Liberating Grace

Liberating Grace<= /o:p>

We will find God gracious at all times.

Let’s take a look at grace concerning our salvation.

Ephesians 1:7

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (NKJV)=

Redemption through His blood, according to the riches of His grace

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith, = and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone sh= ould boast.(NKJV)

Your salvation is totally attributed to the fini= shed work of Jesus Christ.

Titus 3:7 says we have been justified by His gra= ce

Justification

Forgiveness of sins

Imputed Righteousness

Righteousness is a state of being—a condit= ion acceptable to God.

Romans 3:22 says we receive the righteousness of= God by faith in Jesus Christ

Philippians 3:9

and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;(NKJV)

Why don’t we want our own rightousness?----(Filthy rags Is 64:6)

How did we get the righteousness---through faith= in Jesus Christ, which is from God by FAITH

How long does the righteousness last? <= span style=3D'font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>As long as we continue= in faith

There has never been a human being that found fa= vor with God apart from His grace.

Why---because all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:22=

Those who find favor, are in favor ----are in gr= ace

By Grace

We are brought into the kingdom of God

We receive both temporal and spiritual blessings=

We are motivated to obedience by grace

Called to serve by grace

Enabled to serve

Receive strength

We are under the constant reign of grace

Our supposed worthiness stands in opposition to God’s grace

Christ’s death was the result of graceR= 12;grace is not a result of Christ’s death

One definition of grace says grace is making up = the difference between the requirement of His righteous law and what we lack in meeting those requirements.

This statement is not true=

God doesn’t just make up the difference but provides for the total cost of salvation through Jesus Christ

Grace or Works

Salvation = Christian Life = Glorification

Grace = &nb= sp; Based on Works &nb= sp; Grace

Grace = Grace = &nb= sp; Grace

It’s all by grace.

If you sometimes feel you deserve an answer to prayer or a particular blessing from God because of your hard work or sacri= fice you are living by works and not by grace.

It’s also true with thinking you didn̵= 7;t receive a blessing because of your disobedience.

We sometimes cast aside the grace of God concentrating more on our personal performance

Ephesians 2:4-5

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His gr= eat love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),(NKJV)=

By grace you have been saved and by grace you receive anything from God.

How do you stay saved-----Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been sav= ed through faith

There are blockages to receiving from God.<= /o:p>

Un-forgiveness- The mercif= ul shall obtain mercy Matt 5:7

Doubt stops us from receiving from God

There is a spiritual law of giving and receiving=

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."(NKJV)

Stinginess stops the flow of blessing=

If we truly are the righteousness of God in Chri= st, God no longer see our disobedience or our marred performance.

With the key of continuing in faith

Colossians 1:21-23

And you, who once were alienated and enemies in = your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight-- if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preac= hed to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.(NKJV)<= o:p>

Why should be confess our sins?

Sin causes our relationship with God to suffer.<= o:p>

God has already dealt with your sin in Christ.

There is no more sacrifice needed for sins= . Otherwise we return to Old Testame= nt sacrifices.

We may say we would never do that

But we allow the enemy to burden us down with gu= ilt and condemnation and we wallow in the punishment

A type of sacrifice for sins committed.

There is a liberating freedom in understanding t= his.

The bible speaks of honorable and dishonor= able vessels in the kingdom of God.

Being a vessel that cannot be used by God at the present time still does not take away the righteousness of God you have been given in Christ.

If you are continuing in faith.

If the state of righteousness goes with every si= n so does our salvation.

There are no A students in the Kingdom of God

Some sacrifice more

Some are more obedient

Some serve more

Some have a better prayer life=

None of us get what we actually deserve

Some think grace is for beggars---= -We want to earn something

When we move from the earning mentality we can t= ruly enjoy grace

A true perception of grace does not diminish our performance

It only changes our motive for good performance<= o:p>

What if I really live a good life?

Most always obedient

A good prayer life

Study the word every day

Witness to others

Serve others

( now I’m really getting into a place wher= e I deserve the blessing of God) a place of= favor

The truth is, I can never obligate God based on = what I do for Him.

I don’t want to discourage spiritual disciplines, commitment or sacrifice.

We just can’t rely on them as a meritorious cause for God’s blessing or answers to prayer

There is a balance between legalism and a license to sin.

Legalism- T= he doctrine that salvation is obtained and maintained through good works<= /o:p>

Our natural inclination is to lean to legalism.<= o:p>

Understanding the true concept of grace leaves us with a greater appreciation and admiration for God.

It’s a place of freedom----not bondage of = good works

Understanding grace takes us from reluctant serv= ice to joyful and delightful service to God.

Our motivation for commitment, discipline and obedience is important to God.

John 14:15

"If you love Me, keep My commandments.(NKJV= )

Why do keep His commandments------out of fear or because you love Him

This teaching does not change the law of God----= It changes our motivation for obedience.

Your love to God is voluntary and cannot be compelled.

Therefore it is much more valuable to God than y= our meritorious efforts --trying to earn His favor----which is self serving.

To live by grace is to live solely by the merit = of Jesus Christ.

I bring no worth to the relationships since my righteousness is al filthy rags.

Even my best works are stained with impure motive and imperfect performance.

Stepping into the realm of grace allows us to ga= in true perspective, the f= act that God is irresistible.

We are left with nothing to do for ourselves bec= ause He has done is all.

Now I can enter into that irresistible love real= m

I never again have to come to God based on= my own merit but by the righteousness of Christ, which has been impute= d to me.

The old way of the law commanded obedience but provided no desire to obey.

Before salvation the commands of the law a= ctually incited sin.

Through the work of the Holy Spirit made possibl= e by Christ, removed our hostility, writing the law on our hearts, causing us to delight in the law.

The law produces a legalistic response= to God

We obey out of fear of punishment.

As Christians we obey, not out of fear or = to earn favor, but out of love and gratitude for favor already given.<= o:p>

If we choose the grading system----what’s = an acceptable grade to merit God’s favor?

The slightest infraction disqualifies you.<= /o:p>

Let’s move into the fullness of His grace.

This is a place of liberation because our motiva= tion for what we do has changed.

Jesus came to set us free from bondage. Don’t let the enemy put you = back in bondage depending on your own works.

In the fullness of grace there is liberty to wor= ship God out of love and adoration

To serve Him because we love Him

To live godly lives out of our love for Him.