GROWING IN GRACE:
The Wisdom and Beauty of Salvation by Grace
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18
I. FIG LEAVES
1. THE TREE WAS THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL – BRINGS DEATH.
Gen. 2:17
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
2. MAN'S EFFORT TO DEAL WITH SUCH DEATH IS SOME ACTIVITY TO COVER SHAME.
Gen. 3:7
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
3. THE _______________ AND ___________ CAUSES US TO RUN FROM GOD.
Gen. 3:8
8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.
4. GOD COVERED THEIR SHAME WITH SOMETHING THAT COST THEM NOTHING.
Gen. 3:21
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
II. THE LAW
1. LET THEM HAVE MORE OF WHAT THEY THINK THEY WANT UNTIL
THEY REALIZE WHAT _______________ _______________.
Rom. 3:20
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Rom. 7:12
12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
2. ALL O.T. SACRIFICES FELL SHORT.
Heb. 10:9
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
Heb. 10:1-3
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
3. WE NEEDED SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
Gal. 3:24-25
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
III. ENTER JESUS
1. JESUS IS FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH.
John 1:14
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
2. GRACE IS GIVEN FREELY (GRATIS) AS A GIFT.
Rom. 3:24
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
3. WORKS DESIGNED TO EARN GRACE ACTUALLY CANCEL OUT GRACE.
Rom. 4:4-5
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. We must accept grace by faith not work for it
Rom. 11:5-6
5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work
4. ______________________ INTO GRACE IS ALWAYS BY FAITH –
________________ __________________.
Rom. 5:2
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
5. OUR HEARTS MUST BE SETTLED (SATISFIED, ESTABLISHED, AT PEACE) WITH GRACE. NOT NEEDING EXTRA STUFF LIKE RULES, MEATS ETC.
Heb. 13:9
9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
IV. THE WISDOM AND BEAUTY OF GRACE
1. IT CANCELS OUT ____________________________.
Heb. 10:19-23
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
2. IT REMOVES _______________________________.
Eph. 2 :8-10
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
3. IT'S THE BEST WAY FOR GOD TO FIX THE MESS ADAM MADE WHILE REMOVING THE POSSIBILITY OF IT HAPPENING AGAIN - ALL THE WHILE RESPECTING FREE WILL.
i. Justice Satisfied.
Heb. 10:14
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
ii. Guilty ___________ ___________.
Rom. 3:23-26
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
iii. Available To All.
Rom. 3:22
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
iv. Still Have To Choose.
Rom. 10:9-10
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
v. But Don't Have To Work.
Eph. 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
vi. We Establish The Law Through Faith.
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