We need to be passionate about passing on this Grace we have received. 2Ti 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Paul in prison his life coming to end and he was handing off, passing the baton, to Timothy. If you brought someone to Christ, you are their mentor. Remember V1, Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. It is not lectures or condemnation, or fault finding but grace they need to see. And it is not your grace but the Grace that is in Christ Jesus.
What is this grace that is in Christ Jesus? “Grace” is as broad as describing the whole of God's grace toward man or as narrow as describing a part of that grace toward man. A common definition describes grace as the unmerited favor of God toward man.
We only think of grace in its relationship to salvation and that is a critical error in thinking. Grace is from the word graciousness. It is the Spirit’s influence on the inner man, Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
1] The Source of Grace. Our God is the God of all grace, 1Pe_5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. Suffering is a part of our life as a believer and in the suffering, you find grace and strength.
The Bible is written by the inspiration of God; it is written to be believed. The bible is an historical record, and it is true. In it you find the record of creation, Gen.1&2. You find the creation of the human race, Adam and Eve. You find the promise of a Saviour. You find grace illustrated in saving of Adam and Eve, Gen. 3:21.
Genesis is the record of beginning. It is the beginning of the nation of Israel in the calling of Abraham and promise of blessing to all the nations, Genesis 12:3b “..... and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. And Rom 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Rom 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. Rom 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. Rom 9:9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.
Isaac is the child of promise and not by the will of Abraham but by the will of God. Christ came through the seed of Isaac, Gal_3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Gal 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
It is a record of prophecy; some prophecy already fulfilled some yet future. How did the Samaritan know that the Messiah was coming? Answer: She believed the prophecy, Joh 4:25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Joh 4:26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
What was Martha’s answer? Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? Joh 11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. How did she know that? Answer: The record of His coming is found in the Word of God.
Why was the bible written? Answer: to convince you that His record is true! Every Word of it is true. John 3:16 is not written to convince you not to be sure of its truth but rather to be convince you of the certainty of His promise, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 1Jn 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
The unbeliever does not have a future! He only has a place to end, the second death. Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
2] The Salvation of Grace, Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: And that faith is not of yourself it is the gift of God. Faith is being persuaded/convinced that Jesus is able to do what He promise, 2 Timothy 2:12b”.... for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
“Belief is persuasion:” If you are persuaded that something is true, you believe it. Meaning you have confidence in whom you have believed, Paul said, “…for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him. “I know whom I have believed.” And therefore, I deposit my eternal destiny with Him.
Are you persuaded that Jesus is able to keep that which He promised, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” John 6:47
A] The believer has a future, John 14:1-6, Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Joh 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Joh 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Rev. 22:16-17, I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. The last part of that verse is an invitation to believe. That verse has no power or meaning except to the one who believes.
B] The promises are to the believer, Joh 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. Joh 20:30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: Joh 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
3] The Sufficiency of Grace, Joh 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. What is this fulness of Christ? Answer: Col 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; There is no word in the Greek for “the Father”.
Jesus said He is God, Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. Jesus is saying, I am God in human flesh, Hebrews 2:14-18, i.e. 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Jesus is saying, everything that is in the God head is in me, Col. 2:9, For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. The blessing of Grace is there for every believer to experience. We have all been blessed by His grace. Everything that is in the God Head has been given to us in Jesus Christ.
“Grace” taking the place of “grace” like the manna fresh each morning, new grace for the new day and new grace for the new need and grace for the grace you need.
And to you he says, my grace is sufficient! For the sheep that has wandered away and for the son in the far country.
Grace to believe! Grace for the saved to repent! Grace for the one who can see no grace there is grace for grace you need.
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