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

• f 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.