Sunday 2nd February 2014 - Reigning In Life Through Grace - Brian Nish

REIGNING IN LIFE THROUGH GRACE INTRODUCTION Eph 2v4-5 & 8 – But God who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us……..made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)……..for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God Rom 5v17 – For if by one man’s offence death reigned through the one, how much more will those who receive an abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ Definition:- “Grace is God’s free and undeserved favour – His unconditional love - His abundant goodness - His lavish provision – and His active power etc etc etc” We are not only saved by grace – but we should continue in grace – to reign in life – and to finish our race. Read 'Living In The Grace of God' by Rob Rufus and 'Grace, the Power to Reign’ by Harold Eberle (A) GRACE ENABLES US TO REIGN IN LIFE 1) We reign in life because of our position – not our performance or condition • Our position never changes, but our performance and condition does • We are new creations (2 Cor 5v17) • We are children of God/sons and daughters (Rom 8v16) • We are joint heirs with Christ (Rom 8v17) • We are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus ( Eph 2v6) 2) We reign in life through receiving an abundance of grace (Rom 5v17) • We can approach the throne of grace any time of day or night - and Jesus understands (Heb 4v16) • Remember, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4v6) • “God I’m coming to Your throne because I need grace to reign in life” • His grace is sufficient (2 Cor 12v9) whatever our weakness or circumstances 3) We reign in life because grace enables us to receive God’s love • “Come on how much do you love God?” Result – feel condemned. • We love God because He first loved us (1 John 4v19). Result – we feel loved and then respond to and receive His love 4) We reign in life because grace gives us freedom to choose • Righteousness or sin • To love God and people or not • To honour and please God or not • To obey God and His word or not 5) We reign in life because grace gives us power :- • To say ‘No’ to ungodliness and sin (Titus 2v11-12) • To change bad habits etc (Titus 2v11-12) • To serve God (1 Cor 15v10) • To reign in life (Rom 5v17) (B) ARE WE MOTIVATED BY GUILT OR GRACE? 1) When guilt is our motivation good intentions don’t last. • If we pray, read out bibles, and do good works from guilt we can only keep it up for a few weeks • People motivated by guilt lack consistency, determination, and perseverance 2) When grace is our motivation we will do things that last. • We will live our lives passionately and totally follow Jesus • This means at any cost or any price • We can do this for 60/70 years, not just for a few weeks • Grace liberates us to win our neighbourhoods, cities, and the nations (C) RUNNING OUR RACE BY GRACE (1 Cor 9v24) 1) We may think we are too weak to run this race? • Good – we qualify for God’s grace (2 Cor 12v8-10) • There is no way we can run and win this race in our own strength • We are completely inadequate • God meets us at our point of inadequacy (I can’t – but God can!) 2) We access God’s grace by faith • We have access by faith into this grace (Rom 5v2) • Faith means we believe in God’s grace • Faith believes we can come to the throne of grace (Heb 4v16) • Faith believes we can receive God’s grace 3)Faith is humility • Trust in the Lord with all your heart (Pro 3v5) • God gives grace to the humble (James 4v6) • Grace comes to strengthen and enable our faith • We have nothing to boast about 4) Only grace can enable us to run and finish the race. Baseball game article by Bob Jones (‘Morning Star Journal’ page 80) “The Lord’s team was playing Satan’s. The Lord’s team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero. Love came up to bat, swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because love never fails. The next batter was Faith, who also got a single because Faith works with Love. The next batter was Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch; Godly Wisdom let it pass because Godly Wisdom doesn’t swing at Satan’s pitches. Ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom was on with a walk, because Godly Wisdom never swings at what Satan throws. The Lord then turned to Bob and said He was going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped Grace. No one recognised him and he sure didn’t look like he could do much. Satan’s team relaxed. Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To everyone’s surprise Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen. But Satan wasn’t worried, his centre fielder, the Prince of the Air had let very few ever get by him. He went up to get the ball, but it went right through his glove, hitting him on the head and bringing him crashing to the ground. It was a home run, the Lord’s team had won! The Lord then asked Bob if he knew why Love, Faith, and Godly Wisdom could get hits but couldn’t win the game. Bob answered that he didn’t know why. The Lord explained “If your love, faith, or wisdom had won the game you would think that you had done it by yourself. Love, faith, and wisdom will get you one base, but only My grace can get you home!”