May 2001Grace1 Its nature and application

May 2001Grace2 Grace Defined Unmerited or unearned favor –Great or awesome giving without request –Giving without compulsion –Blessing by choice of the giver without reason expressed to the receiver –Loving actions deserving of admiration and adoration, but not demanding adoration –Favor shown without request or reason to deserve Hebrew – “chen” Greek – “charis” (includes thankfulness)

May 2001Grace3 Biblical Concepts – OT Passages Ezra 9:8 Psalm 45:2 [44:2] & 84:11 [83:11] Proverbs 3:34 & 4:9 Jeremiah 31:2 Zechariah 4:7 & 12:10 Hebrew word “Chen” = favor, grace (unmerited/unearned favor), gracious, graceful

May 2001Grace4 NT Passages Greek – “charis” (includes thankfulness) Luke 2:40 John 1:14-17 Acts 4:33; 6:8; 11:23; 13:43; 14:3; 15:11; 15:40; 18:27; 20:24; & 20:32 Romans 1:5-7; 3:24; 4:16; 5:2, 15, 17, 20, 21; 6:1, 14-15; 11:6; 12:3, 6; 15:15; 16:20, 24 1Corinthians 1:3-4; 3:10; 15:10; 16:23 2 Corinthians 1:2, 12; 4:15; 6:1; 8:1, 9; 9:8,14; 12:9; 13:14 Galatians 1:3, 6, 15; 2:9, 21; 5:4; 6:18

May 2001Grace5 More NT Passages Ephesians 1:2; 1:6-7; 2:5-8; 3:2, 3:7-8; 4:7; 4:29; 6:24 Philippians 1:2; 1:7; 4:23 Colossians 1:2; 1:6; 4:6; 4:18 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 5:28 2 Thessalonians 1:2; 1:12; 2:16; 3:18 1 Timothy 1:2; 1:14; 6:21 2 Timothy 1:2; 1:9; 2:1; 4:22 Titus 1:4; 2:11; 3:7; 3:15 Philemon 1:3; 1:25

May 2001Grace6 Still More NT Passages Hebrews 2:9; 4:16; 10:29; 12:15; 13:9; 13:25 James 4:6 1 Peter 1:2, 1:10, 1:13; 3:9; 4:10; 5:5; 5:10; 5:12 2 Peter 1:2; 3:18 2 John 1:3 Jude 1:4 Revelation 1:4; 22:21 Greek word “Charis” = grace, favor, thanks, blessing, gracious, credit, thankfulness, gift

May 2001Grace7 Grace Compared With Truth – John 1:14; Colossians 1:7 With spiritual Power – Acts 6:8; 2Corinthians 12:9 With Peace – Romans 1:7; 16:20; 1Corinthians 1:3; 2Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1Thessalonians 1:1; 2Thessalonians 1:2; 1Timothy 1:2; 2Timothy 1:2; Titus1:4; Philemon 1:3; 1Peter 1:2; 2Peter 1:2; 2John 1:3; Revelation 1:4 With Faith – Romans 5:2; Ephesians 2:8; 1Timothy 1:14 With Wisdom – 2 Corinthians 1:12 With Love – 2 Corinthians 13:14; 2Thessalonians 2:16; 1Timothy 1:14 With Mercy – 1Timothy 1:2; 2Timothy 1:2; Hebrews 4:16; 2John 1:3

May 2001Grace8 Grace Manifested To all mankind (Common Grace) To Believers (Salvation) –Redemption –Deliverance In application to our lives In application to the Church

May 2001Grace9 Common Grace Life –Despite sin & rebellion against God Breath The beating of your heart / blood flowing in you God’s revealing of himself –In nature –In the heavens –In the Spirit –In the Bible Deferred judgment

May 2001Grace10 Grace to Believers Redemption (Salvation) –Redeemed from slavery to sin –Belief in the Gospel –Once – purchased forever for Christ Deliverance –Repentance from disobedience/release from shame –Willing to do the Will of God –Potentially many times –Conforming to the image of Christ to enable us to enter into the presence of God forever –Rescue from the attack of enemies (& The Enemy) –Healing from the effects of sin –Comfort in times of trials and loss

May 2001Grace11 Grace – In Application to Our Lives Forgiveness –For ourselves –For other believers –For the world Persecution Adverse Circumstances Marriage & Family

May 2001Grace12 Forgiveness “Forgetting” a wrong suffered in a way that allows relationships with no hindrance of love—requires the power of His grace –For ourselves—allows us to grow in the spirit rather than clinging to the past (Philippians 3) Note that remembering the past is not required for healing Pressing on toward the higher calling in Christ Jesus Counsel focusing our attention on our calling in Christ is effective –For other believers—allows fellowship (Matthew 18) –For the world—allows us to rejoice in persecution (1 Peter 3:13-4:19) Unforgiveness is a poison & bitter root in our spirit Truly putting our eyes upon Jesus is the key

May 2001Grace13 The Price of Unforgiveness Separation from the source of healing: –Spiritual healing from: Woundedness Emotional scars –Uncontrolled, sudden, or unfocused anger –Fears Hypocrisy Isolation Depression –Physical healing from: Stress –High blood pressure, arthritis, heart disease, etc. Immune deficiency diseases The Spirit of God is the source of healing

May 2001Grace14 Adverse Circumstances (Including Persecution) Circumstances we bring on ourselves –Result of reaping what we have sown (Galatians 6) –Relief (by grace) brought by repentance Repentance allows reaping Fruit of the Spirit Fruit of the Spirit includes patience & endurance even if bad circumstances remain Adversity—from the Adversary (Satan) –As we are joyful (gracefully living in the Spirit), we grow spiritually Common trials of life –Loss of a loved one –Sickness We need to be discerning between these conditions—use the Bible as a mirror

May 2001Grace15 In Marriage & Families Perfected living with imperfect people –Controlling people –Exertion of power & authority –Conditional love rather than Godly love –Infidelity –Drunkenness Discipline of husband & wife Discipline of children Abusive spouse In-law problems Trials of life (poverty, sickness, & death) Being a vessel of grace to each other

May 2001Grace16 Grace – In Application to the Church For the sin of members of the congregation –Discipline & Restoration & Growth For the sin of leaders of the congregation –Discipline & Restoration For the sin of the congregation –Repentance

May 2001Grace17 Sins Ingratitude Pride –“I will” (not God’s will) –“I am better than you” Compulsive Behaviors –Substance abuse (drugs, alcohol, etc.) Division / Dissention Control / Power Financial Sexual Ungodly behaviors –Swearing & other ungodly speech –Unruly behaviors

May 2001Grace18 Sin Unbelief in God

May 2001Grace19 World’s Will Human Decision Making [See Deuteronomy 6:5 & Luke 10:27-28] MindSoulStrength Sin Nature Christ Nature God’s Will X Goal Heart Internal External Control DesireImplement Influences Circumstances Spirits The World Conscience