1. THE CHRISTIAN M&M’S Last weeks message WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION II CORINTHIANS 5:18-21

2. As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. RECEIVING THE GRACE OF GOD TODAYS MESSAGE

3. 1.The Corinthians had received God’s grace a. They were Christians But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. I Cor. 6:11 But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. I Cor. 6:11 b. Salvation is a gift Eph. 2:8,9 b. Salvation is a gift Eph. 2:8,9 2. It is possible to receive God’s grace in vain a. The statement shows possibility b. What does this verse mean? 1) This verse has nothing to do with salvation from sin

4. 2) The statement comes from a fellow worker, the Apostle Paul, who recognized our partnership with Jesus “We then, [as] workers together with Him”, 3) The statement comes in the form of a plea of urgency “we urge you” 4) The statement comes from an OT context of Isaiah 49

5. READ ISAIAH 49:1-13 (CONTEXT) And said unto me, You are my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified…3 I will also give you for a light to the Gentiles, that you may be my salvation unto the end of the earth….6 Thus says the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard you, and in a day of salvation have I helped you: and I will preserve you, and give you for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; v. 8

6. 5) The “grace” referred to here is the promised help and provision of God to His people for ministry. Example “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon 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.” I Cor. 15:10

7. 3. How not to receive the grace of God in vain (In context, two primary ways) a. Don’t be a stumbling block “We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.” v. 3 b. We are to commend ourselves “Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves” v. 4

8. c. The means by which we commend ourselves “in every way:” In much patience – enduring of trials In afflictions – things that press down In necessities – must needs In distresses – narrow places – tight spot In beatings – lashings by way of punishment In imprisonments - In riots – tumult or crowd disturbance In labors – trouble united with extreme toil

9. In sleepless nights by watching In fasting – voluntary deprivation of food In purity – upright life - holy In knowledge In forbearance and kindness In the Holy Spirit and in sincere love In the word of truth In the power of God With weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left Through glory and dishonor Through bad report and good report

10. Genuine, yet regarded as impostors Known, yet regarded as unknown Dying, but look, we live on Beaten, and yet not killed Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing Poor, yet making many rich Having nothing, and yet possessing everything

11. Simply put, we receive the grace of God in vain if: 1. We do not allow it to manifest to others in the midst of our life experiences and ministry 2. We try to do in the flesh what can only be done in the Spirit. Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? 4 Have you suffered so much for nothing--if it really was for nothing? Gal. 3:3-4