from God in Christ, enabling Christians to overcomes sin’s

dominion.

Romans 6:14-15 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!

Grace and sin are opposites. Grace is God’s solution to sin! Grace “in Christ” brings the reign of

righteousness unto salvation!

Romans 5:17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

Romans 5:20-21 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The key ingredient for the rule of grace in our lives is continually renewing the faith in Christ who reigns!

Satan wants to destroy the faith relationship more than anything else since he has no power over God’s

grace. He knows that our daily walk of faith is our lifeline to being empowered for righteousness and for

being a witness to the “good news” of God’s grace in our lives. If he can temporarily sever the faith

connection in Christ, he has gained a tremendous victory. He knows that without a living faith relationship

in Christ, prayer as a force in our lives will be extinguished. We will soon be just mechanically going

through the outward forms of religion while experiencing nothing of God’s empowering grace. All of

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Satan’s schemes for believers is to veil and temporarily destroy the faith in the one who reigns and brings

the joyful rule of God’s grace!

However, a believer’s temporary “fallen from grace” condition is not loss of salvation. It is temporary, for

salvation will regain the reign in Christ through sorrow filled experience:

2 Cor. 7:9-11 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Salvation reigns in Christ through a repentant faith bringing grace to sorrow!

Therefore as a body of believers we need to encourage one another to continually approach the Throne of

grace to receive mercy and appropriate grace to help in time of need. This is how we can strengthen our

faith to sustain the present and future attacks of Satan upon the reign of Christ and the rule of grace.

Genesis 41:52 "For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction."

2 Tim. 2:1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Seventh Spiritual Truth: The Great Mystery of Godliness

Discovering this final mountain top truth about the provisions of God’s amazing grace for godliness is clearly

the most significant and difficult of all. But this discovery also brings an awesome spiritual blessing. The

importance of this truth is recognized by the Bible’s description of this mystery as being “without controversy

GREAT” amongst all Biblical mysteries. The only other mystery of God described in the Bible which is

quantified as “great” is in contained in Eph. 5:32 which describes the mystery of the body of Christ, and the

Church as a great mystery rather than being GREAT as a mystery. Certainly when the Bible calls only one

specific mystery of God GREAT, it deserves appropriate attention.

1 Tim. 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:

Ephes. 6:19-20 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

The Bible states that we are to be “stewards of the mysteries of God”. Therefore, central to stewardship is

reckoning the mysteries of God, especially the only one that is highlighted in the Bible as GREAT!

1 Cor. 4:1-3 (RSV-amplified) This is how one should regard us <Christians>, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy <in the faith>.

Implied in this command is the notion that it is not how we see ourselves as servants and Christian witnesses

that matters, rather how the unbelieving world regards us through our actions which convey, if not explain, the

mysteries of God.

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Without controversy, great is the Mystery of Godliness

1 Tim. 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:

God was manifested in the flesh,

Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels,

Preached among the Gentiles,

Believed on in the world,

Received up in glory.

Titus 1:1-2 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the

knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness-- a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life,

which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,

The key clue to the great mystery: God becoming manifest in the flesh! Godliness or Godlikeness is the

direct and exclusive consequence of God’s manifestation and activity in man. It is not the consequence of

man’s capacity to imitate God, but the consequence of God’s capacity to reproduce Himself in man! This

is the nature of the mystery!

Once a believer comes to recognize that it is only by God’s grace through faith in Christ that a believer can

experience God being manifest in them, then a believer is left with no option but to seek after Christ,

abiding above in Him, the author and finisher of our faith.

Remove the mystery or try to explain it away, and the results will inevitably be disastrous, for an individual

will no longer be anchored to anything absolute; they will be at liberty to choose their own god – the object

of their own imitation; and their ‘godliness’ will be the measure of their conformity to the object of their

choice. It is one of Satan’s subtleties that causes men to flee from God and seek to silence God’s voice in

the very practice of religion. Could it be that the very institution of religion, as distinguished from the Body

of Christ (His Church), was created by man to keep people from having a personal grace relationship in

Christ?

By not entering into the mystery of godliness and allowing God, in Christ to be in you the origin of His own

image, one seeks to be godly by submitting themselves to external rules and regulations and by

conforming to behavior patterns imposed upon by the particular society (religions or otherwise) in which

one hopes to be found “acceptable”. By perpetuating the pagan habit of practicing religion in the energy of

the flesh, one would be committing idolatry in honoring “Christianity” more than Christ!”

Col. 2:20-23 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," which all concern things which perish with the using--according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

What initiated God’s grace provisions for enabling godliness? A Prayer by Christ!

John 17:20-26 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that

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they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."

God-image or God-void/vacuum?

Man was created in such a way that he could bear the image of God without God Himself becoming

visible, so that not his physical form but his capacity to behave was designed to be the means through

which God intended to express His nature and His character. This godliness or Godlikeness was not to

have been an imitation of God <or equal to God> by man, but the direct result of the activity of God in

man. In other words – God Himself behaving in and through you!

Man’s behavior as an effect, was to have been the result of God’s behavior as the cause. The former was

to have been the “brightness” or the “out-shining” of the latter’s glory, the “express image” of the Person

(Hebrews 1:3)! The image was to have been visible while the Person still remained invisible!

Clues to the Great Mystery of Godliness

It is appropriate to first examine a synopsis from the great theologian Major W. Ian Thomas who dedicated

his whole lifework to examining the GREAT mystery of Godliness. In his books entitled “The Mystery of

Godliness” and “The Saving Life of Christ” he has given practical biblical clues to this GREAT mystery. Let

us begin with his illustration:

“I may say to a glove, “glove pick up this Bible,” and yet somehow, the glove cannot do it. It has a thumb and fingers, the shape and form of the hand, and yet it is unable to do the things I command it to do. You may say, “Well, of course not. You have never told the glove how!” But I may preach to and instruct that glove until my patience is exhausted, but the glove, try as it will, still cannot pick up that Bible. Yet I have a glove at home that has picked up my Bible dozens of times – but never once before I put my hand into it! As soon, however, as my hand comes into that glove, the glove becomes as strong as my hand. Everything possible to my hand becomes possible to that glove – but only in the measure in which the glove is prepared simply to clothe the activity of my hand.

That is what it is to have Christ (the CHANNEL and MEDIATOR of God’s empowering grace), by His Spirit, dwelling within redeemed humanity. You become the glove, and Christ is the Hand! Everything that is possible to Him by the grace of the Father becomes possible to you.

Paul described the MYSTERY of godliness:

2 Peter 1:3-5 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,

Abiding in the living Christ imparts to you all things that pertain to life and godliness, all that you need to

live a life of righteousness and nobility of character. For “Christ to be in you” – that is redemption; but for

“You to be in Christ” – that is sanctification! For Christ to be “in you” – makes you fit for earth; but to be “in

Christ” – that makes you fit for heaven! Being “in Christ” makes heaven your home while “Christ in you”

makes the world His workshop. In other words, it takes God to complete a man! Man, that is, as God

intended him to be! God created man to be inhabited spiritually by God for God! That God may be all in

all!

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The not-so-great mystery of lawlessness (gracelessness)

Who hasn't asked, "Why did this happen to me? Why do I have to go through bad experiences? Why

does cancer suddenly strike a dear one?" These are tough questions in life and death. "Why should

injustice prevail? Why do wars continue their senseless destruction?" Man wrestles with injustice, evil,

and the inability to make real social progress -- and always has. Why is it that we are still grappling with

the problems the Romans struggled with in the days of Julius Caesar? And back even to the dimmest

recesses of human history they were wrestling with the same basic problems. Why? We haven't learned

a thing from history and it seems like history repeats itself. Where has all our vaunted education -- the

heights of human knowledge and technology -- brought us, when we haven't been able to solve any of the

basic human problems? The reason given by Scripture is that there is a mysterious power of lawlessness

(gracelessness). There is a malevolent being called Satan, prince of a great kingdom of darkness and

evil, a kingdom of millions of beings like himself who are in headlong stampede against the government of

God, in revolt and rebellion against him, and who are intent on restraining, wrecking, smashing and

mangling the love-born purpose and plans of God to bring joy to the human race. And they know how to

do it! Paul describes the mystery of lawlessness.

2 Thes. 2:5-8 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

We will never understand life; and never understand the conflicts between husband and wife, between

child and parent, with a neighbor, or anyone else, until we understand the mystery of lawlessness.

Without this knowledge, there is no explanation of history. There is no realistic way of dealing with current

conditions. We will never be able to do anything to shield ourselves in the future. For there is no "earthly

way" of solving the harmful or hurtful relationships between human beings. We will constantly be merely

treating the reoccurring symptoms until we learn to appropriate the power of God's grace in Christ. Grace

can deal with the real source of graceless troubles, as Paul writes in the whole sixth chapter of Ephesians.

Paul likewise, in First Timothy, describes the greater mystery and power. "Great is the mystery of

godliness.”

God has provided the “great mystery” of godliness for faithful believers to response to lawlessness (gracelessness). It is the gospel of grace in Christ -- Christ in you the Hope of Glory!

What is the secret knowledge of grace & truth leading to godliness?

God’s grace in Christ, the abiding provisions for godliness in Christ …the greatest solution to avoid suffering and futility that this world could ever discover.

We can never escape the struggles of this world, but we can have victory by the grace of God! That's the

point. We don't have to be defeated. We don't have to be torn apart and discouraged and bored and

jealous and envious and anxious and fretful and lonely. We can win, by means of the secret of the Gospel

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of grace in Christ. It is also called "the mystery of the gospel" (Eph 6:19), and in another place "the

mystery of Christ and his church," (cf, Eph 3:4). It is simply the fantastic radical principle that God intends

to live in man. The mystery that redeemed man is to be the dwelling place of God as it was in Eden. And,

through the cross and the resurrection, God has set aside man's guilt and provided for his weakness and

impotence for godliness, and has given him a way of handling life as it comes -- through the indwelling

power and the activity of God’s grace in Christ.

God’s grace transforms the heart from the inside out. Through grace received as a gift of faith “in Christ”

we are transformed and hidden “in Christ” -- protected. God the Holy Spirit is “In Us” changing us by His

will and the power of grace from the inside out. The sinner does not have to remain a sinner, the weakling

does not have to remain weak, the dope addict does not have to remain a dope addict, the homosexual

does not have to remain a sodomite, the thief does not have to continue to steal, the prostitute does not

have to continue being a harlot, the alcoholic does not have to remain a slave to alcohol, the slanderer

does not have to continue to gossip, the false teacher can become a zealot for the word of truth, and the

abused can forgive. The power of grace in action transforms weakness into strength, ugliness into

beauty, uncleanness into purity, sinfulness into holiness, pride into humbleness, and enmity into love.

God’s grace is all sufficient, for all classes, in all circumstances, unto all ages. Grace fills the vacancy in

the heart, and it meets every need of God’s people in the time of burden and suffering. It is the nature of

God’s love and divine grace to flood all the depths and to overflow the heights of a righteous man’s

needs. This is “The Great Mystery of godliness!” The Gospel of grace which is: “Christ in you, the hope

of glory.” The Apostle Paul is saying this very thing to the Corinthian believers:

1 Cor. 2:1-16 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, Nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

He says that among the mature, those growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. We speak or

impart a hidden, secret wisdom, which none of the rulers of this age know anything about.

When he refers to the rulers of the age, he does not mean governmental authorities, necessarily. He

is talking about the leaders of human thought -- the philosophers, the statesmen, the molders and

fashioners of world opinion, the poets, the politicians -- those who lead people in every realm of life.

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They do not know these secrets of God. And because they don't know them, they make the most

atrocious blunders. They are constantly making mistakes -- terrible, ghastly, costly mistakes which

injure and damage thousands and millions of people. But God has revealed these secrets to us, by his

Spirit. They are imparted to those who are filled with the Spirit. Those who possess the Holy Spirit can

hear and understand these secrets of God. Paul calls them the "depths" or the "deep things" of God.

The Gospel of grace….the greatest secret since the world began, now made visible! (Read Appendix 4 &

5 entitled “The Great Mystery”)

Ephes. 3:1-5 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:

Could it be more clear? The MYSTERY revealed to Paul for the Gentiles!

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Romans 15:18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done--

Paul referred to his personal ministry to the Gentiles as my gospel.

Romans 16:25-27 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith-- to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

2 Tim. 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel,

Romans 2:16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

What is this “MYSTERY” revealed to Paul and to the saints (read Ephesians 3:1-21)

1. Gentiles called fellow heirs with the chosen Hebrew people of God

2. Gentiles partakers of the promise “In Christ Jesus” (the Gospel of grace)

3. The Holy Spirit “administers” the MYSTERY (Ephesians 3:9)

The “riches” of the glory of this MYSTERY is the Gospel of grace: “Christ In You, the

hope of Glory!”

Col. 1:26-29 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 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.

Eph 3:8-10(RSV) To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden

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for ages in God who created all things; that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.

So what is this rich inheritance? Grace is the negotiable currency of the kingdom!

On the day that Jesus was crucified, the front door to the spiritual bank of the kingdom of heaven swung

wide open and all the glory of God came pouring out in the form of grace to all those who received Him.

The glory vault of heaven became available to those who would call upon His name!

The MYSTERY of the riches of grace is like a two sided coin of the kingdom which is the medium of

exchange and storehouse of value in God's kingdom found "In Christ."

Side 1 (HEADS) – “Christ in You” (the hope of Glory). This occurs at redemption by grace through

faith in Christ. Christ abides in every believer to do and to will.

Side 2 (TAILS) - You "in Christ. We were spiritually hidden in Christ at His death on the cross and we

can chose to be spiritually hidden in Christ seated in the heavenlies. This represents a believer being

“crucified with Christ” daily picking up their cross and following Christ who brings the resurrection joy of

God's grace. You say, "I don't feel like I am in heaven! Have you crucified self at His cross recently?

Could it be that many have completely missed the resurrection bringing power of the cross? Humble

crucifixion of sin (self) brings heavenly resurrection and this is an ongoing process of keeping the flesh

dead! God says that you are seated in the heavenlies in Christ, and if your feelers seem to tell you

that you aren't, which is the liar, God or your feeler?

Col. 3:1-4 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Ephes. 2:6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Is it any wonder that the ratio of Side 2 (In Christ) is mentioned in the Bible more than 10 to 1 when compared to Side 1 (Christ in You)? It is easy for a believer to miss the blessings of Side 2 spiritually. It is almost as if a believer has to be experientially "made to sit together in heavenly places!"

Therefore: You are a new creation whose spirit is resting in heaven “in Christ” (Side2),

while simultaneously here on earth, “Christ in you” is expressing His loving life through you

(Side1).

Where is a believer’s spiritual home that brings joy today, regardless of circumstance?

Who gets to work "in you" when you spiritually choose to rest above at home "in Him?"

Who should get the Glory?

This Biblical revelation of the EXCHANGED LIFE "In Christ" deserves a Joyful AMEN!

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Why; therefore, do many who inherit eternal life pass-up the rich inheritance of God’s grace for this life? It

is any wonder that we have to be "made to sit" together in the heavenlies hidden in Christ? But thank be

to God for gracing a one sided coin and continually remolding it into the image of Christ that every believer

may learn to be seated together in the heavenlies. Fully graced, we become ambassadors of our

heavenly kingdom home. Ambassadors are citizens of their home country who reside in a foreign land as

representatives of their homeland. Grace is the coin of the kingdom to be exchanged and shown to others

as we make known the MYSTERY to be found in the rich inheritance of God’s grace "in Christ".

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

2 Cor. 6:16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people."

Luke 17:20-21 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."

Why is the MYSTERY of the riches of God’s grace being kept a secret today?

What God kept a mystery from ages and generations, Satan in now trying to keep a secret!

Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

2 Tim. 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong,

haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

2 Cor. 3:13-16 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

God’s Glorious Amazing grace in Christ…the greatest mystery to avoid human suffering and

futility that this world could ever discover. Everyone loves a mystery and this Great Mystery is for

everyone to hear! Who will joyfully proclaim this good news?

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V. Putting the Amazing Back into Grace

Does “grace” mean “unmerited favor” - let’s see?

First, test the meaning by substituting the words “unmerited favor” for “grace” in all 100+ Bible passages.

Problem #1 : If grace is “unmerited favor” why does God give it only to the humble? (James 4:5-6) (1

Peter 5:5-6)

Problem #2 : The fullness of grace was upon Jesus. Does that mean “unmerited favor” was upon

Jesus? Surely not! Try substituting “unmerited favor” for grace in (Luke 2:40) & (John 1:14-17).

Revelation: Substituting “unmerited favor” everywhere “mercy “ is used in scripture provides a

corresponding match to the context and meaning perfectly. The Bible clearly defines mercy as “unmerited

favor” since God is withholding from us what we deserve and giving us, in his love, what we do not

deserve. We are called by grace to be sacrificing/merciful by demonstrating God’s Mercy. The sacrificing

act of Christ Jesus on the cross was God’s mercy demonstrated by the call of grace.

Note that mercy and grace are related. Humbleness together with mercy are preconditions for receiving

the fullness of grace to help in time of need. The other key enabler to grace is the understanding of, and

obedience by faith to God’s will. These taken together increase the faith and boldness to receive God’s

powerful and abundant grace in Christ! The victory comes by grace, through faith in Christ.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Biblical “good news” definition of grace:

Grace is “the empowering presence of God in you, enabling you to be who God has called you to be and to do what God has called you to do, by God’s faithfulness.”

1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Example Testing the true meaning of grace:

First. When testing for true meaning, those definitional words for grace must be substitutable and make

sense in the context of the Bible verses everywhere in God’s Word that the word grace appears.

Next: Let’s sample test the meaning by substituting the proposed meaning everywhere grace is used in

scripture. For example, lets test the substitution in John 1:14:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of <the empowering presence of God in Jesus, that enabled Jesus to be who he was meant to be and do what he was meant to do, by God’s faithfulness> and truth.

Conclusion: After testing over 150+ appearances of the word grace, the definition and meaning of grace did fit the context and meaning of each verse where it was tested! Also, “unmerited favor” did fit everywhere “Mercy” was tested!

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God’s grace in Christ enables believers “TO BE” (Divine supernatural strength for Discipleship)

You have seen the television commercial for the Armed Forces that says—to a musical accompaniment—“Be all that you can be”…. “in the Army”. I do not believe that the Army can achieve this goal but the message has strong appeal, especially to the youth, to join up.

Jesus alone brings the free gift of the Father’s grace to be all that you can be!

Acts 17:28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'

God’s grace gives those “In Christ”, the freedom to become all that He meant them “TO BE”. Being is a

statement of our heart, our state of godliness, represent the image of Christ reflected in us to others.

Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace,

Discipleship says Clifford Williams, “simply means the life that springs from grace”.

Paul experienced this divine strength and power given TO BE who God had called Him TO BE:

2 Cor. 12:9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

God’s grace in Christ enables believers “TO DO” (Divine supernatural power for Stewardship)

God’ grace enables us “TO DO” the Master’s business thereby bringing Glory to the Name of Jesus Christ. We

give Him all the Glory because we are bondservants of His Love and grace and do not receive a wage, rather a

debt (Romans 4:4) for which will receive future rewards in Heaven (Credit/Reward on Earth = No Debt/Reward

in Heaven; see Mat. 6:1-18). Remember that grace is the spiritual currency in God's kingdom to do His will!

God’s currency (grace) is the medium of exchange and storehouse of value (future reward in this case). Grace

in this sense is a storehouse of value to be paid in future Glory (John 4:36).

Stewardship springs from doing the Lord’s business (his will) with His power. Grace enables the good

results for which Christ’s Name is Glorified and we receive future reward (Mat 16:27)

Paul describes this empowerment “TO DO” what God had called Him TO DO. He was called “to do” the

work of a servant of the “Gospel of grace.”

Ephes. 3:7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.

What did Jesus say He came TO BE and TO DO?

TO BE: “Holy, Unblemished Lamb of God” full tempted.

TO DO: “Seek and save the lost.” (Note similarities to God’s will for Christ TO DO thru believers)

Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me. To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

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Luke 2:49 And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"

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VI. Discovering the Grace Empowered Will of God

Importance of God’s Will

Jesus reinforced the importance of God's will vs. lawlessness (gracelessness):

Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”

Ephes. 1:9-12 …having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

David in Psalm 143:10 wrote this prayer: “Lord teach me to do thy will.”

Psalm 40:8 I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart."

Paul cautions believers not to be unwise but understand the will of the Lord. Note that the word “unwise”

used in this passage in the Greek means moronic/stupid:

Ephes. 5:15-18 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

Col. 1:9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

Col. 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Peter described the distinguishing mark of a true believer was a preoccupation and centering of their life

on the DESIRED will of God:

1 Peter 4:1-2 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

God’s Will Biblically Defined

God’s Sovereign will is often divided into three categories; God’s PERMITTED will, God’s DESIRED will, and

God’s ABSOLUTE will. God’s will in simple terms is:

(1) BE in Christ (a Christian), by grace through faith in Christ! (PERMITTED will)

(2) BE conformed to the image of Christ! By grace through faith in Christ! (DESIRED will)

(3) God proposes to DO the rest! (ABSOLUTE will)

Theology ping-pong occurs regularly about how each category fits into the daily decision making process.

Some attempts to relieve the agony of not knowing God’s desired will are helped by making only two

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categories; that which is “God’s will” and that which is “within God’s will” which avoids the tougher

question….What does God specifically desire in each situation of life being faced today?

Religious questions in the area of God’s PERMITTED will abound. Is it permitted for a Christian to dance,

gossip, go to movies, or watch TV? Should there be an ABSOLUTE schedule for prayer time and being in the

Word or does God permit freedom? Which aspect of His will governs baptism? Immersion or sprinkling? Who

should I marry? What job should I choose? Where should I live? Why do bad things happen to good

Christian people? Why does evil exist in the world?

Often times we wrestle needlessly with the concept of God’s ABSOLUTE will about predestination and about

the future Revelation timing of the rapture of the church and the second coming judgment. In Paul’s day

similar religious struggles centered around what was permitted to be eaten and if and when to celebrate

sacred rituals. The Lord dealt with the questions of the confused Corinthians by communicating through Paul

that all things are PERMITTED except those that enslave or control their lives against God’s DESIRED will:

1 Cor. 6:12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Meanwhile, Christians seeking guidance on God’s will for their daily lives receive little help from the great

seminaries or from books and sermons on God’s will. Most noticeably missing is help in the area of God’s

DESIRED will. Just ask someone about God’s will for a given situation. The most likely response; “Just pray

about it and God will answer.” Or the infamous guidance; “God’s Will be done!” It is almost as if it doesn’t really

matter what God has written down in the Bible as His DESIRED will for His precious children. Paul’s proclaimed

the whole will of God with warning and tears. Therefore, we will attempt to reckon the whole will of God and those

factors that guide our path by the knowledge of truth and grace in Christ:

Acts 20:27-31 (NIV) For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

Let’s try to examine the whole will of God from a Biblical perspective:

Aspects of God’s Sovereign Will

Aspect

Of Will

Control

Factor

Central

Focus

Outcome

Enabled by

Man’s Position End Objective

PERMITTED

WILL

God’s

Natural Law

&

Moral

Law Limits

&

Faith

Carnal

Man

Man’s Actions

(If God Permits)

Unsaved

Self-centered

Pleasure

(Money/Power)

PERMITTED

WILL

Christian

Religious Man

Man’s Actions

(If God Permits)

Saved

“Christ in you”

not Glorified

Works Glorified

(Burnout)

(Chastening)

DESIRED Faith Spirit God’s Empowering Abiding “in Christ” Conformed to Image

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WILL Filled

Christian

Grace

Man’s Faith

Relationship

Centered

of Christ

Unity - Joy

ABSOLUTE

WILL

God God’s

Sovereign

Purpose

God’s Power

God’s Action

“Christ in you”

Glorified

God is ALL in ALL

(Glory)

What Does God DESIRE?

Understanding the DESIRED will of God is crucial to receiving the full riches of abundant grace in Christ, by

faith. Hence, this precepts study on grace has as its focus the DESIRED WILL of God. God has not

frustrated His purpose, His plans (will), and His grace (power) by keeping His DESIRED will a secret. A brief

discussion is provided on the “whole will” of God to establish the relationship between the elements of God’s

will. Note also that it is easy to confuse the various aspects of God’s will within the English language since the

will of God requires four unique Greek words to precisely define which aspect of God’s will is being

communicated. Let’s look at each aspect of the total will of God’s separately:

1. God’s ABSOLUTE WILL or DECRETIVE WILL over everything (Greek verb: boulomai – boule)

Includes God’s purposive will – predestined (prothesis/protithemi - purposive). Examples:

Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;

Romans 8:29-30 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

2. God’s PERMITTED WILL has application to all men (Greek: epitrepo – to permit, allow suffering)

It is very important to see that the idea of God's PERMITTED will includes the concept of God’s

sovereignty. God’s natural laws and moral laws fall into this category because God has permitted that

they may be violated by man’s free will in spite of the painful consequences. This category permits all

of man’s free will choices including the freedom to sin. It does not mean that these acts have God’s

permission or His desire. A good cliché to remember about God’s PERMITTED will is that you do not

break God’s “10” Commandments, they break you!

God may permit acts of men without intervening; but if for any reason He should decide otherwise, He

could prevent them in a thousand ways. Some think that anything less than cause or results totally

under God’s will is a denial of God's sovereignty, but this is simply not the case. The key to sovereignty

is control, not necessarily cause or results. Through His absolute foreknowledge of every plan of men's

hearts, and through His absolute prerogative and ability to either permit or prevent any act, God

maintains a complete and sovereign control of the entire universe. Nothing can happen unless He

permits it to happen. If He decides that it should not happen, He prevents it. The power to prevent

means that God has the final word. For example:

Psalms 2:1-4 Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision.

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Here is a group of rebellious world leaders plotting against the Lord. What is God's response? Does

He pull their strings as if they were puppets? No, He simply lets them rage on, because He knows He

is in control: "He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them." They forgot to say: "if the

Lord permits!" We should remember too, that the idea of permitted acts in this context is that of

physical permission, not moral permission.

These permitted distinctions are important to remember when we are confronted with tragedies and

suffering brought about by the sinful or careless acts of others such as a murder, or fatal accident

caused by a drunk driver. Unless we have very good reason to think otherwise, we should not say of

such event that; it was "The Lord's will" in any purposive or causing sense. We can and must say that

the Lord permitted it to happen, but this is true of most things that occur in the free-will universe under

the constraint of science, health, and nature being tainted by the consequence of sin. Even a tragedy

that occurs through the processes of nature must be regarded in the same way, since God has

permitted relative independence even in the natural realm. Therefore, how can one know for sure

whether a flood, tornado, or earthquake is a natural calamity or due to an intervention of the

ABSOLUTE will of God? If He should decide at any moment to withdraw our life He could do so, but in

most cases, He permits us to continue to live within the restrictions of natural life-limiting calamities. It

is true that in His sovereign special providence that God could prevent any event from occurring,

including any disaster or tragedy. But we must also respect God’s loving sovereignty that permits

freedom to His created world, and we must trust His wisdom in knowing and working good in each of

those tragedies that He permits. Conclusion: God has freely chosen by His love to limit Himself so that

He does not always get what He wants by permitting limited free choice by man contrary to His desire

for truth and good.

Certainly, there are some aspects of God’s will described in the Bible that fall between God’s

PERMITTED will and God’s DESIRED will. Faith is always the response to God’s will that He desires.

Note, however, that verses emphasizing a free will choice by unsaved men always fall within God’s

PERMITTED will. God’s PERMITTED will permits unsaved men to choose by faith:

1 Timothy 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

3. God’s DESIRED WILL for believers for which God supplies abundant grace for victory

God wants us to understand His DESIRED will. That is why He has communicated His DESIRED will in His Word. He isn’t playing a game of hide and seek with His will for His beloved children. Nor is He telling us “we’re getting warmer” or “we’re getting colder” relative to His DESIRED will. The Holy Spirit is engaged in spiritually directing our steps as we walk by faith in the spiritual light of His Word. We walk by spiritual discerning thoughts and by taking every thought captive to the Lordship of Christ. Prayer becomes the best communication method for seeking application of God’s will to each circumstance of life and receiving the confirmation to move forward. Walking by faith in Christ implies experiencing God’s DESIRED will in every situation for which His grace continually empowers the results. In the Greek, there are two different words to describe the dual aspect of God’s DESIRED will as follows:

a. God’s DESIRED WILL for believers “TO DO” what God has called them “TO DO”

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(Greek: eudokia – desire, good pleasure; object: kindness; subject: delight) used as follows:

Phil. 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

2 Thes. 1:11-12 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s grace is the “work of faith with power.”

Grace fulfills all the good pleasure of His DESIRED will.

b. God’s DESIRED WILL for believers “TO BE” who God has called them “TO BE”

(Greek: Thelma – purposeful desire, will, pleasure, a determination; and prothesis - purpose)

used as follows:

1 Cor. 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

1 Thes. 4:3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;

Mat. 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven., but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Mat. 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Charles Stanley described success from God’s perspective:

“Success in the eyes of God is discovering and pursuing the will of God for your life.”

The measure of obedience to God’s DESIRED WILL operating in any circumstance can be directly related to the

level of spiritual fruit produced by grace; through faith. The result is joy and peace independent of outcome or

circumstance. Could the number of somber faces and unhappy spirits present in church on Sunday be directly

proportional to Satan’s killjoy success in blocking the DESIRED will of God in those individual lives?

Stated another way; grace is God’s ABSOLUTE sovereign indwelling will and power made available to

believers for achieving God’s DESIRED WILL by faith. The level of grace is directly proportional to the

Joy in ones life regardless of circumstance. Remember the Greek word for grace “charis” is traced to

an action verb meaning “I rejoice, I am glad, joyful." Therefore; “Joy is the flag which flies over the

castle of the heart when the King is in residence.”

Our “joy” condition represents where we are in our Christian walk, in which we develop from infancy to

maturity. Although our position remains immutable, our condition for experiencing joy is variable. By

being obedient to God’s will, by faith, our eternal position (grace source) affects our daily condition, but

in no way does our condition affect that heavenly position. “If [since] ye then be risen with Christ, seek

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those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1). “Be strong in the

Lord—be empowered through your union with Him; draw your strength from Him” (Eph. 6:10, Amp.).

When we concentrate upon our condition, we are not living by faith but by feelings and appearances.

The inevitable result is that we become increasingly self-conscious and self-centered, lacking the

strength of God’s grace. Our prime responsibility is to pay attention to the Lord Jesus, to rest (abide) in

Him as our position. There will then be growth and transformation, and He will be more and more

manifested in our condition from grace to grace , from Glory to Glory. “But we all, with open face

beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even

as by the spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18).

Therefore: God’s DESIRED Will for every believer is:

PART 1. “TO BE” who God has called them “TO BE”

PART 2. “TO DO” what God has called them “TO DO”

PART 1. God’s will for you “TO BE” enabled by His Grace - “You in Christ”

It is the will of God that believers are “TO BE” conformed to the image (likeness) of His Son by being:

Submissive – Be faithful (obedient). Faithfully taking every thought captive to the Lordship of Christ. Be

subject to one another within His body, the church; be humble, be watchful & alert, baptized. (Hebrews 11)

(Heb 12:2;13:17) (John 7:17-18) (Luke 7:30) (1Pet 2-3; 5:5-14) (2Pet 1:3; 3:18) (1Cor 16:13) (Mark 13:33)

(Eph 6:18) (Mat 26:40-41) (Col 2:9-10) (Rom 8:35-39) (2Cor 3:5; 7:10) (2 Tim 2:25-26)

2 Cor. 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

Acts 17:28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

All knowledge is the outgrowth of obedience, everything else is just information states Watchman Nee as

he describes the relationship of submissive obedience this way: If you desire to convert information into

knowledge, you must obey it. In other words, you can believe the truths taught in the Bible, yet they can

be just information to you. That is why the scripture admonishes Christians to grow in the knowledge and

grace of our Lord (2 Peter 3:18). Therefore: GROW IN OBEDIENCE TO AND GRACE OF OUR LORD!

Submissive daily obedience is the “fruit of faith” and the catalyst for receiving grace. How many times

have others told you to have faith in time of need? Most of the time we require more knowledge

(obedience) toward the object of the faith as applied to our specific circumstance! This brings CHRIST

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Lordship centered DEPENDENCY into all circumstance! Anything that is not of faith is sin (see also

Appendix 6). Spiritual rebirth has places us in our accepted position, from which our spiritual walk TO BE,

by faith is being completed. Every Christian has been positioned forever in the risen Lord by spiritual

rebirth. But only the believer who knows, grows. It is faith in the facts of our position that gives us the

daily benefits of growth in our condition. If the believer is not clearly aware of the specific truths of the

Word, they cannot exercise the necessary faith for growth and service. That believer can only seek his

resources in the realm of self. Some of these wonderful positional and fruit bearing truths are set forth in

the scriptural illustrations of the grain of wheat, and the vine and the branch which will be discussed later.

Sacrificing – Be a living sacrifice, crucified daily to self; a holy temple of mercy and forgiveness! (Col 3:12-

13) (2 Cor 4:10-11) (Rom 12:14-15) (Mat 16:24-28) (Heb 13:15-16) (1 Pet 2:4-5) (Luke 6:36) (Eph 4:32; 5:1-2)

(Luke 17:3)

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

The believer was never intended TO BE "a new creation" and overcome the "old man" apart from the grace of

the CROSS - and therefore the death and resurrection of Christ is indispensable for life. Likewise we must

take up our cross TO BE made "in Christ" Jesus' likeness by following after Him. Unless the CROSS and

resurrection is made the basis upon which the "old nature" is kept crucified and dead, then a believer only

drops into another hopeless form of self-effort morality destined for failure.

Seated in heavenly places, abiding above - abiding at the Throne of grace in Christ. We are “TO BE”

crucified with Christ in all our wilderness circumstances (our daily cross) in order “TO BE” resurrected "in

Christ" and “TO BE” seated in heavenly places (our promised land of Canaan) at the Throne of grace where

we receive grace “TO BE” all that God wills us to be in Christ. Let us rejoice!

Ephes. 2:6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Col. 3:1-4 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Abiding "in Christ" Above - We are already hidden and seated in the heavenlies "In Christ"- representing a

believer enjoying the benefits of Jesus’ resurrection power for life. We have a whole lifetime of

circumstance for learning how to appropriate the grace that God has already supplied abundantly

according to riches of His Glory in Christ Jesus. You say, "I don't feel like I am in heaven!” Well rain on

how you feel! God says that you are spiritually there, and if your feelers seem to tell you that you aren't,

which is the liar, God or your feeler?

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By grace, through faith in an ascended Christ; believer's spirit’s can chose to be seated in heavenly places

"in Christ" enjoying His rest and joy at this very moment (Ephesians 2:5-6). Isn't that awesome? A

Christian is not only permitted into paradise at physical death, but they should be faith resting believers

spiritually in heaven "in Christ" today. We are spiritually both in the wilderness on earth and in the

promised land, Canaan. We are partakers on earth of the heavenly calling of "Christ in us" and we are

seated in the heavenly places "in Christ." The great and only lesson to be learned in the wilderness

sufferings is FAITH, "a dependence on the Lord." The faith that brings the beloved relationship and grace

of the Father is found in heavenly places "in Christ,” Therefore, believers should stop expending so much

energy seeking acceptance from people or promoting prideful self accomplishments in the wilderness.

Gaze at the cross and you will know peace - constant unworthiness, but yet peace. Believers should rest

in their eternal acceptance in the heavenly kingdom of God abiding spiritually with the Holy One who is

worthy and who desires to live His life "in them" through their earthly bodies. A believer's role on earth is

to seek, by FAITH, things above by abiding "In Christ" in the heavenlies, thus becoming true ambassadors

of Christ on earth. This permits the "Christ in us" to flow grace and truth to lost but loved, souls. The

Christian cannot but thrive in this heavenly environment, "hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3).

Sanctified - Be holy, righteous, filled with truth! Fulfilling the MYSTERY of godliness! (1Thes 4:3-8; 5:23) (1

Cor 2:16; 6:11) (Heb 2:18; 10:10) (Mat 5:48) (1Pet 3:15) (John 17:19) (Rom 5:20; 6:1-2; 6:11-14; 8:10-13)

(Acts 26:18) (1John 3:9) (Eph 1:4) (Titus 2:11-12) (Gal 5:16) (2 Thes 1:11-12) (Jude 24)

1 Thes. 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Psalm 23:3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.

PART 2. God’s will for you “TO DO” enabled by His Grace - “Christ in You”

Eph. 2:10 “…Created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”

It is the DESIRED will of God that we are “TO DO” the Master’s business as we rest in Christ by faith and

allow Jesus to will and to do through us. We will then DO his will by:

Seeking first the Kingdom of God. Seeking often to worship and praise Him at the Throne of grace.

Seeking the will of the King and His Word of Truth. (Mat 6:32-33) (Col 3:1; 2:2) (Jam 1:22-25; 4:8-17) (2 Chron

7:14-18) (Acts 17:27) (Heb 11:6) (Deut 4:29) (1 Chron 28:9)

Saying Thanks - praying/rejoicing always. (1 Thes 5:16-28) (Philip. 4:4-6) (2 Cor 6-15) (Col 4:4-7) (Acts

2:42) (Jam 5:13-20) (Deut 16:11-15) (John 17:13; 15:11) (Psalm 33:1-2; 100:1-2)

1 Thes. 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Serving - Manifold ministry of grace serving the Lord! (1 Peter 4:10-11) (Acts 1:8)

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Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

All believers are commanded to be ministers as light and salt by:

Ministering/preaching good news to the poor/afflicted. (Mat 11:5) (Isaiah 61:1)

Comforting the sick & broken hearted. (Mark 11:5) (Isaiah 61:1)

Proclaiming liberty (grace) to captives. (condemned under the law) (Acts 4:33) (Isaiah 61:1)

Setting free the prisoners of Satan. Casting out demons from spiritually lost and blind, angry at God.

(Mark 16:17) (Eph 4:17-19) (2Tim 2:23-26)

Proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord! - Resurrected, “in us”, the hope of Glory and His soon second

coming judgment. (Acts 4:33) (Col 1:27) (Col. 1:5) (Isaiah 61:2) (1Pet 1:3-4) (Heb 12:28-29) (Luke

4:18-19) (Acts 20:19-21; Acts 26:18) (1 Pet 2:9; 4:10-11) (Eph 5:8) (Rom 2:19) (Isaiah 61:1-2) (2Cor

4:4) (Mat 5:13-15) (Col 4:6) (John 1:6-9; 3:19-21; 12:36) (2Tim 4:5) (Mar 1:17-18)

Sharing in His body “In love for all the saints.” (Col. 1:4) (1 John 4:7) (Philip 2:2) (Heb 13:20-21)

By being in unity in the body through corporate praise/worship. (Rom 15:5-7)

By communion and the breaking of bread: Do this in remembrance of Me! (Acts 2:42)

By devotion to teaching of the Word, by prayer and by fellowship. (Acts 2:42) (Acts 2:46)

By edifying the saints with unique spiritual gifts and by serving one another. (Rom 12:3-8) (Acts 2:44)

By using resources to meet needs/tithes & offerings. (Acts 2:45) (Acts 1:8) (Acts 4:32)

By discipling one another - encouraging/exhorting/admonishing (Rom 14:19) (Col 2:1-3) (1Thes 5:11)

(Heb 3:13; 10:23-25)

Suffering - for the faith. The jaws of Satan as a roaring lion are sufferings to believers.

(1Pet 3:14-17; 4:12-19; 5:8-14; 4:1-2; 4:16; 1:6-8; 2:19-21) (2Cor 1:3-6; 12:6-10; 4:6-17) (Rom 5:3; 8:17-18)

(Rev 2:10) (2Tim 2:8-12; 3:5-12) (Mat 5:11-12; 26:31-75) (Jam 1:1-6) (Isaiah 43:2; 1:18-27; 48:9-11) (Job 23:10)

(Acts 5:40-42) (John 15:18-21) (1Cor 4:9-16) (Eph 3:8-13) (Psalms 119:65-72; 34:19-20) (Philip 3:7-8)

Standing firm in the Lord and His promises; faithful, courageous, in love for others.

(Mark 12:31) (Rom 5:1-4; 138-11) (Eph 6:10-20) (Gal 5:1) (1Cor 15:1; 16:13-14) (Philip 1:27-28: 4:1) (Col

4:12) (2Cor 1:24) (2Thes 2:14-15) (James 1:2-5) (2Tim 2:1) (Joshua 1:1-9) (Deut 31:6-8) (Daniel 10:18-21)

(Jer 1:1-12) (1Sam 17:32-37) (Neh 1:1-12)

2 Cor. 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

1 Peter 2:15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—

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To be anointed “TO DO” and GO requires God’s grace “TO BE” at rest

A believer’s labor is “TO BE” at rest (you in Christ) seated in heavenly places, while God’s grace (Christ in

you) provides the empowerment “TO DO.” Faith resting is a choice “TO BE” by God’s grace who God desires

each believer “TO BE!” Want some eternal glory? Then strive harder “TO BE” at rest by faith, abiding in Him

above! Become available for His abiding call “TO DO” and “GO” enabled by the Christ in you the hope of

glory!

Col. 1:29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

Hebrews 4:10-11 (KJV) For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

1 Cor. 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Personal works for earthly credit motivated by human pride or personal glory are graceless “works.” Ministry

empowered by grace is not human works but it is Christ’s abiding work in a believer. Our labor (hard work) is

the work of resting by faith! Have you ceased from your own works? Abide in Him above and rest by faith as

He abides in you to will and to do!

Another (works based) religion “TO DO” list? No! No! No!

The Law says: “This do and thou shalt live.” Grace says: “Live, and then thou shalt do!”

The religious performer is accepted and appreciated on the basis of what they do, the steward on the basis of

who they are “In Christ”.

The religious performer starts the day anxious and worried, wondering if their work will really please the

master. The steward rests in the secure love of God and the enabling power of His grace. The religious

performer is accepted because of their productivity and performance. The steward because of their position

as a person in Christ’s performance. Grace enables the results.

The religious performer is accepted because of their workmanship, the steward son or daughter because they

are His workmanship.

At the end of the day, the religious performer has peace of mind only if they are sure they have proven their

worth by their work. The steward can be secure all day, and know that tomorrow won’t change their status.

When a religious performer fails, their whole position is at stake; they might lose their position. When a

steward child fails, they will be grieved because they have hurt the Lord, and they come to the Throne of

grace and receive mercy and grace to help in time of need. They are not afraid of being thrown out. Their

basic confidence is in belonging and being loved “in Christ” and empowered by grace.

Ones relationship with Jesus Christ does in a great measure determine what one does for the Master. But

what one does for the Master does not in any way or to any degree determine their relationship to Him.

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Worship and Grace

Jesus described true worship as:

John 4:23-24 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

Worship Defined:

Worship is God’s grace in Christ (the invisible image of divine life) being displayed in and

through a willing vessel bringing Glory to God. All God desires of man is humble

availability and faith - to be who man was created to be, the human visible image of

divine life, inhabited by God for God.

Romans 12:1 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.

When a person, right in the midst of their daily life, right where they live and where they work, right in the midst of those often difficult circumstances and often at the very Throne of grace, is being flooded by the grace of God in Christ and bearing abundant fruit by the Spirit, they are glorifying and worshiping God. In this sense worship, praise and prayer are relationally similar but different in focus:

1. Worship is our occupation of all of our spiritual being with Christ Himself in allowing God’s grace to enable us to be who we were created to be. Worship is not about doing!

When a flower blooms, it is worshiping God.

When a bird sings, it is worshiping God.

When a plant grows, fulfilling its appointed task with its leafy arms outstretched, it is worshiping

God.

When God’s Holy Spirit acts in man to God’s Glory, man is worshiping God. This of course is what

it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit: To allow the Holy Spirit to occupy the whole of one’s

personality with the adequacy of Christ who brings the gift of God’s grace which begets glory,

2. Praise is the joyful expression of our heart condition caused by His grace operating in and through us.

3. Prayer is the highest form of heart-filled communication with God.

Note to Remember: God does not need us to do! --- He gives to all life!

GOD DOES NOT NEED US TO DO FOR HIM! This may be a shock but that is what the Bible says:

Acts 17:24-25 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.

If you believe otherwise, you should be encouraged to take an honest inventory of all your abilities and

assets and then compare those to the omnipotence of a God who stood at the vast edge of nothingness

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and said, "Let there be!" and there was. Stop reading and think about that for a moment. Now, what was

it you have that God needs? If you are troubled by the news that God DOESN'T NEED US, then here is a

word you will be glad to hear. The good news is that GOD WANTS US! God desires to empower our true

worship by His grace.

Mary’s perfect worship example:

Luke 1:38 Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Humble, Available, Faithful (Obedient) Worship!

Next Abides Jesus!

God’s grace Manifested - God was made manifested in the flesh

Summary: Receiving the Victory!

The Problem: We cannot achieve victory in the Christian Life! That's not God's plan!

The Solution: We can only receive it, by grace through faith!

The battle belongs to the Lord! By grace, through faith, He brings the deliverance and the victory! (Deut 1:30;

3:22; 20:4, Ex 14:14). We are known by the Lord and inherit the Kingdom because we worship the Father by

doing His will, accomplished totally in the enabling power of His grace, bringing glory to the name of Jesus Christ!

1 Cor. 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

Only one receives the prize….Christ alone is worthy and we are part of His body!

The prize: the hope of glory! (Philip 3:20-21)

Note: “such a way” = By grace through Faith!

Action #1 – By taking all thoughts captive to His Lordship – By Faith!

Humbly taking by faith every thought captive in submissive obedience to the Lordship of Christ who brings

the power of the grace of God to enable us “TO BE all that we were meant “TO BE”! This is the step of

FAITH!

2 Cor. 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

The walk of Faith! Picking up the cross daily and following Him by Faith!

Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Action #2 – By Christ abiding "in me", spirit filled, at redemption by the presence of Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:9)

We are to run the salvation race before us “TO BE” conformed to the image of Christ as a runner in the

strength and endurance that comes from Christ abiding in that runner. He is the finisher of our salvation and

glory. Our moment by moment battle is to fix our minds that we are in heaven "in Christ" while simultaneously

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setting our minds to move through our daily tasks, believing that Christ is meeting them through us. We work

at resting while we rest at working.

Action #3 - By abiding in "in Christ" crucified with Christ daily, resurrected and seated in heavenly places

resting as a beloved so that He can more completely abide "In you" through your earth suit, a true

ambassador. If the believer does not know of his position in the Lord Jesus. and how to abide in Him as his

very life, there will be but one result. He will struggle in his un-Christ-like condition rather than rest in his

Christ-centered position. In most cases, a believer is more aware of his condition than of his position. This is

the reason for so much failure and stagnation. If we are to grow and become fruitful, our faith must be

anchored in the finished work of our position—in Christ. There is no basis for grace, by faith in our

changeable, unfinished condition. “…Your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of

God” (1 Cor. 2:5).

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VII. Experiencing God's Grace

God’s Grace Energizes Actions of Godly Love

God is love. God’s agape love, which is demonstrated throughout Old & New Testament stories, is made

visible through His actions of grace bringing joy and peace. Grace is the activator and energizer of agape

love. Likewise, grace in Christ activates believers to extend brotherly love to others for which God supplies

divine power and strength. Abiding grace brings the power to carry out the Lord's new commandment:

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

1 John 4:12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

Looking for agape love in all the right places

The great statements of love in the Bible are a mystery since they rarely mention grace directly with the word

agape (Godly) love. However, grace’s empowerment of agape love is described:

John 3:16 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.

Amplified: For God so loved the world that He gave the gift of His grace in Christ that whoever by Faith

(believing in Him), would have everlasting life. (e.g. Salvation is by grace through faith)

This John 3:16 verse summarizes the complete Gospel, likewise Paul exhorts this same good news:

Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Remember Jesus’ answered prayer that brought the father’s grace and agape love to the disciples and

those who will believe in Me through their word. This agape love abiding in man is a direct result of

Christ’s abiding presence in them! It established unity and love in Christ empowered by God’s grace.

John 17:20-26 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."

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That is: By grace through faith in Christ, God empowers His agape love in and through the life of another!

He even supplied the faith through Christ such that no man can boast of their love.

Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,

Unless Christ abides by grace through faith there can be NO empowering Godly agape love!!!!! It is only

as we "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” that we can grow in faith

hope and love. By grace through faith Christ abides (“Christ in you the hope of glory”) enabling agape

love:

1 Cor. 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 John 4:11-12 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us .

NOTE: When we abide in Christ, then His love is manifested to others by grace through faith.

Grace makes agape love real, tangible, visible. Grace makes love happen. It is a divine power --

the spiritual energizer battery that keeps going, and going, and going. A grace-filled life is a life

overflowing with agape love actions.

God’s love is made visible through His actions of grace which bring joy and peace.

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

No greater grace in action: Jesus Christ laying down His life at the cross to redeem sinful man is

the greatest demonstration of love ever made visible in grace action through divine strength and

resurrection power.

This is why Paul described only one thing in which he could boast – the highest grace and love:

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

The more we comprehend the extent of God’s grace in Christ and the power of God’s grace in us and toward

us, the more we will respond with love. It’s an irresistible reaction to the love of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Awareness and acceptance of grace “in Christ” brings the application of His love to daily living.

In the richness of grace, love cannot be restrained, the fruit of the Spirit flourishes. Grace given brings forth

eternal Glory!

2 Cor. 9:8: And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Grace and the Trinity

All three persons in the Godhead are equally gracious towards sinners in need of Mercy and to the saints in need

of sustaining grace. The grace of the Father, Son, and Spirit are equal in degree and extent, but distinct in

operation and administration.

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1. The Father is the FOUNTAIN of all grace. He purposed the fact and plan of grace. He formulated the

covenant of grace and devised the means "whereby His banished should not be expelled from Him." He

made choice by grace of the subjects of grace, and then in fullness of time sent His Son into the world to be

the medium of grace. He chose to indwell saints with grace through the Holy Spirit. He established his throne

of grace, available and accessible to all the saints.

2. The Eternal Son is the CHANNEL and MEDIATOR of grace. The only way the grace of God can reach the

sinner is through the Lord Jesus Christ, the true vine in which grace flows to the branches. Let no rejecter of

God's Son think himself to be the beneficiary of God’s abiding grace! His work reconciled grace and Justice,

as is written, "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other" (Ps.

85:10). He is the High Priest of all the saints sitting at the right hand of the Throne of grace making

intercession for the saints. John Bunyan, blissfully lost in the contemplation of the matchless grace of the Son

of God, cried out these words:

"O Thou Son of the Blessed! Grace stripped Thee of Thy glory; grace brought Thee down from heaven;

grace made Thee bear such burdens of sin, such burdens of curse as are unspeakable; grace was in Thy

heart; grace came bubbling from Thy bleeding side; grace was in Thy tears; grace was in Thy prayers;

grace streamed from Thy thorn-crowned brow! Grace came forth with the nails that pierced Thee, with the

thorns that pricked Thee! Oh, here are unsearchable riches of grace! Grace to make sinners happy!

Grace to make angels wonder! Grace to make devils astonished!"

3. The Holy Spirit is the ADMINISTRATOR of grace. The New Testament makes it clear that the whole service of

the Spirit of truth is to anoint believers with the grace of God in Christ, "that we might know the deep things

that are freely given to us of God." The Holy Spirit points us to the Son that we might abide above in Him.

1 Cor. 2:10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

1 John 2:27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

Most importantly are bestowed the good news gift of grace and the ministerial gifts, for the perfecting of the

saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Eph. 4:12). Without the gracious

operation of the Holy Spirit in conversion no LOST sinner would ever be FOUND and become a beneficiary of

Mercy and grace. He quickens all the souls of the Father's choice, and calls to Christ all the sheep for whom

the dear Shepherd laid down His life. (John 10:11). He conquers the stoutest hearts. He opens sin-blinded

eyes and unstops sin-closed ears. The primary ministry of the Spirit of truth at present is to reveal to us the

Lord Jesus Christ. The Spirit teaches us by grace to put off the OLD self (Rom. 6:8, Col. 3:9, Eph. 4:22) and

put on the NEW life (Col. 3:10, Gal 3:27, Col. 3:3-4, and Eph 4:24). He takes of the things of Christ and gives

them to the sinner. The blessed Holy Spirit reveals the Son (the mediator of grace) and applies the grace of

the Father. Grace is the ministry of the Holy Spirit which sustains, anoints, and sanctifies each believer unto

salvation. He that began a good work in you (by truth & grace) will be faithful to complete it (by grace and

truth).

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The Parables of Jesus; Living Stories of Grace

Jesus described the reason for His parables. He wanted to give pictures of grace. So that grace would be

enabled at the cross by “no greater love than laying down one’s life for his friends”. The resulting grace in the

vine would flow to the branches and bring about His joy and His love to and through His friends! The Gospel of

grace would bear fruit through the branches. Remember: The root of “grace” or charis in the Greek is traced to an

action verb meaning “I rejoice, I am glad. I am filled with joy (the ultimate result of grace).

John 15:11-18 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.

Grace comes from being a friend of the King? (Proverbs 22:11)

"In Christ" the true vine - Grace flows to the branches bearing fruit

Consistent with the principle of position and the principle of regeneration, our risen Lord Jesus is the Vine. As

such, He brings forth fruit “after his kind.” “I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5 KJ).

In the biological realm, the life that is already complete in the vine is increasingly supplied to the growing

branches. The healthy condition of the branches is contingent upon their abiding in their position in the vine. The

branch is not only a product and a living part of the vine, but that which is produced in the branch is also the fruit

of the vine. Actually, the branch produces nothing, either for the vine, for others, or for itself. The vine, the

positional source, has everything to do with the development and fruitfulness of all its branches. Through the vine

flows living water to grow the branches and the fruit. The chief responsibility of the branch is to rest just where it

was born, to abide in its living position in its living source.

That which flows from the vine (Christ) to the branches (believers) is living water (grace) to grow and

produce fruit! God’s grace is what flows from Christ through the branches to bear much fruit! The chief

responsibility of the branch is to rest just where it was born, to abide in its living position and in its living

source by faith.

First read John 15:1-15, then study John 15:4-5 as follows:

John 15:4-5 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

What a shock the John 15 declaration must have been to the disciples and the Jewish law based religious

leaders! Branches in God’s national vine of many years standing, and now to be told that they were in the

rejected one! And that the accepted vine, the true vine, is not a nation, but a person - even their Messiah! By the

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mighty hand of God Himself, their vine had been brought up out of Egypt! And was not Israel God’s son, as well

as His vine? “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt” (Hosea 11:1). True, but

had not Peter just been shown by that same God that this very man was His Son? “We believe and are sure that

thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:69). This Son, also, had been brought up out of Egypt.

“When he (Joseph) arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: and was

there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet (Hosea),

saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son” (Matt. 2:14, 15).

Having rejected both its King and its kingdom, God set aside that rebellious and fruitless vine (Israel) that would

now have to await the second coming, and presented to the believing Israelites His Son, the True Vine. Full of

grace and truth!

Coupled with the shock concerning the True Vine is another: The Father is the True Vine Dresser of the branches

abiding in that Vine!

One reason for Israel’s fruitlessness was the corruption of her husbandmen and vinedressers. “The prophets

prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means, and my people love to have it so. “ “For from the least

of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the

priest every one dealeth falsely” (Jer. 5:31; 6:13).

Finally, the vinedressers cut down the True Vine! “Likewise also the chief priests, mocking him, with the scribes

and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be King of Israel, let him now come down from

the cross, and we will believe him” (Matt. 27:41, 42).

Yet in the very act of cutting down the True Vine, these wicked husbandmen felled their own vine! “And now also

the axe is laid unto the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down”

(Matt. 3:10). And down went Israel at the Cross! “Which none of the princes of this age knew; for had they known

it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (I Cor. 2:8).

As if that were not enough, these same vinedressers sought to persecute and destroy every branch of the True

Vine that they could lay their hands upon - all the way from Stephen to Paul!

Even so, the branches of the True Vine are lovingly tended by the Father, the True Vinedresser. The pruning of

Stephen produced glory: “When they (the wicked vine dressers) heard these things, they were cut to the heart,

and they gnashed on him with their teeth.” “But he (Stephen, the branch), being full of the Holy ‘ Spirit, looked up

steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus the True Vine standing on the right hand of God”

(Acts 7:54, 55).

Later, the True Vine said to the branch, Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in

weakness.” The abiding branch replied concerning his pruning, “Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my

infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in

necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Cor. 12:9,

10).

John 15:2 (KJ) Every Branch In Me That Beareth Not Fruit He Taketh Away

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The often-missed key to this statement of our Lord is the word “in.” A branch in the True Vine is there by union of

eternal life, and cannot be removed. The Vine would first have to die, and that is impossible. “Knowing that

Christ, being raised from the dead, dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.... Likewise, reckon ye

also yourselves to be... alive unto God through (in) Jesus Christ” (Rom. 6:9, 11).

If for one reason or another - the Vinedresser alone can judge - a branch does not bear fruit, the Father may

remove it from earth unto Himself; but certainly not out of the True Vine to be cast into the fire for burning. The

Word says “taketh away,” not “cast forth,” as in verse 6 - something altogether different. The branch may be

through with its bearing; it may be shelved for not bearing; it may be necessary to take it away as in 1 Corinthians

11:30 - but never cast forth out of the Vine. Pruning, as a vinedresser’s art, does not consist in cutting off

branches, but of trimming away excess and misdirected growth. That may involve a branch being cut back, but it

is not removed from the vine.

John 15:2 (KJ) Every Branch That Beareth Fruit, He Purgeth It, That It May Bring Forth More Fruit.

The purpose of the branch is to manifest the life and character of the vine. The fruit of the True Vine which is to

grow in His branches is the “fruit of the Spirit.” And “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,

gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22, 23). The actual fruit (Righteousness) of the Vine

in the branch is a product of the Holy Spirit by means of spiritual growth. It is not service, nor the exercise of

one’s gifts. Good works there may be in abundance; but they are not based upon, nor are they a result of, the

fruit of the Vine. “Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and

though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love (fruit), I am nothing” (1 Cor. 13:2).

As we abide in the True Vine our service will be carried by Christ, and it will be acceptable to God and beneficial

to man. We are to “Walk (and serve) worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and

increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:10).

John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

Even though a branch is fruitful, there is ever the tendency to produce the “works of the flesh.” Thus the Father

prunes the branches, that they may bring forth more fruit of the Spirit, and less works of ‘ the flesh. His pruning,

His purging, His chastening is by His hand of love - the application of the Cross in order that the fruit pleasing to

Him, the life of His Beloved Son, may be manifested more abundantly in our lives.

All of the Father’s vinedressing work is carried out in love, not anger. It is all purgative, not punitive. The pruning

knife is in the nail-pierced hand; and, while “no chastening (pruning) for the present seemeth to be joyous, but

grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them who are exercised by

it” (Heb. 12:11). “The Vinedresser is never so near as when He is pruning.”

Pruning enables the full grace of God to flow through Christ (the vine) to and through each grafted branch

where it bears much fruit. Each branch is unique and fully graced. Each branch is enabled “TO BE” who

God has called that branch to be and “TO DO” what God has called that branch to do, by God's

faithfulness. Each branch in the vine is continually pruned (sanctified) by the vinedresser using the sword

of the Spirit and the Word of truth, so that the full grace of God can flow to bear much fruit.

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Ponder this: Have you ever seen a branch grow apart from a vine? Growing in grace and truth allows a

widening of the branch to allow more grace to flow through a life that has less resistance to the flow of

grace, bearing much fruit!

As the believer rests in his position, the life of the Vine (the “fruit of the Spirit”) is manifested in his

condition—“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal.

5:22, 23, NASB). The life of the Vine is the life of the branch. The True Vine is established at the right hand

of our Father in glory and is the source from which our Christian life flows. The indwelling Spirit of Christ is

the living link between Him in heaven and our spirit here on earth. “…He that is joined unto the Lord is one

spirit” (1 Cor. 6:17).

Experiencing Grace Producing Fruit

By grace through Obedience (the fruit of faith) to the DESIRED will of God, believers are empowered to produce

the fruit of the Spirit.

Ephes. 5:8-17 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

The fruit realized from being "In Christ." This is the Fruit of the Spirit that is visible out of an obedience to

God’s will “TO BE” who God has called the believer “TO BE” (Being conformed to the image of the Son) is:

Faithfulness (Proof of Faithfulness "in Christ" is its fruit, Obedience) - See Appendix 6

Longsuffering (associated with long sacrificing not the suffering in doing works)

Righteousness (Sanctified Holiness)

Truth (Spirit filled truth)

Goodness

The fruit realized from the "Christ In You." The Fruit of the Spirit that is visible out of a believers stewardship

to God’s will “TO DO” what God has called the believer “TO DO” is:

Kindness

Love (re-read “God’s grace energizes love” – page 43)

Joy and Peace are kingdom fruit derived from the measure of active grace bringing Glory to the Lord!

The “good news” of the Gospel of grace is: “Christ in you, the hope of glory”. The "hope of glory" part of

the Gospel of grace brings forth the fruit of Joy and Peace regardless of circumstance:

Peace comes from being who God wants you to be by His grace.

Joy comes from doing what God wants you to do by His grace.

Jesus said of His peace:

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John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Isaiah 32:17 The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.

Jesus said of His joy:

By serving the Master, Jesus Christ, we are empowered by the grace of "Christ in us", “TO DO”

receiving JOY. We receive a “Well done, good and faithful servant”, enter into joy of your lord.

Matthew 25:21 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

Running the race “TO BE” Christ-like in righteousness by God’s grace is how we find His peace. We find peace at His cross where unrighteousness is crucified. Through the cross we daily carry we can crucify the old Adam self. It produces a quiet and confident peace regardless of circumstance.

Relationship between joy, peace, grace & happiness

Happiness is an externally empowered emotion, based on the world’s circumstance. It is usually

associated with the medium of exchange and storehouse of value of the world: money. Unhappiness is

usually associated with bad circumstance.

Joy is an internally derived emotion that empowers, based on a gift of God. It is always associated with

the medium of exchange and storehouse of value in the Kingdom of God; God’s grace. Joy is derived

from experiencing the power (empowering presence) of the grace of God independent of worldly

circumstance. Therefore the word for un-joy is graceless!

Romans 12:12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

Remember that the root meaning of “grace” or charis in the Greek is traced to an action verb

meaning “I rejoice, I am glad! A King’s ransom was paid for this “Joy” to the world and “Peace” on

earth good will toward men.

Paul summarized the kingdom riches of joy and peace:

Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 5:2-3 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

Grace is why Paul could write from a prison cell in Rome of his “JOY”, “PEACE”, and “REJOICING” (Read

Philipians – Joy/Rejoice is mentioned 14-times in 4 short Chapters!)

Philip. 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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Grace enables the Gospel to bear fruit and grows churches and individuals

What a difference a day makes!

Col. 1:5-6 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;

John 14:20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.

Fruit production requires that the messenger knows the grace of God in Truth.

Therefore: Churches and individual Christians stop bearing real fruit apart from “hearing and

understanding” the truth about grace.

The Gospel message together with the flow of grace can bear much fruit and love. Therefore who

bears the fruit? Who should get the Glory? That is why Paul calls it the Gospel of the grace of God

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Central Christian Focus: Staying Plugged into God's Grace “In Christ”

(Read Appendix 7 - “The Throne of grace”)

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Praying boldly implies FAITH “In Christ” and His shed blood, the necessary humble preparation for receiving

mercy prior to receiving grace. Likewise, requests for grace can be bold prayed when they are within God’s

DESIRED will and purpose. (Also, re-read the discussion of God’s DESIRED will on pages 34-41).

Jim Cymbala, pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle and author of the book "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" states it this

way:

"Hebrews 4:16 does not say, "Let us come to the sermon." We in America have made the sermon the

centerpiece of the church, something God never intended. Preachers who are really doing their job get

people to come to the throne of grace. That's the true source of mercy and grace that brings miracles."

"To every preacher and every singer God will someday ask, "Did you bring people to where the action could

be found…. At the THRONE of grace? If you just entertain them, if you just tickle their ears and gave them a

warm fuzzy moment, woe unto you. At the Throne of grace I could have changed their lives. Jim Cymbala,

did you just dazzle people with your cleverness or did you make them hungry to come to me?"

"If a meeting doesn't end with people touching God, what kind of meeting is it? We haven't really encountered

God. We haven't met with the only One powerful and loving enough to change our lives." "I am well aware

that we don't get everything we ask for; we have to ask according to God's will. But let us not use theological

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dodges to avoid the fact that we often go without things God wants us to have right now, today because we

fail to ask."

Many who are in the body of Christ are suffering from a complex; an inferiority complex. They do not feel

worthy to come into the presence of God. They have a sinners mentality. They feel defeated by sin no matter

what they do yet they only need the empowering grace of God to have the victory! "God has chosen prayer

as the channel of His blessing…being in Christ. And He has chosen the place of action, His Throne of grace!"

"Am I the only one who gets embarrassed when religious leaders in America talk about having prayer in public

"schools? We don't have even that much prayer in many churches! Out of humility, you would think we would

keep quiet on that particular subject until we practice what we preach in our own congregations."

"I am sure that the Roman emperors didn't have prayers to God in their schools. But then, the early Christians

didn't seem to care what Caligula or Claudius or Nero did. How could an emperor stop God? How in fact,

could the demons of hell make headway when God's people prayed and called upon His name? Impossible!

In the New Testament we don't see Peter or John wringing their hands and saying, "Oh, what are we going to

do? Caligula's bisexual….he wants to appoint a horse to the Roman Senate…… what a terrible model of

leadership! How are we going to respond to this outrage?"

"Let's not play games with ourselves. Let's not divert attention away from the weak prayer life in our own

churches. In Acts 4, when the apostles were unjustly arrested, imprisoned, and threatened, they didn't call for

a protest; they didn't reach for some political leverage. Instead, they headed for the prayer meeting. Soon the

place was vibrating with the power of the Holy Spirit." (vv. 23-31)

"The apostles had this instinct: When in trouble, pray. When intimidated, pray. When challenged, pray. When

persecuted, pray."

"The prayer of the early believers recorded in Acts 4 (vv. 29-30) highlights three fundamentals from which we

are sliding away: "Enable your servants to speak your word….with great boldness….Stretch out your hand to

heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders."

Dwight L. Moody once stated: "Does anyone really think that America today is lacking preachers, books, Bible

translations, and neat doctrinal statements? What we really lack is the passion to call upon the Lord until He

opens up the heavens and shows Himself powerful."

Charles Spurgeon stated it this way relative to both the church and to individual believers:

"The condition of the church may be very accurately gauged by its prayer meetings. So is the prayer meeting

a grace-o-meter, and from it we may judge of the amount of the divine working among a people. If God be

near a church, it must pray. And if He be not there, one of the first tokens of His absence will be a slothfulness

in prayer."

Satan fears this Throne of grace because it controls and limits what he can do!

Satan's main strategy with God's people has always been to whisper, "Don't call, don't ask, don't depend on

faith in Jesus to do great things." "You'll get along fine if you just rely on your own cleverness, wisdom, and

energy." "Preaching alone will not do it; classes aren't going to do it; more money for more programs won't do

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it. Only turning to God's Throne of grace with fervent prayer will reverse the power of evil so evident in the

world today."

Satan's goal is to get believers to opt to live getting their needs met by themselves. He wants believers to

make their your plans vs. God’s plans (will). Thus, he offers believers Plan-B for getting their needs supplied -

their "old ways." That's what sin is all about. It is independence from God!

Do we need preparation before coming to the throne of grace in prayer? Yes!

Hebrews 10:19-22 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

1 John 1:7-10 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

If we walk in the Light, we are continually being cleansed by humbly confessing our sins to our High

Priest Jesus Christ. He claims us before the Father. Notice Mercy (washing of sins by the Blood) is a

prerequisite to receiving grace. Only by being washed by Christ’s cleansing blood can we boldly

approach the Throne of grace, in faith, and find Amazing grace to help in time of need.

Note: The application of grace, God’s power made perfect in our humble weakness.

We are encouraged to come often to the Throne of grace to obtain Mercy!

We are encouraged to come to the Throne of grace, and after receiving Mercy, then to receive grace to

help in time of need/burden.

Who gets the Glory for the power of grace resting on a believer? Who should boast?

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Christ our High Priest at the Throne of grace (Heb 1:3; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2).

Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Romans 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

Hebrews 7:23-25 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to

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(Expanded paraphrase of C.H. Spurgeon)

save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 8:1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

Hidden grace for time of need – intercession at the Throne of grace

Prayer for empowerment when we do not know what we should pray.

By the Spirit making intercession for us (Rom 8:26-27)

By Christ, our High Priest, representing us (Heb 7:24-28; 9:24) (Rom 8:34)

By Christians making intercession for others (saved and unsaved)

Petitions within the DESIRED will of God (see pages 34-41) requested BOLDLY with great FAITH.

Grace for enduring death and pain (Psalm 23) (Rom 8:35-39)

Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Prayer for grace to others – this intercessory prayer should be continually prayed:

Col. 1:9-12 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

“since the day we heard it” = Gospel of grace.” Seeking His will is the beginning of receiving grace

“fruitful in every good work” = Stewardship of grace and Truth (knowledge of God).

“His glorious power” = Grace’s power (all God’s might) brings joy.

“give thanks” = Includes God’s will for giving thanks in all things.

By God's Grace:

A childlike faith in the "Christ in you" will bring your soul to heaven!

A Great faith abiding "in Christ" will pray down heaven's miracles!

Is Grace limited?

Yes if believers refuse to repent from rebellion and sin (2 Chron 7:14-22) (Psalm 27:8)

Within God’s will, we receive grace to the limit of an infinite, unlimited, and eternal God.

John 1:16-17 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

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Ephes. 4:7-8 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men."

1 John 5:14-15 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Acts 14:3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

No grace outside God’s will and apart from being “in Christ”

The Throne of grace must be approached clothed in the mercy and blood in Christ, boldly by faith in Him and

with a heart filled desire to do His will. No grace for:

Not being who God called us to BE “in Christ’.

Not doing what God called us to DO by the “Christ in us” the hope of glory.

Ever wonder why prayers are not answered? Could they have been outside God’s will?

Could un-repented sin be a barrier to grace?

The full riches of God’s grace in Christ will not be fully understood until we receive Heaven’s glory and reward.

Can we get more grace? Yes!

God is lovingly awaiting on our requests to pour out abundant grace!

Isaiah 30:18-19 Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him. For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem; You shall weep no more. He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; When He hears it, He will answer you.

1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Romans 12:12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

Get more grace by giving His grace away!

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.

Can we ask for blessings beyond God’s will for us “TO BE” and “TO DO”?

Augustine made this famous statement, “If you but love God you may do as you incline.”

If we are under God’s grace relative to being who God has called us to be and doing what God called us to

do; then we can ask and it will be given unto us!!!! We can ask, by faith, whatever our heart desires! Note

however, that our heart and its desires have become changed by grace in Christ.

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Matthew 7:7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

John 16:23 And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.

What is a believers role in Appropriating God’s Grace to His Glory

Be humble and be faithful, which grace requires. Go often to the Throne of grace to receive grace to help in

time of need. Give thanks in all things.

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

Abide in Christ

We abide in Him by resting in the fact of where He is today. We are spiritually seated “in Christ” in heavenly

places from the moment of new birth. As we come to realize this truth and to “stand in our standing” in Him,

we begin to appropriate the daily benefits of our life as beloved children, hidden with Christ in God. Our

attitude becomes, “I see my position in the Lord Jesus, and I abide there; I rest in Him, not only as my Savior,

but as my life.” Faith in our position will bring growth in our condition.

Paul prayed for believers, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the

spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened;

that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the

saints”(Eph. 1:17, 18). He also said, “Blessed be … God … who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing

in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3, ASV, italics mine).

Our Father DESIRED will is for us to know and understand that He has already provided, “in Christ”,

everything required for our Christian life. He is patiently teaching us to have no faith in the old man (self), and

to exercise all of our faith in the new Man (Christ). We are told to do, in faith, what our Father has already

done in fact. At the cross He freed us from the reign of sin and self; in the resurrection He united us to the

risen Lord Jesus in life. By faith in the work of the cross, the old man is put off; by faith in our heavenly

position in Christ, the new man is put on. Hence we are free to dwell within the very Source of every spiritual

blessing with which our Father has blessed us.

By faith in the positional fact that our Father has placed us in His Son, we abide in Him, and we acknowledge

our place in Him. By faith, we stand in the position He has already given us. Stand therefore, having girded

your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (Eph. 6:14).

Continually put off the OLD

Eph. 4:22 (KJ) That ye put off concerning the former conversation (manner of life) the old man

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By grace, through faith, the "old Adam man" was nailed to the cross and buried in the tomb; by grace, through faith, the old Adam man will be kept there. The only lesson to be learned in the wilderness of life…FAITH to trust in Him!

By reckoning the old man to have been crucified at Calvary, he is “put off’ daily (Rom. 6:11a). By

reckoning ourselves as newly created in the risen Lord Jesus, we “put on” the new man (Rom. 6:11b). As

we escape self’s reign of death under the law, we enter into Christ’s reign in life under grace.

“Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him” (Rom. 6:6, ASV). “…seeing that ye have put off

the old man” (Col. 3:9). Positionally, we were separated from the old Adamic nature in our identification

with Christ on the cross. By faith in our new, sanctified position, we turn from, and reckon ourselves as

crucified on the cross, the principle of sin and self within. We count ourselves to be new creations by faith

in Christ, having died to sin and self. That is our part in putting off the old man that God put off from us at

the cross.

Continually put On the NEW

Rom. 13:14 Put on the Lord Jesus Christ

“For as many of you as have been baptized [spiritually] into Christ have put on Christ” “And have put on

the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” Col. 3:10 (Gal.

3:27). At our new birth we were recreated in Christ, and our Christian life is now hid with Him in God (Col.

3:3, 4)…Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph. 4:24).

Be a faithful (trustworthy) servant and steward

Witnessing for Jesus Christ is not a matter of how the servant perceives one self; but rather how the person

being led to Christ regards that witnessing. We have wonderful mysteries to share and demonstrate by our

servant actions!

1 Cor 4:1-3 (RSV-amplified) This is how one should regard us <Christians>, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.

1. Servants of Christ

Love-filled ministry of actions to an unsaved world enabled by the power of God’s grace!

We are to be regarded as having with a servants heart to an unsaved world, servants of Christ, just

as Jesus demonstrated by washing the feet of the disciples at the last supper.

1 Peter 4:11: If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Matthew 25:40 And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'

2. Stewards (messengers} of the "MYSTERIES of God"

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We are to be stewards of the many mysteries of God by understanding and telling the Good News

secrets which bring joy to a graceless world. Note: no direct reference of stewardship to time, talent

and money.

Glorify the Name of Jesus Christ by being good stewards of the MYSTERIES of God of which

godliness through the Gospel of grace is the great MYSTERY!

1 Tim. 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:

Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—

Col. 1:26-27 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 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.

`Ephes. 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

3. Trustworthy – accountable in the faith (qualified) to be given the power of the grace of God.

Be accountable to other believers for being good stewards of His goods (grace) and in doing His

business (His will) in our daily life and in our personal ministry. (1 Peter 5:5)

Speaking words which impart grace

Col. 4:2-6 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Ephes. 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Grace, Mercy and Peace were at the heart of Paul’s ministry

Epistles to the churches (100+ references to grace) – encouraging the ministry of grace:

2 Tim. 1:2 To Timothy, a beloved son: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Note: grace precedes the word peace (shalom) since apart from God’s grace there is no peace.

Ephes. 3:7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.

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Philip. 1:7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.

What Paul understood about grace he experienced!

Notice the stages of Paul maturing in the grace of God. Likewise, every Christian goes through these stages.

Paul initially lacked the fullness of grace in Romans, A wretched, but saved Christian:

Romans 7:19-24 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

Paul with the fullness of grace, a joyful Christian to the Philippians! (written from Rome in the spring of 62 A.D.

along with the epistles Colossians, Ephesians and Philemon):

Philip. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

1 Cor. 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

What was the secret Paul learned about grace? He went through 2 Cor 12!

The revelation of the MYSTERY of the riches of the Gospel of grace to Paul by the Lord occurred in a short 4-

year period while Paul was in Arabia. By the way, 2 Corinthians was written between Romans (written in

Corinth in the spring of 58 A.D.) and Philippians (written at Rome in 62 A.D.). The riches of grace were

revealed and experienced by Paul under humbling circumstances in order to be fully understood!

2 Cor. 12:7-10 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Cor. 11:24-30 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness-- besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.

2 Cor. 9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

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VIII. Biblical Examination – The Grace Test for Believers – Examine yourself!

2Cor. 13:4-6 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

Therefore, obedience to the Lord’s will is the fruit of faith necessary for receiving God’s powerful grace. The

Gospel of grace is: “Christ in you the hope of glory,” and is the proof of salvation! One must have this evidence of

salvation? One must not be disqualified! Certainly God does not supply the supernatural power of His grace to a

believer outside His DESIRED will or to a rebellious believer and never to a non-believer.

Paul’s prayer for grace in individual believers – a grace assessment tool for individuals. (See Appendix 8)

Ephes. 3:14-21 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Examine yourself – Are you a Spirit-filled/grace-filled Christian?

Am I an obedient servant of Christ? The word "Christian" means “little Christ?”

As a steward, do I understand the mysteries of God?

As a steward, do I understand the great mystery of godliness – Christ in you the hope of glory!

How much is grace showing up in my practical daily life? How about my prayer life?

When was the last time I imparted the Good News about the Gospel of grace to others?

Romans 2:16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

Galatians 1:6-7 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.

Col. 1:27 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.

When Christ enters the human heart, he starts a revolution which destroy all lawlessness and gracelessness.

How do you know for sure? Well you may say that so many years ago I made a decision, I walked the isle, I

was baptized, I go to church, and I work hard in the church for the Lord. Let’s examine this question more

closely.

The Bible never verifies anybody’s salvation on the basis of past actions. A past profession of faith

means nothing.

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Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

If one is really saved, there will be righteousness and holiness in daily living by the power of the grace of God

operating and abiding in a Christian through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. One has to be “in the faith”

(present tense) and “under grace” (present tense). The Bible refers only to evidence of present salvation. If

one does not have the evidence (proof) of real salvation in ones daily living, there is a real possibility that one

is not really a Christian at all. No matter what happened in the past. An in-depth personal examination can be

further studied by reviewing Appendix 8 after completing this study.

It is in righteous living experienced daily by grace, through Faith that we are saved unto salvation!

Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

2 Tim. 2:19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

Here is the standard for a Christian! The abiding presence of Christ and the power of His grace in you to

overcome daily sin in your life making you “qualified for every good work.” Do not be disqualified for every

good work! You are qualified by the Gospel of grace: “Christ in you the hope of Glory!”

Biblical Examination – The Grace Test for Churches

Paul’s prayer for grace in the church – a grace assessment tool for churches

1 Cor. 1:4-9 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer of thanksgiving for the grace in the Church given to you by Christ Jesus!

Enriched in everything by grace with the testimony of Christ being confirmed in you.

Church with fullness of spiritual gifts, blameless at his day of coming.

By God’s grace for which He is faithful to those called into the fellowship.

Grace-o-meter:

"You can tell how popular a church is by who comes on Sunday morning."

"You can tell how popular a pastor is by who comes Sunday evening."

"But you can tell how popular Jesus is by who comes to the prayer meeting."

Ministry in the early church is the model of powerful grace

Acts 14:3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.

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Long time there = coming boldly before the Throne of grace

Acts 14:26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.

Acts 15:40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.

Acts 13:43-44 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.

Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.

Bearing witness to the working of the word of His grace is powerful!

Note: When grace is released through us, Christ is Glorified, ultimately that we may receive future

reward.

Grace begets grace, grace begets Glory, Glory begets grace, God’s cycle of grace.

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IX. Can Churches and Believers fall from Grace? YES!

Believers can never fall from eternal salvation once sealed! The Greek word for falling from grace implies being

outside the circle of grace, not falling from salvation! However, there are consequences and loss of eternal

reward (Glory) for believers in sin or rebellion. God chastens (makes sorry) those in sin whom He loves!

Galatians 5:4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

Col. 2:18-19 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

Romans 6:15-16 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

Grace’s antithesis sin (Satan) attacks believers and non-believes.

Satan (the snake) attacks with temptation. He attacks believers by deceiving the knowledge of

God’s will and creating fleshly alternatives which block faith, the necessary ingredient for receiving

God’s empowering grace TO BE and TO DO.

Satan (the roaring lion) attacks with jaws of suffering. His attacking with suffering either creates

brokenness (faithlessness) or drives us to prove our faith, a necessary ingredients for receiving

God’s empowering grace TO BE and TO DO producing JOY from that suffering.

But this “fallen outside grace” condition is temporary for salvation’s reign in Christ as a result of sorrow:

2 Cor. 7:9-11 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

A fallen believer, being outside the circle of God’s protection, experiences a life filled with bitterness, sorrow,

regret, despair, and anger. Believers become chastened, wretched but still saved Christians fully exposed to sin’s

torment. The solution: Go therefore to the Throne of grace often to repent and receive first mercy and then grace

to help in time of need. Satan will flee for he has no power in the presence and within the circle of God’s amazing

grace. Rejected grace as it appears to every non-believer brings a life filled with guilt and self-loathing; cowered

in darkness and covered in rags, instead of living in light and clothed with righteousness. It is a life filled with

words and acts of violence and hatred toward the self and toward others. Sin abounds in gracelessness. Grace

denied brings painful love, no righteousness, no truth, no faithfulness, no patience, no kindness, no longsuffering

forgiveness, no peace, and no joy. Even temporary human happiness is fleeting.

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A Church fallen from Grace – the Revelation Church at Ephesus

Rev. 2:4-5 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent.

First love--the abiding presence of the Lord in the church bringing God’s grace’s enabling Agape love.

Where you have fallen from? Grace!

Repentance, the act of humble obedience by renewed faith in Christ allowing the grace of God to flow.

Remove your lampstand and anointing grace, necessary for experiencing God’s Glory.

Satan attacks God’s Grace in the Church through veiled apostasy

Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings!

Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

Letter to Hebrews indicates apostasy present:

Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

Note: No opening salutation, unlike all other church letters (except Jude) - “grace to you etc.”

Note: Typical closing does have “grace be with you all”

Concern about saved missing the understanding of grace

Concern over unsaved churchgoers missing grace completely

Letter to Jude, a most apostate Church

Jude 1:4 For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

No opening salutation with “grace to you etc.” Closing without “grace be with you all”

Saved in this church are without the truth about grace.

False teachers are misrepresenting grace and denying the Lordship of Christ.

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X. Grace awakening (Revival)

Chuck Swindoll in his book “The Grace Awakening” refers to the chief grace killer called Legalism which

attacks grace’s unity:

Legalism – illegitimate dominating control to establish security, requiring unanimity, not unity. Simply

stated; grace and Legalism are mutually exclusive (Rom 11:6):

Legalism implies that man does the spiritual work and gets the credit.

Grace implies that God does the spiritual work and gets the credit (Glory)

Legalism’s Tools:

a) Doctrinal Heresy which disturbs and distorts (Gal 1:6-10; 2:21)

b) Wolves in sheep’s clothing that spy out and enslave/control (Gal 2:1-7 & Gal 5:1-4)

c) Hypocrisy – Those who lie and deceive (Gal 2:11-14)

The Opposite of grace’s freedom, by faith, is Sin’s control, by doubt, each has its master

The second biggest grace killer is pride (The original sin replayed)

The performance based graceless life comes from the malignant virus of sinful pride – a pride that spurns

a humbleness which is needed to receive grace. This applies to performance based Christian lives.

There are prideful cultural barriers to God’s grace. Pride is especially prevalent in our culture today and is

at the heart of the original sin:

Self Reliance (Self Pride above God) - We can resolve our inter-personal relationship problems and

world problems ourselves including pleasing God through our goodness and keeping the law, apart

from the Word of truth and the Gospel of grace. There is pride in churchgoers who rejects the eternal

security of grace, making sin bigger than the plan of God! There is pride in believers who falls apart

during suffering by falsely accepting the pressures and adversities to be greater than God’s grace!

Note: Grace is God Reliance! (Gal 2:21; 5:4)

Individualism (Self Pride above others) - Rugged individualism is what made this country great!

Recent Constitution conflicts have now emphasized individual freedoms that are out of balance with

respect to the common good (e.g. One Nation, under God and unity)! Note: Christian individual needs

are met by unity that brings grace “In Christ” and a love for all the saints. There are no “Lone Ranger”

Christians, and the term “saints” is never in the singular. There is pride in emotional believers who

thinks feelings and emotions are greater and more real than the Word of God or the grace of God!

(Jam 4:6, Rom 2:13)

Activism (Restless self-achievement) - Optimistic view of effort, that you can do/be/get anything you

really want if you work hard enough. Said as a modern day Pharisee: We get our righteousness the

old fashioned way - we earn it! Note: This is the opposite to grace by definition: grace is the

empowering presence of God in you, enabling you to be who God has called you to be and do what

God has called you to do, through God’s Faithfulness. It is also true that God will disable what He has

not called you to be or do that is outside His will. There is pride in a believer who thinks their personal

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works can impress God! Grace is the antithesis of human arrogance. (Gal 5:13, Rom 11:6; 13:14,

Jeremiah 2:13).

Grace brings healing to religious disillusionment

David A. Seamands in his book “Healing Grace” describes the need:

“Many truly reborn Christians are troubled emotionally and spiritually. Deeply committed to Christ, they read the

Bible, pray, give, and witness to their faith. Some of them are involved in Christian service. Yet, when they are

honest about their feelings, they admit to being defeated and sometimes even disillusioned.

I ought to, I should, I could, I try, but I never seem to be able to do enough. That’s the Avis button core of the

curse, the horrible hub from which all the spokes emanate to hold the wheel of the treadmill in place. While there

are varying degrees of performance concentration, the syndrome itself is a kind of disease, a malignant virus at

the heart of every human being. It is the ultimate lie behind a myriad of ordinary lies, persuading us that every

relationship in life is based on performance, that is, on what we do.

After years of counseling such disheartened Christians, David Seamands is convinced that they are attempting to

substitute performance for grace. They are restless achievers instead of resting believers. The only cure is grace

– the grace that brings forgiveness, sanctification, and wholeness. For God’s healing grace reaches into people’s

thoughts, feelings, behavior, and above all, into their relationships, self-concepts, and their fellowship with the

loving Heavenly Father.”

Eugene Peterson in his book “Traveling Light” describes legalism’s threat to grace’s freedom:

“The word Christian means different things to different people. To one person it means a stiff, uptight, inflexible way of life, colorless and unbending. To another it means a risky, surprise-filled venture, lived tiptoed at the edge of expectation. Either of these pictures can be supported with evidence. There are numerous illustrations for either position in congregations all over the world. But if we restrict ourselves to biblical evidence, only the second image can be supported: the image of the person living zestfully, exploring every experience – the pain and the joy, enigma and insight, fulfillment and frustration – as a dimension of human freedom, searching through each for sense and grace. If we get our information from the biblical material, there is no doubt that the Christian life is a dancing, leaping, daring life. How then does this other picture get painted in so many imaginations? How does anyone get the life of faith associated with dullness, with caution, with inhibition, with stodginess? We might fairly support that a congregation of Christians, well stocked with freedom stories – stories of Abraham, Moses, David, Samson, Deborah, Daniel – would not for a moment countenance any teaching that would suppress freedom.”

“We might reasonably expect that a group of people who from infancy have been told stories of Jesus setting people free and who keep this Jesus at the center of their attention in weekly worship, would be sensitive to any encroachment of their freedom. We might think that a people that has at the very heart of its common experience release from sin’s guilt into the Spirit’s freedom, a people who no longer live under the tyranny of emotion or public opinion or bad memories, but freely in hope and in faith and in love – that these people would be critically alert to anyone or anything that would suppress their new found spontaneity.”

But in fact, the community of faith, the very place where we are most likely to experience the free life, is also the very place where we are in the most danger of losing it.” There are people who do not want us to be free. They don’t want us to be free before God, accepted just as we are by His grace. They don’t want us to be free to express our faith originally and creatively in the world. They want to control us and want to use us for their own purpose. They themselves refuse to live arduously and openly in faith, but huddle

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together with a few others and try to get a sense of approval by insisting that all look alike, talk alike and act alike, thus validating one another’s worth. They try to enlarge their numbers only on the condition that new members act and talk and behave the way they do. These people infiltrate communities of faith “to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus” and not infrequently find ways to control, restrict and reduce the lives of free Christians. Without being aware of it, we become anxious about what others will say about us, obsessively concerned about what others think we should do. We no longer live the good news but anxiously try to memorize and recite the script that someone else has arranged for us. In such an event we may be secure, but we will not be free. We may survive as a religious community, but we will not experience what it means to be human, alive in love and faith, expansive in hope. Conforming and self-congratulatory behavior is not free. But Paul “did not yield in submission even for a moment, that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.” Every free person who benefits from Paul’s courage will continue vigilant in the resistance movement he formed.”

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XI. Growing in Grace

It is to be remembered that graduation is but the commencement. Spiritual growing in grace really begins at the

top, from our new position seated in the heavenlies "in Christ". At this time it would be helpful as homework to

complete the reading of Appendix 6.

Miles J. Stanford in his book "Abide Above" describes the heavenly perspective: "The proper perspective for

spiritual growth therefore is to keep looking down." He further defines the three basic truths to be learned in

spiritual progress:

Bankruptcy of Self

Our Riches "in Christ" in heavenly places

The only truth to be learned in the wilderness: FAITH "in Christ"

It is the utter faithfulness of the Father that creates a passion to walk by faith in the Spirit who will guide and teach

us to walk in the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as we are seated in heavenly places. He will grow

each believer in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.

2 Peter 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

2 Cor. 8:7 But as you abound in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us--see that you abound in this grace also

The key to growing in grace:

Christ's blood has secured a believer's eternal substitutional forgiveness by FAITH. However, a believer's new

position "in Christ" is made up of two parts; death and life. Identification with Him in death by our spiritual

crucifixion of our sin & pride on His cross ushers in the personal relationship in His resurrected life. Spiritual

growth is the result of the old man abiding in death at the cross, and allowing the new creation to abide above in

the risen life of Christ seated in the heavenlies. The way of the cross does not end at the cross! But only by

making His cross, my cross, will I be delivered from sin and pride. The Holy spirit ever points to the cross to

deliver us into the present tense joy and glory "in Christ," regardless of circumstance.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Let us begin anew by going back to the cross again, and again, and again! For the experience of the Throne of

His grace and Glory in the presence of the Father is just beyond the experience of the cross.

SUBSTITUTION AT THE CROSS BY FAITH = NEW BIRTH

IDENTIFICATION IN THE CROSS BY FAITH = GROWTH IN GRACE & TRUTH

Position Unknown? Blessing Missed? Or Blessing Apprehended!

Although an individual Christian has been positioned above in the heavenlies "in Christ" at redemption, he/she

may not understand the riches of this position, being saved eternally but lacking spiritual discernment. One must

find Christ's last will and testament to find the riches of His inheritance. Jesus summarized it this way:

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Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

The Perturbing Growth Pause ( From the Book "Position to Person" by Miles J. Stanford)

At first it seems quite the opposite of faithfulness when the sovereign Father sets the hungry one's faith and feet

upon the path of His purpose. That is because there is the negative side of death as well as the positive side of

life in the working out of His purpose to UNITE ALL THINGS IN HEAVEN AND EARTH IN CHRIST to His glory.

His will to achieve this purpose includes conforming each individual believer to the image of His Son (Romans

8:29).

The negative comes first, when the Father begins to transmit His purpose through wilderness experiences. In the

book of Roman's, note that nothing is said about growth until the problem of righteousness is completely settled.

God recognizes that spiritual need is the key to spiritual growth in Christ. When the Father has us prepared by

means of Romans 7, He will opens the liberating truth of Romans 8…But not until we recognize: "Oh wretched

man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" This is a Christian talking!

Nevertheless, in the midst of this impressive growth awakening, many believers are beginning to experience a

spiritual slackening, a sort of vague vacuum. There appears to be a perplexing pause, an inexplicable lull,

producing an intense hunger and need. Some feel that ever since they have entered upon the path of growth

they are not as aware of the Lord's presence as formerly. Others suffer from an increased sense of isolation.

Reckoning upon their judicial death unto sin that occurred at Calvary some 2000 years ago, and counting upon

their position in the heavenlies, all seem to be so very long ago and far away.

The effect of these feelings is a deepening sense of loneliness and depression in the mourning of the old man, a

growing awareness of unaccountable but very real fear and apprehension. This unrest and inner turmoil is

intensified by the tormenting surmise that the Lord is not doing anything about it, and that no one seems to

understand or be of any real assistance. On the other hand, when the cost is counted, and our weakness known,

the energy begotten of self-confidence being gone, we need a stimulating call on God's part, to get out of the

persistent occupation with our weakness now, as with our strength before. You may be relieved and edified to

know that your heavenly Father is the cause of the pause, which, coupled with present pressing problems, are

meant to precipitate the all-important turning point in spiritual development.

In order to teach each believer how important the one fellowship with the Father, Son , and Holy Spirit. God

allows us to drift to the point of saying, "I am growing, but I miss His presence with me; I am growing but I am

lonely and depressed; I am growing, but I am frightened; I am growing but I am no longer able to cope with

problems within and without that would seem at times to virtually overwhelm me."

It is here where the Holy Spirit will reveal the PURPOSE behind the PURPOSE of UNITING ALL THINGS IN

HEAVEN AND EARTH IN CHRIST. Being united in the Son and conformed to His image has its primary purpose

in God of desiring personal fellowship and unity with you both now and throughout eternity. Think of the fast

embrace with which you find yourself held, right to the heart of the Father himself, when you discern your position

in Christ. Christ is a heavenly Man, the last Adam - head of a new kingdom; beginning of a new creation - and you

and I who believe "in Him" are seen and accepted before the Father in the Beloved. Stay for a moment, dear

friend. Rejoice in the truth of these early-Brethren statements, and rest in the Son in the very heart of your

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Father. Sit down where He has positioned you, Blood-bought; it is the only place you have, both now and

throughout eternity.

Growing in grace by trusting "in Christ" to provide the victory over pride

Pride (sin) blocks grace outside the power of the cross. The Spirit's role is to point to the Son and our

identification with Him on the cross. We must be daily crucified with Christ and be daily resurrected in order

for God to dispense His grace. Better still, moment by moment walking “In the Light”, abiding "In Christ" in the

heavenlies as He is in the light, under the empowering presence of the loving Father. Christ is our high priest

mediator before the Father. He desires to give the best to those He loves. The Holy Spirit desires to build the

believers personal abiding relationship with the Father through the Son.

As we have seen, the greatest enemy of grace is human pride, the original reason for the fall of Man. It is the

worst of the mental attitude sins because it amounts to blasphemy. "I will be my own God." Remember the

times that Satan said "I will..." Grace opposes human pride in every way and is concerned with God’s

purpose and will for those He loves.

There is great pressure toward arrogance in the United States. Our country has a successful, affluent society

with many opportunities for achievement and rewards, from childhood on. Status and upward mobility are

available to everyone, and it's easy to get the big head, to think that we have accomplished something, to

have the "self made man/woman complex." Victory over this very subtle sin and devastating mental attitude

requires a thorough understanding of the doctrine of grace.

Here are the steps in overcoming pride and other related sin:

1. The first step in victory over pride (and growth in grace thinking) is to identify pride as part of the old Adam

Sin Nature which has it's solution in grace. No one starts out thinking grace!! Therefore take every

thought captive to the Lord! Confess (take captive) sinful pride when you recognize it in yourself. There

are many symptoms of pride. Indignation at someone else's behavior, mistakes, shortcomings, lack of

discipline, or failure to measure up is an indicator of self-righteousness, whose basis is pride. "Well, I

never..." these are key pride words. Romans 2:13 commands that we should not judge others as if we

ourselves had no areas of weakness. Self-promotion, and the demotion of other people is pride, it is the

failure to think grace. Another symptom of pride is lack of forgiveness, the holding of grudges. Pride

prevents a forgiving attitude. How many marriages break up because of this? How many people would

be happy on the job instead of miserable if they could just forgive the boss or a fellow worker for doing

something dumb? Everybody does dumb things, but failure to forgive is pride. Other indicators of pride

are complaining, griping, maligning, gossiping. Most of the sins of the tongue have their roots in pride.

2. The second step is when we now recognize sinful pride in ourselves, go back to the cross and crucify the

old man and become resurrected to the Throne of grace where you can obtain mercy and grace! If you

see it in others, pray! THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP FOR overcoming pride - to go back to the

power of the cross.

3. The third step results from our being crucified to self daily by FAITH. We are resurrected to the Throne of

grace where the Lord administers His resurrection power to resist sin and pride. At the feet of our Lord is

where we "grow in grace" by knowing Him. This is actually the first and last step toward maturity. Seeking

alternatives in the wilderness (World) or by going back to our Egypt (Our bondage) always teaches one

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painful lesson ….to TRUST Him who is seated in the heavenlies (go to Canaan-the promised home).

Grace thinking overcomes pride, and the symptoms of sinful pride will start to disappear. A person who

was at first totally filled with himself will find that as he/she grows in Christ, the power of the grace in your

personal cross and resurrection will deal with the prideful symptoms of the old Adam man that shows up

under extreme pressure. At the cross, the symptoms of pride will be recognized and dealt with

immediately to minimize the ill effects on oneself and others.

2 Peter 1:1-4 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Growing in grace and Love by experiencing a Christ abiding GRACE ORIENTATION

The first step in grace orientation is understanding the experiential grace of God, the purpose of this study.

The second step is to appropriate the grace of God.

Abiding in Christ apart from life’s petty detail (In the world but not of the world!)

We are all involved with details of life. Either we allow grace to master them, or they master us! If we are a

slave to one or more details of life, our thoughts are devoted to them, and they drive us. They dominate

our thinking, our conversation, our decisions. Slavery to the details of life leads to a search for happiness

through the non-grace provision of the world and Satan.

Abide "in Christ." We are already seated in the heavenlies "In Christ"- this represents a believer coming

into a personal relationship with Jesus and enjoying the resurrection power of God's grace. You say, "I

don't feel like I am in heaven! Well rain on how you feel! God says that you are there, and if your feelers

seem to tell you that you aren't, which is the liar, God or your feeler?

Col. 3:1-4 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Ephes. 2:6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Therefore: You are a new creation whose spirit is resting in heaven, while simultaneously

here on earth, Christ is expressing His loving life through you.

Where is our real spiritual home bringing joy today, regardless of circumstance?

Who gets to work "in you" when you spiritually choose TO BE at rest, at home "in Him?"

Our happiness does not depend on people, circumstances or things. We have the peace of God that passes

human understanding. We have learned to be content under any circumstances. We can wait for the Lord's

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timing in providing the details we need; we can enjoy them when we receive them; and we can stay happy

when the Lord sees fit not to provide.

The technique of pre-occupation with Christ in the heavenlies keeps our minds on grace because it gets our

eyes off ourselves, our spouse, our children, our neighbors, and our friends. Instead, as we move through

the day, we are thinking about the Lord Jesus, His will for our life, the Father's grace provision for each

incident in our life, and His provision of wisdom and truth for each decision we must make. Occupation with

Christ is a by-product of the faith rest Life. Disorientation to grace is a by-product of occupation with self, with

life, and with it’s problems.

Living Life by daily ”Faith Rest”

Faith Rest is the believing of the promises of God and then entering into the "rest" phase of Christian living

by claiming and enjoying being seated in heavenly places "in Christ." Therefore, we must search the

Scriptures daily to remind ourselves of our position in abiding "in Christ".

Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, hey shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

We must know by personal experience who and what the Lord is so that we will not hesitate to believe that He

can do what He has promised by grace to do. Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazereth, are a good study.

Mary was content to just rest a Jesus' feet and listen to the Master. Martha had a focus on work and missed

knowing Christ's abiding rest. Everything we learn intimately about Christ and his grace is found resting at His

feet in the heavenlies. These experiences encourage and strengthen us because He enables the Father’s

grace in your life. Appendix 6 to this study "Growing in Grace" deals with faith and the fruit of faith which is

obedience.

The Bible gives two pictures of the fullness of experiencing grace which can be summed up in one

word "BELOVED." The story of Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, is the first picture. Miles

Stanford describes it this way: "I find that the one who is set on usefulness (Martha) does not advance

like the one set on personal love for and close fellowship with Him (Mary).

The second picture is that of the disciple John (often called "John the BELOVED") who had a single

desire to lay his head upon the masters at the Last Supper. Unlike all the other disciples, he did not

care about who would be greatest in the kingdom of heaven but rather he desired Jesus himself,

where He was. Home with the Savior is the position where the BELOVED learn to rest both for today

and for eternity.

It is our present privilege and responsibility to rest in Him where He is, because that is where we are

positioned. Abide above! At the same time He abides in us here below, by the Spirit. "Abide in Me

and I in you." "Christ in you the hope of glory." (John 15:4; Col 1:27). Reciprocal union, the ultimate

oneness! God's grand purpose to unite all things in heaven and earth "In Christ." And it is the ministry

of the indwelling Spirit of Christ to make these priceless positional possessions progressively practical

in our present pilgrimage.

Today, the Lord gives us to be more personally attached to Himself where he is at the Throne of grace which

can be our home of rest as we are seated with Him in heavenly places; then we shall be more useful

according to His good pleasure down here. Often today we see Jesus as a refuge to escape the storms of life

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and to bask in the sunshine of His love. There is a vast difference between a refuge and a home. A refuge is

a place to which we flee for a shelter in time of storm and difficulty. A home is where our affections find there

rest. "Set your affections on things above." We all know the Lord Jesus as a refuge to whom we flee in our

troubles, but how we need to know Him as the home of our affections where the BELOVED Mary and John

rested.

Energizing through grace - Go to the throne of grace often to obtain grace to help in time of need!

Peaceful energy comes from experiencing the Lord at the Throne of grace and on the throne of our life: Christ

in you, the hope of glory! It is a peace that passes human understanding. It comes from observing grace at

work in our life and bring fruit and glory to His name. Peace comes living the Word, going often to the Throne

of grace, practicing the faith rest life, and being pre-occupied with Christ.

Feeding on the Word

By feeding on the Word daily we are constantly reminded of God's viewpoint, of His Purpose, of His Will,

of His grace provision, or His awareness of our spirit of heaviness and what He want to accomplish in us

with testing. Living in the Word gradually transplants us to a new sphere, a new environment for our life, in

which there is victory through grace.

Col. 3:16 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.

Overflowing with actions of love - Maintaining the conduit of God’s grace to others

God is love. Grace results in Godly Love being displayed in action under God’s divine power and strength

bringing joy and peace. Grace is the activator and energizer of love. Grace makes love real, tangible,

visible. Grace makes love happen. It is the power -- the spiritual Energizer battery that keeps going -- that

gives energy to loving actions. Through love, God administers grace into our lives; and through our lives,

conveys His grace to others. A grace-filled life is a life overflowing with love actions.

A grace orientation gives us the ability to look at people and see them as God sees them. It is the ability to

let them live their lives as unto the Lord, and trusting God to make His way clear to them. This technique

lets people make mistakes without our judging them. It enables us to accept criticism without hurt or

bitterness. It enables us to esteem other better than ourselves, to do nothing through strife or vain glory.

We become conduits of God’s grace in Christ Jesus.

Rejoicing in the Lord always and again I say Rejoice

Joy comes from a pure heart.

Joy is a state of rejoicing based on knowing that God is everything He claims to be and that He can

and will do what He has promised. Joy because every provision for physical, emotional, and spiritual

well-being is being made by God in the life of a Christian who is walking in daily fellowship with Him.

1 Tim. 1:5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,

Philip. 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with

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thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

By serving the Master, Jesus Christ, we are empowered by grace and receive JOY. We receive a

“Well done, good and faithful servant”, enter into the joy of the Master. (Mat 25:21)

Joy is that internally derived emotion that empowers, based on a Gift of God. It is always associated

with the medium of exchange and storehouse of value in the Kingdom of God: God’s grace.

Joy is derived from experiencing the power (empowering presence) of the grace of God independent

of worldly circumstance. Therefore the word for un-joy is graceless!

Paul’s final words on Grace – “A Legacy of Grace”

Acts 20:32 So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Have you received the full inheritance of God’s amazing grace in your life? Does it bring joy regardless of

circumstance? This same grace is all part of the gospel – it is not the gospel plus! Christ in you, a born again

believer, on the grounds of the redemption of the Cross – this is the Gospel! To preach anything less than this

must eventually produce “Evan-jellyfish” – folk with no spiritual vertebrae, whose faith does not obey or behave!”

Our condition of joy in life comes from appropriating God’s grace through Christ in our Christian walk, in which we

grow from infancy to maturity. Although our eternal saved position remains unchangeable, our condition of joy is

variable. Through the exercise of faith in Christ, our eternal position empowers our daily condition with strength,

but in no way does our condition affect our heavenly position. “If [since] ye then be risen with Christ, seek those

things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1). Therefore, “Be strong in the

Lord—be empowered through your union with Him; draw your strength from Him” (Eph. 6:10, Amplified). Go

therefore from Faith to Faith, receiving grace upon grace at His throne of grace. Be empowered by the

resurrected life of Christ that can accomplish the abundant life that brings joy. All because a believer is ready and

willing to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and

forever. Amen” (2 Pet. 3:18).

The Graceless Warning!

2 Tim 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

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XII. Completing the Picture of God’s Grace in Christ

A Snapshot!

“Grace is God’s flagstaff upon which the flag of joy flies over the castle of the heart when Jesus the King is in residence.” This bloodstained flagstaff is made from the wood of an old rugged cross that has pierced the throne room of a believer’s heart.

Remember the root of the word “grace” or charis in the Greek is traced to an action verb “chairo”

meaning to rejoice, to be glad, to be joyful. A King’s ransom was paid for this “Joy” and “Peace” on

earth good will toward men.

Every newborn believer is eternally saved by the grace of God through faith as they become hidden in

Christ at the cross.

But each believer can only grow in grace by learning to abide above, becoming hidden in Christ’s

resurrected life (Col. 3:1-4). Abiding above, we can rest by faith in Christ who enables God’s grace for

daily living. For without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). And whatsoever is not of faith

is sin (Rom. 14:23) -- everything else is counted dead loss to be consumed by fire like wood, hay and

stubble!

By abiding above, the Christ in you becomes visible to will and to do by the grace of God bringing

eternal glory. Furthermore, as far as God is concerned; Christ is the preacher, Christ is the missionary,

Christ is the Christian worker, and Christ is the witnessing Christian. To Him be the glory both now and

forever!

When a person knows Him and that through Him we appropriate God's exceeding riches then they can

enters into a lifestyle where grace rules and Christ reigns in their heart. When grace reigns, by faith in

Christ, heaven's miracles are prayed down!

This is the essence of the secret of living the Christian life of freedom, “Not I but Christ that lives within

me”! In that relationship is the “abundant life” of joy and heavenly rest. Jesus Christ, living His

empowering life through another while they are seated and resting in heavenly places.

Is this – Is He – the love of your longings? If so, then the gospel of grace will make sense and you will embrace it. If not, call upon the name of the Lord so that he would open your eyes to see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, the image of God. (2Corinthians 4:4)

The final words of the Bible:

Rev. 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

90Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Cor. 9:15)

Summary: What have we learned about Amazing Grace?

Grace is the empowering presence of God in you, enabling you to be who God has

called you to be and to do what God has called you to do, by God’s faithfulness.

The Great “I am” finds unity within the Trinity of grace: “I am” the vine, you are the branches. God’s

grace is the living water that flows in and through the vine to the branches, bearing much fruit. Peace

and joy are the kingdom riches from being empowered by His grace to be who God desires you to be

and to do what God desires you to do,.

God’s grace is the Bible basis for joyful living - “not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Gal. 2:20b). This divine

“grace empowering genius” saves believers from a lifetime of futile self-effort works and religious

hypocrisy. Jesus has not only reconciled a believer to God by His death, but He has saved and

uniquely graced each believer for life by the power of God’s grace (Christ in You the Hope of Glory).

Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things (grace) will be added unto you.

My name is now “Christian” but my name at the first was “graceless”.

Faith is the Master's key that unlocks the riches of God's grace! God gives grace only to the

humble. Grace forsaken is freedom forfeited.

Grace convinces believers that human accomplished righteousness is outside God’s plan.

Grace is shown to unbelievers. Grace is not found “In them” for they are not “in Christ”.

Grace is overcoming sin (present tense), bringing righteousness unto Salvation. The opposite of

grace’s freedom, by faith, is sin’s control, by doubt, each has it s master.

Mercy is “unmerited favor” and is the call of grace to follow Him. Likewise, we are called by grace

to be merciful (sacrificing) thereby demonstrating God’s Mercy and love, bringing Glory to His Name.

By grace We have been saved through faith, it is a gift of God.

Grace is a gift from the Heart of God. Grace is not a “Gift from God”. Grace is the “Gift of God

Himself”, provided by redemption and Mercy through the blood of Christ Jesus.

Grace, “The Gift of God Himself”, comes in the person of the third member of the trinity “God The

Holy Spirit” who dwells in and ministers grace to believers. Believers are Holy Temples of the Living

God, each requiring regular cleansing by the blood of Christ Jesus, our High Priest.

Grace is the Ministry of God the Holy Spirit in bringing Glory to the Name of Jesus Christ.

From the day we hear and know the truth about grace, we enable the Gospel of grace to bear

fruit around the world. (We become conduits of grace for grace).

Grace is at the heart of all ministry. Ministry is the application of grace in our life enabling us to

bear fruit to the Glory of the Lord. The power of grace enables the results for which Christ’s Name is

glorified.

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Apart from the enabling power of God’s grace we cannot be who we were called to be and do

what we were called to do! Apart from grace, at work in our daily lives, we will be miserable,

wretched, broken Christians.

The key to growing in grace and in knowledge (personal relationship) with the Lord is the power

of the cross to daily crucify self by faith, believers can abide in His resurrected life and power by

being seated in heavenly places as He abides in them to will and to do.

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Appendix 1

Application of Amazing Grace to Life

( Romans commentary by Newell)

Much has been written about God's grace and much misunderstanding exists. The following quotations are taken

from the venerable William R. Newell's commentary ROMANS, Verse by Verse to give an overview of Amazing

grace and it's impact on genuine Christianity. Note: the word "man" and masculine pronouns are used below in

the universal sense of all mankind.

The Nature of Grace

Newell's Commentary Comments

Grace is God acting freely, according to His own

nature as Love; with no promises or obligations to

fulfil; and acting of course, righteously--in view of the

Cross.

Grace, therefore, is uncaused in the recipient: its cause

lies wholly in the GIVER, in GOD.

Grace, also is sovereign. Not having debts to pay, or

fulfilled conditions on man's part to wait for, it can act

toward whom, and how, it pleases. It can, and does

often, place the worst deservers in the highest favors.

Grace cannot act where there is either deserve or

ability: grace does not help-- it is absolute, it does all.

There being no cause in the creature why grace

should be shown, the creature must be brought off

from trying to give cause to God for His grace.

The discovery by the creature that he is truly the object

of Divine grace, works the utmost humility: for the

receiver of grace is brought to know his own absolute

unworthiness, and his complete inability to attain

worthiness: yet he finds himself blessed,-- on another

principle, outside of himself!

Therefore, flesh has no place in the plan of grace.

This is the great reason why grace is hated by the

proud, natural [often religious] mind of man. But for

this very reason, the true believer rejoices! For he

knows the "in him, that is, in his flesh, is no good

thing"; and yet he finds God glad to bless him, just as

he is!

The Place of Man under Grace

Newell's Commentary Comments

He has been accepted in Christ, who is his standing! He is not "on probation."

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As to his life past, it does not exist before God: he

died at the Cross, and Christ is his life.

Grace, once bestowed, is not withdrawn: for God knew

all the human exigencies beforehand: His action was

independent of them, not dependent upon them.

The failure of devotion does not cause the withdrawal

of bestowed grace (as it would under law). For

example: the man in I Corinthians 5:1-5; and also

those in chapter 11:30-32, who did not "judge"

themselves, and so were "judged by the Lord,--that

they might not be condemned with the world"!

The Proper Attitude of Man under Grace

Newell's Commentary Comments

To "hope to be better" is to fail to see yourself in

Christ only.

To be disappointed with yourself, is to have believed in

yourself.

To be discouraged is unbelief,--as to God's purpose

and plan of blessing for you.

To be proud, is to be blind! For we have no standing

before God, in ourselves.

The lack of Divine blessing, therefore, comes from

unbelief, and not from failure of devotion.

Real devotion to God arises, not from man's will to

show it; but from the discovery that blessing has been

received from God while we were yet unworthy and

undevoted.

To preach devotion first, and blessing second, is to

reverse God's order, and preach law, not grace. The

Law made man's blessing depend on devotion; Grace

confers undeserved, unconditional blessing: our

devotion may follow, but does not always do so,--in

proper measure.

Things Which Gracious Souls Discover

Newell's Commentary Comments

To believe, and to consent to be loved while

unworthy, is the great secret.

To refuse to make "resolutions" and "vows"; for that is

to trust in the flesh.

To expect to be blessed, though realizing more and

more lack of worth.

To testify to God's goodness, at all times.

To be certain of God's future favor; yet to be ever To rely on God's chastening hand as a mark of His

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more tender in conscience toward Him. kindness.

A man under grace, if like Paul, has no burdens

regarding himself; but many about others.

Blessed is he who Receives Grace and Glory" - Psalm 84

Grace and glory are inseparable gifts of God (v. 11) to his elect. Indeed, they are the same things, given in

different degrees. Grace is glory in the seed. Glory is grace in full bloom. Glory begins with grace. And grace is

completed with Glory. Both are free gifts of God. Neither grace nor Glory can be earned, merited, or purchased

by man. God cannot be obliged to bestow either grace or Glory. He freely gives both to his elect “in Christ”.

"The Lord will give Grace"

How we love that word, "grace." Grace begins with the Mercy (unmerited favor) of God to sinners who

deserve his wrath. To whom will the Lord give grace? He will give grace to all his elect (Rom. 9:15-16), to all

who have been redeemed by Christ (II Cor. 5:21), to every sinner who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ

(Rom. 10:9-13).

What is this grace that God desires to give? “Grace is the empowering presence of God in you that enables you to be who God has called you to be and to do what God has called you to do, by God’s faithfulness.” Stated another way by David Gray: “Grace is the power God gives us to fulfill the DESIRED will of God in our lives.” Articles XXV and XXVI of the 1644 London Baptist Confession state:

…. that the same power that converts to faith in Christ, the same power carries on the soul still through all duties, temptations, conflicts, sufferings, and continually that ever a Christian is, he is by grace, and by a constant renewed operation from God, without which he cannot perform any duty to God, or undergo any temptation from Satan, the world, or men.

It is regenerating grace (Eph. 2:1-5), convincing, convicting, converting grace (John 16:7-11), justifying grace (Rom. 3:24), sanctifying grace (Heb. 10:10-14), preserving grace (Phil.1:6), instructing grace (John 16:13), directing grace (Prov. 3:5-6), comforting grace (John 14:18), reviving grace (Isa. 57:15), and sufficient grace (2 Cor. 12:9).

“Treasuring all that God is” is a work of grace in my heart. I would not treasure God without a mighty work of grace in my life (Acts 18:27; Philip 1:29; Eph 2.8f; 2Tim 2:25). Loving all whom he loves” is a work of grace in my heart (1 Thes 3:12;4:9; Philip 1:9; gal 5:22). “Praying for His purposes and will” is a work of grace in my heart (Philip 2:13) (Heb 13:21). “Meditating on all His Word” is a work of grace (Psa 119:36)

How does God give grace? Grace is the ministry (administration) of God the Holy Spirit! He gives grace to sinners mediatorially through Christ (Eph. 1:3) by “seeking and saving” (finding) the lost and by the use of his appointed means (Jer. 29:10-14), by prayer, the ministry of the Word, and the ordinances of public worship. And God gives grace through faith. No one can believe unless he has grace. None can have grace unless he believes.

Read the promise as broadly as your needs require. It is addressed to every child of God. "The Lord will give grace" to serve him, to walk with him, to suffer for him, to live for him, and to die in him. Why has God set it

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up this way? Because the giver gets the Glory! God has established the universe in such a way that it magnifies the Glory of His self-sufficiency. You can see this clearly in 1Peter 4:11 as follows:

1 Peter 4:11: If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Note: “the strength God provides” = grace

God, the all-sufficient and inexhaustible Giver gives the grace. Therefore, He should receive the Glory!

"The Lord will give Glory"

If we have grace we shall have glory too. God will not give one without the other. Grace is the bud. Glory is the flower. Grace is the fountain. Glory is the overflowing river. Grace is the first fruit. Glory is the full harvest. The Lord will give his elect all the fullness of glory freely, all the glory of heaven and eternity, all the glory of perfect holiness, the glory of total victory, the glory of complete conformity to Christ, yea, all the glory of Christ himself, with whom we are one!

(John 17:22; Rom. 8:17) (John 14:13, 1Cor 9:25, Phi 4:1, 1Thess 2:19; 4:13-17, 2Tim 4:8, Jam 1:12, 1Pet 1:3-4; 5:12, 2Pet 3:13, Rev 21:4)

Behold the Rapture and Bema (blessing) seat of Christ

Behold the Throne of His Glory!

Matthew 25:31 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.

Behold The Great White Throne of Judgment

Heaven’s theme songs rejoice in the Glory of the Lord. (Rev 4:11; 5:9-14)

Behold a new heaven and earth and the Throne of God and of the Lamb!

Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

When we’ve been there 10,000 years, bright shining as the sun – a river of life flowing from the Throne of God and of the Lamb!

Revelation 22:1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

GLORY! GOD WILL AGAIN BE ALL IN ALL!

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Appendix 2

Application of Grace for Starting a Personal Ministry

By grace (that was full in Christ Jesus), through faith we have been saved (born again)

and sealed unto salvation:

2 Cor. 1:22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

By grace (Christ abiding in us) through faith we are being saved and made righteous

(sanctified) for salvation:

2 Thes. 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,

Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come;

‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.

By grace (our abiding "in Christ") through faith we are able Ministers:

2 Cor. 3:6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

The Picture of A Personal Grace Ministry

Step in Ministry Painting the picture

Humbly come before the Throne of grace Paint a rugged cross on a hill, give thanks

Seek the heart of God and His Word Paint the heavens

Pray for God’s specific will & grace (Col 1:9-12) Paint the background

Share your unique gifts building up the Body Paint A Church of grace

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Volunteer for ministry, plant seeds - step out in faith Paint the fertile ground

Recognize people in needy circumstances Paint a field, ripe for harvest

Serve those in need – love/pray/instruct Paint the dark clouds, a rainbow

Give them the Son – proclaim faith Paint a stream of living water

Invite those in need to Church - encourage faith Paint a road to the Church

Pray they receive grace through faith in Christ Paint the bright Sun light

Step back, wait, watch Let the Master painter finish the mosaic

Finish the ministry Frame The painting

Give Christ the Glory! Put Jesus Christ’s glorified Name on the painting

Share the Experience With Others Display the painting from your heart’s gallery

Humbly Come Before the Throne of grace Give thanks

Ministry provisions - Light and Salt (Major W. Ian Thomas)

“We have begun to see that victorious Christian living is not a method or technique; it is entirely different and

very much a mystery. It is the revolutionary principle of life. It is the principle of the exchanged life - “not I,

but Christ liveth in me” (Gal. 2:20b). He has not only reconciled a believer to God by His death, but He has

saved you from that moment onward by His resurrected life (Christ in You the Hope of Glory). This is all part

of the gospel – it is not the gospel plus! Christ in you, a born again believer, on the grounds of the redemption

of the Cross – this is the Gospel of grace! To preach anything less than this must eventually produce “Evan-

jellyfish” – folk with no spiritual vertebrae, whose faith does not obey or behave!”

John 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

Light

“This light depends on the life! Once the life was removed <fall of sin>, the light went out, for the one was

the consequence of the other, and man was plunged into the abysmal darkness of his own spiritual

bankruptcy!”

To use a simple illustration:

“No man has seen electricity at any time, yet an electric light bulb is so designed that whenever it receives the invisible electric current, expression is given to the invisible in terms of light.

It would not be true to say that the bulb is giving light, for it has no power to do so apart from the current which it receives; its behavior as a “light-giver” is the direct and exclusive consequence of the activity of the electricity in it and through it. The current is the cause; the light is the effect. And though you can see the effect, you still cannot see the cause, though both represent the same source of energy! You can enjoy the light, but you still cannot say that you have seen electricity! You can only say that you have seen a pure expression of it. In the same way, your behavior was intended by God to be a pure expression of His divine nature, though He remains unseen, and you can no more produce the effect of

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yourself, than a bulb can produce light of itself! Try, and you will soon be exhausted, and at best you will only produce a shabby imitation of the real thing. It may impress you, but it certainly will not impress anyone else!

Therefore, it is only the Spirit of God acting within you, who can ever enable you to behave as God intended you to behave! “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue (2 Peter 1:3).

His divine presence and power is all that it takes to be godly – but it takes nothing less!”

“Without a cause there was no effect, and the attributes of godliness gives way to the anarchy of

godlessness!”

Psalm 53:2-3 God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. Every one of them has turned aside; They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.

Romans 3:10-18 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." "Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit"; "The poison of asps is under their lips"; "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; Destruction and misery are in their ways; And the way of peace they have not known." "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

Philip. 3:8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ,

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

“The degree to which by deliberate, voluntary attitude of faith you are reckoning yourself to be dead “with

Christ,” to all that you were “in Adam” and alive to God in all that you are “in Christ” – is the degree to

which the redemptive purpose of God has been wrought out in your life – and this is the only valid

estimate of your worth! Everything else is dead loss!”

Salt

“What does the SALT of the Gospel represent? Salt speaks of the risen life of our glorified Savior,

imparted by the indwelling Holy Spirit bringing the indwelling power of GRACE to the redeemed sinner. It

was the Cross for bitterness (lawlessness/gracelessness) but it was the SALT for barrenness and

preserving. As you have been reconciled to God by His death, so you are to be constantly to be saved

by His life.” The lesson here has its example in the Old Testament:

Leviticus 2:13 And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.

“Without the SALT the offerings would not be acceptable, no matter how sincerely brought, no matter at

how great the cost, no matter how lofty the motive, no matter how noble the ideal; without the SALT it is

unacceptable to God. All other offerings are barren and like dirty filthy rags! This is the curse of

Christendom! This is the paralysis in the church of Jesus Christ on earth today! In defiance of God’s

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Word, God’s Mind, God’s Will, God’s grace, and God’s judgment, men everywhere are prepared to

dedicate an offering to God which God condemns – the energy of the human flesh.”

“Without the SALT (the Godliness of Christ bringing grace in and through you) it will not be acceptable!

So who gets the Glory? It is only the life of the Lord Jesus – His activity, clothed with you and displayed

through you, that ultimately will find the approval of God! Only what the Lord does in you and through you

merits His approval, and God can, and will, accept nothing less!”

“As far as God is concerned; Christ is the preacher, Christ is the missionary, Christ is the Christian worker,

Christ is the witnessing Christian. Only what He is and what He does is released through you only by your

unrelenting attitude of humble dependence. This is called FAITH – and whatsoever is not of faith is sin”

(Rom 14:23c).”

“This is the work of God, that you believe and maintain unrelenting, total dependence upon the One which

God hath sent to fill you with Himself. He is the true salt and light, through which you become like him

unto all the world.” Likewise Jesus said:

Matthew 5:13-15 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

What next? - Go paint the world for Jesus

“Spill Jesus on the World”

Discipleship, says Clifford Williams, “simply means the life that springs from grace”

1 Peter 4:10-11 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Note: Manifold grace is a picture of a multicolored thing that makes one cheerful, a rainbow, a painting,

a Technicolor raincoat, a parade.

Ministry of Grace: “Spiritual dynamite, firecracker, or spiritual dud?”

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Note: The word “power” has the same root meaning in Greek as the word dynamite and we recognize it as the

result of God’s empowering grace.

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Newfound Grace in the Christmas song “Joy to the World”!

1. Joy to the world! The Lord is Come;

2. Joy to the Earth! The Savior reigns

3. No more let sins and sorrows grow

4. “He rules the world with truth and grace”

Joy is the result of grace - remember that the root meaning of “grace” or “charis” in the Greek is traced to an action verb meaning “I rejoice, I am glad.” Pure Joy!

Appendix 3

Grace Stories

Stewardship of Grace (The Parable of the Talents)

“We are accountable in the “Kingdom of Heaven” to the Master for being good stewards of His goods (i.e.

His Goods = grace = talents in the parable) and for doing His Business (His will) in our life and personal

ministry.”

Matthew 25:14-30 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. <goods = grace>

And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.

And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.

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But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money.

After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.'

His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.'

His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.

And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.'

But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.

So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.

Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Parable of the talents discussion:

In this Parable, the Kingdom of Heaven is represented by all the servants being called by the Master. When

He issues the call to everyone, He makes his Goods (grace) appear visibly to each to carry out their part in

His business (His will). His grace is visibly shown to all but some takes no action but chose to hide from the

sight of His grace which is represented by the talent in the parable. Other servants received the free gift of

His grace, understanding its value, and trade it and multiply the grace (Multiplying grace to others, grace for

grace).

Amazing grace how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

The person in the parable who did not accept the Master’s grace by faith, hid the Masters talent (grace), in

fear, not knowing the Master Heart. He represents an “Unredeemed” person who is blind (living in darkness

and fear). When grace appeared it was not accepted, by faith, but rather hid from sight (buried) in fear.

Darkness was preferred over light.

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The Parable of the Talents illustrates how God’s grace appears to all men for the purpose of salvation. The

servant that buried the talent (grace) had rejected God’s grace.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

Consequences of rejecting God’s Grace:

It is eternally important what we do with God's grace in Christ once it has appeared to each individual. God takes

away the grace that appears to all men when they do not accept grace through faith (The unfaithful steward did

not possess the grace freely given, rather out of faithlessness, he buried it)

Note: “For to everyone that has, more will be given, and he will have abundance”:

One servant (representing the graceless) clearly rejects God’s grace out of fear that resulting from a false

understanding of who the Master really is, which caused him to lose faith; hence, he “remained unsaved” by not

accepting grace through faith:

Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Consequences of Accepting God’s Grace

The grace filled servants each receiving different amounts of grace (talents) in the parable but each utilized

the Masters goods (grace) to multiply and bring glory to the master. Grace released, always glorifies the

Master Name so that more will call upon His Name in faith. (grace for grace, from Glory to Glory)

To the good stewards of grace who multiplied the gift of grace, the Master gives JOY:

'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

John 1:16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.

JOY in the Master’s Kingdom comes from a ministry of grace and Truth that Glorifies the Name of Jesus

Christ. That same grace and Truth was full in Christ Jesus. He exchanged His grace for our sin at the cross.

This is the picture of redemption. He redeemed our sin in exchange for His grace and His Truth that He

received in fullness from the Father! Through redemption, we have become sealed and hidden “In Christ” by

God the Holy Spirit who dwells in us and whose ministry is grace and Truth. Because of grace, we can behold

God’s Glory!

Will Adam & Eve be in Heaven by God’s Grace?

Before sin in Eden, Adam and Eve enjoyed the total abiding presence of God and the fullness of His grace.

gracelessness began in Eden as a consequence of man’s disobedient act of pride in leaving God out by doubting

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His word and His will due to faithlessness. Mankind became separated from God. The power and strength of

God’s grace was immediately cut off as a consequence of sin. It was as if the divine power cord (representing

God’s grace) was severed as the source of power to light the way of man. Man’s heart became graceless

(lacking spiritual power) and void of truth (light); henceforth, darkness entered in. How could Adam and ever

again enjoy God’s grace but for God's Mercy. The grace of God would appear during the balance of their lives but

would not remain with them. Their bondage to sin would remain and would be passed on to all future generations

because of the absence of God’s continual presence and grace.

Fearing and reverencing God’s character is the beginning of wisdom; however, there are always consequences of

the wrong view of God. There were many for mankind. Immediately Adam and Eve began to fear God but they

responded to God’s voice call to them after initially hiding from Him in the garden because of sin:

Genesis 3:7-10 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Note the fear similar to the wayward steward in the “Parable of the Talents” who hid his talent.

Adam and Eve felt the void in their hearts from God absence and they immediately began working on

restoring their godliness using fig leaves, the first recorded failure of man to solve the sin problem. It is

a pattern for many religions today that will doom their followers eternally. (Note: In the Mormon Church

today, the priest of the Mormon tabernacle wears a robe covered with pictures of fig leaves).

Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

Adam and Eve responded in obedience to God’s call. They accepted, by faith, the skins of first shed

blood of an animal providing Mercy and the future promise of restored grace through the true atoning

blood of Jesus Christ that would be shed at Calvary’s cross.

Once Jesus Christ died on the cross with the sinless spilled blood of God himself, the power of grace

would be restored by grace through Faith “In Christ.”

The Bible does not delineate the type of animal God chose to provide the coat of skins. This is for certain: It was the first death recorded in Genesis and an animal’s blood was shed. Maybe the skins came from an unblemished lamb chosen by God Himself.

SUDDENLY EVERY BIBLE STORY BECOMES A STORY OF GOD’S MERCY AND GRACE!!!

Journey Aboard the HMS Salvation

(A grace story about a sister ship of the Titanic)

Years ago a devout man boarded a ship bound for America. His concern over the recent sinking of the Titanic had caused him to plan his trip wisely. After all, there were many souls at the bottom of the ocean because there were not enough lifeboats to save them. He had selected a ship whose name was “HMS Salvation”. He prepared for his voyage extensively, studying all that there was to know about this specific ship. He even studied a little about the life history of its Captain and hoped to meet him during the trip. He was proud that he had selected this wonderfully designed ship that had all the latest life saving

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features that he had personally checked out. Before leaving, he stocked his suitcase with cheese and crackers, since he elected not to go first class but chose standard class. For breakfast he ate herring, cheese and crackers. For lunch he ate the same thing. For supper, you guessed it – he ate herring, cheese and crackers. The tantalizing smell of good food from the dining room and the kitchen, which happened to be just down the hall from his room, caused him to long for a meal like the others were enjoying. Just as the ship was nearing New York harbor, the half-starved man went to the ship’s purser and asked, “What would one, good meal in the banquet room cost me?” “Let me see your ticket,” the purser responded? “Why, man!” he exclaimed, “your ticket includes all the meals you can eat during your voyage!” Oh well, the disappointed man humbly said to himself, at least the ship arrived safely.

THE MEANING OF THE STORY:

Many Christians are like this traveler. God has saved us, we are free and we are on a secure journey to heaven.

Because we do not understand God and His grace provisions, we live unknowingly like paupers. When we

discover the truth about the “amazing grace” of the King, we realize that He desires to provided us with everything

we need for life and godliness (see 2Pet 1:2). God’s grace gives us His power and His strength to help us live for

Him. His grace is far beyond what we could ever ask for. He may not give us what we want, but He give us every

good blessing we need to accomplish His will during the journey.

WARNING: DO YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO EGYPT?

Remember that Exodus crowd and their hard and rebellious hearts (Heb 3:7-10). The wilderness generation

experienced the grace of God visibly manifested. By grace, God led them out of Egypt with signs and wonders of

which the blood of the Passover provided their final freedom. By grace, God led them through the Red Sea. By

grace, God gave them a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. By grace, He fed them. By grace, God

protected His people. What was the result? They indicated their gratitude to God by insulting His goodness with

another verse of the hymn: “We Wanna Go Back to Egypt.” They voted for Egypt (Law) over Canaan (grace).

How could this be? Here is the big clue ….They did not know God’s ways (Heb 3:10b). The majority of the

followers of Moses had a head knowledge of God, but not a heart knowledge of God. They knew God’s Law but

they did not comprehend God’s grace. Today, in our personal lives, in our homes, in our churches, we need a

fresh experience of grace (Jesus). Hear us God, fill us to overflowing with Your grace “in Christ” Jesus!

As a consequence of not knowing God’s grace, notice what else was true…They did not know God’s rest (Heb

3:11). Because they did not know God’s ways it was impossible for them to enter into God’s rest - the promised

land. The same is true for us. If we do not understand who we are “in Christ”, we will not be able to know the

spiritual rest which God offers to His children. The Hebrews in the wilderness remained there and did not enter

into Canaan’s rest because of their unbelief. Note that many Christians today are satisfied with the familiarity of

Law and “playing church” and are blinded to entering into God’s grace. Like the Hebrews of old they are satisfied

to gaze across the Jordan into Canaan rather than plunge into the flow of God’s grace and be carried into the joy

of resting in Him. Leon Morris best defines spiritual rest as "a place of blessing where there is no more striving,

only relaxation in the presence of God." Beloved, abide above where there is perfect rest in Christ (our Canaan).

Living in the Power of God’s Grace

(A story about leaving the lights on.)

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Ponder the story about a lady who had a small house on the seashore of Ireland at the turn of the century.

Electric lighting had just been discovered by Edison. This wise lady of significant wealth frugality decided to be

the fist to use electricity and electric lighting in her home. The people in her local community were shocked and

curious by her actions. They all came around to see this new invention demonstrated. Several weeks after the

installation, a meter reader appeared at her door. He asked if her electricity was working, and she assured him

that it was. “I’m wondering if you can explain something to me.” He said. “Your meter shows scarcely any usage.

Are you using your power?” “Certainly,” she answered. “Each evening when the sun sets, I turn on my lights just

long enough to light my candles; then I turn them off.”

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

The woman in this story had tapped into the power but did not use it. Her house is connected but not altered.

Likewise, we occasionally flip on the power of grace but most of the time we settle for the shadows. Why would

one do this when we are blessed to be able to walk in the light? Strange that one who believes in the works of

Jesus and has accepted His work at the cross could miss God’s best.

Said another way: The rich young ruler wanted the medicine while the disciples wanted to follow the physician.

The basis for belief in Jesus (either works or grace) makes all the difference as Jesus stated there are two ways

to believe either in his works (the religious view) or by the indwelling grace (relationship):

John 14:11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

The solemn WARNING!

Note: Having a form of godliness (religious) but denying its power (grace)!

2 Tim. 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong,

haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

There is a similar story of God’s powerful staff of grace given to Moses to free and empower God’s people:

Exodus 4:17 (NIV) But take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it."

Exodus 17:9-12 (NIV) Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands." So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up--one on one side, one on the other--so that his hands remained steady till sunset.

Do you remember the flag-staff of the flag of joy, grace?…. the cornerstone, Jesus?

What was the consequence of Moses later striking the stone vs. speaking to the stone?

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He Still Moves Stones

(Story from “He Still Moves Stones” by Max Lucado from John 21)

PETER HAD TURNED HIS BACK on the sea to follow the Messiah. He'd left his boats thinking he’d never return.

But now he's back. Full circle. Same sea. Maybe even the same spot.

But this isn’t the same Peter. Three years of living with the Messiah have changed him. He’s seen too much. Too

many walking crippled, vacated graves, too many hours hearing his words. He’s not the same Peter. It's the same

Galilee, but a different fisherman.

Why did he return? What brought him back to Galilee after the crucifixion? Despair? Some think so—I don't. Hope

dies hard for a man who has known Jesus. I think that's what Peter has. That's what brought him back. Hope. A

bizarre hope that on the sea where he knew him first, he would know him again.

So Peter is in the boat, on the lake. Once again he’s fished all night. Once again, the sea has surrendered

nothing.

His thoughts are interrupted by a shout from the shore. "Catch any fish?" Peter and John look up. Probably a

villager. "No," they yell. "Try the other side," the voice yells back. John looks at Peter. What harm? So out sails the

net. Peter wraps the rope around his wrist to wait.

But there is no wait. The rope pulls taut and the net catches. Peter sets his weight against the side of the boat and

begins to bring in the net, reaching down, pulling up, reaching down, pulling up. He's so intense with the task, he

misses the message.

John doesn’t. The moment is deja vu. This has happened before. The long night. The empty net. The call to cast

again. Fish flapping on the floor of the boat. Wait a minute. He lifts his eyes to the man on the shore. "It's him," he

whispers.

Then louder, "It's Jesus."

Then shouting, "It's the Lord, Peter. It's the Lord!"

Peter turns and looks. Jesus has come. Not just Jesus the teacher, but Jesus the death-defeater, Jesus the

king . . . Jesus the victor over darkness. Jesus the God of heaven and earth is on the shore . . . and he’s building

a fire.

Peter plunges into the water, swims to the shore, and stumbles out wet and shivering and stands in front of the

friend he betrayed. Jesus has prepared a bed of coals. Both are aware of the last time Peter had stood near a

fire. Peter had failed God, but God had come to him.

For one of the few times in his life, Peter is silent. What words would suffice? The moment is too holy for words.

God is offering breakfast to the friend who betrayed him. And Peter is once again finding grace at Galilee.

What would you say at a moment like this?

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What would you say at a moment like this?

It's just you and God. You and God both know what you did. And neither one is proud of it. What do you do?

You might consider doing what Peter did. Stand in God's presence. Stand in his sight. Stand still and wait.

Sometimes that's all a soul can do. Too repentant to speak, but too hopeful to leave—we just stand.

Stand amazed. He has come back. He invites you to try again. This time with him.

“He Watches After Me”

(Story from Last Chapter of “In the Grip of Grace” by Max Lucado )

“Good, I’m glad you’re sitting by me. Sometimes I throw up.”

Not exactly what you like to hear from the airline passenger in the next seat. Before I had time to store my bag in the overhead compartment, I knew his name, age, and itinerary. “I’m Billy. I’m fourteen, and I am going home to see my daddy.” I started to tell him my name, but he spoke first.

“I need someone to look after me. I get confused a lot.”

He told me about the special school he attended and the medication he took for his unique illness.” “Can you remind me to take my pill in a few minutes.” Before we buckled up he stopped the airline attendant. “Don’t forget about me,” he told her. “I get confused.”

Once we were airborne, Billy ordered a soft drink and dipped his pretzel in it. He kept glancing at me as I drank and asked if he could drink what I didn’t. He spilled some of his soda and apologized.

“No problem,” I said, wiping it up.

Billy showed me his cassette player and asked if I’d like to listen to one of his tapes. “I brought my favorite,” he smiled, handing me the sound tracks from The Little Mermaids, Aladdin, and The Lion King.

When he started playing with his Nintendo Game Boy, I tried to doze off. That’s when he started making noises with his mouth, imitating a trumpet. “I can sound like an ocean, too,” he bragged, swishing spit back and forth in his cheeks. (Didn’t sound like the ocean but I didn’t tell him)

Billy was a little boy in a big body. “Can clouds hit the ground.” he asked me. I started to answer, but he looked back out the window like he’d never asked. Unashamed of his needs, he didn’t let the flight attendant pass without a reminder: “Don’t forget to look after me.”

I honestly can’t think of one time Billy didn’t remind the crew that he needed attention. The rest of us didn’t. We never asked for help. We were grownups. Sophisticated. Self-reliant. Seasoned travelers in this world. Most of us didn’t even listen to the emergency handling instructions or read the warnings on the card in the seat pocket. (Billy asked me to explain them to him.)

One last thought. Billy spent the final hour of the flight with his head on my shoulder, his hands folded between his knees. Just when I thought he was asleep, his head popped up and he said, “My dad is going to meet me at the airport, I can’t wait to see him because he watches after me.” Paul the apostle would have liked Billy. He wrote a letter so that more would be like Billy, called Romans.

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“Were it Not for Grace”

by

David Hamilton, Phill McHugh as sung by Larnell Harris

Time measured out my days

Life carried me along

In my soul I yearned to follow God

But knew I’d never be so strong

I looked hard at this world

To learn how heaven could be gained

Just to end where I began

Where human effort is all in vain

[chorus]

Were it not for grace

I can tell you where I’d be

Wandering down some pointless road to nowhere

With my salvation up to me

I know how that would go

The battles I would face

Forever running but losing the race

Were it not for grace

So here is all my praise

Expressed with all my heart

Offered to a Friend who took my place

And ran a course I could not start

And when He saw in full

Just how much His love would cost

He still went the final mile between me and heaven

So I would not be lost

[repeat chorus]

Forever running but losing the race

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Were it not for grace

Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. <Note: for the joy = remember the Greek word for joy is the root word for grace. >

2 Tim. 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

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Appendix 4

THE GREAT MYSTERY (Part I)

by Ray C. Stedman

Peninsula Bible Church

December 17,1972

http//www.pbc.org

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-6

The first paragraph in Ephesians Chapter 3 is, in many ways, the key to this great letter of Paul to the Ephesian

Christians. Here he begins to describe in full detail the great mystery which he had devoted his life to propagating

around the world. We all love mysteries. There is something about human beings which causes us to be

fascinated by something hidden, secret, by cryptic truth which needs to be discovered and revealed. God

understands us so thoroughly that he has hidden mystery in everything in life. We do not know anything fully.

There is always an element we don't understand. Even terms we commonly use, such as "love" and "joy" and

"life" itself, are basically mysterious to us. We know they are absolutely essential to our existence, but we don't

know what they are. We struggle constantly trying to understand what are the great realities they represent.

This is true in every area of our lives. Even physicists tell us that, hidden away in every physical manifestation of

the world and universe around us, is mystery. The quantum theory, upon which much of modern physics is based,

and which has unleashed the whole realm of nuclear fission, has at its heart, say the physicists, a principle of

indeterminism, a hidden principle. It states that we never can discover fully the truth about anything; there is an

element of hidden information about every subject we go into.

We are ever confronted with mystery. It is mystery which makes life entrancing, fascinating. And God understands

this. It is why the Scriptures say, "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search it out,"

{cf, Prov 25:2 RSV}. God knows that we all want to be kings, that we are made to reign. And the glory of kings is

to discover that which has been hidden.

The Apostle Paul describes the greatest mystery of life to the Ephesians in these words:

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles -- assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. {Eph 3:1-6 RSV}

There, in very brief form, is his statement of the mystery which lies at the heart of all life. As we will see, this is the

greatest secret ever presented to the minds of men. It is not new to us -- we have been discussing and

discovering aspects of it all along in this letter. But now we come to the full statement of what it is. The paragraph

falls very simply into two divisions. Paul is concerned first about his role as a teacher of this mystery, and then

about the mystery itself, about what it is he teaches.

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Sometimes it is difficult for those who do not read Greek to see how Paul builds his letters. This is particularly true

of this passage, because Paul begins "For this reason ..." -- but he doesn't give the reason toward which he is

moving until Verse 13! This is the way the apostle's mind worked. He starts out to say one thing but then is

captured by the truth of something else he is going to say. So he begins to bring it in ahead of time. Then he is

carried along from one truth to another until finally he gets back to what he started to say in the beginning. If you

read it this way: "For this reason..." then skip down to Verse 13: "... I ask you not to lose heart over what I am

suffering for you, which is your glory," you will understand what he is trying to say in the intervening sentences.

The apostle was concerned that the Christians to whom he was writing at this time in his life, the Ephesians,

Philippians, and others, would understand why he was going through the struggles he was. If you and I had been

in Rome with Paul as he wrote this letter, and could have stood in the room of the hired house where he was

living, chained day and night to a Roman soldier, and watched as he dictated to his amanuensis, his secretary,

watched him as he paced the floor, perhaps, with the soldier having to walk along with him, stopping now and

then to make corrections, we would have understood something of Paul's concern for the recipients of this letter.

They could not understand why the mighty apostle had to be a prisoner -- limited, unable to come to them in their

need as a growing young church -- and why all communication with him had to be by correspondence. So he was

writing to settle their fears and to show them what it was all about.

His first statement is this: "I am a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles -- ." That is the first thing he

wants them to know. It is striking that nowhere does Paul ever refer to himself as a prisoner of Caesar. He was

Caesar's prisoner. He had been arrested because he was charged by the Jews with sedition, or treason, against

the emperor. Therefore, eventually, he was remanded to the care of the palace guard, the personal bodyguard of

the emperor. So here he was in Rome, a prisoner of Caesar, awaiting trial before Nero. But never once does he

say that he is a prisoner of Caesar; it is always "a prisoner of Christ Jesus." The reason is obvious when you read

his letters. He saw that Caesar was not the one who had the final say about him; Jesus did. The duration of his

confinement was not determined by Caesar, but by the Lord Jesus. As Paul came to understand the One whom

he served, he knew that Jesus is in control of history. He saw him as John did in the book of Revelation -- as

sitting on his throne, holding the reins of government in his hands. He is the One who opens, and no man shuts,

who shuts, and no man opens, who orders, and his will is carried out. Paul knew, therefore, that anytime the Lord

Jesus decided Paul's imprisonment would be of no further value, he would be set free, that when the Lord Jesus

spoke, Caesar acted. Therefore, he never saw himself as being the prisoner of Caesar. This is a tremendous

lesson to us, who sometimes become worried and anxious about what the political powers-that-be are doing in

the world today. Would that we had the faith of this mighty apostle who understood so clearly that Caesar was not

in control; Jesus is.

Paul cites some reasons for his imprisonment. The first is that he was a prisoner on behalf of the Gentiles. This

refers not only to the fact that his arrest had come about because he was preaching the gospel to the Gentiles,

but also to the fact that it benefited the Gentiles. Do not forget that the reason Paul was charged by the Jews with

sedition against the emperor was because they were so angry that he would carry any message from God to the

Gentiles. Jewish scruples and prejudices were terribly offended by the fact that Paul had the nerve, the effrontery,

to say to the Jews that the Gentiles were received by God equally as they, that the Gentiles could have equal

standing before him. When Paul spoke to the Jewish mob in his own defense, after he was arrested in the temple

courts, the thing which triggered their renewed ire was the word "Gentile" in his message. They had been listening

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carefully to him as he spoke of his conversion, of how he had been called by God, until he stated that he had

been sent out unto the Gentiles. Then all hell broke loose again. They mobbed him and would have lynched him

on the spot had it not been for the intervention of the Roman guard. So it was because of this great message that

he was a prisoner.

Furthermore, he wants these Ephesians to know that they were benefiting by his arrest. I think this is a hint that

he recognized that if it were not for the fact he had been made a prisoner, he would never have had time to write

these letters which have changed the course of history. His concern for these people was such that he would

have gone to them had he been free. He would have preached to them and taught them directly from the Word,

but never would have had time to write it down. So perhaps the reason the Lord Jesus kept him a prisoner was

that he might have time to write.

He may have to do that with some of us, too. Some of you have learned truth you ought to write down and pass

along. And I wonder if sometime the Lord isn't going to lock me up to give me a chance to write some of the things

he has laid on my heart. I hope I'll learn from the lesson of Paul in this respect. Writing these letters is the greatest

thing the apostle ever did, for it is these which have changed our lives. And he recognizes that they were written

on behalf of the Gentiles.

The second thing Paul says about himself, so that they might understand what he was going through, is that he

was a steward of God's grace. God had committed a certain responsibility to him. I'm glad the Revised Standard

Version translates this word "stewardship" instead of "dispensation," for "dispensation" is often misunderstood in

our day. But if we see it as a stewardship we will understand it. A steward was a servant to whom a certain

responsibility was committed, certain goods were given, that he might "dispense" them, might give them out to

other people. This is the biblical idea behind the word dispensation. It is not a period of time at all; it is a

responsibility to dispense something, a stewardship. This is what Paul said was given to him. He was a

responsible steward. This is exactly in line with what he had written to the Corinthians much earlier. In First

Corinthians 4 he says,

This is how one should regard us [apostles], as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. {1 Cor 4:1 RSV}

The "mysteries" are the sacred secrets that God knows about life, which men desperately need to know. Think of

this! This is what Paul says we Christians are -- beginning with apostles, and including everyone who names the

name of Christ -- we are servants of Christ, and stewards, responsible servants, given the responsibility of

dispensing the mysteries of God, of helping people understand these great secrets which explain life and make it

possible to solve the difficulties and problems of our human affairs. To us is committed this responsibility. This is

how Paul sees himself -- as a steward of the mysteries of God.

And, more than this, he was taught this personally by none other than the Lord Jesus himself. "It was made

known to me by revelation." This is where we get our understanding of the authority of this great apostle.

There are those who tell us that the Apostle Paul learned his gospel from the other apostles, who in turn had

heard it from Jesus, and that, therefore, Paul's apostleship is somewhat less than theirs. But Paul says this is not

true. He tells us very plainly in his letter to the Galatians that when he was converted on that Damascus road, "I

did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ," {Gal 1:12

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RSV}. He didn't talk with the apostles; in fact, it was three years before he ever went back to Jerusalem after his

conversion. And then he saw only James, the Lord's brother, and they didn't talk about doctrine. It wasn't until

fourteen years later that he ever had an opportunity to sit down and compare notes with all the other apostles.

And, he says, they added nothing to him. He understood everything they did, knew everything Jesus had taught

them in the days of his flesh.

A striking example of this is found in First Corinthians 11, where he writes about the Lord's supper. He says, "For I

received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took

bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body which is for you. Do this in

remembrance of me,'" {1 Cor 11:23-24 RSV}. In other words, Jesus himself had appeared to Paul and had told

him all that went on in the Upper Room. So when Peter and James and John and the other apostles began to

compare notes with Paul, they were astonished that this apostle, this man who had been the persecutor of the

church and the chief murderer of the saints in Jerusalem, understood not only the doctrine they had been taught,

but also the very events they had gone through. Thus they had to acknowledge that he was an apostle on equal

terms with them. This is what gives Paul his authority.

Every now and then we run across someone who says, usually in defense of Women's Liberation, that Paul was a

crusty old bachelor whom no one can really trust, and that we must understand that he was conditioned by the

culture of his time, and that therefore one must pick and choose among his writings. Paul himself, and all the

other apostles, would deny this. Here was a man who spoke with direct authority, commissioned by the Lord

Jesus himself.

The third element of his stewardship, Paul says, is that it has given him great insight: "... the mystery was made

known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly." Scholars are not exactly sure what he meant by that.

Some feel that he had written another letter before this, which had explained much of this mystery. But personally

I think it is a reference to what he has written previously in this letter. In Chapter 1, Verses 9-10, he says,

For he [God the Father] has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fulness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. {Eph 1:9-10 RSV}

That is the brief statement he had written to these Ephesian Christians, and to which he refers. He says, "When

you read this you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ." That is, "You can understand that I have

great grasp and understanding of what this mystery is, that it is really the secret of all things, touching everything

in life. It is at the heart of all human existence. It is the mystery of the goal toward which God is moving in human

affairs; therefore, it encompasses space, time, matter -- all of life." And he sums it up in these words: "the mystery

of Christ" -- Jesus Christ, at the heart of all things.

None of us can help but be aware that this is an extremely troubled time in which we are living:

We do not know how to solve the problems which are overwhelming us.

We are being swamped by our own inventions. We continue to make automobiles even after they

have filled the highways and poisoned the air. We don't know how to break loose from this

syndrome.

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We don't know what to do with the millions of people who have been shoved off into ghettos,

areas of our cities where economic pressures force them to live, and prevent them from having

available to them the resources of life that many of us enjoy. We don't know how to balance this.

We don't know how to feed the world.

We are unable to stem the tide of broken marriages, and so our divorce rate is higher than that of

any other nation in the world.

We don't know what to do about these things. Why? Many writers -- thoughtful, perceptive men -- are sitting down

and trying to analyze where we have gone wrong, and why cannot we understand what to do. Some propose one

solution and some another; some are partially right, and some are almost totally wrong. But the reason they

cannot grasp the answer is that they have never dealt with the heart of the problem, the great secret to all things.

The key mystery is Christ, says the apostle.

If you read that as merely theological language, you have missed the import of what he is saying -- that every bit

of life finds its final solution in the person and being of the Lord Jesus himself. God has set his Son at the heart of

all things. Therefore the understanding of this great mystery is the key to the ultimate solutions for which men are

seeking today. If we begin to understand what Christ is, who he is, what he does, how we can lay hold of him --

we will begin to see the solutions of these problems unfold, as they are indeed unfolding in many of our lives.

Solutions are coming into being as we grasp what Christ has made available to us. I know that sometimes we are

so blinded by familiarity with these terms that we miss the impact of this. But I pray that God will open the eyes of

your understanding, that you will see how fantastic is this great mystery, and how important it is to understand it

thoroughly, and to enter into it.

When Einstein discovered his theory of relativity, very few people grasped it or understood it. But when people

began to operate on its basis, even though they didn't fully understand it, they began to change the world. Our

whole modern era was brought about by the discovery of a secret which was hidden in nature until the time when

Einstein stumbled upon a few hints of it. And there is much yet to be learned, even in this realm. But how much

more are there great riches in store for us who will give some time and thought and effort to grasping this great

secret which Paul sets forth before us here -- the ultimate secret behind all things: the mystery of Christ!

In this next sentence he gives us a brief summary of this great mystery:

When you read this you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. {Eph 3:4-6 RSV}

There is the mystery:

The first thing he says about it is that it has been hidden in the past. That is, great men of God in the Old

Testament did not understand this mystery. As Paul looks back upon these great men of the past -- Moses, David,

Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others -- he says that though they understood much, though they looked into the future far

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beyond our own day and God showed them what the end of all things would be, nevertheless they did not

understand this mystery. The secret was hidden to men of past ages. When did it begin to open up? The answer

is, in Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus himself began to unfold the mystery. I refer you to Matthew 13, where you

have it recorded that our Lord spoke these amazing words. In Verse 34, Matthew tells us this:

All this Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed he said nothing to them without a parable. This was to fulfill

what was spoken by the prophet:

"I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world." {Matt 13:34 RSV}

Our Lord, then, began to unfold this mystery, to tell us things that were hidden from the very foundation of the

world. So it is obvious, from what the apostle says here in Ephesians, that God needed to prepare human beings

for the unfolding of this secret. He had to get them ready for it. This he did with the rituals and symbols in the Old

Testament -- the giving of the Law and the sacrifices, which helped us to understand that we human beings have

something inherently wrong with us, which cannot be cured by our making a few good resolutions. Rather, it is

something that is drastically and terribly and deeply wrong. The only thing that can cure it is death itself. God had

to prepare this race to be able to grasp that fact and to be ready to believe it. And even then he had not fully

revealed this mystery. A little was revealed in the past, but the great secret was kept hidden.

But it has now been revealed, Paul says, "to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit." There is a line of

teaching called 'ultradispensationalism," in which certain teachers (who are genuine believers in Christ) teach that

only the Apostle Paul knew this secret, that to him was given the privilege of unveiling it for the first time to human

minds and hearts. But, as we have already seen, it was the Lord Jesus who began to unveil it. And, as Paul

himself says here, it was made known to all the apostles and prophets, i.e., the writers of the Scriptures, such as

Luke and James and others who were not apostles, but who were prophets. In the closing verses of Romans 16

there is a very clear statement on the unveiling of this mystery:

Now to him who is able to strengthen you, according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed and through the prophetic writings [i.e., the Scriptures] is made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith -- to the only wise God be glory for evermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. {Rom 16:25-27 RSV}

Now we come to the actual mystery itself. It consists of this great truth: That the Gentiles are fellow heirs,

members of the same body, and joint partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Here Paul does

something that he does frequently (and only the Apostle Paul does this) -- he coins words. He runs out of

language, is unable to put what he wants to say into the words at his disposal. So he invents new ones. He puts

words together. And here he makes up three words which you find nowhere else in the Greek New Testament.

They are, literally:

1. Joint-heirs

2. Joint-bodies, and

3. Joint-partakers.

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When they come to Christ, Jews and Gentiles together are joint heirs, joint members of one body, and joint

partakers of the promise. What is he talking about?

Well, in those three terms you have the answers to the greatest struggles with which we humans are engaged

today:

"Joint-heirs" has to do with possessions. Here he is touching the whole problem of man and his universe, man

living in a natural world, the dominion (or lack of it) of man over that world, and the reason why we cannot solve

our ecological riddles. The answer, as is detailed in other places in Scripture, is that the old creation which has

existed since the beginning of time is gripped by an unbreakable law, which Paul calls "the law of decay" in

Romans 8. It is The Second Law of Thermodynamics, if you want the scientific term for it, the law of entropy. This

law states that energy is becoming less available, everything is running down, deteriorating. And we cannot break

this law. This is why the ecological problems of today are unsolvable. There is no way we can break through this

law.

But Paul says that in Christ the breakthrough has occurred. In Christ, God is beginning a new creation, one that

lives by a wholly different principle and is not subject to this law. And this creation has already begun!

You see, the thing which was not taught in the Old Testament was the resurrection of Jesus, and the effects of it in

our lives right now. In the Old Testament there is very little reference to the resurrection of the body. There are a

few references -- just enough to teach the truth, so that the Old Testament believers knew there was life beyond

death. But they didn't know what kind of life, what it would be like. This was hidden from them. They died in hope,

but that hope was not very well defined. And the one thing they did not know at all was that the life beyond death,

resurrection life, could be made available to us while we are still living. This is what they never understood. You

will never find that taught in the Old Testament in those terms. But this is what the apostles were teaching -- that

God has already broken through the old creation, and, right in the midst of the old, he is creating a new. Men and

women today can live on the basis of this new creation.

We can learn how to handle our environment, even, on the basis of this new creation yet today. Christians have

the answer to the ecological crisis. This is why Dr. Francis Schaeffer has written a book called Pollution and the

Death of Man, and related this subject to the Christian answer. This is the only way these problems can be

worked out. What we are to inherit from God, ultimately, is the world. Paul tells us, "All things are yours, whether

Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future, all are yours;" {1 Cor 3:21b-22

RSV}. And the book of Hebrews tells us that we do not yet see all things subject to Christ, but we do see Jesus,

the One who has been made heir of all things, and in him we share that heirship, so that one day all things

subject to this new law will be ours. One day there will be a reversal of the law of decay, and all things will begin to

pick up energy again and be renewed, revitalized, in tremendously increasing degree.

In the realm of performance this is already true. This is the struggle of humanity which is answered by our

becoming "joint-members of one body." Why can't we get along with one another? Why do we fight each other?

Why are there so many family breakups? Why is there so much hatred and resentment and bitterness and

malice? Because when we are still living in the old creation those things are inevitable. If you fulfill the flesh, there

is no way by which you can keep from living in disharmony with people around you. Ah, but in the realm of the

Spirit the breakthrough has already occurred. When we begin to "walk in the Spirit," as we understand what that

phrase really means, then we can love, forgive, begin to reach out to others. The whole experience of life is

transformed, right now.

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Finally, the apostle touches the matter of power: "partakers of the promise." The promise was of the giving of the

Holy Spirit -- that God's Spirit himself would live in us, and empower us to do everything God wants us to do. Any

time we know there is something we ought to do, something we should do, something it would be right for us to

do, but which we don't want to do -- if we then cast ourselves in helplessness upon the Lord Jesus and trust his

word, we can assume the power of the Spirit to do that thing. And the power of the Spirit will always come flowing

through right at that point, to enable us to do what otherwise we could never do.

This is Paul's explanation of the great mystery. It is a breakthrough, a new and marvelous way of life which has

already begun in our experience, and which, ultimately, will solve all the problems facing humanity. The

remarkable thing about it is that you can experience it right now. In Colossians Paul puts it this way: "Christ in you,

the hope of glory," {Col 1:27b}. It is the only hope you will ever have of living according to the glory God designed

for man when he created him in the beginning.

Put in these terms, this means that the present "civilization" we are living in secular life, with its politics, its

education, its legislative system, its reportage of news events can be likened to a cocoon, clinging lifelessly to the

branch of history. But inside that cocoon, God is working a metamorphosis; a transformation is taking place. And

one of these days that cocoon will open, in the Springtime of the world, and a new being will step out -- a being

which is being created at this time right within the cocoon.

This is a great parable that God teaches us in nature. Did you ever wonder why caterpillars crawl on the ground?

Why don't they run around on four legs? Because God is teaching us things in nature, if we could only see. This is

a picture of life in the flesh, the natural human life. Everything that lies in a caterpillar's path is a horrible obstacle

over which it must painfully crawl. It cannot see very far, and doesn't know which turn to take. This is an apt

description of the way we live our lives as natural human beings.

But God has a program for a caterpillar. He has a wonderful plan for its life. I don't know if anyone has told the

Four Spiritual Laws to a caterpillar, but it would be interesting to do so, because the first point would be, "God

loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life." What is it? "That you'll die, that you'll come to the end, that

somehow all your old life as a caterpillar will decay and you will be left lifeless and dead, in a cocoon of your own

spinning, hanging on a limb, and apparently it will all be over." But it isn't over. Right in the midst of that cocoon

something happens. We don't really know what it is. Nobody has yet ever found out what goes on inside a cocoon

that transforms a caterpillar into a butterfly. But we know that one of these days, when the sun begins to shine, all

these dead-looking cocoons will begin to break open, and there will emerge a beautiful creature, designed no

longer for life on the lower level, crawling along over every obstacle, but able to rise above them, able to spread

its wings and fly as an expression of beauty and joy throughout the world and nature.

This is God's lesson regarding what he is doing now. The cocoon is the old creation, and in the midst of it the new

is taking shape. And we can live in that new creation right now. This is the great mystery.

This may seem like old stuff to you, for unfortunately these words have come so frequently to our ears that we've

lost the impact of them. But I hope you can go back, perhaps during this Christmas season, and think again of the

breathless wonder of this great mystery which Paul declares to us -- how in Jesus Christ we can step out of the

old, already, into the new creation. And the effects of it can be felt in our relationships with others, in our attitudes

within, in our treatment of the environment around, in our enjoyment of the world of nature which is already

present around us, and ultimately, in the power of the Holy Spirit imparted to us to make us live as we ought to

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live, in the fullness of joy and peace and life and glory and rejoicing before God. One of these days, Springtime is

going to come to the world, and when it comes, what God as already been preparing will then become manifest.

Now, you can't wait till that time to get on the bandwagon; it has already started.

This is the great mystery. It has already begun. And you are either a part of the new creation, or you are a part of

the old; one or the other, but never both.

You may live your life as a member of the new creation – in the midst of the old, but not part of it anymore – “no

longer strangers, no longer foreigners,” says the apostle. “You have broken with all that. Therefore live as

members of a new race," is his exhortation. "Stop going on in the old way. Don't go on any longer subject to all the

heartache and misery and malice and hatred and resentment and oppression which comes from the old creation.

Rather, break loose and be free in Jesus Christ."

When you do, you will understand the practical import of this fantastic mystery which is at the heart of all life, and

which God will begin to unfold to us more and more as we go on, until it simply "blows our minds" with the wonder

of what is waiting for us.

This is what Christmas is all about. This is what began at Bethlehem. The first breakthrough was on Christmas

Day, when in the darkness of the world -- sunk in apathy and misery, in superstition and blindness, and in death --

a light broke through. "A people who sat in darkness saw a great light," {c.f., Isa 9:2 RSV}. And that light has been

reaching out to the world ever since, bringing men out of the old into the new.

I don't know how you think of yourself, but I know that it helps greatly to personalize these great truths, to

remember that this is where God wants the application finally to be made -- right home into your hearts, into your

lives, into your families.

You are a new creation in Jesus Christ.

You are no longer part of the old but part of that new program which, looking into the future, is waiting for the

dawn of a new world, a new life, and a new day, when all God's people shall be one over all the earth, and no

harm or heartache will occur in all the world.

This is the mystery, as Paul describes it to us, and as God wants us to understand it.

May God help us to make it personal in our own lives.

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Appendix 5

THE GREAT MYSTERY (Part 2)

by Ray C. Stedman

Peninsula Bible Church

December 28,1986

You have all seen the television commercial for the Armed Forces that says---to a musical accompaniment---"Be

all that you can be." It implies that if you join the Army, the Navy, the Air Force or the Marines, then you can be all

that you can be. I don't believe that! Does anybody? But a word like that has strong appeal. Everybody wants to

be all that he can be. I have never met anyone who doesn't want to be all that he feels himself capable of being.

We all hunger for that. No matter how degraded, downcast or frustrated, everyone longs for fulfillment. And yet, as

we observe the bewildering tragedy of human life, we are left shaking our heads at the seeming impossibility of

that. I have been listening to stories all week from relatives, friends, and on the media, describing endless shame,

hurt, pain, murder, divorce, cruelty, abuse and personal failure. Is there any real possibility of reversing this in

someone's life? Can the downward slide be arrested?

The good news of the gospel answers with a resounding Yes! It can be done! In fact, that is what the apostle Paul

is saying here in his letter to the Colossians. This is what I would call a first century description of how a life can

be changed:

"Once you alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation--- if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel." (Colossians 1:21-23)

What a marvelous thing to find hope like that in this dark world of ours! And how wonderful that God himself

undertakes to make this change! I read this morning a statement from a man who felt he heard God saying to him

one day, "I wish you would leave all this reconciling of things to me, since you are so hopelessly unequipped for it,

and that you would use whatever influence you have with your fellow fussers and worriers to do likewise. I know

what I am doing and I will go over it with you when you get home."

That is a good word for us to remember. God is at work. He is sovereign. And he can and does reconcile people

to himself and make a change in their lives. This passage, from verse 21 on through the end of the chapter, is a

tremendous description of the process of change in a human being. It traces it in three stages, and I propose that

we consider them this morning.

First, there is a beginning that involves an inner reversal of attitude. A total change of outlook occurs when you

come into contact personally with the Savior himself. As Paul states here, there was a time when all of us who are

now Christians were "alienated from God." We did not have any use for God. We did not take him into our

reckoning. We did not consider him important. We started and ended each day without a thought of him. We went

about our own plans, lived for ourselves, and did what we felt like doing, never giving a thought to God. Or if we

did think of him, we regarded him as merely a remote Being on the horizon of life, but we never expected anything

from him. Because we cut him out of our thinking---even though he was sustaining our very life---we ended up, as

Paul describes, "enemies in our minds," hostile toward God. We did not want anything to do with him. You

remember how that felt, don't you? We avoided God. We thought he would interfere with our plans; that he was a

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cosmic killjoy out to make us live uneventful and unhappy lives. We were not open to him in any degree

whatsoever. We were enemies of God, and as a result we expressed that enmity in evil behavior.

That is really what this text says. The translation, "because of your evil behavior," is a very poor one. That sounds

as though evil behavior is the cause of inner alienation and hostility toward God. But it is quite the other way

around. It is inner alienation, estrangement from God and hostility toward him, that causes evil behavior. That is

what the Greek text clearly declares here.

"But now," Paul says, "we are reconciled to God." Something has happened within us. It occurred when we saw

that the death of Jesus was for us, that somehow he had done something to set aside our estrangement, our

brokenness and hurt, and that if we came to him in faith he would deliver us. So we came. Something happened

then to our inner attitude. We were changed in the way we thought. We no longer saw God as an enemy and a

Judge, but as a loving Father. We recognized that the cross was not a symbol of failure in the life of a religious

fanatic, but it was a moment when the great enemies all men face were conquered; when death was overcome

and all the evil powers against mankind were set at naught. Thus our whole life was changed.

Just this past week I received a letter from a man describing the change that occurred in his life. Here is an

excerpt from it:

I visited your office about four and one-half years ago at the request of my wife. When I met with you I was away

from my wife and planning to divorce. After meeting with you I listened to many of your tapes and read several of

your books and through this and other Christian materials I developed at least a vague sense of the personal

nature of God and that he does, in fact, hate divorce. Out of a guilty conscience I moved back into my home, with

my wife. I truly did not believe I could ever love my wife again and that my life would be forever miserable, but the

guilt of leaving was so great I had to stay.

After I had been home for about six months, during which time my wife encouraged me to attend church and Bible

study, the Lord saved me and demonstrated his love for me. In a moment of surrender he freed me from drugs

and alcohol. I had been drinking a quart of whiskey per day for years, and my health clearly revealed it. Since that

time my love relationship with Jesus has continually grown. As the world views it, my life has totally fallen apart. I

have lost my business and everything our family has ever owned in the last three years. The world does not know

what I and my family know. Our riches are no longer in things (the created). Our riches are in the Creator. He is

our Rock. He is faithful and he will deliver us and we only desire that our will be in conformity to his will.

He has given us a wonderful peace of heart, joy in our spirits and the strength to bear up under whatever

circumstances he allows to mold us into conformity to his character. I have found in my wife everything I had ever

hoped to have in a wife, and the Holy Spirit has encouraged me for some time to share with you this wonderful

miracle worked by God through you his servant and others like you.

That clear testimony confirms what the apostle says to the Colossians. God is in the business of changing lives.

That is what this good news is about. If you need your life changed, that is where you start.

The process of change begins, as we have seen, with opening the heart to Christ, and receiving him as Lord. But

it is a process that is headed for a specific goal, which, according to the apostle, is "to present you holy [whole,

complete, well balanced in spirit, soul and body] in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation." That is

God's goal, and he fully intends to accomplish it. The sign that it is happening---don't miss this---is, "if you

continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel." It is continuing that

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is the proof of reality. Many people start out the Christian life, filled with joy because they have found a new

sensation. But it does not last. Somewhere along the line it fades. Finally, they set it all aside and go back to the

way they once were. That is a sign there was never real faith at the beginning. It is continuance that proves reality.

Someone has well said, "If your faith fizzles before you finish, it is because it was faulty from the first!" You get an

"F" for that performance! That does not mean that faith cannot waver and wobble at times. It does with all of us.

Sometimes faith grows dim, but true faith never ceases. We never give up the realization that God has changed

us. There is a new attitude, a new life imparted, and that is the sign that we cannot give up being a Christian. I

received a phone call from a young man one day who said, "I'm going to quit being a Christian. It's too hard. I

don't want to pay the price." I said to him, "I think that is what you ought to do." There was a long silence for a

moment, then he said, "You know I can't do that." I knew he could not, and he did not, for it is continuing that is

the proof of reality.

The second step is the realization of the part others play in this process of change. Listen to these words:

"This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness..."

One of the remarkable things that Christians learn is that others have had a part in bringing the gospel to them.

Oftentimes that part was played long before we ever came to Christ, but when we learn of it we are greatly

moved. I will never forget the Methodist evangelist who preached to me when I was a boy ten years old. I

remember to this day the text he preached from because when I heard the gospel from him I came to Christ. I do

not know where that man is or what has happened to him, but his name and the memory of that occasion are still

fresh in my mind.

Some may wonder what is meant by the statement, "the gospel...that has been proclaimed to every creature

under heaven." How could that be, we ask? When Paul wrote this he had preached in a few cities of the Roman

Empire, which was but a small part of the planet on which we live. Then, they did not even know about North and

South America. How could this statement be true? We find the answer in chapter 10 of Paul's letter to the

Romans. There he argues that there must be preachers who must be sent, etc., in order for people to hear.

Nevertheless, he asks, "Have they not heard?" Then he quotes from Psalm 19, "Their voice has gone out to all

the earth, their words to the ends of the world." The psalm states, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the

firmament shows his handiwork." Nature is the first preacher of the gospel. There is order in the universe. There is

clearly intelligence behind it all. Hebrews says, "He that comes to God must believe that he is [that is what nature

tells us] and that he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him." If anyone, anywhere, responds to the facts

that nature presents about the existence of a God of power and glory, and begins to seek him, then God himself

assumes the responsibility to bring him to hear of the Redeemer, the Savior. It is still true that "there is no other

name, under heaven, given among men whereby we must be saved." God will bring the seeking soul to Jesus.

The second thing Paul states is that the character of those who truly preach the gospel is that they are servants.

They count it a delight and joy to be used of God. This is a major distinguishing mark by which you can tell

whether a preacher is true or false. If you listen to the television evangelists today, as I frequently have done, you

can hardly escape the feeling that Christianity is a matter of trying to get something from God---to get God to work

for us. We humans are the ultimate reason for all that happens in life. But the truth is, we Christians are given the

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high privilege of serving the Living God, of God using us in our weakness, failure, folly and faultiness to proclaim

this truth to others. The realization that the God of Glory is willing to do that should create in us a deep sense of

gratitude that we can be his servants. That is the difference between the false and true witnesses. The false think

God works for them; the true delight in the fact that God is using them, and they do not regard it as an intrusion or

a burden, but the highest honor that could ever be given.

But, says Paul, such service involves much pain and sacrifice: "I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to

Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church." What does he mean, that something is lacking in

the afflictions of Christ? Clearly, he does not mean that something was lacking in the atoning work of Jesus; that

the suffering of the cross was not sufficient to settle the question of sin. The fact is, the word "afflictions" is never

used in the scriptures to describe the death of Jesus. Afflictions are what Jesus went through before the cross

from the opposition of the enemy, the devil, and from our Lord's willingness to make himself a servant to others

and to minister to human needs. That was when he endured "afflictions."

But there is nothing lacking in what he did on the cross. Scripture says, "He is able to save to the uttermost all

those who come unto God through him." John adds, "He is the propitiation for our sin, and not for ours only but for

the sins of the whole world." There is nothing lacking there!

But when we are engaged in fighting against the opposition of the devil and his angels, when we are opposed by

the lusts of the flesh and face the subtle lies and deceptions of the world around us, then we find we are engaged

in a combat, and combat is always costly! Someone must pay a price in order that others might come to Christ.

Have you ever asked yourself, how many prayers and tears, how much heartache and disappointment has

someone gone through for you in order that you might come to Christ? I never read the Scriptures without a

momentary thought, at least, of what it cost others for me to have this Bible in my hand: the blood of martyrs, the

fears and tears of persecuted people throughout centuries, the sweat and labor of translators, and the effort of

teachers to make it plain and clear. We should never read the Scriptures without remembering that someone has

died to make it possible.

When we come to Christ we are to take up this battle and suffer on behalf of others. It not only benefits others but

it benefits us as well. That is why Paul says, "I rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf." "It does something for me,"

he says. "It keeps me usable. I am reminded constantly that it is out of weakness that I am made strong." That is

what suffering for others will do for us: it will keep us humble and useful. But it also has great effect upon others: it

shows them that we are deeply concerned. We pray for them, we long for them, we grieve over them, we hurt

when they hurt. That is the process by which others come to Christ.

Finally, this process requires, as Paul goes on to say, an understanding of a truly great mystery:

"...the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him [not simply Christ, but "Christ in you"] counseling and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ [that is the goal which in v. 22 he says God is aiming at]. To this end I labor, struggling with all the energy he so powerfully works in me."

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There is the great mystery. It is the greatest truth taught in the Bible, and yet it is the most seriously missing

element in many churches today. Most Christians in our churches understand that Christ died for the forgiveness

of their sins---they believed that and came to Christ because of that---but that is where most of them stop.

Relatively few, it seems, ever go on to grasp the fact that Jesus died for them that he might live in them. It is his

life in them that is the source of power, change and deliverance, and the ability to resist temptation. That is how

loneliness is met and Companionship provided. It is not enough to know that Christ died in order that we might go

to heaven. We are also to know, understand, and practice Christ actually living in us now!

That is surely the most astounding truth in the Bible. As Paul declares here, it is a mystery that "has been kept

hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to his saints." Think of that! Nowhere in the Old Testament

will you ever find a single verse that describes the process by which God is going to help his people. There are

great promises in the Old Testament, such as Isaiah's word at the end of chapter 40, "They that wait upon the

Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they

shall walk and not faint." That is true. Old Testament saints understood and believed that promise, and they

actually experienced it: they waited on the Lord, and they were strengthened; they were lifted up, comforted and

helped. All that is clear as you read the Old Testament. But what was never told them was the means by which

God would do this.

It was not until Jesus came and taught his disciples that we learn at last what means God would employ. In

Matthew 13, that amazing chapter of the parables of Jesus, our Lord took these words on his own lips, quoting

one of the Old Testament prophets, "I will open my mouth in parables. I will utter things hidden since the creation

of the world." Gradually he sought to impart to the disciples this amazing truth: through his death and resurrection,

and through the coming of the Holy Spirit, they would be indwelt by Jesus himself. In the Upper Room, just before

the cross, he uttered these words, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching and my Father will love him and

we will come to him and make our home in him." Dr. Robert Munger's great little booklet, "My Heart, Christ's

Home," is a magnificent development of this statement. It is the mystery hidden from the foundation of the world,

but now made known to his saints.

Paul himself lived this way. That is what he is telling us in the last verse of this chapter: "To this end I labor,

striving with all the energy he [Jesus] so powerfully works in me." There is a new power at work. When you

understand that you possess the Lord Jesus---that he is in you---you have a totally new source of power. You also

have a new desire, a new motive: you long to see change take place and you are motivated to take the steps that

will bring it into being---to obey, to read, to study, to learn, to grow. You have a new Companion along the way.

The problem of loneliness is ended because you are never alone when Jesus is present in your life. What a

mighty truth this is! It is what delivers people. It is more than the fact that Jesus died on a cross. He died that he

might live in us! This is the highest truth of all, a truth that God labors for us to understand and apply. When it

happens, things begin to change in any human life.

Our long-time friend, Major lan Thomas, used to put it very succinctly. He is a former British Army officer, and has

made it his lifelong ministry to travel all over the world and teach this wonderful truth of "Christ in you, the hope of

glory." He puts it this way:

He had to be what he was, in order to do what he did!

We have been seeing that in Colossians. Jesus had to be both God and man in order to die in our place, be

raised again, ascend into the heavens, and send the Holy Spirit, and thus come into our life. Second,

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He had to do what he did, in order that we might have what he is.

We could never have this new power, this new source of energy, this new comfort and strength in our life, if Jesus

had not done what he did. It is on the basis of his death and resurrection that we have what he is. Third, we must

have what he is, in order to be what he was.

That is what this great text is saying. God wants to present us "holy, without blemish, and free from accusation,"

just as his Son was. We are being conformed to the image of his Son. He is "bringing many sons to glory." We

must have what he is in order to be what he was. That is why it is important to understand this great mystery,

"Christ in you, the hope of glory."

The world knows nothing of this mystery. You will never find it mentioned by the media, except by Christians. You

will never learn about it in the great universities of the world. In all secular wisdom and knowledge there is no

recognition of this incomparable source of change in a human life. It is found only in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

That is why this message is such a powerful, world transforming, revolutionary statement, and why we ought to

give ourselves to understanding it more than any other thing in life.

Let me summarize this passage, in closing. The apostle points out three stages of change. First, the new birth

begins a process which is intended to perfect us, spirit, soul and body. To advance that process requires pain and

commitment on the part of others on our behalf; and when we come to Christ we are to undertake that same pain

and commitment on behalf of others. Finally, all progress occurs only by coming to understand and to practice the

mystery of "Christ in you, the hope of glory." That is how to stop the terrible downward slide of any human life!

There may be some who have come to this service and have never yet begun that process. If so, I want you to

know that this transaction can take place between you and God alone right here. In a moment of quietness, as we

close this service, you can say, "Lord Jesus, here I am. Come into my heart. Receive me. Begin to change me."

He will respond, as he promises to do, to those who in true faith invite him into their lives.

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Appendix 6.1

Growing in Grace (Part 1)

“By His Grace, For His Name, Through the Obedience of Faith”

by

John Piper, Pastor

May 10, 1998

Bethlehem Baptist Church

http://www.desiringgod.org

(Romans 1:1-5) Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name's sake.

This morning we are going to focus on verse 5, and in particular the three phrases: "grace and apostleship,"

"obedience of faith," and "for his name’s sake." We will try to see the nature of grace as a free and undeserved

enabling for ministry, the effect of grace in the obedience of faith, and the ultimate goal of grace in the glorifying of

Christ’s name among all the peoples.

Grace – at the Heart

Grace is a very precious reality. I hope I can show you from the book of Romans what it is and why it is so

precious. The word is used 155 times in the New Testament – over 100 of them in the writings of Paul, and almost

a fourth of those in Romans (24 times). You cannot comprehend this book if you don’t comprehend grace. We

will see it again and again. It is at the heart of the book and the heart of the gospel and the heart of God.

But I don’t assume the word communicates now the precious Biblical reality it was meant to. Today, I would guess

that the average person would say grace is the beautiful movement of an ice skater. Then they might say grace is

a short prayer before meals. And finally, they might say grace is undeserved kindness.

But what is the Biblical reality of grace? Let’s look at Romans 1:5 and its connections. Notice that in verse one

Paul began to introduce himself and speak of his being a bond-servant of Christ and of his calling as an apostle

and his consecration for the gospel of God. Then in verses 2-4, he talks about what the gospel of God is: it’s

planned long before it happens; it’s about God’s Son; it’s about the fulfillment of Old Testament hopes and the

arrival of the Messiah, the Son of David; and it is about the risen Christ who came forth triumphant from the dead

as reigning Son of God in power.

With that picture of a great, triumphant, reigning Messiah and Lord before us, Paul can now talk about grace on

its proper basis. He says in verse 5, "through whom we have received grace." In other words, God’s grace has

come to Paul through the Lord Jesus Christ who was born as a son of David and was raised as Son of God in

power. We may say from what Paul writes later that grace was obtained for us through the obedience and death

of the incarnate Messiah (Romans 3:24-25; 5:18-21); and grace is poured out through the risen and reigning Son

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of God in power. There is no grace toward sinners apart from the life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Verse 5 says plainly that God gives grace "through him," referring to "Jesus Christ our Lord" at the end of verse 4.

So grace is a reality that comes from God; and comes through Jesus and his work for us. It is not something we

have a right to. Jesus obtained it for us. We get it freely because of the obedience and death of another.

What is Grace?

But what is it? Well, in this verse it is connected with Paul’s ministry, his apostleship. "Through [Christ] we have

received grace and apostleship." I take this to mean that his calling as an apostle was a gift of grace and that he

fulfils that ministry by the power of this grace. So that grace is not just God’s clemency toward Paul’s sin, but is

also a power to enable Paul to do his calling as an apostle.

I base this on what Paul says about the relation between grace and ministry in chapters 12 and 15. For example,

in 12:6 Paul says, "We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us." And in 12:3 he says, "Through the

grace given to me I say to everyone among you . . ." In other words, grace is God’s enabling for various ministries

through gifts he gives, and Paul’s gift includes speaking as an apostle. Similarly in 15:15b-16 Paul says, "grace

was given me from God, to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles." So I conclude that when he says in 1:5,

"Through whom we have received grace and apostleship, " he means that God not only saved him from his sin,

but he also gave him grace to be an authoritative spokesman for the risen Son of God in power.

How Do We Get Grace?

And how does that mean he gave it to him? Does it mean that he gave it in response to good works? No. Paul

said that he was set apart for the gospel before he was born (Galatians 1:15; Romans 1:1). Grace is not God’s

response to our deserving or meriting. Grace is God’s free gift before we do anything good, and his enabling of

us to do anything good. For example, in Romans 4:4 Paul says, "Now to the one who works, his wage is not

credited according to grace, but according to debt" (my translation). In other words, grace is not what you get

when you work for somebody: that’s what he owes you. Grace is never owed. It is always a free bonus from the

overflow of goodness.

Therefore grace is always received through faith, not earned by works. You can only receive grace as a gift and

acknowledge that it comes to you freely; you can’t work for it or earn it. Romans 11:6 states the principle: "If it

[election] is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace." Grace would not

be grace if you earned it by your works. We receive it through faith. By simply welcoming it as a gift and relying on

it.

This is why Romans 4:16 says, "For this reason it [= being an heir of the promise] is by faith, in order that it may

be in accordance with grace." This is Paul’s way of saying that grace is absolutely free and cannot be deserved

or merited. When grace comes to you it is through faith or not at all.

Grace has its own power. You don’t work it up. It is, in fact, part of the power referred to in verse 4, where Paul

says that Jesus "was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead." Grace is not just

forgiveness of our sin and mercy on our misery, it is also a divine power that comes to us through Jesus

absolutely freely for the sake of ministry. Paul says in Romans 5:21, "As sin reigned in death, even so grace

reigns through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (my translation). Grace is the power of

a king: it "reigns" and leads mightily to eternal life through Christ.

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So we have seen that grace is a power from God for ministry (like Paul’s apostleship). It is free and cannot be

earned or deserved. It is received as a gift by faith, not merited by works.

The Effect of Grace

Now ponder the implications of this for a moment – for Paul and for you. I mentioned one of them last week.

When Paul calls himself, in verse 1, a "bond-servant of Christ Jesus" and an "apostle," he means that he serves

the risen Christ as an apostle. But now, from verse 5, we know something utterly crucial about that service: it is

given and enabled by grace. He says in Romans 15:18, "I will not presume to speak of anything except what

Christ has accomplished through me [that’s the power of grace], resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles" –

which is the same aim as 1:5. Paul serves Christ by the grace with which Christ serves Paul.

I linger over this because if you get it early, the book of Romans will open to you like a flower. And if you don’t get

it, the book will not make sense. And I linger over it because this is the essence of how God means for you to live

your life. God wants you to read verse 5 and in the end put your calling in the place of the word "apostleship."

"Apostleship" is Paul’s – not mine and not yours. You might put, "Through Christ I have received grace and the

teaching role." Or: grace and singing. Or: grace and studentship. Or: grace and singleness. Or: grace and

widowhood. Or: grace and motherhood. And what you should mean is: God has freely given me forgiveness and

the power to do a calling, and fulfill a role which I accept by faith.

There is not a role in life that can be lived the way God wants it lived apart from enabling grace. Being a godly

mother or being an apostle is impossible without the power of grace. So when Paul says, in 1 Corinthians 15:10,

that all his apostolic labor is by grace, you insert your own calling: "By the grace of God I am what I am, and His

grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with

me." The decisive, enabling power for all ministry and all service is God’s grace.

Paul is tremendously jealous to exalt grace in his life and in yours. We should join him in this. Why this is

becomes clearer as we look at the next two phrases in Romans 1:5.

"The Obedience of Faith"

"Through [the living Son of God risen in power] we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the

obedience of faith." So grace is not just received by faith, it aims at faith. God gives gifts of grace so that we will

be his instruments in bringing about "the obedience of faith. This is what I called the effect of grace.

Now what does the phrase "obedience of faith" mean? The two main choices are: "the obedience that comes

from faith" (NIV), or the obedience which is faith, because faith is what the gospel demands." As you might say:

"acts of courage" – acts which come from courage. Or you might say, "Block of wood" – the block is wood. Both

of these goals (faith and obedience that comes from faith) are really Paul’s goals in ministry. And it is very difficult

to decide which he means to focus on right here.

But I am moved by Leon Morris’s question: If Paul only means "faith, " why use two words to say it (The Epistle to

the Romans [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988], p. 50)? In other words, if Paul only means,

"We received grace and apostleship to bring about faith among all the gentiles," then why complicate matters and

say, "the obedience of faith"? I think the answer is that he really does want us to think not only of the obedience

which faith is, but also the obedience of love which faith produces (1 Timothy 1:5). We will see in chapter six that

Paul cares a great deal about Christian obedience. And we will see in Romans 9:32 that obedience is "by faith

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and not as though it were by works." And we will see in 14:23 that "whatever is not from faith is sin." In other

words, in Paul’s mind, all true obedience is the fruit of faith.

Now why is this? Why does all true obedience come from faith? I hope you can see the answer if you compare

what I have said so far about grace and faith. God gives grace as the power and the enabling for service, which

means that grace is the power and enabling of obedience. So all true obedience is done in the power of grace,

not our own power.

But how do we receive and rely on grace? The answer is "by faith." So you can see why all true obedience is the

fruit of faith. It’s the fruit of faith because God’s grace is given to enable obedience, and faith is the way we rely

on that grace, and so obedience is the fruit of that faith.

So what we have seen so far is that God wants to be the Giver in this relationship. God wants to be gracious.

God wants to be the fountain and the source of our service and our obedience and our ministry – whether

apostleship, or pastor, or student, or mother, or any other calling. God intends to be the source of enabling,

empowering, sustaining grace. Our job is to trust him and act in reliance on him. This is the essence of the

Christian life.

Why Is Everything Dependent on Grace, through Faith?

And the final question is, Why? Why does God set it up this way – with everything dependent on His grace

through our faith? And the last phrase in Romans 1:5 gives the answer: "Through [Christ] we have received grace

and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles [= peoples] for His name's sake."

The ultimate goal of all God’s dealings is that his name (or the name of Christ, who is his image) would be known

and admired and cherished and praised above all other realities.

Romans 9:17 puts it like this: "For the scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘I have raised you up for the very purpose of

showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.’" God’s aim in history and in all

that happens is that his name be known and worshipped. Verse 5 says that the aim of Paul’s apostleship is "for

the sake of the name" – that the name of Jesus (which stands for his character) might be known and loved and

treasured and exalted and glorified.

Now this is why God makes all our salvation and all our ministry and all our obedience dependent on His grace

and makes all our salvation and ministry and obedience the fruit of faith in grace – because the giver gets the

glory. If our ministry and all our obedience is by grace through faith, then God gets the glory and we get the help.

If Paul relied on himself to serve as an apostle, and if the effect of his ministry was to bring about the obedience of

works, not the obedience of faith among the gentiles, then the name of Christ would not be praised, Paul would

be.

The giver of the power, the enabler of the obedience, gets the glory. Here’s the way 1 Peter 4:11 puts it:

"Whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God

may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." You

see how clearly Peter makes the connection: God gets the glory for our service if God gives the grace for our

service, and if we serve by faith in that grace, in the strength of that grace and not our own.

 If God Aims for His Own Exultation, Is He Loving?

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The final question that people often ask about this Biblical teaching is whether a God who aims at the exaltation of

his own name is a loving God. The book of Romans gives two answers to that question. First, in Romans 10:13

Paul says, "Every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved." So yes, it is loving for God to push his

own name and his own glory, because everyone who calls on that name will be saved. For him not to spread and

exalt his name as our only hope would be un-loving of God.

And the second answer is given in Romans 5:2b, where Paul says that while we stand in grace by faith "we exult

in hope of the glory of God." In other words, the glory of God is our hope and our salvation and our exultation –

our joy. We don’t just call on the name of the Lord to get something else. We call on the name of the Lord so that

everything that separates us from the Lord will be overcome by the grace of God and we will have access to the

Lord himself. "We exult in hope of the glory of God." Therefore it is loving for God to make the name of God –

that is, the glory of God – the goal of all his grace, because this is the goal of all our longings.

Is this – is he – the goal of your longings? If so, then the gospel of grace will

make sense and you will embrace it. If not, call upon the name of the Lord so

that he would open your eyes to see the light of the gospel of the glory of

Christ, the image of God. (2Corinthians 4:4)

Appendix 6.2

Growing In Grace (Part 2)

by

Miles Stanford (Excerpts)

In addition to the outward general call to salvation which is made to everyone who hears the gospel,

the Holy Spirit extends to the elect a special inward call that inevitably brings them to salvation. The

external call (which is made to all without distinction) can be, and often is, rejected; whereas the

internal call (which is made only to the elect) cannot be rejected: it always results in conversion. By

means of this special call the Spirit irresistibly draws sinners to Christ. He is not limited in His work of

applying salvation by man’s will, nor is He dependent upon man’s cooperation for success. The spirit

graciously causes the elect sinner to cooperate, to believe, to repent, to come freely and willingly to

Christ. God’s grace therefore, is invincible; it never fails to result in the salvation of those to whom it

is extended.

Grace

“Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by

whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in the hope of,

the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1, 2).

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There is nothing so hard for our hearts as to abide in the sense of grace, to continue practically

conscious that “we are not under law, but under grace.” It is by grace that the heart is

“established”; but then there is nothing more difficult for us really to comprehend than the fullness

of grace — that “grace of God wherein we stand,” and to walk in the power and consciousness of

it.

It is only in the presence of our Father that we can truly know grace, and there it is our privilege to

be. The moment we get away from His presence (not in fact), there will always be certain

workings of our own thoughts within us; and our own thoughts can never reach up to His thoughts

about us, to the “grace of God.”

Even after we have “tasted that the Lord is gracious,” it is all too natural for our own thoughts to

work as soon as we leave the presence of the Father; and the moment we do so, whether it be

about our sins, or about His grace, or anything else that we are occupied with, we lose the sense

of grace, and we no longer reckon upon it.

This getting out of our Father’s presence is the source of all our weakness as saints, for in His

strength we can do anything: “if God be for us, who can be against us?” The consciousness of

our being in His presence makes us “more than conquerors.” Then, whether our thoughts be

about ourselves, or about circumstances around us, everything becomes easy. But it is alone,

when in fellowship with the Father and the Son, that we are able thus to measure everything

according to grace.

Are our thoughts about ourselves? When in our Father’s presence we rest in His grace, and

nothing can trouble us. “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?” “Who is he that

condemneth?” “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” But when we get out of our

Father’s presence, we cannot any longer rest in His grace as when in fellowship with Him.

Lack of peace may be caused by either of two things; my never having been fully brought to trust

in grace, or my having through carelessness (or worse) lost the sense of grace, which is easily

done. The grace of God is so unlimited, so full, so perfect, that, if we get out of our Father’s

presence, we cannot have the true consciousness of grace — we have no strength to apprehend

it; and if we attempt to know it out of His presence, we shall only turn it into licentiousness.

If we look at the simple fact of what grace is, it has no limit, no bounds. Be we what we may (and

we cannot be worse than we are), in spite of all that, what our Father is towards us is love.

Neither our joy nor our peace is dependent on what we are to God, but on what He is to us, and

this is grace.

Grace supposes all the sin and evil that is in us, and is the blessed revelation that through our

Lord Jesus all this sin and evil have been put away. A single sin is more horrible to God than a

thousand sins — nay, than all the sins in the world — are to us; and yet, with the fullest

consciousness of what we are in ourselves, all that God is pleased to be towards us is love!

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It is vain to look at any extent of evil: a person may be (speaking after the manner of man) a great

sinner, or a little sinner; but this is not the question at all: Grace has reference to what God is, and

not to what we are; except indeed that the very greatness of our sins does but magnify the extent

of the grace of our Father. At the same time, we must remember that the object and necessary

effect of grace is to bring our souls to know Him and to love Him. Therefore the knowledge of

grace is the true source of growth.

How am I to know what is my Father’s mind towards me? Is it from judging of it from what I find in

myself? Surely not! Supposing that I even found some good in myself, if I expected the Father to

look at me on that account, would that be grace? There may be a measure of truth in this kind of

reasoning; for, if there be life in my soul, fruit will be apparent; but this is not to give me peace any

more than the evil that is in me is to hinder my having peace.

Grace first makes us children of God, and then gives us the knowledge of it, and that we are heirs

of God. But what is the extent of this grace towards us? It has given us the same position that

the Lord Jesus has. “We are heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.” It is not only certain that

grace has visited us, has found us when we were “in our sins,” but it is also certain that it has set

us where the Lord Jesus Christ is; that we are identified with Him in all but His essential glory as

God. The soul is placed thus in the consciousness of the Father’s perfect love.

I have got off the ground of grace if I have the slightest doubt or hesitation about my Father’s love

for me. I shall then be saying, I am unhappy, because I am not what I should like to be. But, dear

friend, this is not the question: the real question is, whether the Father is what we should like Him

to be, whether the Lord Jesus is all we could ever wish.

If the consciousness of what we are, of what we find in ourselves, has any other effect than, while

it humbles us, to increase our adoration of what our Father is, we are off the ground of grace.

The immediate effect of such consciousness should be to make our hearts reach out to our

Father and to His grace as abounding over all.

Sometimes perhaps the looking at our evil may be a partial instrument in teaching us it; but still

even this is not all that is needed. In looking upon the risen Lord Jesus it is our privilege to forget

ourselves. True humility does not so much consist in thinking badly of ourselves as in not

thinking of ourselves at all. I am too bad to be worth thinking about. What I want is, to forget

myself and to look at the Lord Jesus Christ who is indeed worthy of all my thoughts.

If we can say that “in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing,” we have thought quite long

enough about ourselves. Let us then think about our Father, who thought about us with “thoughts

of good and not of evil” long before we had thought of ourselves at all. Let us see what His

thoughts of grace about us are, and take up the words of faith, “If God be for us, who can be

against us?”

When the heart is made full with the rich blessings of the Lord Jesus Christ, it will not turn back to

gnaw upon itself. — J.N. Darby

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Grace Crown

"The God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have

suffered awhile, make you perfect (mature), establish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Pet. 5:10).

At first, the old nature hides from us. Then, we try to hide from it. But when we begin to grow in

grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus, we are able to face up to the awful facts

concerning the old man and his condemnation at the Cross. As the Holy Spirit reveals the old

man (Col. 3:9), we count upon death; as He reveals the new man (Col. 3:10), we count upon life

(Rom. 6:11).

“The believer, at the opening of his course, never knows his own heart; indeed, he could not bear

the full knowledge of it; he would be overwhelmed thereby. ‘The Lord leads us not by the way of

the Philistines lest we should see war, and so be plunged into despair. But He graciously leads

us by a circuitous route, in order that our apprehension of His grace may keep pace with our

growing self-knowledge.” - C.H.M.

“It was not for nothing that God let Satan loose upon His dear servant, Job. God loved Job with a

perfect love; a love that could take account of everything, and, looking below the surface, could

see the deep moral roots in the heart of His servant—roots which Job had never seen, and,

therefore, never judged. What a mercy to have to do with such a God! to be in the hands of One

who will spare no pains in order to subdue everything in us which is contrary to Himself, and to

bring out in us His own blessed image!”

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you” (1 Pet. 5:6, 7).

Stand Where You Are!

“Stand fast in the Lord” (Phil. 4:7).

"God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love with which He loved us . . . hath made us alive

together with Christ . . . and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly

places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:4–6).

Believers are not occupying their position! At best, most are trying to attain a victorious position

by means of prayer, Bible study, commitment, reconsecration, surrender, and so forth. But the

answer is simply to abide where we have already been placed—in our risen Lord Jesus Christ.

Abide above, and keep looking down!

“Our Father has taken us over Jordan and placed us in Canaan, but the reality of it is never

known until by faith we accept the fact on the basis of having died with Christ, and that therefore

heaven is our place, and we know it to be our place now; and that this side is not our place, and

we know that it is not.

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“The more we abide in the Lord on the other side, the less disappointed we will be here, for when

we are there we import new joys and new hopes into this old world, from an entirely new one, and

we therefore in every way surpass the inhabitants of this lost world.” - J.B.S.

“You must abide in Christ in heaven before you can descend with heavenly ability to act for Him

down here. The great secret of all blessing is to come from the Lord. Most Christians go to Him.”

“Christian experience is our measure of apprehension of that which is already true of us in the

Lord Jesus Christ.” - A.J.

Growth in Grace

It is not salvation merely that we have received; but we are set here as saved ones to grow in

grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus, in mind and ways of Him by whom we live. Hence

there are little children, young men, and fathers (1 John 2), showing the grades, not of salvation,

but of growth in the divine life.

The New Testament makes it clear that the whole service of the Holy Spirit to saints now is to

instruct them in the things of God, “that we might know the things that are freely given to us of

God” (1 Cor. 2:12). And to this end are bestowed the ministerial gifts, “for the perfecting of the

saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12).

The Lord tells Peter to feed His lambs. Paul tells the elders of Ephesus to feed the flock of God.

Pasture is the knowledge of the Son of God by which we grow up in Him in all things. The great

delay to souls is the slowness of heart and dullness of faith to see ourselves on resurrection

ground in the risen Lord Jesus, and then from this point growing in Him, who is our -life, and the

source and spring of everything.

But now ministry in the Word, for the most part, is but urging on souls how they are accepted in

Christ, and how happy they ought to be. Even this, indeed, is in advance of the general order

and scope of evangelical teaching, which is simply presenting Christ on the Cross, suffering for

sins.

Take up what “deeper life” book you may, even the best, and you will find that for the most part it

treats of the way in which rest for the soul may be found, instead of starting the soul from peace,

and leading it into those higher delights which a knowledge of the Lord Jesus imparts. No one

can walk in the path of righteousness until he is in untroubled rest before the Father, and the

uncertainty of the walk of many is in consequence of unsettled peace in the presence of the

Father.

Does growth teaching today in general aim at leading souls on in Christ, or does it only aim at

leading them up to Him for safety and rest from Him? Now it is as “complete in Him” that I am to

commence my growth and walk (Col. 2). If you do not start me from my new position, how can,

you advance me in my condition? I am not speaking of attainment here. I am merely insisting on

the state of soul preparatory to growth.

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If not settled in our position, we are like the Corinthians, but babes, carnal (1 Cor. 3); or like the

Galatians we need that “Christ be formed” in us - we are not prepared for growth (Gal. 4:19); or

like the Hebrews, we have need of milk and not meat; we are “babes,” unskillful in the word of

righteousness (Heb. 5:12–14).

On the other hand, the little child of 1 John 2:13–20 is prepared for growth. He is in Christ, knows

the Father, and has an unction from the Holy One. As Peter writes, “As newborn babes, desire

the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). Growth is the natural result

of nourishment, where there is life and health; but if there be not life and health, there is no

appropriation of the nourishment, the pasture.

If there be a healthy desire for growth, there will always be a seeking for truth to grow thereby. And

the Lord never fails to provide pasture for His hungry sheep. — J.B. Stoney.

The Ground Of Grace

There are vast numbers who think that the Lord Jesus, besides bringing pardon, is simply a

means to strengthen them to keep the law. But this is sad and fundamental ignorance of

Christianity. Is a believer then at liberty to break the law? God forbid! It is one thing to be a debtor

to do the whole law, and another that God can make light of any breach of the law. Is there

nothing possible between these two conditions- -debt to the law and freedom to break it? Neither

consists with a Christian. He who is free to do his own will is a lawless, wicked man. He who is

under the law to do it, describes the proper condition of the Jew and nobody else.

The Christian stands on entirely new ground. He is saved by grace and is called to walk in grace.

The character of righteousness that God looks for in him is of another sort altogether; as it is said

in Philippians, “being filled with the fruits of righteousness” — not which are by the law, but “by

Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God” (Phil. 1:11) — by the Lord Jesus under grace and

not under law. And this is not a question solely of justification. This has to do with the

responsibility of the believer to do the will of God; and the Lord Jesus, not the law, is the measure

and source of the Christian life and walk, which makes all the difference possible.

It may be asked, Was not Christ under the law? Yes, assuredly, but He died unto it and is now

above it. The Christian, the Gentile, never was under it; and being positioned in the Lord Jesus

risen, now that he believes, he stands on heavenly ground, to which the law does not apply. For

this reason every Christian is regarded by God as alive from the dead, to bring forth fruit unto

God (Rom. 7:4). The law only deals with a man as long as he lives; never after he has died. “But

ye have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). And this is not at all what is said

of us after a “second blessing,” “extreme unction,” or any other step of true or imaginary

perfection.

The Christian life begins in Christ in heaven! We are identified with the Lord Jesus dead and

risen, seated together at the right hand of the Father. It is no longer the law dealing with me to try

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if it can get any good out of me. I have relinquished all by receiving the Lord Jesus, and I take my

stand in Him dead and risen again — and as one alive from the dead in Him, I yield myself unto

the Father. This is the foundation truth of Christianity — that God has done with mere dealing

with the flesh. He has another man, even a new man, the Lord Jesus risen from the dead; and

the believer has received Him, and is received in Him.

A young Christian may be cast down after receiving the Savior, through the sense of evil he finds

in himself. He wonders how this can be. He knows how the Lord Jesus deserves to be served,

and is conscious how little he serves Him as he ought; he is filled with sorrow about himself, and

perhaps begins to doubt whether he be a Christian at all. He has not yet learned his lesson. He

has not mastered what his baptism set forth, the value of having a Savior who is dead and risen.

He is occupied still with something of the old man; he looks at it and expects to get better, hoping

that his heart will not have so many bad thoughts, etc., as he used to have; whereas, the only

strength of the believer is being occupied with the Lord Jesus, and all that is lovely before the

Father.

The saint, in proportion as he enjoys the Lord Jesus in glory, lives above himself. When he

becomes engrossed with what takes place within him, he is cast down. How many go on months

and years, expecting some good to come out! It is not that they are. not born of God; but they are

so under the effect of old thoughts and notions, acquired from catechisms, religious books,

sermons, disciplers, etc., that they do not enter into the full liberty wherewith the Lord Jesus

makes free. — Wm. Kelly.

The Process Of Growth

Many have an erroneous idea of what that word “chastening” means. We think, perhaps, that it

represents God as having a big stick in His hand and knocking us about all the time. You have

only to make a mistake and down comes the big stick! That, of course, is a wrong conception of

our Father, and is not what the word means at all. The word “chastening” just simply means “child

training.”

It is not a sign of love for your child if you never train him. While training does, of course, mean

correction, and sometimes using a stick, the idea is to do everything necessary to make that child

a responsible man or woman. It is a poor kind of adult who can never take any responsibility,

whom you can never be sure of, who is not reliable and who always has to be told what to do and

what not to do. The idea of sonship in the Father’s mind is to have people who are absolutely

reliable and responsible, who know in their own hearts what is right and what is wrong, and do

not have to be constantly told.

Chastening, or child-training, has to do with sonship. We should always look at our difficulties in

the light of this! It often seems that the life of the believer is more trying than any other life, and

more troubles come to us than to others. Our Father does not excuse His children from troubles,

but, whether we recognize it or not, and whether we like it or not, these difficulties and troubles

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which come to us are to train us for something and to develop in us the spirit of sonship; that is, to

develop our spiritual intelligence and ability.

“Christ in you” is unto our being “conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). It is to work in

us that which has been perfected by Him. It is the whole realm of our being made Christ-like;

having all the faculties and features of the Lord Jesus, which are resident in the new life received

at new birth, brought to maturity. Every spiritual virtue will be nurtured and developed; love,

meekness, goodness, gentleness, intelligence, etc., so that we are not just theoretical Christians,

but real ones, spiritually responsible and accountable.

This, however, necessitates much discipline; what is called “chastening.” This discipline, or child-

training, employs many forms of adversity and trial, has the effect of bringing to light what we

really are in ourselves, and it is an ugly picture. Our own features do not improve as we go on.

We know ever more what poor, wretched, and deplorable creatures we are, and — but for the

grace of God — hopeless. But something is being done deep down which will show itself in due

time to the glory of our Father.

We are born of God, and are sons in the Son by right of our birth from above; but how true it is

that the course of our spiritual experience seems to be deeper and, ever deeper baptisms of

death — His death — in order that, more and more of the power of His resurrection may be

known by us and manifested in us. There seem to be cycles, or tides, of death and life, and while

each cycle or tide seems to compass our end more completely or to leave us at lower ebb than

ever, there comes with ever-increasing fullness an uprising of spiritual life and knowledge. Thus

while the death overpowers “the old man,” we live increasingly by that life, “the new man,” upon

which — and upon which alone — the seal of God rests. — T. Austin-Sparks

Time to Grow

It seems that most believers have difficulty in realizing and facing up to the inexorable fact that

God does not hurry in His development of our Christian life. He is working from and for eternity!

So many feel they are not making progress unless they are. swiftly and constantly forging ahead.

Now it is true that the new convert often begins and continues for some time at a fast rate. But

this will not continue if there is to be healthy growth and ultimate maturity. God Himself will modify

the pace. This is important to see, since in most instances when seeming declension begins to

set in, it is not, as so many think, a matter of backsliding.

John Darby makes it plain that “it is God’s way to set people aside after their first start, that self-

confidence may die down. Thus Moses was forty years. On his first start he had to run away. Paul

was three years also, after his first testimony. Not that God did not approve the first earnest

testimony. We must get to know ourselves and that we have no strength. Thus we must learn,

and then leaning on the Lord we can with more maturity, and more experientially, deal with souls.”

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Since the Christian life matures and becomes fruitful by the principle of growth (see II Pet. 3:18)

rather than by struggle and “experiences,” much time is involved. Unless we see and acquiesce

to this, there is bound to be constant frustration, to say nothing of resistance to our Father’s

development processes for us. Dr. A. H. Strong illustrates for us: “A student asked the President

of his school whether he could not take a shorter course than the one prescribed. ‘Oh yes,’

replied the President, ‘but then it depends upon what you want to be. When God wants to make

an oak, He takes a hundred years, but when He wants to make a squash, He takes six months.’”

Strong also wisely points out to us that “growth is not a uniform thing in the tree or in the

Christian. In some single months there is more growth than in all the year besides. During the rest

of the year, however, there is solidification, without which the green timber would be useless. The

period of rapid growth, when woody fibre is actually deposited between the bark and the trunk,

occupies but four to six weeks in May, June and July.”

Let’s settle it once and for all—there are no shortcuts to reality! A meteor is on a shortcut as it

proceeds to burn out, but not a star, with its steady light so often depended on by navigators.

Unless the time factor is acknowledged from the heart, there is always danger of turning to the

false enticement of a shortcut via the means of “experiences” and “blessings,” where one

becomes pathetically enmeshed in the vortex of ever-changing feelings, adrift from the moorings

of scriptural facts.

In regard to this subject George Goodman writes: “Some have been betrayed into professing

perfection or full deliverance, because at the time they speak they are happy and confident in the

Lord. They forget that it is not a present experience that ensures fruit unto maturity, but a patient

continuance in well doing. To taste of the grace of God is one thing; to be established in it and

manifest it in character, habit, and regular life, is another. Experiences and blessings, though real

gracious visitations from the Lord, are not sufficient to rest upon, nor should they lead us to glory

in ourselves, as if we had a store of grace for time to come, or were yet at the end of the conflict.

No. Fruit ripens slowly; days of sunshine and days of storm each add their share. Blessing will

succeed blessing, and storm follow storm before the fruit is full grown or comes to maturity.”

In that the Husbandman’s method for true spiritual growth involves pain as well as joy, suffering

as well as happiness, failure as well as success, inactivity as well as service, death as well as life,

the temptation to shortcut is especially strong unless we see the value of, and submit to, the

necessity of the time element. In simple trust we must rest in His hands, “being confident of this

very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus

Christ” (Phil. 1:6). And it will take that long! But since God is working for eternity, why should we

be concerned about the time involved?

Graham Scroggie affirmed, “Spiritual renewal is a gradual process. All growth is progressive, and

the finer the organism, the longer the process. It is from measure to measure: thirty fold, sixty

fold, an hundredfold. It is from stage to stage: ‘first the blade, then the ear, and after that, the full

corn in the ear.’ And it is from day to day. How varied these are! There are great days, days of

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decisive battles, days of crises in spiritual history, days of triumph in Christian service, days of the

right hand of God upon us. But there are also idle days, days apparently useless, when even

prayer and holy service seem a burden. Are we, in any sense, renewed in these days? Yes, for

any experience which makes us more aware of our need of God must contribute to spiritual

progress, unless we deny the Lord who bought us.”

We might consider some familiar names of believers whom God obviously brought to maturity

and used for His glory—such as Pierson, Chapman, Tauler, Moody, Goforth, Mueller, Taylor, Watt,

Trumbull, Meyer, Murray, Havergal, Guyon, Mabie, Gordon, Hyde, Mantle, McCheyne,

McConkey, Deck, Paxson, Stoney, Saphir, Carmichael and Hopkins. The average for these was

15 years after they entered their life work before they began to know the Lord Jesus as their Life

and ceased trying to work for Him and began allowing Him to be their All in all and do His work

through them. This is not to discourage us in any way but to help us to settle down with our sights

on eternity, by faith “apprehend[ing] that for which also … [we are] apprehended of Christ Jesus…

Press[ing] toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:12, 14).

Certainly this is not to discount a Spirit-fostered experience, blessing, or even a crisis; but it is to

be remembered that these simply contribute to the overall, and all-important, process. It takes

time to get to know ourselves; it takes time and eternity to get to know our infinite Lord Jesus

Christ. Today is the day to put our hand to the plow and to irrevocably set our heart on His goal

for us—that we “may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his

sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (v. 10).

“So often in the battle,” says Austin-Sparks, “we go to the Lord, and pray, and plead, and appeal

for victory, for ascendancy, for mastery over the forces of evil and death, and our thought is that in

some way the Lord is going to come in with a mighty exercise of power and put us into a place of

victory and spiritual ascendancy as in an act. We must have this mentality corrected. What the

Lord does is to enlarge us to possess. He puts us through some exercise, through some

experience, takes us by some way which means our spiritual expansion, and exercise of

spirituality so we occupy the larger place spontaneously. ‘I will not drive them out from before

thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee.

By little and little I will drive them out before thee, until thou be increased’ (Ex. 23:29, 30).

“One day in the House of Commons, British Prime Minister Disraeli made a brilliant speech on the

spur of the moment. That night a friend said to him, ‘I must tell you how much I enjoyed your

extemporaneous talk. It’s been on my mind all day.’ ‘Madam,’ confessed Disraeli, ‘that

extemporaneous talk has been on my mind for twenty years!’”

There are two questions that every believer must settle as soon as possible. The one is, Does

God fully accept me? and the second, If so, upon what basis does He do so? This is crucial.

What devastation often permeates the life of one, young or old, rich or poor, saved or unsaved,

who is not sure of being accepted, even on the human level.

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Yet so many believers, whether “strugglers” or “vegetators,” move through life without this

precious fact to rest and build on: “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by

Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of His

grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:5, 6).

Every believer is accepted by the Father, in Christ. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with

God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). The peace is God’s toward us, through His

beloved Son—on this our peace is to be based. God is able to be at peace with us through our

Lord Jesus Christ, “having made peace through the blood of his cross” (Col. 1:20). And we must

never forget that His peace is founded solely on the work of the cross, totally apart from anything

whatsoever in or from us, since “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet

sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).

Our faith becomes a fixed attitude once it begins to rest in this wonderful fact. Then it can be, if

necessary, “disallowed [rejected] indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious” (I Pet. 2:4).

This is the steadying influence most believers are in need of today. A century ago J.B. Stoney

wrote: “The blessed God never alters nor diverges from the acceptance in which He has received

us because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Alas! we diverge from the state in which

God can ever be toward us as recorded in Romans 5:1–11. Many suppose that because they are

conscious of sins, hence they must renew their acceptance with God.

“The truth is that God has not altered. His eye rests on the work accomplished by Christ for the

believer. When you are not walking in the Spirit you are in the flesh: you have turned to the old

man which was crucified on the cross (Rom. 6:6). You have to be restored to fellowship, and

when you are, you find your acceptance with God unchanged and unchangeable. When sins are

introduced there is a fear that God has changed. He has not changed, but you have. You are not

walking in the Spirit but in the flesh. You have to judge yourself in order to be restored. ‘For this is

my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins’ (Matt. 26:28).

But if your sins are not met there, where can they be met? ‘Now where remission of [sin] is, there

is no more offering for sin’ (Heb. 10:18). God has effected the reconciliation; He always remains

true to it. Alas! We diverge from it; and the tendency is to suppose that the blessed God has

altered toward us. He certainly will judge the flesh if we do not, but He never departs from the

love which He has expressed to the prodigal, and we find that when the cloud, which walking in

the flesh produced, has passed away, His love, blessed be His Name, had never changed.”

God’s basis must be our basis for acceptance. There is no other. We are “accepted in the

beloved” (Eph. 1:6) Our Father is fully satisfied with His beloved Son on our behalf, and there is

no reason for us not to be. Our satisfaction can only spring from and rest in His satisfaction. It is

from God to us, not from us to God. J. N. Darby was very clear on this: “When the Holy Spirit

reasons with man, He does not reason from what man is for God, but from what God is to man.

Souls reason from what they are in themselves as to whether God can accept them. He cannot

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accept you thus; you are looking for righteousness in yourself as a ground of acceptance with

Him. You cannot get peace whilst reasoning in that way.

“The Holy Spirit always reasons down from what God is, and this produces a total change in my

soul. It is not that I abhor my sins; indeed I may have been walking very well; but it is ‘I abhor

myself.’ This is how the Holy Spirit reasons; He shows us what we are, and that is one reason

why He often seems to be very hard and does not give peace to the soul, as we are not relieved

until we experientially, from our hearts, acknowledge what we are.

“Until the soul comes to that point He does not give it peace—He could not; it would be healing

the wound slightly. The soul has to go on until it finds there is nothing to rest on but the abstract

goodness of God; and then, ‘If God be for us, who can be against us?’ (Rom. 8:31).”

Sadly today, most believers actually reason just the opposite—from themselves to God. When all

is going well and God seems to be blessing, then it is that they feel He loves and accepts them.

But when they are stumbling and everything seems dry and hard, then they feel that He does not

love and accept them. How can this be? There is nothing about us to commend us to God, our

acceptance being in Christ, plus the fact that most of our true spiritual development comes

through the dry and hard times. Thank God, He has accepted us in His Son, and upon this fact

we must rest our faith. As in justification, our acceptance is by grace alone. In his classic,

Romans, Verse by Verse, Wm. R. Newell presents some penetrating thoughts regarding this

grace. (pp. 245-47).

“There being no cause in the creature why grace should be shown, the creature must be brought

off from trying to give cause to God for His grace… He has been accepted in Christ, who is his

standing! He is not ‘on probation.’ As to his life past, it does not exist before God: he died at the

cross, and Christ is his Life. Grace, once bestowed, is not withdrawn: for God knew all the human

exigencies beforehand: His action was independent of them, not dependent upon them…

“The Proper Attitude of Man Under Grace:

“To believe, and to consent to be loved while unworthy, is the great secret.

“To refuse to make ‘resolutions’ and ‘vows’; for that is to trust in the flesh.

“To expect to be blessed, though realizing more and more lack of worth…

“To rely on God’s chastening [child training] hand as a mark of His kindness…

“Things Which Gracious Souls Discover:

“To ‘hope to be better’ [hence acceptable] is to fail to see yourself in Christ only.

“To be disappointed with yourself, is to have believed in yourself.

“To be discouraged is unbelief,—as to God’s purpose and plan of blessing for you.

“To be proud, is to be blind! For we have no standing before God, in ourselves.

“The lack of Divine blessing, therefore, comes from unbelief, and not from failure of

devotion…

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“To preach devotion first, and blessing second, is to reverse God’s order, and

preach law, not grace. The Law made man’s blessing depend on devotion; grace

confers undeserved, unconditional blessing: our devotion may follow, but does not

always do so,—in proper measure.”

Have we been afraid to really believe God? Have some even been afraid to allow others to really

believe Him? We must never forget that “God’s ways are not always man’s ways. To some men

constant peril is the only spur to action, and many religions and psychologies are dependent on

fear to keep their disciples in line. Fear, too, has a place in Christianity, but God has higher and

more effective motivations than fear, and one of these is love. Often fear after a while produces

only numbness, but love thrives on love. To promise a man the certainty of his destiny may seem,

on the human level, like playing with fire; but this leaves God out of the picture. Those who have

the deepest appreciation of grace do not continue in sin. Moreover, fear produces the obedience

of slaves; love engenders the obedience of sons” (J. W. Sanderson, Jr.).

“For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” (I Cor. 14:8).

Until the Christian is absolutely and scripturally sure of his standing, he is not going to do much

standing. “Stand therefore” (Eph. 6:14).

“Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath

given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish

you in every good word and work” (II Thess. 2:16, 17).

Trial By Grace

“And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for My strength is made perfect in

weakness.... Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in

persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Cor. 12:9,

10).

"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil.

4:19).

If and when the trial comes, you will find Him waiting there.

“We should always be prepared for circumstances that will arise, and for blessings that are to

come, without foreseeing what these circumstances and blessings will be. This preparation

consists in attention to present responsibility, and acceptance of present discipline.

“If day by day we first seek divine direction, and then follow it, we shall be ready, when new

circumstances arise, for the new blessings which will be offered. Today should be preparation for

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tomorrow. The only proof that we shall be equal to tomorrow’s test is that we are meeting today’s

test believingly and courageously. The only evidence that we shall be willing for God’s will

tomorrow is that we are subject to His will today.” -W.G.S.

“Our Lord has special reserves of grace for special needs. If ever you feel that you could not go

through a certain trial, that if you had to face that, you just could not go through with it, you are

taking on something that you have no right to take on.

"If the Lord calls you to go through fire or water, He has a special reserve of grace for you in that.

And that grace will be from the throne of grace. It is the throne above, mediating grace for need

and suffering as it is required.” -T. A-S.

The thorn in the flesh was a heavy trial for Paul. It was not sent because of personal failure, but

because of the abundance of revelation given to him — it was a preventative. There was danger

lest the flesh should boast, and God gives him a thorn. Paul prayed thrice for its removal. The

Father tells him that His grace is sufficient, there is no need to remove it, and moreover his

infirmity was but an occasion for the power of Christ to rest upon him. Then he glories in that

which he has prayed to be taken away. The Lord Jesus was exalted and Paul was content. Here

is the “moral fruit,” the Father’s object in sending the thorn: no failure and needed chastening

here, but a lesson of grace to an honored servant of Christ.

The trials of saints, as they come from the Father, are generally if not always intimately connected

with the position grace gives. The Father in His sovereignty calls His saints to fill various places of

service, some to rule and authority, some to teaching or preaching, others may only know the

place of suffering and weeping. Nevertheless all are for the carrying out of one great purpose, the

accomplishment of one will, a whole in which each saint however humble has his part.

The Father has a niche in His temple for each, a place assigned by grace. It is there each is

tested. But if grace appoints the place, it is always there to maintain saints in it. Often the trial is

allowed through our want of faith to hide the grace, and then we complain and murmur. “But God

is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation

also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13). He always provides the

necessary grace.

There are other trials which have their root in unfaithfulness. The Father permits such, but does

not directly send them, and surely controls and guides to a gracious result, for His mercy

endureth forever. Such trials become rods in His child-training hand. But when He sends trials to

a faithful saint it is for the purpose of proving faith, which is more precious than of gold that

perisheth, though it be tried with fire, and of giving lessons in the school of faith.

The fruitful branch is purged that it may bring forth more fruit. More and better fruit is the Father’s

object. Hidden things may be in the heart of the faithful unknown and therefore unjudged. The

trial is sent to disclose the hidden thing that it may be purged away. Not all trials are chastenings.

We should gravely err if we judged every suffering saint to be under discipline through failure.

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Where there is faithfulness we often see what appears to be heaviest trials j but in truth it is for

the display of the sustaining power of grace that others may see and learn. — R. Beacon1

“Unto Full Growth”

By the Lord Jesus and to Him where He sits at the Father’s right hand in glory we are called. Old

things, not evil things only, are passed away. We are by faith associated with the glorified Lord

Jesus — we have a heavenly calling. The danger of the Christian therefore, and especially for the

Hebrew Christian, was a lapse into earthly things; which was more easily done as the Old

Testament was no less divinely inspired than the New, and hence might plausibly be pleaded to

justify such a return.

Those that are ‘ Christ’s are cleansed once for all, not only sanctified through the offering of the

Saviour, but perfected forever as Hebrews Ten tells us unhesitatingly. The Holy Spirit, instead of

keeping our guilt continually before us, testifies that through the Lord Jesus’ work the Father will

remember our sins and iniquities no more. Thus for the believer, with full remission, there is no

more offering for sins; and hence he has boldness to enter into the Holiest by the Blood of the

Lord Jesus. By faith in Him Who died and rose we receive the adoption of sons, and through His

Spirit cry, “Abba, Father.” So we draw nigh.

It was here the Hebrew Christians were slow to hear and learn of the Father. They did not doubt

that Jesus was the Christ; but they were dull to own both the full glory of His person and the

present eternal efficacy of His work on the Cross. This failure in faith kept them babes, and for

this they were blamed; for God could not reveal more distinctly the dignity of His Son, nor could

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit add to the fullness of what the Cross is to God as well as to the

believer.

It is really going back from heavenly glory and mature growth on the part of all who refused to go

forward into the full privileges of the Gospel, content to know no more than what the disciples had

before the Cross. All they had then did not give them peace with God, for it did not cleanse their

consciences. There was no access for them into the Holiest, nor had they the Spirit of adoption.

Neither the sting of death was gone, nor the power of sin annulled. Full growth implies on the

contrary all this blessedness, and more; and to this the Hebrew Christians were exhorted to go

on. It is not attainment, but simply faith in the Word of truth, the Gospel of our salvation — in a

word, Christianity.

Alas, how many who call themselves Christians, as sincere believers as the Hebrews, are no less

than they looking behind, instead of moving on to the enjoyment of faith in the ascended Lord

Jesus Christ, and of their nearness to His God and Father and our God and Father. “Therefore,

leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the

foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms,

1

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and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection from the dead, and of eternal judgment” (Heb. 6:1,

2). To limit the soul to this, perfect as it was in its season and in. itself, is to do without that

blessed heavenly position which the Holy Spirit inspired the apostles to preach and teach, and

which we have permanently in the apostolic writings. The Lord Jesus’ Cross totally changed the

standing of the believer. To ignore this is in fact to stop short of full and proper Christianity, to

remain infants, where the Lord would have His own to reach their majority, their sonship. “Thou

art no more a servant, but a son” (Gal. 4:7).

“Wherefore, leaving the word of the beginning of the Christ, let us pass on unto full growth.” The new

status of the saint depends on the Lord Jesus dead, risen, and glorified at the Father’s right hand.

The infinite sacrifice is already offered and accepted; and only so has He taken His seat on the right

hand of the Majesty on high. We cannot therefore go to elements before the Cross for that which

forms and fashions the Christian. We need the corn of the land, now that it is no longer a question of

raining manna in the wilderness. — Wm. Kelly.

Grace Beyond Our Need

Grace is the first ray of comfort to the soul; and though it is the subject first known and most

cherished, yet its measure, according to God’s revelation of it, is little known. Grace, according to

popular teaching, is the undeserved favor of God in saving anyone who believes in the Saviour.

The soul’s need defines the measure of the grace. If grace did not secure to me justification and

everlasting happiness, it would not meet my need. But it is much more. While it has rescued me

from everlasting misery, and saved me from all the consequences of my sins - far beyond that, it

has placed me in nearness to my Father.

Having sinned, I could not restore myself to the position of innocence that Adam held. I could be a

forgiven sinner, forgiven up to the last moment of my life here, and thus be happy in heaven.

Escape from judgment, and an assurance of everlasting happiness, is for the most part the idea

which the word grace conveys to most Christians. Hence what meets the known need is always

presented to the sinner first, though in the mind of the Father there is no break in its blessed

endless stream. The great fact is gradually disclosed that not only is the sinner to be forgiven, but

that he is to be made meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light (Col. 1:12).

If grace were to stop at simply having met the measure of man’s need, God’s share and delight in

the saved one would be overlooked. The Father in His love delights that you, once a sinner, on

believing on Him, should not only be justified, but fitted to be in His own presence for His own

pleasure, which is infinitely greater than your own. The tendency is to regard grace only as it

affects the sinner, and to omit the satisfaction it is to the Father to have us as His children with

Him; “the excellent, in whom is all my delight” (Ps. 16:3).

My Father desires to have me for Himself, to be a companion, the very Bride of the Lord Jesus

Christ, and a member of His Body. Hence His grace super-abounds over the sin. If I have lost

anything by sin which was a glory to a man, that is not restored to me in grace. Grace gives me

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something infinitely better; not to suit the man that was, but to suit me as a new creation as

brought to the. Father. The grace of God does not reinstate me in the paradise lost by sin, but

positions me in a much greater one - from the earthly, to the heavenly.

I am forgiven, like the prodigal, for all I have done, but nothing that I have squandered is restored

to me. I receive everything new; and I am made, as he was in figure, quite new, and fitted for the

immense exaltation to which I am raised by grace. The prodigal was not restored to the land, as a

Jew would have expected, but he was received into the father’s house with a favor and distinction

never accorded to any one before; and this was all simply of grace. True, he had to be reconciled

and kissed before he could be prepared for this immense excess of grace, that is, the measure of

grace beyond his need.

Surely Paul was well qualified to tell us that we are made to sit in the heavenlies in Christ, and,

seeing that so much grace has been shown us, that in us might be displayed, in the coming ages,

“the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7). And thus only

we arrive at the measure of the grace of which we are to be the expositors, not only now, but in the

ages to come. — J.B. Stoney.

Superior Grace

As believers we should know the wonderful blessing, and portion of light and joy we are brought

into; instead of going through the world trying to overcome this and that, and saying, I must give

up this thing and the other. It is not a question of giving up at all; but I have something better,

greater, brighter - and I let it drop.

Now, it is not necessarily deliverance from trial, but superiority to it that the Lord Jesus gives us.

The old way was to put people in the furnace and they were not burnt; they were put into the

lion’s den and they were not touched; but now they go into the furnace and are burnt to a cinder,

the lions eat them up, and they never give in. It is not power for them now, but power in them.

I come to a wall and I say I would like to have a door here. The Lord says, If I were simply for you

I would make one, but I am in you and you must go over the wall. That power is the Holy Spirit

who dwells in you. When sorrow, or trial, or weakness comes, the thing is to look for grace to be

above it. If trial is impending, it is better to be quiet. I have association and fellowship with the

Lord Jesus where He is, and I have the power of my Lord where He is not. If you want to be

effective, to have practical power while walking down here, it must be by abiding above, by

fellowship with the Lord Jesus where He is.

A person may be converted, and may be very genuine, and still not be looking for ‘ the Lord Jesus

where He is. He may, like Jonathan, see Goliath on the ground, but not be quite happy and at

rest; but when he sees the head of Goliath in David’s hand, what now? He says, as it were, I am

going to give up all my thoughts to David. And that is what we get in John One. When those two

disciples followed our Lord, when they followed Him as the Lamb of God, their first question was,

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“Where dwellest Thou?” Have you ever put that question to Him? Where dwellest Thou? Do you

remember His answer - “Come and see” And do you not think He would say that to you if you

asked?

You will never get occupied with the Lord Jesus till you learn that He has so perfectly cleared the

ground for you, that now you can turn around and delight yourself in Him. A man may have a

beautiful estate, and yet not be able to enjoy it, because he has poor health. That is how it is with

many saints; they have not spiritual health to enjoy their possessions.

The difference between the old and the new order is, the old, -was to change your circumstances,

and to give you ease and relief. The new order is: “As the sufferings of Christ abound,” so also the

consolations of Christ abound (2 Cor. 1:5). As the sufferings increase, so also does the capacity to

suffer increase. You are not taken out of the trial, but you are made superior to it. Do not look for a

change in your circumstances, but keep your mind and heart on the Lord Jesus above, that while by

the power of the Holy Spirit you have association with Him where He is, you will manifest His life and

power where He is not. What really hinders souls is this: they are looking for easy circumstances,

looking for God to take away the difficulties, instead of looking to Him for grace to be superior to

them. “For when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Cor. 12:10). — J.B. Stoney.

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Appendix 7

The Throne of Grace

by Charles Spurgeon(Hebrews 4:16)

THESE WORDS are found embedded in that gracious verse, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of

grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" and are a gem in a golden setting. True

prayer is an approach of the soul by the Spirit of God to the throne of God. It is not the utterance of words, nor is it

alone the feeling of desires, but it is the advance of the desires to God, the spiritual approach of our nature

towards the Lord our God. True prayer is not a mere mental exercise, nor a vocal performance, but it is deeper far

than that-it is spiritual communion with the Creator of heaven and earth. God is a Spirit unseen of mortal eye and

only to be perceived by the inner man; our spirit within us, begotten by the Holy Ghost at our regeneration. Prayer

is a spiritual business from beginning to end, and its aim and object end not with man, but reach to God Himself.

True Prayer

For such prayer the work of the Holy Ghost Himself is needed. If prayer were of the lips alone, we should only

need breath in our nostrils to pray. If prayer were of the desires alone, many excellent desires are easily felt, even

by natural men. But when it is the spiritual desire, and the spiritual fellowship of the human spirit with the Great

Spirit, then the Holy Ghost Himself must be present all through it to help infirmity and give life and power, or else

true prayer will never be presented. The thing offered to God will wear the name and have the form, but the inner

life of prayer will be far from it.

Moreover, it is clear from the connection of our text that the interposition of the Lord Jesus Christ is essential to

acceptable prayer. As prayer will not be truly of love, let your face shine with sacred delight. If your sorrows are

heavy, tell them unto Him, for He can assuage them; if your sins are multiplied, confess them, for He can forgive

them. O courtiers in the halls of such a Monarch, be exceedingly glad and mingle praises with your prayers.

The Need for Prayerful Submission

It is a throne, and therefore, in the third place, whenever it is approached, it should be with complete submission.

We do not pray to God to instruct Him as to what He ought to do; neither for a moment must we presume to

dictate the line of the divine procedure. We are permitted to say to God, "Thus and thus would we have it," but we

must always add, "but, seeing that we are ignorant and may be mistaken-seeing that we are still in the flesh, and,

therefore, may be actuated by carnal motives-not as we will but as Thou wilt." Who shall dictate to the throne? No

loyal child of God will for a moment imagine that he is to occupy the place of the King, but he bows before Him

who has a right to be Lord of all.

Therefore, though he utters his desire earnestly, vehemently, and very urgently, and pleads and pleads again, yet

it is always with this needful reservation: "Thy will be done, my Lord, and, if I ask anything that is not in

accordance with Thy will, my inmost will is that Thou wouldst be good enough to deny thy servant; I will take it as

a true answer if Thou refuse me, if I ask that which seemeth not good in Thy sight." Therefore will I speak with the

deepest submission to Thy divine decrees."

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The Need for Enlarged Expectations

But, in the fourth place, if it be a throne, it ought to be approached with enlarged expectations. Well does our

hymn put it: Thou art coming to a king, large petitions with thee bring We do not come, as it were, in prayer only

to God's benevolence fund where He dispenses His favors to the poor, nor do we come to the back door of the

house of mercy to receive the broken scraps, though that is more than we deserve; to eat the crumbs that fall

from the Master's table is more than we could claim. But when we pray, we are standing in the palace, on the

glittering floor of the great King's own reception room, and thus we are placed upon a vantage ground. In prayer

we stand where angels bow with veiled faces; there, even there, the cherubim and seraphim adore, before that

same throne to which our prayers ascend. And shall we come there with stunted requests and narrow and

contracted faith? No, it does not become a king to be giving away pennies and nickels; he distributes large pieces

of gold.

Beware of imagining that God's thoughts are as your thoughts and that His ways as your ways. Do not bring

before God stinted petitions and narrow desires by saying, "Lord, do according to these," but, remember, as high

as the heavens are above the earth, so high are His ways above your ways and His thoughts above your

thoughts. Ask, therefore, in a God-like way for great things, for you are before a great throne. Oh, that we always

felt this way when we came before the throne of grace, for then He would do for us exceeding abundantly above

what we ask or even think.

The Need for Full Confidence

And, beloved, I may add, in the fifth place, that the right spirit in which to approach the throne of grace is that of

unstaggering confidence. Who shall doubt the King? Who dares impugn the Imperial word? It was well said that if

integrity were banished from the hearts of all mankind besides, it ought still to dwell in the hearts of kings. Shame

on a king if he can lie. The lowliest beggar in the streets is dishonored by a broken promise, but what shall we say

of a king if his word cannot be depended upon? Oh, shame upon us if we are unbelieving before the throne of the

King of heaven and earth. With our God before us in all His glory sitting on the throne of grace, will our hearts

dare to say we mistrust Him? Such blasphemous thoughts should be banished, and if they must come, let them

come upon us when we are somewhere in the outskirts of His dominions, if such a place there be, but not in

prayer when we are in His immediate presence and behold Him in all the glory of His throne of grace. There,

surely is the place for the child to trust its Father, for the loyal subject to trust his monarch; therefore, far from it

should be all wavering or suspicion. Unstaggering faith should be predominant before the mercy seat.

The Need for Genuineness in Prayer

We offer only one other remark upon this point, that if prayer is a coming before the throne of God, it ought always

to be conducted with deepest sincerity, and in the spirit which makes everything real. If you are disloyal enough to

despise the King, at least, for your own sake, do not mock Him to His face and when He is upon His throne. If

anywhere you dare repeat holy words without heart, let it not be in Jehovah's palace. If a person should ask for

audience with royalty and then should say, "I hardly know why I have come, I do not know that I have anything

very particular to ask; I have no very urgent request," would he not be guilty both of folly and baseness?

As for our great King, when we venture into His presence, let us have an errand there. Let us beware of playing at

praying. It is insolence towards God. If I am called upon to pray in public, I must not dare to use words that are

intended to please the ears of my fellow-worshipers, but I must realize that I am speaking to God Himself and that

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I have business to transact with the great Lord. And in my private prayer, if when I rise from my bed in the

morning, I bow my knee and repeat certain words, or when I retire to rest at night and go through the same

regular form, I rather sin than do anything that is good unless my very soul speaks unto the Most High.

Do you think that the King of heaven is delighted to hear you pronounce words with a frivolous tongue and a

thoughtless mind? You do not know Him. He is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and

in truth. From all the spirits that behold the face of our Father who is in heaven, even now, I hear a voice which

says, "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we

are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand" (Psalm 95:6-7). "O worship the Lord in the beauty of

holiness: fear before him, all the earth" (Psalm 96:9).

Prayer in the Presence of God's Grace

So that the glow and brilliance of the word throne should not be too much for mortal vision, our text now presents

us with the soft, gentle radiance of that delightful word -grace. We are called to the throne of grace, not to the

throne of law. Rocky Sinai once was the throne of law when God came to Paran with ten thousand of His holy

ones. Who desired to draw near to that throne? Even Israel might not. Bounds were set about the mount, and if

but a beast touched the mount, it was stoned or thrust through with a sword. O you self-righteous ones who hope

that you can obey the law and think that you can be saved by it, look to the flames that Moses saw and shrink and

tremble and despair. To that throne we do not come now, for through Jesus the case is changed.

And, blessed be God, we are not now speaking of the throne of ultimate justice. Before that we shall come, and

as many of us as have believed will find it to be a throne of grace as well as of justice; for He who sits upon that

throne shall pronounce no sentence of condemnation against the man who is justified by faith.

But I do not have to call you now to the place from which the resurrection-trumpet shall ring out so shrill and clear.

We are still on praying ground and pleading terms with God, and the throne to which we are bidden to come, and

of which we speak at this time, is the throne of grace. It is a throne set up on purpose for the dispensation of

grace, a throne from which every utterance is an utterance of grace; the scepter that is stretched out from it is the

silver scepter of grace; the decrees proclaimed from it are purposes of grace; the gifts that are scattered down its

golden steps are gifts of grace; and He that sits upon the throne is grace itself. It is the throne of grace to which

we approach when we pray, and let us for a moment or two think this over, by way of consolatory encouragement

to those who are beginning to pray; indeed, this truth comes to all of us who are praying men and women.

Grace for Imperfect Prayers

If in prayer I come before a throne of grace, then the faults of my prayer will be overlooked. In beginning to pray,

dear friends, you feel as if you did not pray. The groanings of your spirit when you rise from your knees are such

that you think there is nothing in them. What a blotted, blurred, smeared prayer is it. Never mind; you have not

come to the throne of justice. Otherwise, when God perceived the fault in the prayer He would spurn it your

broken words, your gasping, and your stammering are before a throne of grace.

Our condescending King does not maintain a stately etiquette in his court like that which has been observed by

princes among men, where a little mistake or a flaw would secure the petitioner's being dismissed with disgrace.

Oh, no, the faulty cries of His children are not severely criticized by Him. The Lord High Chamberlain of the palace

above, our Lord Jesus

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Christ, takes care to alter and amend every prayer before He presents it, and He makes the prayer perfect with

His perfection and prevalent with His own merits. God looks upon the prayer as presented through Christ and

forgives all its own inherent faultiness.

How this ought to encourage any of us who feel ourselves to be feeble, wandering, and unskillful in prayer. If you

cannot plead with God as sometimes you did in years gone by, if you feel as if somehow or other you had grown

rusty in the work of supplication, never give up, but come still, yes and come oftener, for it is not a throne of

severe criticism, but to a throne of grace you come.

Grace for Praying Sinners

Then, further, inasmuch as it is a throne of grace, the faults of the petitioner himself shall not prevent the success

of his prayer. Oh, what faults there are in us! To come before a throne how unfit we are-we that are all defiled with

sin within and without! Do any of you dare think of praying if it were not that God's throne is a throne of grace? If

you could, I confess I could not. An absolute God, infinitely holy and just, could not in consistency with His divine

nature answer any prayer from such a sinner as I am if it were not that He has arranged a plan by which my

prayer comes up no longer to a throne of absolute justice, but to a throne which is also the mercy seat, the

propitiation, the place where God meets sinners through Jesus Christ. Ah, I could not say to you, "Pray," not even

to you saints, unless it were a throne of grace, much less could I talk of prayer to you sinners.

But now I will say this to every sinner here, though he should think himself to be the worst sinner that ever lived,

cry unto the Lord and seek Him while He may be found. A throne of grace is a place fitted for you to go to your

knees and by simple faith go to your Savior, for He it is who is the throne of grace. It is in Him that God is able to

dispense grace unto the most guilty of mankind. Blessed be God, neither the faults of the prayer nor yet of the

suppliant shall shut out our petitions from God who delights in broken and contrite hearts.

God's Gracious Help in Prayer

If it is a throne of grace, then the desires of the pleader will be interpreted. If I cannot find words in which to utter

my desires, God in His grace will read my desires without the words. He takes the meaning of His saints, the

meaning of their groans. A throne that was not gracious would not trouble itself to make out our petitions, but God,

the infinitely gracious one, will dive into the soul of our desires and will read there what we cannot speak with the

tongue. Have you never seen a parent when his child is trying to say something to him, and he knows very well

what it is the little one has got to say, help him over the words and utter the syllables for him? If the little one has

half-forgotten what he would say, you have heard the father suggest the word.

Similarly, the ever-blessed Spirit, from the throne of grace, will help us and teach us words and even write in our

hearts the desires themselves. The Spirit will direct your desires to the things for which you ought to seek; He will

teach you your wants, though as yet you know them not; He will suggest to you His promises that you may be

able to plead them; He will, in fact, be Alpha and Omega to your prayer, just as He is to your salvation.

For as salvation is from first to last of grace, so the sinner's approach to the throne of grace is of grace from first

to last. What comfort this is. Will we not, my dear friends, with the greater oldness draw near to this throne, as we

learn the sweet meaning of His precious words, "the throne of grace"?

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God's Provision by Grace

If it be a throne of grace, then all the needs of those who come to it will be supplied. The King from such a throne

will not say, "Thou must bring to me gifts, thou must offer to me sacrifices." It is not a throne for receiving tribute; it

is a throne for dispensing gifts. Come, then, you who are poor as poverty itself; come you that have no merits and

are destitute of virtues; come you that are reduced to a beggarly bankruptcy by Adam's fall and by your own

transgressions. This is not the throne of majesty which supports itself by the taxation of its subjects, but a throne

which glorifies itself by streaming forth like a fountain with floods of good things. Come now, and receive the wine

and milk which are freely given; yes, come buy wine and milk without money and without price. All the petitioner's

needs will be supplied because it is a throne of grace.

God's Compassion for Those Who Pray

And as a result, God will show compassion for all the petitioner's miseries. Suppose I come to the throne of grace

with the burden of my sins; there is one on the throne who felt the burden of sin in ages long gone by and has not

forgotten its weight. Suppose I come loaded with sorrow; there is one who knows all the sorrows to which

humanity can be subjected. Am I depressed and distressed? Do I fear that God himself has forsaken me? There

is one upon the throne who said, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" It is a throne from which grace

delights to look upon the miseries of mankind with tender eye to consider them and to relieve them.

"The throne of grace." The phrase grows as I turn it over in my mind, and to me it is a most delightful reflection

that if I come to the throne of God in prayer, I may feel a thousand defects, but yet there is hope. I usually feel

more dissatisfied with my prayers than with anything else I do. I do not believe that it is an easy thing to pray in

public so as to conduct the devotions of a large congregation aright. We sometimes hear persons commended for

preaching well, but if any shall be enabled to pray well, there will be an equal gift and a higher grace in it. But

suppose in our prayers there should be defects of knowledge; it is a throne of grace, and our Father knows

defects of faith; He sees our little faith and still does not reject it, small as it is. He does not in every case measure

out His gifts by the degree of our faith, but by the sincerity and trueness of faith.

And if there should be grave defects in our spirit and failures in the fervency or in the humility of the prayer,

though these should not be there and are much to be deplored, grace overlooks and forgives all this, and still its

merciful hand is stretched out to enrich us according to our needs. Surely this ought to induce many to pray who

have not prayed and should make us who have been long accustomed to use the consecrated art of prayer to

draw near with greater boldness than ever to the throne.

God's Grace on the Throne

But, now regarding our text as a whole, it conveys to us the idea of grace enthroned. It is a throne, and who sits

on it? It is grace personified that is here installed in dignity. And, truly, today grace is on a throne. In the gospel of

Jesus Christ grace is the most predominant attribute of God. How comes it to be so exalted? We reply that grace

has a throne by conquest. Grace came down to earth in the form of the Well-beloved, and it met with sin. Long

and sharp was the struggle, and grace appeared to be trampled under foot of sin. But grace at last seized sin,

threw it on its own shoulders; and, though all but crushed beneath the burden, grace carried sin up to the cross

and nailed it there, slew it there, put it to death for ever, and triumphed gloriously.

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Grace, moreover, sits on the throne because it has established itself by right. There is no injustice in the grace of

God. God is as just when He forgives a believer as when He casts a sinner into hell. I believe in my own soul that

there is as much and as pure a justice in the acceptance of a soul that believes in Christ as there will be in the

rejection of those souls who die impenitent and are banished from Jehovah's presence. The sacrifice of Christ has

enabled God to be just, and yet the justifier of him that believeth. He who knows the word substitution and can

understand its meaning aright will see that there is nothing due to punitive justice from any believer since Jesus

Christ has paid all the believer's debts.

Grace is enthroned this day because Christ has finished His work and gone into the heavens. It is enthroned in

power. Sinner, saint, oh, when grace sits on the throne, I beseech you close in with it at once. It can be no higher,

it can be no greater, for it is written "God is love," which is an alias for grace. Oh, come and bow before it; come

and adore the infinite mercy and grace of God.

I say, then, that grace is enthroned by conquest, by right, and by power, and, I will add, it is enthroned in glory, for

God glorifies His grace. It is one of His objects now to make His grace illustrious. He delights to pardon penitents

and so to show His pardoning grace; He delights to look upon wanderers and restore them, to show His

reclaiming grace; He delights to look upon the broken-hearted and comfort them so that He may show His

consoling grace. Believe this, you can come at once and glorify grace by becoming instances of its power.

God's Gracious Covenant and Our Prayers

On the throne of grace, sovereignty has placed itself under bonds of love. God will do as He wills; but on the

mercyseat He is under bonds-bonds of His own making-for He has entered into covenant with Christ, and thus

into covenant with His chosen. Though God is and ever must be a sovereign, He never will break His covenant

nor alter the word that is gone out of His mouth. He cannot be false to a covenant of His own making.

Moreover, on the throne of grace, God is again bound to us by His promises. The covenant contains in it many

gracious promises, exceedingly great and precious. "Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock,

and it shall be opened unto you" (Matthew 7:7). Until God had said that word or a word to that effect, it was at His

own option to hear prayer or not, but it is not so now; for now, if it is true prayer offered through Jesus Christ, His

truth binds Him to hear it.

And it is the sweetest thought of all that every covenant promise has been endorsed and sealed with blood, and

far be it from the everlasting God to pour scorn upon the blood of His dear Son. When a king has given a charter

to a city, he may have previously been absolute, and there may have been nothing to check his prerogatives, but

when the city has its charter, then it pleads its rights before the king.

It is not possible that we can plead in vain with God when we plead the blood-sealed covenant, ordered in all

things and sure. Heaven and earth shall pass away but the power of the blood of Jesus with God can never fail. It

speaks when we are silent, and it prevails when we are defeated.

Christian, let us come boldly, for we bear the promise in our hearts. May God the Holy Spirit help us to use aright

from this time forward "the throne of grace.” AMEN.

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Appendix 8

The Abiding Presence- Or Absence?

Putting off the old, putting on the new

By reckoning the old man to have been crucified at Calvary, he is “put off’ daily (Rom. 6:11a). By reckoning

ourselves as newly created in the risen Lord Jesus, we “put on” the new man (Rom. 6:11b). As we escape self’s

reign of death under the law, we enter into Christ’s reign of life under grace.

Put off the OLD, by His grace ("Christ in you the hope of Glory")

1. Fact

“Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him” (Rom. 6:6, ASV). “…seeing that ye have put off the old man” (Col. 3:9). Positionally, we were separated from the old Adamic nature in our identification with Christ on the cross.

2. Faith

Eph. 4:22 “That ye put off concerning the former conversation (manner of life) the old man”

By faith in our new, sanctified position, we turn from, we reckon as crucified, the

principle of sin and self within. We count ourselves to be new creations in Christ,

having died to sin and self. That is our part in putting off the old man that God put off

from us at the cross.

Put On the NEW, by His grace ("You in Christ")

1. Fact

“For as many of you as have been baptized [spiritually] into Christ have put on Christ” “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” Col. 3:10 (Gal. 3:27). At our new birth we were recreated in Christ, and our Christian life is now hid with Him in God (Col. 3:3, 4).

2. Faith

“Put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 13:14). “…Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph. 4:24).

By faith in the positional fact that our Father has placed us in His Son, we abide in Him, we

acknowledge our place in Him. By faith, we stand in the position He has already given us. “Stand

therefore, having your loins girt about with truth” (Eph. 6:14).

2 Cor. 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? -- unless indeed you are disqualified.

When Christ enters the human heart, he starts a revolution which destroy all lawlessness and gracelessness:

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Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

2 Tim. 2:19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

1 John 3:5-9 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

That is the Good News. John puts it bluntly and plainly, "No one who abides in him sins." Or, to use the

interchangeable term for sin which he has just given us, "No one who abides in him lives lawlessly."

Now, wait a minute! Isn't this a contradiction? Didn’t John say:

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

And now he says, 'No one who abides in him [Christ] sins.' How is this be? And isn't it even more

positively put in Verse 9 of Chapter 3, 'No one born of God commits sin; for God's nature abides in him,

and he cannot sin because he is born of God.” Surely this is a bit of a problem.

In Verse 6 he says a Christian does not sin; in Verse 9 he says he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

Yet, again in Chapter 1, he says, "if we say we do not sin, we are liars"; and in Chapter 2, Verse 1, "if any

one does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."

Admittedly, this is a very difficult sequence of scripture. However, it is a very important, and there is no

contradiction. John does not say on one page something that contradicts himself on another page. He is

an inspired apostle, and writes with wisdom, intelligence, and understanding. The problem does not lie in

the text; the problem, if anywhere, lies with the reader.

Therefore, it is importance to understand the working of the mystery of evil in human life, and, likewise, the

mystery of righteousness which counteracts it. The problem is really settled by the tense of the verb the

apostle employs here, "No one who abides in him sins." He uses the present continuous tense for the

word sins to mean "no one who abides in him keeps on sinning" or lives in lawlessness. If John had

wanted to refer to a single act of sin there is a Greek tense that would have made it very clear. He could

have stated, "No one who abides in him can commit even one single act of sin." But he did not say that.

He used instead this continuous tense. This helps us a great deal in understanding the passage. So he is

saying, "Any one who abides in Christ does not go on living in sin." He cannot live lawlessly, he does not

keep on sinning.

The question is: How do you avoid living lawlessly? How does one come to this place of not living sinful?

It must be in this that one word: abides. "No one who abides in him sins."

Remember that he had said in 1 John 2:28, "And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he

appears he may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming," The key is abiding.

We have already seen that the relationship of a believer to Jesus Christ, involves him in two aspects.

Abiding in Christ is an advance on simply being "in Christ." It involves turning our lives piece by piece over

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in obedience to the Lordship of Christ. Our Lord himself spoke of these two aspects of a disciple's

relationship to him. He described them by these words, "you in me, and I in you," (John 14:20b). Note

that those two aspects are uniquely different:

1. “You in me" is to be “in Christ.” It is to believe, to receive Jesus Christ. It is to be joined in a union with

him that results in new birth, the impartation of his life and the gift of grace to us, by an act of faith. It is

to receive him, to act upon his invitation to come into your life. When you do, you are "in Christ." You

are in union with him. "You in me," that is the first union.

But that is not the aspect John is describing here. That union does not necessarily result in being freed

from the bondage of sin. Oh, it makes freedom possible, it is all potentially there, but in itself it does not

result in deliverance. That is why, as we have seen, it is quite possible to be "in Christ" and go on living for

a time in sin, lawlessly.

2. But it is the second relationship, "I in you," Christ in us, experienced by an attitude of faith, in which he

makes his home in our hearts, that frees us from sin's reign. We allow him to live through us, we expect

him to do so, in every moment of our experience. It is this that is called abiding, and it is this that results in

freeing us from the bondage and the power of sin, so that we can live godly, God-like lives.

You may now discover certain things that are produced by this abiding relationship. In the great 15th

chapter of John's gospel, Jesus said these words: "He who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much

fruit." (John 15:5b RSV). So abounding fruit comes from this relationship of abiding. Abiding is fruit. The

fruit? This is of course, the fruit of the Spirit -- love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

meekness and self-control. These are the marks of One who abides.

Later on in that same chapter, Verse 7, he says, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask

whatever you will, and it shall be done for you," (John 15:7). Here effectual prayer is a result, not just

being "in Christ," but of "abiding in Christ."

Are your prayers being answered? Are you seeing God at work in your experience? Are the things you

ask for that are clearly in line with God’s will coming to pass in the lives of individuals for whom you pray?

This is the promise, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will [within that

relationship], and it shall be done for you."

Now John says, "No one who abides in him sins," i.e., lives lawlessly. He is able to live Godlike.

Therefore, this relationship of abiding is very important.

"Well," you say, "just what is it? I've heard all these great promises before -- and God knows I want them

-- but it eludes me. What is this abiding, anyway?"

Well, let us ask the Lord again for clarification on this. Once again in the 15th chapter of John's Gospel,

Jesus says these words, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love," (John 15:10a). That

is putting it plainly, is it not? If you obey me, you will abide in me. "And he that abides in me ... bears

much fruit," (John 15:5). "He that abides in me can ask whatever he will and it will be done," {cf, John

15:7}. "He that abides in me will not sin," (c.f., 1 John 3:6a). "If you keep my commandments, you will

abide in my love," (John 15:10). Of course, that obedience is by faith; i.e., this is not an exhortation to give

ourselves to a groveling, dogged obedience, saying, "Here's a rule and I've got to do it." No, no. It is an

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expectant obedience, an obedience that acts expecting him to come through to make it a joy. That is the

whole secret. It is by faith.

How does this work in practice? Since Christ is in you, if you are a believer, you are in him and he is in

you, then you need but set yourself to do what he says, expecting him to act, and the minute you start

doing it, the power to carry it through will be there, to make you able to do it and to make it a joy.

It is like those Israelites in the Old Testament who were told to cross first the Red Sea and later the river

Jordan. Here was a body of water before them, but the command of God has to go through the water. It

looked like suicide, utter foolishness. The worst thing they could do would be to plunge headlong into the

depths of the waters. But, on each occasion, as the children of Israel stepped down and their feet touched

the water, the waters parted and they went on through. It was when they acted on what they were told to

do, despite any appearance that anything was happening, that it happened. Of course, this was not

simply a thoughtless, spectacular miracle. It was a parable, designed to teach us how God acts.

When we hear his command to us, whether we feel like it will work or not, the whole idea is to obey. Act

on it! Do what he says! When we do, we discover that the minute we begin to act, the power of God acts

also. What we are hoping to accomplish will be accomplished. It works out as God said. We discover that

God is at work within us. That is what Jesus means, "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my

love," (John 15:10a).

This is also what Paul is saying to the Philippians. "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

for it is God who works in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure -- the thing that pleases him,"

(Phil 2:12).

Do you find it difficult to love some, for instance? This is one of the most nagging, persistent problems of

life. Someone treats us cruelly, or indifferently, and our natural reaction, stemming from our tie with Adam,

is immediately to strike back, to avenge ourselves, to cut them off, don't speak to them, or to say

something caustic. We wish to avenge ourselves. But that is not the command of the Lord. His word is

crystal clear. "Vengeance is mine, says the Lord," {Rom 12:19}. Do not avenge yourself. He says, "Love

your enemies... Do good to those who hate you and despitefully use you. Pray for your enemies," {Mat

5:44). "Love one another," (John 13:34, 15:12, 15:17, et al). But you do not feel like doing that; in fact,

that is the last thing you feel like doing. You are like those priests who did not feel like putting their feet in

that cold, dirty water of the Jordan River, either. But God had said to do it. And when the soles of their

feet touched the water, they parted, and the people went on through.

So, when you set yourself to act toward this individual whom you are finding it difficult to love as love

would act; if you do something that love would do to that individual; if you respond to him as those who

love him would respond; if you obey God, in other words, you will find that if you are expecting him to act,

he will. The feeling of love will follow your act instead of preceding it, and you will discover that your whole

relationship, your whole attitude, to the individual is different. You will see him no longer as an obstacle

standing across your pathway, opposing what you want to do, but you will see him as a person with a

problem -- a problem like the problems you have had -- who needs understanding and acceptance. Then

the problem will clear up, as your problems have cleared up.

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Are you tempted to lust? Are you tempted, in this sex-saturated society, to give way to lusts and desires of

the flesh that you know are wrong? Well, there is plenty of it around today and in respectable circles, too.

But the word of God is, "Flee youthful lusts, because they war against the soul," (c.f., 2 Tim 2:22). It is not

that sex is wrong. Sex is wonderful. Sex is what God made it to be; it is his gift to humanity. But the

improper use of it is wrong. So God says, flee youthful lusts because they will destroy you, they war

against you. Well then, obey them! Turn from them and turn to him in expectant faith and you will find

there is an immediate sense of release, a flood of cleansing, purifying, love from him that makes your

renunciation not an act of dogged, dismal determination, but an act of delight, of gladness and freedom.

What a difference!

Even an unregenerate man, a non-Christian, if he wants to for one reason or another, can set his will

against doing something that is harmful or wrong or evil, and can stop it. Certainly he can. But he will not

have any particular joy in doing so. He will be acting from a grim, dismal determination to walk in this way,

with no compensating light or gladness. But the difference for a Christian is that when he so acts, Christ is

there. We obey him, and thus we abide in his love. Every act of renunciation against these forces that

would destroy us results in an accompanying sense of glorification, of joy, causing us to rejoice in God's

grace.

If you have him, you can do these things. If you cannot do them, it is because you do not have him. That

is why John goes on to add here, "no one who sins has either seen him or known him." That is, so strong

is our link with him, and so powerful are the cleansing tides of his life in us, that if we say we have Christ in

us and do not show some evidence of it, in increasing degree, then we have been deceiving ourselves.

We do not have him at all. We have never seen him or known him. If you can live content with evil,

without a struggle, deliberately doing what the Word of God declares is not right; if you can go on thus,

and it does not particularly bother you, you have no struggle with it, then you have no right to name

yourself a Christian. That is what John is saying. You have not seen him, you have not known him. Jesus

Christ came into the world, and into your life, to destroy lawlessness. That is his goal. That is the

revolution he is set on bringing to pass. If this is not happening, then you do not have him, for he will not

change his purpose. He is moving to this end. This is what he came for, and this is what he will do.

You are only kidding yourself if you think you have him because you know many Bible verses or you can

recite certain creeds, you have been attending church all your life, or your whole family is Christian. You

are deceiving yourself. No, one who lives lawlessly has either seen him or known him.

So he concludes in Verse 7,

1 John 3:7a Little children, let no one deceive you.

Oh, they will try. There is much attempt today to put on a pious front and make it look real, but do not let

them kid you. The true sign is this: "He who does right is righteous." Remember, righteousness is love

behaving rightly. He who acts that way (and that kind of love always involves self-sacrifice), it is because

he is linked to the Righteous One. There is no other way to act righteously than that:

1 John 3:7b He who does right is righteous, as he is righteous.

Note that the original language here the pronoun he is literally, "that one." It appears also in Verse 5. "You

know that 'that one' appeared to take away sins." And Verse 7, "Little children, let no one deceive you. He

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who does right is righteous, as 'that one' is righteous." It is almost as though John is seeing Christ

standing there. So close is he to him, it is as though he were standing right there, and John refers to him

as "that one." He who does right is righteous because that one is righteous, and he is living in him.

Because he is living in him, there must be righteousness breaking out from time to time in that individual's

life. It has got to be there. When a person discovers this and learns to abide in him, all the time expecting

that one to be working in him, then he soon learns he cannot do anything without him. But he discovers

that with him, he can do anything he asks.

That is why Paul says, "I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me," (c.f., Phil 4:13).

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Appendix 9

Suggested Grace Filled Books & Websites

Suggested BOOKS

Cymbala, Jim, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire , Zondervan,1997, ISBN# 0-310-21188-3

George, Bob, Growing in Grace, Harvest House, 1991, ISBN# 1-56507-697-4

McVey, Steve, Grace Rules, Harvest House, 1998, ISNB# 1-56507-897-7

Gillham, Bill, Lifetime Guarantee, Harvest House,1993, ISBN# 1-56507-075-5

Gillham, Bill, What God Wishes Christians Knew About Christianity, Harvest House, 1998, ISBN# 1-56507-557-9

McVey, Steve, Grace Walk, Harvest House, 1995, ISBN# 1-56507-3215

Thomas, W. Ian, The Mystery of Godliness, Tourchbearer,1964, ISBN# 0-907478-03-4

Suggested WEB SITES

Peninsula Bible Church - Ray Stedman - http://www.pbc.org/dp/stedman/

Charles Spurgeon - http://www.biblebb.com/spura-i.htm

Biblical Studies Foundation - http://aconline.org/

Niles Stanford - http://www.ezlink.com/~trbranch/milesj.htm

Lifetime Guarantee Ministries - Bill Gillham - https://www.fastlane.net/~lifetime/resources/order.htm

Grace Walk Ministries - Steve McVey - http://www.gracewalk.org/

People to People Ministries - Bob George - http://www.ptpministries.org/home.html

Tourchbearers, Major Ian Thomas - http://www.gospelcom.net/tb/non-java/index.html

Watchman Nee (Collective Works) - http://www.hightruth.com/watchmannee/watchmannee.html

In Touch Ministries -Charles Stanley - http://www.intouch.org/

John Piper - http://www.mdc.net/~ic/piper.htm

Theology Assessments - http://www.ezlink.com/~trbranch/articles.htm

Freedom in Christ Ministries - Neil Anderson - http://www.ficm.org/

GraceLife Internet Ministries - http://www.mindspring.com/~mamcgee/gracelife.html

Mark McGee Homepage - http://www.mindspring.com/%7Emamcgee/mcgee.home.html

Search: Throne of Grace - http://www.google.com/search?query=Throne+of+grace&num=10

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Free Grace Notes - Warren Dodd - http://www.atoll.com/vmi/GN.htm

Redemption Community Church - http://www.teleport.com/~rcchurch/grace.htm

Loving Grace Ministries - http://www.lovinggrace.org/excerpts.htm

Appendix 10

Suggested Videotapes

(For use with Bible Study on grace)

Suggested Video tapes to be used in Grace Bible Study (In order of significance):

Notes: (Videos May be purchase through the web sites shown or contact me - I have these Videos)

(web site* denotes that this web site has online REAL audio archives for listening to these studies

1. "Grace to Overcome" by James Ryle (http://www.lifetoday.org/) - Video + 3 audio cassettes

2. "Where to Go in time of Need" (VMH046) by Charles Stanley (see web site*)

3. "The Source of My Hope" (VMD277) by Charles Stanley (see web site*)

4. "The Power Within Us" (VML315) by Charles Stanley (see web site*)

5. "Empowering Emotion of Joy" (VMC228) by Charles Stanley (see web site*)

6. "Living Life at it's Best" - 2 part series by Charles Stanley (see web site*)

7. Our Unmet Needs - by Charles Stanley (see web site*)

8. Grace vs. "That Hopeless Feeling" (VMD207) by Charles Stanley (see web site*)

9. "Water to Wine" by John Hagee (see web site)

Recommended Books and Videos for the Unsaved who demand evidence:

1. Strobel, Lee, The Case for Christ, Zondervan, ISBN: 0310226465 (The Very Best!)

2. Bierle, Don, Surprised by Faith, Y W A M Pub, ISBN: 1883002338 (Excellent but less factual!)

3. Video: "The Theology of the Titanic" by John Hagee. (see web site)

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