GRACE Special speaker-- Dr. David Seiver Introduction Preaching - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

GRACE Special speaker-- Dr. David Seiver

Introduction  Preaching what is needed vs Christian TV

Introduction  Preaching what is needed vs Christian TV  Current teaching on grace

Introduction  Preaching what is needed vs Christian TV  Current teaching on grace • On Christian TV and books all the time

Introduction  Preaching what is needed vs Christian TV  Current teaching on grace • Two competing ideas

Introduction  Preaching what is needed vs Christian TV  Current teaching on grace • Two competing ideas − John Wesley’s sermon— What and so what

A little background  Grace is used perhaps 100 times in the New Testament

A little background  Grace is used perhaps 100 times in the New Testament  The Greek dictionary gives five meanings but the two we are going to focus on are the most important from a spiritual perspective

A little background  Grace is used perhaps 100 times in the New Testament  The Greek dictionary gives five meanings but the two we are going to focus on are the most important from a spiritual perspective  Many of the uses of grace in the New Testament are found in some of Christian’s favorite verses and it is a major idea in Christianity

Two important meanings  Unmerited favor (my trip to Denver this week)

Two important meanings  Unmerited favor (my trip to Denver this week)  Divine enablement

Two important meanings  Unmerited favor (my trip to Denver this week)  Divine enablement  The context determines which meaning • Sometimes it is hard to tell and sometimes it almost seems grace is used to imply both ideas

Two important meanings  Unmerited favor (my trip to Denver this week)  Divine enablement  The context determines which meaning  The work of Jesus on the cross is the basis for unmerited favor and the Holy Spirit is often the agent for releasing divine enablement

A few great verses  John 1:16,17 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

A few great verses  Ephesians 2:8,9 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

A few great verses  Hebrews 4:16 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

A few great verses  2 Corinthians 12: 9 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me .

A few great verses  Generally verses on salvation (Ephesians 2: 8,9) or what we have in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) e.g. our position imply the meaning unmerited favor

A few great verses  Frequently verses on living the Christian life (i.e. sanctification) use the meaning divine enablement. The idea is God helps you to do what He wants you to do or what you need to do.

A few great verses  Three important areas for living the Christian life

A few great verses  Three important areas for living the Christian life • Exercising spiritual gifts and having some form of fruitful ministry. − Me in Bangladesh this November two examples

A few great verses  Three important areas for living the Christian life • Enduring suffering and hardness James 1: 12. We all go through trials and difficulties. The quote of a pastor’s wife very recently to me (not from someone in Illinois). • 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)

A few great verses  Three important areas for living the Christian life • Putting to death sinful and fleshly desires then living a Godly life. We cannot do this in our own strength. The Holy Spirit within us gives us resurrection life and power to live the Christian life.

A few great verses  Three important areas for living the Christian life − Romans 8: 4, 13 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.... 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

A few great verses  Three important areas for living the Christian life • Putting to death sinful and fleshly desires then living a Godly life. We cannot do this in our own strength. The Holy Spirit within us gives us resurrection life and power to live the Christian life. − We are to be growing in Christlikeness. We all fall short somewhat. But by God’s grace we are to be growing more like Christ.

SO WHAT?  Some are teaching that since everything is unmerited favor we are just to believe this fact and then God automatically lives a Godly life through us. Therefore we are not to do anything to attempt to please God and follow the requirements of Scripture. The New Testament clearly teaches that we are to live a Godly life and that God will give us divine enablement to help live this life. But we are to walk in faith and obedience to the Scriptures.