Amazing Grace… (5 points)

• 1^st – The Grace of God… vs. 3-4
  • 1^st – I THANK God… vs. 3
    • THANK – echō charis Theos – 156x in NT (its important) – to have the GRACE of God…
    • Unfortunately the word THANK is used here – because Paul is saying he has GRACE!
    • GRACE is a funny word – we toss it around and use it frequently in church – but what is it…
    • By far one of the most important words we will come across in the New Testament…
    • Because is the through the GRACE of God – we are SAVED and SANCTIFIED!
  • 2^nd – SAVED by GRACE…
    • We are SAVED by GRACE – through FAITH – it is a gift of God – Ephesians 2:8-9
      • The word GRACE – charis – can also be translated as GIFT…
      • God gave us the incredible gift of righteousness and heaven – through Jesus…
      • We did nothing to earn it – in fact there is nothing we can do to deserve it…
    • If someone gives you a gift – you do not have to accept it…
      • Our part of salvation is faith – being willing to believe and receive the gift of God!
      • God does not want anyone to perish – II Peter 3:9 – but He gives all men the choice…
      • He offers everyone the gift – and then lets any and all choose how to respond…
      • We can ignore it – decide NOT to take it – and miss out on heaven…
      • Or by faith receive from God the most amazing gift we will ever get – salvation!
    • The way we receive the GIFT – is through FAITH…
      • Hebrews 11:1 – “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
      • We cannot see God – and the GIFT God gives us is not something we can hold…
      • It is something we believe – by FAITH we believe God has forgiven us of our sin…
      • By FAITH we believe that life is not only about living here on earth…
      • By FAITH we believe one day God will take us to be with Him forever in heaven!
        
        
    • We have nothing to BOAST about…
      • If I could be saved by my own efforts – by my own GOOD works – then I could BOAST…
      • But because salvation is a GIFT of God – we lose the ability to BOAST!
      • Jesus did all the work to save us – we go to heaven as a GIFT from God!
      • We cannot BOAST how good we are – we are NOT good  – we can only BOAST in God!
      • Psalms 34:2 – “My soul shall make its boast in the LORD…”
  • 3^rd – GROW in GRACE…
    • We are SAVED by GRACE – but how do we MATURE in our walk with Jesus…
      • Typically when we hear how to be a GOOD Christian – we are given rules…
      • Read your Bible / go to church / pray every day / stay away from bad people…
      • So many Christians are under the bondage of trying to keep the RULES…
      • Thinking the more they do for God – the more they will GROW in God…
      • But we are not a better person if we read our Bible today – or worse if we do not…
      • If we try and follow RULES – they may change the outside – but it is superficial…
      • The danger of these RULES are they cannot change our HEARTS!
      • Colossians 2:23 – “Rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.” [NLT]
    • The problem is our HEART…
      • Romans 7:18 – “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.”
      • Why do I do what I know is sin – because I WANT to – no one forces me…
      • Why do I not do what I know is good and right – because I do NOT WANT to…
      • And the challenge is I cannot change my heart – how can you change what you WANT…
      • My problem is my heart / desires – I am the problem – I sin because I WANT to!
    • GROW through GRACE…
      • II Peter 3:18 – “Grow [through] the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus…”
      • GROW (present / active / imperative) – a DAILY command to INCREASE in GRACE!
      • There are ONLY two resources in life we can draw from to live for God…
      • We can depend on OUR strength – look to RULES we can follow – to make us HOLY…
      • Or we can depend of the strength of GOD – look HIM / GRACE – to make us HOLY!
    • GRACE that will…
      • Acts 20:32 – “I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to BUILD YOU UP and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

      • Romans 1:5 – “Through Him we have received grace… for OBEDIENCE to the faith…”
      • Romans 5:1-2 – “Through our Lord Jesus Christ… we have access by faith into this grace in which we STAND…”
      • II Corinthians 4:15 – “Grace… may cause THANKSGIVING to abound to the glory of God.” 
      • II Timothy 2:1 – “You therefore, my son, be STRONG in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
      • Hebrews 12:28 – “Let us have grace, by which we may SERVE God acceptably…”
      • Hebrews 13:9 – “For it is good that the heart be ESTABLISHED by grace…” 
      • Titus 2:11-13 – “The grace of [teaches] us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age…”
    • How do we get GRACE…
      • I Peter 5:5 / James 4:6 – “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
      • The first thing we are told is that God resists the Proud – to arrange in battle against…
      • And if God is set Himself against us – we are in trouble – that is a battle we will NOT win!
      • Pride can be tricky – it is not always easy to see – but it always sets us up for a fall…
      • Pride can be – I think I know it all / I am never wrong / I do not need correction…
      • Pride can also be – thinking I am nothing / being shy / pride means its all about me…
      • Whether it is arrogance / or false humility – if I am the focus it is pride…
      • If I am the focus – then I am not looking to Jesus – and I am destruction is sure to follow!
      • Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, an arrogant spirit before a fall.”
    • Do not misunderstand – God is done with us…
      • He wants us to FAIL – see the futility of trusting in OUR strength!
      • He wants to let the consequences of our actions ruin us – so we will be HUMBLED!
      • Because it is in HUMIITY we realize the most important lesson – we are the problem!
      • ONLY then will we see our NEED for Him – and cry out for HIS GRACE!
      • Then His GRACE – Jesus can bring lasting change – a transformed HEART and NEW life…
      • As we run to Jesus – He has the power to change us from the inside out!
      • Romans 6:14 – “Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under [rules]… Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s GRACE.”

• 2^nd – The result of having GRACE… vs. 3-4
  • 1^st – Paul SERVED (present / active / indicative) – with a PURE conscience… vs. 3
    • PURE – katharos – to be clean / unstained / no ulterior motive…
    • There is such a thing is doing the RIGHT thing with the WRONG motive…
    • Serving God is not just about what we do – but the MOTIVE behind why we do it…
    • There are many who SERVE out of selfish MOTIVES – wanting to be recognized…
    • One day the Lord will TEST and REVEAL the motive for our SERVICE / WORKS…
    • And only those that are PURE – come from the GRACE of God – will stand!
    • I Corinthians 3:13 – “Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.”
  • 2^nd – Like the FOREFATHERS… vs. 3
    • The GRACE that empowered Paul to SERVE with a PURE conscience…
    • Is the same GRACE that had always been there – since the time of his FOREFATHERS…
    • Genesis 15:6 – “[Abraham] believed in the LORD… He accounted it to him for righteousness.”
    • All of the believers in the Old Testament were saved by looking forward to the cross of Christ…
    • Everyone today is saved by looking back at the sacrifice of Jesus…
    • There has only every been ONE way to be saved – and that is by the GRACE of God!
  • 3^rd – REMEBERING others… vs. 3-4
    • Paul constantly REMEBERED (present) Timothy in his prayers – NIGHT / DAY (Jewish order) …
      • Keep in mind – Paul is in prison – on Death row!
      • Yet rather than ASKING for prayers – he is CONSTANTLY praying for others!
      • Many times when we go to prayer – we focus completely on OUR lives…
      • But when we take the time to pray for others – it can transform our perspective…
      • All of our PROBLEMS seem to disappear – as we see the GREATER need of those around us!
    • Paul GREATLY desired to see Timothy…
      • GREALY DESIRING – epipotheō – to long for – desire more than anything…
      • Paul desperately wanted to SEE Timothy – with his own eyes again!
      • That Paul might be (subjunctive) filled with JOY at seeing his beloved son – II Timothy 1:2
    • But He was MINDFUL of his TEARS…
      • MINDFUL (perfect / passive) – to recall or remember 
      • Things were NOT easy in the city of Ephesus – the ministry was challenging – LOTS of tears!
      • Though Paul was the one about to DIE – he NEVER forgot the challenges Timothy faced…
      • Because the final result Paul gives here of having GRACE – is being OTHERS centered!
      • The truth is – we tend to ONLY think about ourselves…
      • When we wake up in the morning – our first thought is about us – food / bath…
      • We tend to think the world revolves around our lives – it is easy to forget about others…
      • Which is why we need the GRACE of God to DENY ourselves – and become others centered!
      • Philippians 2:4 – “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” [NLT]

• 3^rd – The evidence of GRACE… vs. 5
  • 1^st – GENUINE FAITH…
    • When Paul called to remembrance the GENUINE FAITH of Timothy…
    • GENUINE – anypokritos – Timothy was NOT a hypocrite in his FAITH!
    • The word HYPOCRISY comes from the Greek stage – those who wore masks…
    • The idea was who they looked like on the outside – was not who they really were!
    • Too often the church today is known for their hypocrisy – do what we say / not what we do…
    • The words go out from pulpits to live HOLY lives – but the church looks just like the WORLD!
    • Our faith is NOT to be known in words ONLY – but also in our ACTIONS!
    • John 13:35 – “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
  • 2^nd – Passed onto you – first in your grandmother / mother…
    • The GENUINE FAITH of Timothy – dwelt (in the home) first of Lois and Eunice…
    • Paul first met Timothy in the city of Lystra on his second missionary journey – Acts 16:1
    • Timothy had a good reputation among all the believers in Lystra and Iconium…
    • The reason was he had been brought up in a very Godly home…
    • Although his Father was not a believer (Gentile) his mother and grandmother were!
    • It can be hard when either a Dad or Mom is not a believer…
    • It can mean that there are mixed morals that are taught to the kids…
    • But that does not mean the kids cannot be taught to follow Jesus…
    • The believing husband or wife can still have a HUGE impact on their kids…
    • And even if the parents are not walking with Jesus – the grandparents can step in!
    • It only takes one person willing to invest in the life of a child – to make all the difference!
  • 3^rd – PERSUADED is also in you…
    • PERSUADED (perfect / passive) – Paul had NO doubts about the FAITH of Timothy…
    • Timothy was given a good example – but he still had to choose to follow Jesus!
    • II Timothy 3:14-15 – “Continue in the things which you have learned… that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
    • Just because a child has a Godly influence – does not mean they will be godly…
    • Parents have the responsibly to teach their children about the Lord…
    • But God has no grandchildren – we must make our own decision to follow Jesus!

• 4^th – Stir up the gift… vs. 6
  • 1^st – STIR UP (infinitive) – only here NT – to rekindle – fan embers of a fire back into a flame…
    • The GIFT – Charisma – where we get the name Charismatic…
      • Speaking of the supernatural GIFTS that God gives to believers in the church…
      • It comes from the root word – Charis – meaning GIFT or grace!
      • A total of 23 gifts listed in the NT – Romans 12 / I Corinthians 12 / Ephesians 4
      • Including the gifts of giving / leading / mercy / miracles / speaking in tongues!
    • Timothy did not CHOOSE the GIFT he had – it was given to him…
      • All believers who are filled with the Spirit have at least one gift…
      • We do not decide what gifts we receive – the Holy Spirit gives them to us…
      • The Holy Spirit can give us any or all of the gifts as the need arise!
      • I Corinthians 12:11 – “The same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills…”
    • This is the second time Paul encourages Timothy to use his GIFT – I Timothy 4:14
      • We are not sure what the GIFT was – perhaps evangelism – II Timothy 4:5
      • Maybe Timothy was too busy teaching the church / or just a little shy…
      • Whatever the reason – he was not allowing God to use him to his full potential…
      • So he needed to be reminded to STIR UP the GIFT that was given to him!
      • If we see a GIFT in someone – we should encourage them – REPEATEDLY – to use it!
      • If it is obvious someone is called to help with worship – do NOT let them be shy…
      • If God has given the ability to teach – give them a nudge to start a Bible study…
      • Do not them neglect the gift God has given – encourage them to use it to be a blessing!
  • 2^nd – Laying on of MY hands…
    • The basic doctrine of laying on of hands – Hebrews 6:2
      • According to the Bible – we lay hands on people for several reasons…
      • We LAY HANDS on people for HEALING – Acts 9:17
      • We LAY HANDS on people to send them out to PREACH the Gospel – Acts 13:2
      • We also LAY HANDS on people to RECOGNIZE their calling / GIFT – Acts 6:6
    • This DOES NOT mean we get to choose what GIFT someone has…
      • Too often people are just placed in a position – with disastrous results…
      • Just because there is a need – does not mean we are the ones to step up and help…
      • Just because we have certain gifts and abilities – does not mean we are qualified…
      • The question is not who has the most talent – or the best ideas…
      • The question is whom has God called – who has God anointed for a work!
    • Paul was the one who RECOGNIZED the GIFT Timothy had – laid hands on him!
      • How do we know which GIFT God has given to us…
      • All we need to do is LOOK – see How God is USING us in His church…
      • People around us will CONFIRM that GIFT God has given to us – by RECOGNIZING it…
      • It is about recognizing the work of God – His Gift in our lives…
      • Because when God is the one who does the work – He is the one who maintains it!
      • John 15:16 – “I chose you… that you should… bear fruit, and your fruit should remain…”

When the time comes to step out for Jesus – do not hesitate – just go!

5^th – No Fear… vs. 7

1^st – NOT given a spirit of FEAR…

This is NOT the typical word use for FEAR – phobos – meaning to be afraid…

FEAR – deilia – only here NT – to be timid or to be a coward – afraid to step out in FAITH…

Do NOT miss this – we are NOT to FEAR stepping out to use our GIFTS!

Why – because God has GIVEN us three things instead of FEAR!

2^nd – POWER…

POWER – dynamis – the same POWER used to raise Jesus from the grave…

Ephesians 2:19-20 – “What is the exceeding greatness of His power [dynamis] toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power [dynamis] which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead…”

Often – we try and limit what God can do with us – but what we perceive as our abilities…

So when God tells us to do something BEYOND what we think we are capable of – we hesitate…

But we can BOLD to use the GIFT He has given to us – because it is not about what we can do…

It is about what the resurrection Power of God can do through our lives!

3^rd – LOVE…

LOVE – agape – perfect unconditional love that comes from God our Father…

Like a little child does not learn to walk the first time they step out and try…

Their little legs are not strong yet – so they stumble and fall down – a LOT!

And we do not get angry with them for falling – we pick them up so they can try again!

Often – we are afraid / timid to step and use our GIFT because we fear we will FAIL God…

As if somehow – we will let Him down and He will think less of us for it…

God is not surprised when we stumble – he knows we will make mistakes…

The important thing is that we are stepping out in FAITH to try!

Proverbs 24:16 – “The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.”

4^th – SOUND MIND…

SOUND MIND – sōphronismos – only here NT – a calm self-controlled mind…

Often – we miss opportunities – because we doubt if God is behind us!

James 1:6 – “Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.” [NLT]

In contrast to FEAR and DOUBT – God gives us a clear BOLD mind…

Considering all that God has given to us – GRACE – POWER – LOVE…