Thursday, December 4, 2014

SIX DIMENSIONS OF GRACE!

This message is an abridged version of my first teaching in this year's Word and Glory Invasion Conference!

The grace of God is what separates us from the Old covenant saints. The Bible tells us that Moses, brought the law to God’s people, but Jesus Christ, brought grace and truth.
The Bible goes on further to tell us that the law was weak, because it did not give the; people the power to be able to keep it, but from our study today, you will see that grace did.
The grace of God, is not the freedom to be bound by a habit, and still be a Christian, it is not the ability to fall into more sin and be forgiven. The grace of God, will not be made more available, to those who willfully and knowingly, decide to continue in sin.
WHAT GRACE IS
A SAVIOUR
 We can see this from the book of Titus chapter 2 and verse 11:
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
This portion of the scripture tells us that grace brings salvation, in other words, grace is a savior. You and I can still see a further explanation of this from Ephesians chapter 2 and verse 5:
5 Even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved ;).
The above scripture again tells us that we are saved by grace, and not of works. This is repeated even more clearly in Ephesians chapter 2 verses 8:
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not by yourselves: it is the gift of God:
A TEACHER

Grace is a teacher, in Titus chapter 2 and verse 12 again, we read another important side of what grace does:
12 Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should learn to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness, it teaches us to deny worldly lusts, it teaches us to live soberly, it teaches us to live righteously. Grace in no way teaches us lewdness, seduction, fornication or adultery. Grace teaches us self-control. Therefore, when a man or a woman or a church is struggling with sin, there are two things that may be involved.
The first is that it may be that he or she has not yet received the teaching of grace, or has not received grace, has received the grace of God in vain.
GRACE: THE POWER OF GOD AND THE STRENGHT OF CHRIST
In the Book of 2 Corinthians chapter 12, Apostle Paul talks about thorn that he had in his flesh. This was a messenger of Satan that was sent to buffet him and he said that he prayed about it so many times. The Lord spoke to him and here is what he said:
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.
Jesus said that his grace was and of course is still sufficient for Paul, you and I if we believe. He goes on to explain that this grace is his strength, which is made more abundant to strengthen you in your weakness. Apostle Paul later called it, the power of Christ. Grace is therefore the power to resist sin.
THE ANOINTING/ THE MIRACLE WORKING POWER OF GOD
In the Book of Acts chapter 4, we read about the great manifestations of the power of God that took place as the Apostles prayed together. Peter and John had healed a lame man. They then went ahead to explain to the elders and leaders of the synagogue who threatened them to stop using the name of Jesus. In Acts chapter 4 verses 31-33, we see the manifestation of power and great grace, leading to signs, miracles and wonders.
GRACE IS A TRANSFORMER (it changes lives).
In the Book of 1 Timothy chapter 1 verses 11-14, Apostle Paul explains how that he was a wicked and an injurious man to the body of Christ, but the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, changed his entire life.
11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer and a persecutor and injurious: but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our LORD was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Jesus Christ.
In the last verse, which is 14, Paul the Apostle explains how that he obtained his change-it was by the grace of our Lord.
You can still prove the transforming power of grace further from what Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 and verse 10:
10 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 them all: yet not I but the grace of God which was with me.
I am what I am by the grace of God, actually means; I became who I am now, by the transforming power of the grace of God. Note also, that he talked about how that grace enabled him to do more work than all the other apostles.
GRACE IS HELPER
In Hebrews chapter 4 and verse and verse 6, Apostle Paul, explains another side of grace-the enabler, or the help:
6 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need.
Conclusion-the grace of is a person-Jesus Christ the son of God.

Song: Jesus-God’s righteousness revealed!

1 comment:

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