Sermon #1280[1] Miscellaneous
Sermons
Title: GRACE
Text: Hebrews 4:16
Reading: Bob
Poncer & James Jordan
Subject: The Blessedness And Efficacy
Of God’s Saving Grace.
Date: Sunday Evening—June 15, 2003
Tape # X_64b
Introduction:
Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of
need."
Almost all professing
Christians profess to believe that salvation is by grace. The Bible states the
fact of salvation by grace alone so often and so clearly that you can hardly
find any who claim to be Christians who openly deny it.
The trouble is that the vast
majority of men and women, and the vast majority of preachers, talk about grace
in such a way that they frustrate it. The grace they talk about is not grace at
all, but works and freewillism!
It is therefore needful that
we be constantly and clearly instructed in the doctrine of the grace of God. I
want to talk to you tonight about GRACE,
that grace that comes from God who sits upon, and sovereignly rules this
universe from his lofty “throne of
grace.” This message is important for four reasons.
1. Salvation by grace destroys all room for human
boasting.
“Boasting excluded, pride I
abase;
I’m only a sinner saved by
grace!”
1
Corinthians 4:7 "For who maketh thee to
differ from another? and what hast
thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou
hadst not received it?"
If your idea of salvation allows you to boast that
the difference between you and other people is something you are, something you
have done, something you decided, or something you willed, you do not yet know
the gospel of the grace of God. You have not yet been taught of God. You do not
yet know God. No man, no flesh, can glory before God! God’s people know better
than to boast even of their repentance and faith. We know that even these
things are the gifts of God and the operations of his grace in us (Acts 5:31;
11:17; Rom. 2:4; 1 Cor. 3:5; Eph. 1:19; 2:8; Phil. 1:29; Col. 2:12). All the
graces that are in God’s saints are the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal.
5:22-23).
2. Salvation by grace alone means that God gets all the
praise, honor, and glory for it.
God the Father gets all praise for planning it. God
the Son gets all praise for purchasing it. And God the Holy Spirit gets all
praise for performing it (Eph. 1:3-14). “As
it is written, he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord!”
Here is a
litmus test for all doctrine. If it makes you swell with pride, if it causes you
to look to yourself and say, with regard to any aspect of salvation, “There, I
did that,” it is heresy. It is not the doctrine of grace. However, if it causes
you to bow humbly before God, blush with shame, and say, “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory,” then
you can be sure it is according to the doctrine of the grace of God.
3. This message is important because any mixture of
works with grace, any mixture of merit with mercy, any mixture of what you do
with what God does is not only a terribly evil thing, but utterly damning to
your soul.
We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in
Christ alone. Grace plus anything is not salvation, but damnation. Faith plus
anything is not salvation, but damnation. Christ plus anything is not
salvation, but damnation (Rom. 11:6; Gal. 5:2, 4).
Romans 11:6 "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace
is no more grace. But if it be of
works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."
Galatians
5:2 "Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye
be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing."
Galatians
5:4 "Christ is become of no effect unto you,
whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."
4. Once more, as I said at the beginning, this message
is important because very few people, very few professing Christians, very few
preachers, and consequently very few people in this world know what grace is.
Most people imagine that
grace is a passion, or desire in the heart of God to save sinners, or that
grace is something God offers to men, or that grace is something God gives men
a chance to use to workout their own salvation. Nothing could be further from
the truth. The Bible never talks about grace like that. Grace is both an attribute of God and the work and operation of God
by which he saves sinners. Whenever you think about grace, or talk
about it, always remember that as it
is described in the Bible, grace has four distinct characteristics. Any
definition of grace that violates any of these four characteristics is in
direct opposition to the Word of God.
·
Grace is eternal (2 Tim. 1:9).
2 Timothy 1:9
"Who hath saved us, and called us
with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own
purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world
began,"
·
Grace is immutable (Mal. 3:6; Rom.
11:29).
Malachi 3:6
"For I am the LORD, I
change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."
Romans 11:29
"For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance."
·
Grace is sovereign (Rom. 9:11-24)
Romans 9:11-18
"(For the children being
not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God
according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) (12) It was said unto her, The elder
shall serve the younger. (13) As it
is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. (14) What shall we say then? Is
there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. (15) For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have
mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. (16) So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God
that showeth mercy. (17) For the
scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up,
that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared
throughout all the earth. (18) Therefore
hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy,
and whom he will he hardeneth."
·
Grace is effectual (Eph. 2:8-9).
Ephesians
2:8-9 "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."
Proposition: Wherever God bestows his
grace, salvation is the result. Grace is not the offer of salvation or of an
opportunity to be saved. Grace is the accomplishment of salvation.
Divisions: Now
let me show you how God’s grace is described in the Scriptures and what it is
said to do. Follow with me through the Word of God. I am going to show you
seven things the Word of God reveals about divine grace. The Bible
shows us that God’s grace is...
1. Covenant Grace!
2. Prevenient Grace!
3. Regenerating Grace!
4. Justifying Grace!
5. Sanctifying Grace!
6. Sufficient Grace!
7. Keeping Grace!
I. First,
the grace of God, by which we are saved, is set forth in the Word of God as COVENANT GRACE (Eph.
1:2-6; 2 Tim. 1:9).
Ephesians
1:1-6 "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the
will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ
Jesus: (2) Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
(3) Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in
heavenly places in Christ: (4) According as he hath chosen us in
him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without
blame before him in love: (5) Having
predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself,
according to the good pleasure of his will,
(6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us
accepted in the beloved."
2 Timothy
1:9-10 "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according
to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in
Christ Jesus before the world began, (10)
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who
hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through
the gospel:"
Salvation
is the result of a covenant made between the three Persons of the Holy Trinity
before the world began. In that blessed, firm, and everlasting covenant of grace four things
happened...
A. A people were chosen unto salvation (2
Thess. 2:13-14).
2
Thessalonians 2:13-14 "But we are bound to give
thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath
from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit
and belief of the truth: (14) Whereunto
he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus
Christ."
B. A ransom was found for the redemption of the chosen (Job
33:24; Rev. 13:8).
Job 33:24 "Then he is gracious unto him, and
saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom."
Revelation
13:8 "And all that dwell upon the earth shall
worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain
from the foundation of the world."
C. A seal was pledged—“Hurt not the earth till we
have sealed the hundred and forty and four thousand” (2 Pet. 3:9).
2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his
promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not
willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
D. The salvation of God’s elect was secured in divine
predestination (Rom. 8:28-30).
Romans
8:28-30 "And we know that all things work
together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according
to his purpose. (29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son,
that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and
whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also
glorified."
Saving grace is covenant grace. You cannot understand what the Bible teaches about grace unless you begin in eternity, in the everlasting covenant.
II. Second,
“The grace of God that bringeth
salvation” is PREVENIENT GRACE.
Preachers do not talk about it much anymore because preachers, for the most part, know nothing about the grace of God; but a common theme of meditation and preaching in earlier times was God’s prevenient grace.
The word “prevenient” means preceding. Prevenient
grace is the secret operation of grace that precedes and prepares the way for
God’s saving grace. Prevenient grace is illustrated in many ways in the Word of
God. I will call your attention to just three aspects of it. Prevenient
grace is...
A. FORMATIVE GRACE (Gal. 1:15; Jer. 1;5; 2 Tim.
3:15).
Jeremiah
1:5 "Before I formed thee in the belly I
knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the
nations."
Galatians
1:15 "But when it pleased God, who separated
me from my mother's womb, and called me by
his grace,"
2 Timothy
3:15 "And that from a child thou hast known
the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through
faith which is in Christ Jesus."
B. RESTRAINING GRACE (1 Sam. 25:13-26; Gen. 20:6—“Hitherto shalt thou go and no further!”
Genesis
20:6 "And God said unto him in a dream, Yea,
I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning
against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her."
1 Samuel
25:13-26 "And David said unto his men, Gird ye on
every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also
girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and
two hundred abode by the stuff. (14) But
one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent
messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them. (15) But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any
thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields: (16) They were a wall unto us both by
night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. (17) Now therefore know and consider
what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all
his household: for he is such a son
of Belial, that a man cannot speak to
him. (18) Then Abigail made haste,
and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready
dressed, and five measures of parched corn,
and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid
them on asses. (19) And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I
come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal. (20) And it was so, as she
rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert on the hill, and, behold,
David and his men came down against her; and she met them. (21) Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that
nothing was missed of all that pertained unto
him: and he hath requited me evil for good.
(22) So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all
that pertain to him by the morning
light any that pisseth against the wall.
(23) And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and
fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, (24) And fell at his feet, and said,
Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience,
and hear the words of thine handmaid.
(25) Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name,
and folly is with him: but I thine
handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send. (26) Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from
coming to shed blood, and from
avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they
that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal."
C. OVERRULING GRACE (Philemon 15).
Philemon
1:15 "For perhaps he therefore departed for a
season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;"
Illustration: Gomer!—The Prodigal!—Peter!
Hosea 2:8 "For she did not know that I gave her
corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal."
Psalms
76:10 "Surely the wrath of man shall praise
thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain."
How I rejoice and give thanks to God for his free, covenant grace and for his secret, prevenient grace. It is this prevenient grace that keeps and preserves his elect throughout their days of rebellion unto the day of their calling (Jude 1).
Jude 1:1 "Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and
brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved
in Jesus Christ, and called:"
Prevenient
grace gives the angels their charge (Heb. 14).
Hebrews
1:14 "Are they not all ministering spirits,
sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"
III. Third,
the grace of God by which we are saved is REGENERATING
GRACE (Eph. 2:1-10).
The new birth is a regeneration, a resurrection from
the dead, a new creation. It takes something more than the choice and decision
of your free-will to accomplish that! It takes the grace of God. Ephesians 2:1-10 describes God’s
regenerating grace.
·
Verses 1-3 show us The Condition of Man.
Ephesians 2:1-3 "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: (2) Wherein in time past ye walked
according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of
the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (3) Among whom also we all had our
conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of
the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as
others."
·
Verses 4-6 talk about The Call of God.
Ephesians 2:4-6 "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his
great love wherewith he loved us, (5) Even
when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye
are saved;) (6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:"
·
Verse 7 demonstrates The Cause of Mercy.
Ephesians 2:7
"That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his
grace in his kindness toward us
through Christ Jesus."
·
Verses 8-10 display The Character of Grace. It
always operates alone! It is always effectual!
Ephesians 2:8-10 "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."
The grace of God does not
offer eternal life. It produces it! The grace of God does not advise sinners to
be born again. The grace of God is that by which sinners are born again!
IV. Fourth, the grace of God by which
sinners are transformed, saved, and made to be saints is JUSTIFYING GRACE (Rom. 3:24).
Romans 3:24
"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is
in Christ Jesus:"
I realize that justification
was accomplished long before regeneration is experienced.
·
We were justified in the purpose of God eternally (Rom. 8:29) in the
Lamb slain.
·
We were justified by the purchase of blood at Calvary when our Savior
died for us and paid our debt.
However, in our experience of things, justification
comes to us and is known by us after regeneration, after we are born of God, as
the result of our faith in Christ’s blood atonement (Rom. 3:24-28).
Romans
3:24-28 "Being justified freely by his grace
through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (25) Whom God hath set forth to
be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness
for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (26) To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and
the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (27) Where is boasting
then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. (28) Therefore we conclude that a man
is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."
All who trust the Lord Jesus Christ are justified
freely by the grace of God, without the works of the law. That means three
things:
A. We are completely forgiven
of all sin by the blood of Christ in Effectual Redemption.
B. The righteousness of Christ
is imputed to us in Free Justification.
C. We “shall not come into condemnation!” We are “accepted in the Beloved.”
Thank God for that grace that freely justifies
helpless, guilty sinners!
V. Fifthly, God’s grace is SANCTIFYING GRACE (1 Cor. 6:11).
1 Corinthians
6:9-11 "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall
not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with
mankind, (10) Nor thieves, nor
covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the
kingdom of God. (11) And such were
some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in
the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
Many are sadly confused about sanctification. Many
who really appear to believe that salvation is by grace alone, when they come
to the subject of sanctification, make it to be a work of God and man together!
However the language of the Bible clearly declares sanctification to be a work
of grace alone. God’s sanctifying grace is threefold. We are sanctified...
A. BY THE DECREE OF GOD FROM ETERNITY (Jude 1).
Jude 1:1 "Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and
brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved
in Jesus Christ, and called:"
B. BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST IN REDEMPTION (Heb. 10:10).
Hebrews
10:10 "By the which will we are sanctified
through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
Hebrews
10:14 "For by one offering he hath perfected
for ever them that are sanctified."
C. BY THE HOLY SPIRIT IN REGENERATION—By the imparted righteousness of Christ (2 Thess. 2:13). “Made partakers of the divine nature!”
2
Thessalonians 2:13 "But we are bound to give
thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath
from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit
and belief of the truth:"
Like every other aspect of salvation, sanctification
is...
·
By grace alone!
·
In Christ alone (1 Cor. 1:30).
You will search the New Testament in vain to find a
solitary reference to partial or progressive sanctification. Sanctification is
never referred to as something we do for God. It is something God does in and
for us!
However, though our sanctification in Christ is
perfect and complete, not partial and progressive as many imagine,
sanctification is a continual thing that causes every believer to...
1. GROW IN GRACE (2 Pet. 3:18).
2 Peter 3:18 "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.
Serve RIGHTEOUSNESS (Rom. 6:18).
Romans 6:18 "Being then made free from sin, ye
became the servants of righteousness."
3.
CONSECRATE HIMSELF TO CHRIST (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor.
6:19-20).
Romans
12:1-2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by
the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service. (2) And be not
conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
1
Corinthians 6:19-20 "What? know ye not that
your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which
is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (20) For ye are bought with a price:
therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
VI. Sixth,
God’s grace is SUFFICIENT GRACE (2
Cor. 12:7-10).
2
Corinthians 12:7-10 "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. (8) For
this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (9) And he said unto me, My grace is
sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly
therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may
rest upon me. (10) 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."
There is an infinite, super abounding, overflowing
sufficiency in the grace of God to meet all the needs of all his people
forever. No matter who you are, no matter what your needs may be, no matter
what circumstances you are in, if you are a believer, if you trust the Lord
Jesus Christ, the Lord God says to you—“My grace is sufficient for thee!” And I am here to tell you it is so!
A. His grace is sufficient to sustain you in your
trials (Isa. 43).
Isaiah
43:1-5 "But now thus saith the LORD that
created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have
redeemed thee, I have called thee by
thy name; thou art mine. (2) When thou passest through the
waters, I will be with thee; and
through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the
fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (3) For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave
Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and
Seba for thee. (4) Since thou wast
precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee:
therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. (5) Fear not: for I am with thee."
B. His grace is sufficient to uphold you in temptation (1
Cor. 10:13).
1
Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation
taken you but such as is common to man: 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."
C. His grace is sufficient to enable you to do his will.
Someone said, “The Spirit of God will never lead you
where the grace of God will not keep you.” “Faithful
is he that calleth you, who also will do it!”
D. His grace is sufficient to uphold, sustain, provide
for, and protect his servants and to make their labors effectual to the souls
of men. “Our sufficiency is of God!”
E. His grace is sufficient even for, no, especially,
for his fallen saints (Psa. 37:23-25; Mk. 16:7).
Psalms
37:23-25 "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. (24) Though he fall, he shall not be
utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him
with his hand. (25) I have been
young, and now am old; yet have I not
seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."
Mark 16:7 "But go your way, tell his disciples AND PETER that he goeth before
you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you."
F. In your last hour, when you come to the swelling of
the Jordan and are about to cross over to the other side, you will yet hear him
say, “My grace is sufficient for thee!”
I have been talking to you about the grace of God. I
have been trying to show you how the
Bible defines, describes, and illustrates grace. God’s saving grace is...
·
Covenant grace!
·
Prevenient grace!
·
Regenerating grace!
·
Justifying grace!
·
Sanctifying grace!
·
And sufficient grace!
VII. Now turn to 1 Peter 5:10 and
understand this one last fact about God’s saving grace—It is KEEPING GRACE.
1 Peter
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."
He will keep me till the
river
Rolls its waters at my feet;
Then He’ll bear me safely
over,
Where my Savior I shall
meet.
The grace of God is grace that cannot be altered,
destroyed, or taken away, not even by anything we may do.—So that every true
believer should be able to confidently sing with Augustus Toplady...
“A debtor to mercy alone,
Of covenant mercy I sing:
Nor fear, with Thy
righteousness on,
My person and offering to
bring.
The terrors of law and of
God,
With me can have nothing to
do;
My Savior’s obedience and
blood
Hide all my transgressions
from view.
The work which His goodness
began,
The arm of His strength will
complete:
His promise is yea and amen,
And never was forfeited yet.
Not all things below or
above
Can make Him His purpose
forego,
Or sever my soul from His
love.
My name from the palms of
His hands,
Eternity will not erase:
Impressed on His heart it
remains
In marks of indelible grace.
Yes, I to the end shall
endure,
As sure as the earnest is
given;
More happy, but not more
secure,
The glorified spirits in
heaven!”
If you are a believer, God’s keeping grace is as
sure to you now as his covenant grace was before ever you were born (Phil.
1:2-6).
Philippians
1:2-6 "Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (3) I thank my God upon every
remembrance of you, (4) Always in
every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, (5) For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until
now; (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:"
Application: The
grace of God alone is that which distinguishes one sinner from another (1 Cor.
4:7).
1
Corinthians 4:7 "For who maketh thee to
differ from another? and what hast
thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou
hadst not received it?"
Hebrews
4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of
need."
Amen.
[1] See Sermon #1147. Preached Danville, KY—Sunday morning—May 15, 1994 & April 20, 1997—Houston, TX, April 13, 1997—Wichita Falls, TX, April 15, 1997—Yadkinville, NC 5/4/97—Lexington, KY 5/9/97—Saturday Evening, November 20, 1999, First Presbyterian Church, Pottstown, IL—Danville (PM 06/15/03)
Tape #T-61 X-64b