Points of Grace

July 28, 2013
Points of Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Charles Patton

How can you explain something that is inconceivable, incomprehensible to our finite and human minds?  I'm not sure we can really ever comprehend the depth of God's unending grace.

GRACE = God's favor given to undeserved people. 

God's Riches At Christ's Expense

We can see a beautiful picture of grace in the story of the Prodigal (or Lost) Son in Luke 15:11-32.

Three Points of Grace:
1.  God's grace is Free! --see also Romans 3:23-24, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

• This free gift is attained when we admit we are sinners and ask God for forgiveness.
• When we ask for this gift we are admitting our sinful state.

Point of Grace: Though it is free, it is not cheap.  Grace is a valuable gift.  To receive this gift of grace we must realize we are sinners and ask God to forgive us.  We cannot earn it and we don't deserve it, but that is the definition of a gift.

2.  God's grace is Huge!  Luke 15:21-24, "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son."  But the father said to his servants...'Let's have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"

• At his lowest point, when the son was lost, dirty, broke, starving, he realized there would be grace at his father's house, at least as a servant.  But he did not realize the depth of the grace he would receive after admitting his wrongs.

Point of Grace: There is no sin too big or too evil for God's grace to cover.  God's grace is bigger!

3.  God's grace is All Sufficient!  Luke 15:22, "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.'"

• God's grace will dramatically change you.

Point of Grace: God will receive us "just as we are" but will not leave us in that condition.

Even when the son came home in dirty rags and no shoes, his father hugged him and accepted him.  Then he got him a clean (the best) robe, sandals, and a ring to show he was still given the riches of the family.

God will help us become His holy people.  "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." --Romans 6:14

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.  I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.  T'was grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved, how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed." --John Newton

Cracked Pot Christianity

July 21, 2013
Cracked Pot Christianity
2 Corinthians 4:7-12
Scott Howard

Psalm 34:18, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 51:17, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, oh God, you will not despise."

What does it mean to be broken hearted, or broken in spirit?

In Hebrew, the definition of "heart" is made up of the mind, emotions and the will.  The mind is made up of your value system.  The emotions are made up of your passions.  And the will is made up of your actions based on your value system and passions.

Spiritual Brokenness = The spiritual state by which one is disarmed of one's self-dependence and pride, therefore leaving one disabled and in desperate need of help, thereby making one a viable conduit for the glory of Christ.

Signs of a person that needs to be broken:

• A life that's marked by independence  (does not need to depend on anyone)
• A life that's marked by prayerlessness  (does not need God to hear their prayers)
• A life that's marked by dry eyes  (does not cry)
• A life that's marked by isolation  (does not interact with people, or God)
• A life that's marked by being unteachable  (does not wish to learn more)
• A life that's marked by being unsynchronized  (is not in sync w/ God or His Word)
• A life that's marked by busyness  (is too busy for the things of God)

1.  God put power in the vessel (the vessel is you and I).  2 Corinthians 4:7, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay (earthen vessels) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." 

• What is this treasure?  2 Corinthians 3:18, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
• The Glory of God through the Gospel---expressing the power of God, His Glory, through our weakness.  If we are broken before God, it will be His power alone that others see, not any of our own power.

2.  God puts pressure on the vessel.  2 Corinthians 4:8-9, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."

Areas that God will break you in:  God will break...

• Your Plans -- He will make sure our plans don't out weigh His plans for our lives.
• Your Relationships -- if our goals for the relationship do not line up with God's goals for the relationship, some relationships need to be broken in order for there to be growth.
• Your Will -- example: Jonah put his trust in a ship that would take him away from what God was telling him to do, so God hurled a storm at that ship and caused Jonah to turn back.

3.  God pushes Jesus out of the vessel.  2 Corinthians 4:10-12, "We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.  So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you."

We are broken so that the life and glory of Jesus, who is in us, can be seen through us, or rather, that Jesus is what comes out of us.  This is "Cracked Pot Christianity."

Jesus is stronger than your life---if you let God break you, He will build you back up again and restore you with Jesus' life so that you are stronger.

A Seed of Doubt?

July 14, 2013
A Seed of Doubt
1 John
Scott Howard

Have you struggled with an ongoing doubt about your relationship with Christ, or are you scared when you think about the end of your earthly life?  It is with a loving heart our Pastor shared this message with us on Sunday to make sure there is no more doubt.

3 Reasons for struggling with ongoing doubt...

1. You struggle with doubt because you're not saved.  --Matthew 7:2-23 "Not everyone who says go me, 'Lord, Lord' will not enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'  Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"

It is possible to do things in Jesus' name and not know Him at all.  If you don't hate sin in your life, if you don't love holiness, perhaps you doubt your relationship with Jesus because you should.  You may not have a heart that transforms as you seek after God.  If God is raising that alarm of doubt in your soul He is being merciful to let you know something is wrong with your relationship with Him.

      2.  You struggle with doubt because you have a hard time believing and staying dialed into the Gospel.  You have an uncertainty about God's love and affection for you.  The reality of the Gospel is that you don't save you, God saves you.  You cannot earn God's love, He gives it freely.  You do not partner with God to gain salvation, you simply say Thank You, and accept it. 

That is a spiritual truth that a lot of people struggle with: God Loves You.  Not just when you finally get your act together, He loves you because he is your Father.  You cannot earn a gift, it is given out of love.  Nothing can separate us from His love.  See Romans 8:26-35.

      3.  You struggle with doubt because you are walking in secret, indwelling, habitual sin.  If you are hiding sin, or you are simply not calling your sin what it really is, your doubt is a warning signal to examine your heart.  Read Psalm 32.  In this Psalm David is saying that secret sin is exhausting.  When you hide sin it makes you tired, but when you confess your sin, God forgives the sin and the guilt. 

So lets look at 1 John in order to be sure our hearts are aligned properly to God's word.

• Have there been and are there times in which you Love and Submit to His truth and His Word?  --See 1 John 5-10.  Do you delight in following God's plans?  Do you trust His Word?  Or do you fight, argue or make excuses?
• As you look back on your life and on your heart, do you see more and more a Moral Conformity to the life of Christ? -- See 1 John 2:1-6.  Do you hate indwelling sin?  Do you desire holiness?  Does your heart delight in what God delights in, and not that of the world? Do you desire to bring Glory to Christ and not yourself?
• Do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ?  Do you extend Grace to them?  Do you grant them the benefit of the doubt? -- See 1 John 2:9-11.  Extend the grace, mercy and love that has been extended to you by God. 

Trust and obey God's love and His Word.  Ask God to help change and mold your heart to desire His desires.  Be honest with yourself and God, confess your sins and watch Him change your doubt to absolute certainty!

God Can Use You

July 7, 2013
God Can Use You
John 17
Charles Patton

Jesus used many methods of communication, such as dialogue, parables, word pictures, and object lessons.  He even used prayer to communicate with the disciples and with us. 

John 17 is known as the High Priestly Prayer; Jesus praying.  In this prayer, Jesus reminds us that, as believers, we have many blessings, but we also have responsibilities:

Our Responsibilities:

• To reveal the nature of God to a lost and dying world. --John 17:6 "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world.  They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word."  Exodus 34:5-7 describes the nature of God as merciful, gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.

1. As believers, we are to reveal the nature of God in our lives.  (mercy, grace, longsuffering, goodness, forgiveness and love)
2. Does the world see Jesus in us?

• To be custodians of the Word of God.  John 17:8 "For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them.  They knew with certainty that I came from you and they believed that you sent me."
• To glorify Christ at all times in our actions and words.  John 17:10 "All I have is yours, and all you have is mine.  And glory has come to me through them."
• To take our Christianity outside the walls of the church.  John 17:18 "As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world."

Our Problem:

• We gladly accept the blessings but often neglect, or even reject, the responsibilities. 

Why?

1. We are not totally surrendered to Jesus Christ
2. We are so wrapped up in the world (work, social life, etc) that we don't have the time or the energy to be involved in God's work.
3. We don't believe that God can use us.

It all boils down to how available you are.  God is more interested in your availability than He is in your ability.

God looks for people He can count on to be there!  Make yourself available to Him, and see what God can do through you!

Confessing Sin and Banking on God's Mercy

June 30, 2013
Confessing Sin and Banking on God's Mercy
Text: Lamentations
Scott Howard

The Crisis in Lamentations:

• Sin brought about suffering in Jerusalem that was:

1. Tragic -- Lam 1:1 "How deserted lies the city, once so full of people! How like a widow is she, who once was great among the nations! She who was queen among the provinces has now become a slave."
2. Just -- Lam 1:8 " Jerusalem has sinned greatly and so has become unclean. All who honored her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; she herself groans and turns away."
3. Severe -- Lam 4:1-10 "How the gold has lost its luster...the children beg for bread...the punishment of my people is greater than that of Sodom...with their own hands compassionate women have cooked their own children, who became their food when my people were destroyed."

• Their suffering brought about questions:

1. Profoundly Intense: "Are we forsaken?"
2. Eternally Significant: "Can we be forgiven?"

• We must find comfort in the fresh mercies of God

"There is far more mercy in Christ than there is sin in us." --Richard Sibbs

How can we be certain that God is going to be Merciful toward us?

• These mercies are rooted in the unfailing Love of God. --Lam 3:22 "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail."
• These mercies are rooted in the unceasing faithfulness of God. --Lam 3:23 "They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
• These bring about an urgent desire to repent before God. --Lam 3:39-41 "Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins? Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven."

How do we know that when we come to God, God will certainly forgive us?  We look to the cross.

• Because Christ has entered the presence of God on behalf of His people.
• Would you trust the character of God? --1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
• Would you confess the depths of your sins? --Prov 28:13 "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."
• Bank on the mercies of Christ. --1 Pet 1:3-4 "Praise be to God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never parish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you."

The book of Lamentations shows us that even though we may become consumed with the ruins left behind by our sins, God is always there to give us new mercy and to forgive us and make all things new again!  Through the sacrifice of Christ we have eternal hope and joy!