True Grace III

Review: Seducing Spirits, True Grace, Limits of Grace

I.                   ALREADY BUT NOT YET.

Many stumble because they don’t understand the biblical teaching of principal and possession. Another way to express the same principle is already but not yet.  As believers we must consider multiple dimensions of reality. Jesus declared the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand (here). We belong to a spiritual kingdom but we live in earthly reality. This dynamic causes the dichotomy of already but not yet. For Example:

1.   The Kingdom is now (Luke 17:21), but it’s also not yet (Luke 22:30).

2.   We are already saved (Romans 10:9-10), yet we are still being saved (1 Corinthians 3:15)

3.   The hour has already come (1 Peter 4:7), yet the hour is still future (John 5:25)

4.   I am sanctified (1 Corinthians 1:2), yet I am still being sanctified (2 Timothy 2:21).

5.   I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) but I await resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:35–44)

6.   We are already seated in heavenly places with Jesus (Ephesians 2:6), but at present we are living in earthly bodies, because of which we groan (2 Corinthians 5:2)

7.   We are already adopted as sons (Romans 8:15), but for now, we “groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption (Romans 8:23-24)

8.   We are already redeemed (Ephesians 1:7) and we already have the Spirit, but at present the Spirit “is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession” (v. 14 NIV)

9.   So grace is both the virtue that saved me as a free gift and that governs me throughout the process of ongoing sanctification. But it never erases my free will or the call to be a faithful steward.

II.                 WHEN YOU SIN YOU NEED TO REPENT.

Repentance is a change of mind evidenced by change of behavior.

2 Corinthians 7:8-10

⁸ For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. ⁹ Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. ¹⁰ For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

2 Corinthians 12:21

²¹ lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness, which they have practiced.

Revelations 2:3-5

³ and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. ⁴ Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. ⁵ Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

Matthew 3:7-8

⁷ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? ⁸ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

III.              SANCTIFICATION / HOLINESS IS 3 PHASE.

1.   We are Sanctified.

1 Corinthians 1:2

² To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.

Hebrews 10:10

¹⁰ By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

2.   We must Grow in and Strive for Practical Sanctification /Holiness.

1 Thessalonians 4:4-5

³ For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: ⁴ That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor.

1 Thessalonians 4:7

⁷ For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

²³ And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

3.   We still await Ultimate Sanctification.

Philippians 3:12

¹² Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 1:13

¹³ Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 John 3:2-3

² Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

IV.          ALTHOUGH WE ARE BORN AGAIN OUR LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS PLEASING TO GOD.

1 Thessalonians 4:1; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 12:5-8; 2 Corinthians 6:16 – 7:1

                   Ephesians 5:8-10

⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), ¹⁰ finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

2 Corinthians 13:5

⁵ Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. ⁶ But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

Colossians 1:9-10

⁹ For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ¹⁰ That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, ^vbeing fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.

My Part in Divine Turnaround

Isaiah 54:1-5

               Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear;

Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child:

For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.

²    Enlarge the place of thy tent,

And let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations:

Spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen ⁱthy stakes;

³    For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left;

And thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles,

And make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

⁴    Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed:

Neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame:

For thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth,

And shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

⁵    For thy Maker is thine husband;

The Lord of hosts is his name;

And thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel

I.                  LEVELS OF INTERNAL BREAKTHROUGH.

1.   I make myself – Sing O Barren

2.   Occasional Spontaneity   – Break Forth

3.   Cry Aloud – You have become the change you desire

II.               MY PART IN BREAKTHROUGH.

1.   Realize Truth is what God declares not what you see  - “more are the children of the desolate”

2.   Embrace the fact that your current status is no indicator of your future progress  - “barren, desolate”

3.   Increase your capacity to handle more – “Enlarge the place of your tent”

4.   Assemble and develop the right team “let them”

5.   Provide clarity to those assisting you – “stretch forth the curtains”

6.   Identify and increase your support systems “ ”cords  -  Stakes

7.   Become more flexible “right hand and the left”

8.   Embrace and overcome fear – Fear not

9.   Rise above shame – you shall not be ashamed  

10.        Remember who God is – Husband, Lord of Host, Redeemer

III.            5 AREAS OF FOCUS.

1.   Physical Preparation.

a.   Energy. (sleep, rest)

b.   Health. (exercise, eat right)

2.   Mental Preparation

a.   Not too much entertainment.

b.   Read.

c.     Meditate.

d.   Think days.

3.   Emotional Preparation.

a.   Pray for God to enlarge you.

b.   Forgive.

c.     Don’t hold grudges.

4.   Spiritual Preparation.

a.   Pray the Promises.

b.   Make daily Decrees.

c.     War for the promises.

5.   Relational Preparation.

a.   Practice loving confrontation.

b.   Trust again.

c.     Prioritize relationships.

True Grace Part II

Romans 11:11-22

¹¹ I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. ¹² Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! ^{… 17} And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, ¹⁸ do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. ¹⁹ You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” ²⁰ Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. ²¹ For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. ²² Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

INTRO

Boundaries: Truth overlaps. Focusing on one truth to the exclusion of others often results in error.

I will share with you the Boundaries of Grace or Parallel Truths that grace doesn’t negate.

I.                   THROUGH GRACE PROVISION HAS BEEN MADE FOR OUR FUTURE SINS TO BE FORGIVEN BUT THEY ARE NOT ALREADY FORGIVEN.

1.   Jesus died for sins only once for all.

2.   We were not forgiven when He died 2000 years ago we were forgiven when we believed and accepted Jesus.

3.   When we get saved we are only forgiven of past and Present Sins.

Colossians 2:13-14

¹³ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; ^14 pBlotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.

Luke 11:3-4

³ Give us day by day our daily bread. ⁴ And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.

Mark 11:25

²⁵ And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. ²⁶ But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

                   Hebrews 10:26-31

²⁶ For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. ²⁸ Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ²⁹ Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

James 4:4,8

⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 5:14

¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

II.            ALTHOUGH WE ARE TO BE RIGHTEOUSNESS CONSCIENCE WE ARE NOT TO IGNORE SIN.

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

III.              WE MUST CONFESS OUR SINS TO GOD.

1 John 1:7-9

⁷ But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The Greek word for “cleanses” (or, “purifies”) in verse 7 is katharizo, and here it is in the present active indicative, speaking of continuous, ongoing activity. As one study guide explains, “The term ‘sin’ is SINGULAR with no ARTICLE. This implies every kind of sin. Notice this verse is not focusing on a one-time cleansing (salvation), but an ongoing cleansing (the Christian life).

Jesus’ Blood is paid in full for whenever we might need it.

Proverbs 28:13

¹³ He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

IV.             THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES CONVICT US OF SIN.

Acts 2:36-38

³⁶ “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” ³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” ³⁸ Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

John 16:8

⁷ Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. ⁸ And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.

The Holy Spirit convicts but never Condemns – See Clip

Revelations 3:18-20

¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. ¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

 James 4:7-10

⁷ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹ Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.