How will your story end Part III

How will your story end Part III
“Miracle in the making”
Synopsis of Sermon 06/21/09
Delivered by Bishop Walker III
Text: 1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. Mark 2:1-4 (KJV)
A Christian needs to know and understand this one principle. Whatever happens in our life, we have to know that God has the ability to position us for miracles. Regardless of the obstacles and statistics, no matter what you are going through, you must know God navigates our lives through a series of events connecting us with the right people of the right season, in order to bring to pass, an awesome change. This is why it is important for us to realize that God is always up to something. No matter how bad it looks, remember that God is up to something. Nothing just happens, there is always destiny tied to whatever happens in your life. Regardless of your situation, you must remember that you are truly on God’s radar. It is also important for you to know that you have not gone unnoticed.

Here there is a man in our text that has a condition called palsy. Now what is palsy? It is literally an abbreviation for paralysis. It involves a reduction in the use of physical parts of the body. It is a reduction of motion where certain parts of the body do not move as they should. As a result of this one loses sensation because of months or years of lack of use. There are many of us even today, who experience spiritual palsy. There are areas of our life that are not progressing or moving as they should and lots of times apathy sets in we lose a sense of sensation about them and we wonder if we are ever going to move again. Well there is news. There is a miracle in the making. Don’t allow your prognoses to define your destiny, but know that God will position you for the greatest season of your life. Stop listening to Nay Sayers. Get the negative people out of your life, and trust God in this season.

Here is the crux of this message. Everything that has happened in your life up until this point has been necessary to position you and allow you to experience the greatest manifestation of God’s power like you have never seen before. Stop worrying, stop whining, and stop tripping. There is a miracle in the making. You can look at your circumstances and get depressed if you want, but somebody knows that it though it may be rough, they realize they are in the perfect place for a miracle to break out in their life.

In the text, the bible declares that Jesus had returned to Capernaum. The first time Jesus went to Capernaum, his popularity was great because of the miracles that he had performed. Now he was returning a second time, which is why the bible says he returned is to Capernaum. His fame is so powerful, that multitudes gathered and mobs followed him. They knew he was able to give them what they needed. They knew that he is able to perform miracles, so they followed him. The bible says they are now in the house. Jesus is in the house and we are not sure whose house, but we believe it is that of Mary. Now Jesus is in the house and the multitudes have gathered there also along with the skeptics and the scribes.

Here is a man whose condition has caused him to be laid on the bed or bed ridden. Four friends have recognized that Jesus was in the house. The bible declares that they picked him up. This is why it says he was borne by four in verse 3. They picked him up and came to the house where Jesus was. If his life is going to change, he has to get where Jesus is. They came to the house and line was outside the door and they were unable to get in. Rather than become discouraged, they may have went to the windows, but it was customary for people to even sit in the windows in those days. Rather than to give up on the man they were so committed to helping him get his breakthrough, they decided to break protocol. They decided to take the roof off and lower the man down at the foot of Jesus.
I. Connect with people with Radical faith
1. You need folk with radical faith. We need people that are not easily swayed. We need people in our lives that have a Caleb spirit and are willing stand alone trying to reach a breakthrough if they have to. They will stand up in the minority and say “yes we can”

2. The scripture says it was noisy. : 1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. We really wonder why it was so noisy and who was making the noise. If you want to know who the noisy people are in church, you will be happy to know that it is the benefactors of what Jesus has done in their life. In the scripture they were noisy because they remembered all that Jesus had done when Jesus was in Capernaum before. Guess who is in the house. If you are quiet it might be because Jesus has never done anything for you. We remember what Psalms 10 says. We understand what it means when it says let the redeemed of the Lord say so. If it had not been for the Lord who is on our side, where would we be? People may want you to be quiet, but you can’t. You have to tell what the Lord has done for you. Tell people this is not a quit pew.
3. Jesus had been teaching in the house. You have got to understand the power of the word of God. Faith comes by hearing and hearing comes by the word of God. Some people wonder who is in the church and who is not. Remember we are not here for anybody else. You need to worry if Jesus is in the house. Where Jesus is, there is break through. Where Jesus is, there is healing. Where Jesus is, there is financial breakthroughs.
4. The friends see Jesus in the house and they want to get their friend in there to him. The friends get creative. They were willing to raise the roof to get the breakthrough that they want.
5. The friends possessed:
a. Thoughtfulness. 17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Prov 17:17 (KJV)-This man could represent the next generation. You need some thoughtful people that are willing to help you get to your breakthrough.
b. They understood the power of teamwork. 9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. Eccl 4:8-9 (KJV)-If the man with palsy is laying on the cot and held by four men, then there is power in everyman on every corner. If one man loses control of his corner, he could jeopardize the man’s well being and the potential for his breakthrough. This is the same in our lives. If you do not hold up your end and your responsibility, you could jeopardize your whole community.
c. They had Tenacity-Their friends made up in their mind to get their friend to Jesus. We need folk in our lives that are working to help make it happen for you. You have to be connected to the right people in your life. How can two walk together unless they agree?
II. Conflict with Religious folk
1. There is no way that you will not run into people that have conflict with what Jesus is trying to do in your life.
2. The text suggests that the scribes were in house. They could not understand what Jesus was about to do, because they operated in reason. Verses 6-7are actually responding to verse 5. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? Mark 2:5-7 (KJV) What you have are religious teachers that have not received Jesus Christ. People that are logical based have a hard time receiving spiritual things.
3. You will always have people trying to find flaws in what you are doing. The enemy knows you are about to make it to your break through and this is the last time he has to take you out. Because of the attacks they are receiving, some people ought to feel like they are about to enter the greatest season of their life.
III. Celebrate the release of favor
* Under the anointing of God, Bishop explains that God says he is about to release favor into our lives.
1. When God gets ready to release your blessing to you, you have to be able to receive it. 9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. Mark 2:9-11 (KJV). In the scripture, Jesus tells the man with palsy, so that they might understand who they were dealing with, take up his bed and go home. This man’s condition is palsy which really is an abbreviation of paralyses. This means he has limited or no control of his muscle motion.
2. The culture in that day was when someone got palsy or any serious condition; it was a result of someone’s sin. They believed when one sinned, things like this would happen. This is the reason that Jesus said that the man’s sins were forgiven. Jesus healed him and forgave his sin. What good would the man be healed and still guilty of sin in this culture?
3. When Jesus forgave the man’s sin, he reversed every curse in him. Every label that was placed on the man, because of his disease was removed. Just like this, Jesus wants to break the curses that are found within us.
4. Everything that has happened to you was leading up for the greatest manifestation of blessings in your life. If you look back at verse 10, Jesus says to the scribes, that they might know who he is and then turned to the man with palsy and healed him that he might make a believer out of them all. 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) Mark 2:10 (KJV)
5. God gave the man a commandment somewhere between verse 10 and 11 and something happened. 11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. Mark 2:11 (KJV). He told the guy to walk when he had never walked before. To really understand this, you have to know that when your muscles are not used over a period of time, they deteriorate making it impossible to use them ever.
6. Because the muscles should have deteriorated, why did man with palsy think he could walk when he was told to take up his bed? It was because of God’s word. God can put strength where there is no strength.
7. The man with palsy immediately took up his bed. Remember, 4 men took him up on the roof and now he takes his bed himself. He needed help getting there, but no help leaving. The bible says obedience is better than sacrifice. Bishop explains that he believes in some instances, God allows delayed obedience, just to make a point. Going back to verse 12 again, we see that the man walked before them all before he left. 12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion. Mark 2:12 (KJV)-This was delayed obedience, because the Lord told him to take up his bed and go home, not walk around in front of everyone. There is no harm in walking around showing off what God has done for you. There is nothing wrong with sending a card to your enemy thanking them for setting you up for your blessing. There is nothing wrong with sending a card to your enemy and thanking them for making you a better person. They shouldn’t have messed with us, because God was not through with us yet.
8. In verse 12 everyone was amazed that the man got up & walked. Even the enemies had to raise their hands as if to surrender in worship. Let’s take a look at a translation for verse 12. We have seen some stuff but we have never seen it in this fashion. What God did and is going to do in your life, some people have never seen before. You are a miracle in the making.

Grace of God Part II, Bible Study 5.6.09

Grace of God Part II
“The power of living in the fullness of God’s Grace “
Synopsis of Bible Study 5/6/09
Delivered by Bishop Walker III

We start out by raising some rhetorical questions. If you only had only one month to live, how would you prepare yourself to meet the Lord in that month? Would you pray harder, would you memorize more scripture, would you read your bible more, would you be involved in more spiritual work, would you catch up your tithes, or would you repent of sins you are guilty of? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you could be characterized as a performance based Christian. A performance based Christian tries to gain Gods favor by works. Remember that it is the grace of God that we live under. We are saved by Grace and grace alone. Make no mistake, the things we mentioned previously are good things to do; the problem is most people are doing these things based on a condition. The condition mentioned earlier was that it was assuming that they were going to die in 30 days or a month. We try to do good works with conditions attached to them. What happens if the condition is not met? What if we don’t have a month to live? Would you still say yes to every question? Are our works tied to a condition or the proper appropriation of grace in our life? There is no amount of work that we can do to earn God’s favor. The truth is his favor has been granted to us through the free gift of grace and so Paul rebukes the church by declaring: 1 Oh, foolish Galatians! What magician has cast an evil spell on you? For you used to see the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death as clearly as though I had shown you a signboard with a picture of Christ dying on the cross. 2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by keeping the law? Of course not, for the Holy Spirit came upon you only after you believed the message you heard about Christ. 3 Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Gal 3:1-3 (NLT)-Paul explained to them that previously they understood in the spirit, spiritual things, but now they were trying to be perfect by the works of the flesh. Like the Galatians, we are trying to do good deeds to get brownie points with God. This is not about the accumulation of brownie points. It is about understanding how to walk in the fullness of God’s grace.
I. The issue is how do I understand the fullness of God’s grace?
1. We have to understand the fullness of our foolishness, before we met God. Our need for God’s grace has to be understood. Let’s look at our condition prior to salvation. 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Romans 3:10-12 (KJV) – Before we got saved nobody was reaching for God and nobody was trying to do right. Everyone was doing their own thing. This means everyone in this place had a season in their life where they didn’t worry about pleasing God.
2. We once rebelled against God. 6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6 (KJV)-this scripture speaks of the rebellion of God’s people. This scripture reminds us that we are all as filthy rags.
3. All of us have sinned. 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23 (KJV) –all of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We looked it up in every language, but at the end of the day all simply means “all”. When we look at how far out there we were, it helps us understand God’s answer to our need.
4. We needed God, but what did he do? 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (KJV)-God commended his love towards us why we were yet sinners. He didn’t wait until we got our self together; his grace is so awesome he initiated his grace towards us. This is what makes Christianity so amazing and makes it so different in comparison to other faiths. Christianity is God reaching for us, instead of us reaching for God. God knew our nature and we were so rebellious, God came in spite of our nature. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph 2:8-10 (KJV)-We should walk in the fullness of grace because we recognize that we are only here by grace.
5. Grace by definition-it is Gods free and unmerited favor shown to guilty sinners who deserve only judgment. It is the love of God shown to the unlovely. Have you ever had an active feud where you didn’t speak to someone or didn’t want to be around them? It takes some people 20 yrs to recover from of feud. The truth is we know how to distance people that we have a beef with. We had beef with God when we were sinners. This is why God said to Paul, why are you persecuting me? When you are persecuting God’s people (including yourself), you are persecuting him. Just like this we have learned how to distance ourselves from God when we have beef with him. Even when you say don’t let me have this hangover, God heard you or when you said don’t let me have this disease when you knew you did all you could to catch the disease, God heard you (your prayer). This is what grace does. It helps you understand how messed up you really are.
II. How do I live in the kingdom by grace?
1. If we came in by grace, we have to live in God’s kingdom by grace. If we did not come in this kingdom by works, then we can’t live in this kingdom by works. Grace is the only thing that can sustain us in the kingdom. 6 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 (KJV)-God made a divine deposit in our life. It is our purpose.
2. There are things that God does that we don’t understand. God deposited things in us before our parents knew us and before we were born. God knew we would have a sin nature.
3. Our flesh tries to keep our purpose from coming to past. Before coming to Christ, we were our own worst enemy. Despite all of that, God would not let us blow it. God was waiting for us to come back home to him. We had seasons that we purposely tried not to develop ourselves, but God refused to let our foolishness blow it. Some people can testify that God is still creating works in them despite what they have done. People call back into remembrance things you done, but God can still use you no matter what you have done, because of his grace.
4. Because of grace, we fall but we get up. 16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. Prov 24:16 (KJV) – This scripture simply appropriates grace, because God knows what is in us. Just because you are saved, doesn’t mean that you will not fall. Everyone saved has had a moment where they have fallen. The difference is the righteous understand grace. They get up and dust themselves off and try again. The wicked keep falling because they don’t understand grace. Ex- A kid tries to learn to ride his bicycle. The child keeps falling off his bicycle, because the training wheels have just been taken off. Likewise, this is what we do when we first get saved. At first we can ride life well when we first get saved. It is new and God gives us extra support. Eventually the Lord will take the training wheels of so that you can learn to maneuver on your own. The father says it time for you to really step out and he takes the training wheels off and you fall. All you know to do when you fall is call to your daddy and he recognizing that riding the bike is greater than him pacifying the pain, allows you to there for a minute to try and figure this thing out. He wants you to keep trying while learning from your experience.
III. Our works is a result of walking in God’s grace.
1. Your works are an indicator of how you respond out of God’s love and grace. 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph 2:9-10 (KJV)-Your works are an indicator of how you respond out of God’s love and grace. If we do it for any other reason, it is performance based. Think about leaders or those who serve in ministry. For example: choir members. If there wasn’t bible study or a service going on, would you still be singing at this very moment? If you weren’t’ on program, would you still be here? What is your motivation for being here or at any service? Is it brownie points or because you want to be there? Ex-Bishop Walker explains that he is in a new season involving his training Pastors (which is a Bishop’s job). He explains that he is training Pastors who are older than he has been in the world. He explains that because of their age, he has to challenge them in the area of shifts in the church. We have to get away from work based religion such as tithes? Often Pastors come from perspective where if you tithe, God will open the windows in heaven and pour out blessings that are more than we have room enough to receive. The problem with this is what if you lose your job or what if he doesn’t open the windows of heaven and bless you immediately? You ought to give, because you love God and nothing else. What if things don’t turn out like you think they ought to, and then you become angry for tithing and for what you did in the name of God? This still makes you performance based. The worst person to be around is someone that reminds you of what they did for you all the time? This is how we come across with to the Lord with this performance based approach. We are saying to the Lord, “I paid my tithes, why did you let this happen?” This is equivalent to your kids saying, “Well I made up my bed!” Our response would be, “You don’t pay any bills here and you are supposed to make up your bed!” Making up the bed is a kid’s duty or reasonable sacrifice. Just like this, tithing is one of those things we should think God owes us for. As a child of God, this is something we are simply supposed to do. This is our reasonable service. We should do the things that God ask simply because we love him.
2. It is important to understand that God’s blessing flow through grace not performance. 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 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 2:6-7 (KJV)-God still wants to show his grace in the days to come.
3. We do those things that are pleasing in God’s sight.22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 1 John 3:22 (KJV)
4. There are some powerful things we can learn from parables. They are earthly lessons with spiritual implications. One of the most powerful is found in Math 20:1-16. Here is a contemporary summary. The Kingdom of Heaven is like brother that had a business. Early one morning the business owner went to the corner to get people to work for him. He said he would give them a penny for their work for the day. This meant the contract was set. In the 3rd hour he asked some more people to come work for them and told them at the end of the day he would pay them whatever is right. They agreed and they too went to work for him. At the 6th, 9rd , and the 11th hour, he did the same thing. He told all of them that he would pay them what was fair at the end of the workday. When the day was over, the business owner told his Forman bring the workers in so that he could pay them. He calls them from the last to the beginning. He started with the ones that came in last and he paid them a penny. He gave the group that came in just before them and so on all a penny or a day’s wages. The ones that the business owner called first were offended. They felt they should have gotten more, because they were there all day long. They started murmuring and then they asked why the business owner paid the workers that came in later the same amount as he did them that had worked all day long. He answered to them that he didn’t do any wrong them. He asked them did they remember what he promised he would pay them. That was the contract. He asks can’t he do what he wants with his own money? In God’s kingdom, the last shall be first and the first last. It is up to God how he awards his grace.
5. Many are called, but few are chosen. You have always heard this all your life, but most of the time it was out of context. Ex-Someone has been in an organization for 5yrs. Another person comes aboard and 5wks later they are placed over the person that has been there 5yrs. The one that has been there 5yrs is cool with the fact that somebody has been placed ahead of them with less tenure. The one with 5yrs of tenure represents the chosen. You think God gives brownie points for your work. You think God is a God that gives benefits based on tenure. Grace has nothing to do with tenure. What is for you is for you. Are you one of the chosen ones?
IV. It is about humility
Humility brings about life. 4 True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life. Prov 22:4 (NLT).
There will come a day where the Lord will try your work by fire. 13 But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone’s work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value.1 Cor 3:13 (NLT). Peter calls this the fiery trial. God will send fire to try your work to see what your real motivation is and to see where your heart is. Ex-God tried Bishops work by fire. One was the Death of a his spouse. This fire was so intense, Bishop explains that he asked God to fire him from his assignment. He just wanted the hurt to be over. God said this is the fire to see what Bishop is really preaching for. When the fire was sent, if Bishop was able to still come to the church and tell people that was a healer, then God would know for sure that Bishop Walker was for real. Because we are a part of this ministry, there is such an anointing that we under. This anointing comes with the privilege of not being able to do some things. That privilege is that we don’t have the privilege of being on a pitty party. If the head of this ministry (Bishop Walker) was experiencing death while yet still preaching God is a healer, then we are not allowed to bury our head in the sand. We are under too much anointing. Bishop admits that he has to ask for strength and patience concerning people that stop showing up at the least little thing that happens in their life. We show up, because we know it ain’t nothing but the grace of God that allows most of us to get and face the world day to day. How dare you roll over and fall over into depression. All of us are here by grace. You belong to a church that doesn’t allow you the option to quit. Be steadfast, unmovable, always abiding in his word. Your labor is not in vain.
6 examples of God’s grace
1. Saving grace- 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 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. John 3:15-16 (KJV)-The love is the grace. God loved us when we didn’t love ourselves. God gave the best that he had all in the name of grace. 11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. Titus 2:11 (NLT)-We thank God for saving us. Ex-Bishop admits he still gets emotional when people get saved. He says he doesn’t want to get to far from remembering when God saved him.
2. Sanctifying grace-this is growing in grace 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 (KJV)-when we get saved, we need help growing in this walk. First we want to grow in word, because of what I have read. Then we come to church to hear the word. Through what we hear, we develop faith, now we need a corresponding action. God then tries the word in us so we can put it into action. Now we know God for ourselves.
3. Sustaining grace- 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one. 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. John 10:27-31 (KJV)-Imagine if you are in hands of father. He says nothing can pluck you out. When the enemy tries to take your mind, God keeps your mind intact.
4. Sovereign grace-while in God’s hand we are saying to God that he can do what he will with us. 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. Romans 11:36 (KJV)-God can do what he wants to do , but whatever he does is for his glory. We have to get like Job. In the midst of losing everything we recognize that the Lord gives and he takes away, but blessed be the name of the Lord.
5. Sufficient grace. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 2 Cor 12:7 (KJV) – It is all about the throne. Paul asked God three times for the thorn to be removed, but God reminded Paul that his grace was enough sustain him. God gave grace for you to sustain what you never thought you could endure
6. Shielding grace-you can be vulnerable when you have a thorn in your flesh. 8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Prov 2:8 (KJV)-God will your preserve your path. 8 I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe. Psalms 4:8 (NLT)-God only allows you to deal in a realm of safety. We are so sure that we of our safety, we can sleep at night, because we know God has this thing. 2 Put on your armor, and take up your shield. Prepare for battle, and come to my aid. Psalms 35:2 (NLT) – All the apparatus you have is for safety, yet God still has it in control. This doesn’t mean you don’t have to wear a seat belt, but at the end of the day it was the grace that got you through. Why are you here tonight after all the attacks, and all the times you went wrong instead of right? Why are you here? Were you lucky? Did you have control over all that happened to you? No it was God’s grace.

Grace of God, Bible Study 04.29.09

Grace of God
Bible study 04/29/09
Delivered by Bishop Walker
When you talk about grace, you are talking about one of the greater attributes of God. Some people don’t understand this and take it for granted. In Acts 17, Paul has a conversation with the philosophers. A lot of these philosophers were talking about how they felt it to be important that you worship in temple with religious apparatuses and rituals. 25 and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need there is. Acts 17:25 (NLT)-Paul explains that there is nothing we can do by hand that will please God. God is simply a giver by nature. God gives himself freely to us. Grace is something that God gave to us that we did not deserve. It is all in how we:
I. Approach God
a. Grace is about getting what we don’t deserve and receiving God’s unmerited favor.
b. As a result of our relationship with Jesus, we are assured grace and peace. God the Father chose you long ago, and the Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Jesus Christ and are cleansed by his blood. May you have more and more of God’s special favor and wonderful peace. 1 Peter 1:2 (NLT)
c. We are receiving the goal of our faith. 9 Your reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:9 (NLT)-the goal of our faith is salvation.
d. The Old Testament prophesied of Jesus’ coming and he represents that which we did not deserve. 10 This salvation was something the prophets wanted to know more about. They prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you, even though they had many questions as to what it all could mean. 1 Peter 1:10 (NLT). When Jesus came that was God giving us what we did not deserve (grace). We ran the bill up (with our sins) and owed the debt, death was the cost, and Jesus came and took the debt away. The fact that we are saved is an extension of God’s grace. If we really look at this, we realize that God is a giver and grace must not have anything do with us. Grace is about God and who he is. We can’t earn grace and we certainly don’t deserve it.
e. The Prodigal Son. Luke 15 tells us about the prodigal son. The focal point of this story is not the straying away of the son or even the son that stayed behind. It is about the response of the father. The prodigal son leaves and hits rock bottom and on the other side, you have another son that was faithful and never left home. When the prodigal son returns home, the father has the servants bring him the best robe and has them to kill a calf for a feast he would have in honor of the lost son returning home. The son that never left represents the nature of us today. He questions why his father would fuss over the son that foolishly left, when he remained firm the whole time. The son that stayed home is angered that no one ever bothered to make a fuss over him when he has done right, yet they fuss over those who have done wrong. We must realize that Grace is not about who you are, it is about God bestowing favor on whomever he chooses. We think we earn brownie points because of what we do for God, but God’s grace will bump anyone up in line ahead of us at his discretion. Who are we to think we deserve grace before anyone else. None of us have earned it anyway. We are all recipients of unmerited favor.
II. Grace versus the Law
a. The law was what the Hebrew people lived by. The law was a task master. This next scripture is a Theologians dream scripture. This scripture is like a modern day CNN. It will give you and insight on the law verses grace like you never have seen before. 23 The son of the slave-wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God’s own fulfillment of his promise. 24 Now these two women serve as an illustration of God’s two covenants. Hagar, the slave-wife, represents Mount Sinai where people first became enslaved to the law. 25 And now Jerusalem is just like Mount Sinai in Arabia, because she and her children live in slavery. 26 But Sarah, the free woman, represents the heavenly Jerusalem. And she is our mother. 27 That is what Isaiah meant when he prophesied, “Rejoice, O childless woman! Break forth into loud and joyful song, even though you never gave birth to a child. For the woman who could bear no children now has more than all the other women”! 28 And you, dear brothers and sisters, are children of the promise, just like Isaac. Gal 4:23-28 (NLT)-Paul is making a reference to Abraham. Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman, Hagar (Ishmael). She was given to him by Abraham’s wife, because Sarah thought she was barren. Ishmael was born the ordinary way. The other son was born by Sarah. Sarah was 89 years old when the Lord opened her womb and allowed her to be able to conceive a baby. Ishmael was born by the standards of human law. Abraham and Sarah thought since she was too old to conceive, it would be logical for Abraham to sleep with Hagar and get a son. Isaac was born through the promise of God. Isaac was born through extra ordinary circumstances. He was born into a situation that should have been impossible, because Sarah was 89. The son born the ordinary way (Ishmael) and his family persecuted the one born by the spirit (Isaac). As a result, they were banished from Abraham’s land. This led to a struggle that is still going on today. The decedents of Ishmael are still at odds with the descendants of Isaac today. The struggle between the two nations still exists today. It is a struggle over law and grace. Muhammad, a descendant of Ishmael, has brought over one billion people on to his side of this ancient conflict through the religion of Islam. (more on this can be found at http://www.therefinersfire.org/ishmael_and_isaac.htm)
b. Ordinary is the natural way of the law. Ordinary is a way rising up through the ranks through ordinary religion and doctrines or a religious system so to speak. The ordinary way represents the Old Testament Law (the task master). Jesus came in and brought folk in by the promise. Through the promise, it doesn’t matter how long you have been doing anything. God will elevate your through grace. There will always be a conflict with those who live by grace and those who live by the law. The law was a task master. It was a set of rules that did not promote spiritual growth.
c. What will we do with the law? Ex- How does the law manifest? There was a woman in the bible that was caught in the very act of adultery. The religious leaders quote the law. Jesus says I am not going the ordinary way, he is going by grace. He asked them without sin to throw the first stones. They had to all drop their stones, because no one had escaped sin. God says that he is not impressed with our human energy. You will not work your way to a place where you will have bragging rights in heaven. In fact God says heaven will be a great surprise. We will be surprised who didn’t make it to heaven. 1 Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves great wealth for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. 2 They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set. Gal 4:1-2 (NLT)-We have been trying to work through a system of laws instead of doing things God’s way. The whole time, we are getting further away from God which is what Satan wants. 10 But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all these commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.” 11 Consequently, it is clear that no one can ever be right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” Gal 3:10-11 (NLT), 8 God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Eph 2:8-9 (NLT)-We can’t boast about where we are. It is by God’s grace that we are still here. This is nothing more than an extension of God’s grace.
III. What it means to be under the law
a. God did this to demonstrate his justice. 21 But now God has shown us a different way of being right in his sight—not by obeying the law but by the way promised in the Scriptures long ago. 22 We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done. 23 For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. 25 For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God’s anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us. God was being entirely fair and just when he did not punish those who sinned in former times. Romans 3:21-25 (NLT)
b. God left what was done before hand unpunished. 26 And he is entirely fair and just in this present time when he declares sinners to be right in his sight because they believe in Jesus. 27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on our good deeds. It is based on our faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law Romans 3:26-28 (NLT).The wages of sin is death, and we were left unpunished.
c. If you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law. 18 But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the law. Gal 5:18 (NLT); We have been delivered from the law. 4 So this is the point: The law no longer holds you in its power, because you died to its power when you died with Christ on the cross. And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, you can produce good fruit, that is, good deeds for God. 5 When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced sinful deeds, resulting in death. 6 But now we have been released from the law, for we died with Christ, and we are no longer captive to its power. Now we can really serve God, not in the old way by obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way, by the Spirit. Romans 7:4-6 (NLT)
d. The relation between law and sin. 56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 1 Cor 15:56 (NLT)-the power of sin is found in the law. The law arouses things in us. 7 Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is evil? Of course not! The law is not sinful, but it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” Romans 7:7 (NLT)-Imagine if you were told that under your chair is taped a 100 dollar bill. You are told not to look for it. This represents the law. Think about it. You had no desire for $100 bill until you were told not to look for it. The law aroused something in you that makes you long to know if it is true. This is what makes the law complicated. When Satan asked Eve about the tree, she did not long for the fruit until she recalled what the law said about not touching the fruit. The fact that God says not to do it, is what makes it more appealing to us. We have no problem doing the “dos” or the things the bible says to do. Our struggle is with the “don’ts”. We have a strange desire to do what the bible says not to do.
e. The commandment produced all of our covetous desires. 7 “But,” some might still argue, “how can God judge and condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?” 8 If you follow that kind of thinking, however, you might as well say that the more we sin the better it is! Those who say such things deserve to be condemned, yet some slander me by saying this is what I preach! 9 Well then, are we Jews better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin. 10 As the Scriptures say, “No one is good— not even one. Romans 3:7-10 (NLT)
f. Sin is deadly. When the commandments came, sin sprung. The commandment that intended to bring us life caused our death. The law and commandment is Holy, it produced death in us, by what was good. Sin was aroused by the law. The sin in us stimulates all of our desires. This is why Paul says we couldn’t live under the law. Paul says the thing I want to do, I don’t’… Paul says he has this war in his flesh and he can’t figure out how to break it.
g. Who is going to save us? The law can’t save us. 20 For no one can ever be made right in God’s sight by doing what his law commands. For the more we know God’s law, the clearer it becomes that we aren’t obeying it. Romans 3:20 (NLT), 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. Romans 3:28 (NLT), 16 And yet we Jewish Christians know that we become right with God, not by doing what the law commands, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be accepted by God because of our faith in Christ—and not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be saved by obeying the law.” Gal 2:16 (NLT)
IV. Justification and grace (reconciling it)
a. We hope that while we have studied these scriptures, the knowledge has gone much deeper than we assume. Watch how revelation knowledge pops out at us now:
b. 1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Since we have been acquitted, we don’t have to worry what you think about our past, because we have peace with God. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. Now we have access to stuff we didn’t think we would have though grace. Because we were standing in grace, we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to endure. Now that we have received unmerited favor, we go through without whining. 4 And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. Our perseverance is producing character and that produces hope. 5 And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God poured it into our heart. 6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. When we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Now, no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person who is especially good. You can’t find someone that is willing to die for a righteous man, let alone one who is not righteous. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s judgment. Romans 5:1-9 (NLT)- While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
c. 20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful kindness became more abundant. Romans 5:20 (NLT) – We were added so the trespass might increase, but the more mess that came, the more grace God gave more grace. We were guilty of the charge that the jury read, but instead of the sentence of death being imposed on us, Jesus stepped in and acquitted us of all the charges. Not only did he grant us grace, he made it like the crime never happened.