1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:03,550 Hello and welcome to the Middletown Baptist Church podcast, 2 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:06,182 where we are proclaiming the truth to the 3 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:06,606 world. 4 00:00:06,718 --> 00:00:09,662 My name is Pastor Josh and I want to thank you for listening to 5 00:00:06,718 --> 00:00:10,690 this podcast. 6 00:00:10,990 --> 00:00:14,630 I hope that this podcast can be a blessing to you and strengthen 7 00:00:10,990 --> 00:00:16,290 you in the word of God. 8 00:00:16,750 --> 00:00:17,558 Now come along. 9 00:00:17,614 --> 00:00:21,650 Let's look into the Bible and see what God has for us here today. 10 00:00:23,470 --> 00:00:26,480 If you have your bibles, we're going to pick up in our sermon series 11 00:00:23,470 --> 00:00:28,300 in two Corinthians, chapter six. 12 00:00:29,120 --> 00:00:30,800 Second Corinthians, chapter six. 13 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:34,528 We're going to look at verses one and two here this morning, and 14 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:36,224 the last time we were in two Corinthians. 15 00:00:36,272 --> 00:00:39,152 I know it's been a few weeks, we ended chapter five and we looked 16 00:00:36,272 --> 00:00:41,968 at how we are called to be ambassadors 17 00:00:36,272 --> 00:00:44,032 for Christ, and we looked at what that 18 00:00:36,272 --> 00:00:45,760 means to be an ambassador for Jesus 19 00:00:36,272 --> 00:00:48,100 Christ, which means I'm his representative. 20 00:00:48,480 --> 00:00:51,100 He has entrusted me with a ministry. 21 00:00:51,470 --> 00:00:55,630 We're to go represent Jesus in a world that is dark. 22 00:00:55,790 --> 00:00:57,334 We're to represent his love. 23 00:00:57,382 --> 00:00:59,374 We're to represent his forgiveness. 24 00:00:59,502 --> 00:01:01,582 We're to represent the gospel. 25 00:01:01,686 --> 00:01:03,890 We're to represent his grace. 26 00:01:05,030 --> 00:01:08,806 But to represent his grace, we must understand the depths of the 27 00:01:05,030 --> 00:01:11,050 grace that he has extended to us. 28 00:01:11,510 --> 00:01:15,490 And so for a believer, we looked at how, as an ambassador, 29 00:01:11,510 --> 00:01:19,228 we have a ministry, we have a purpose, and 30 00:01:11,510 --> 00:01:20,780 we have a message in that purpose. 31 00:01:20,820 --> 00:01:23,020 And that message is the message of the gospel. 32 00:01:23,140 --> 00:01:27,068 Two Corinthians chapter five called it the message of reconciliation, 33 00:01:23,140 --> 00:01:28,156 which means this. 34 00:01:28,268 --> 00:01:32,508 We have a message that people can accept and believe in and they 35 00:01:28,268 --> 00:01:34,668 can be reconciled to God. 36 00:01:34,844 --> 00:01:37,316 It's not just a message about making your life better. 37 00:01:37,428 --> 00:01:40,076 It's not just a message about getting out of your struggles. 38 00:01:40,188 --> 00:01:44,232 It's a message about being an enemy of goddess and then knowing 39 00:01:40,188 --> 00:01:46,576 his grace and coming to him in faith 40 00:01:40,188 --> 00:01:48,504 and understanding that I can now be a 41 00:01:40,188 --> 00:01:49,848 child of the king. 42 00:01:49,984 --> 00:01:51,864 That is the message of the gospel. 43 00:01:51,992 --> 00:01:55,928 And as ambassadors for Christ, as messengers of this gospel, we 44 00:01:51,992 --> 00:01:57,672 are called to proclaim that truth 45 00:01:51,992 --> 00:01:59,520 to a world by the way that we live, 46 00:01:51,992 --> 00:02:00,780 by the way that we talk. 47 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:04,296 To be an ambassador means that it's not about our message anymore. 48 00:02:04,328 --> 00:02:07,820 It's about the message of the one who is sending us our king. 49 00:02:08,200 --> 00:02:10,192 It's not about living for ourselves anymore. 50 00:02:10,216 --> 00:02:11,940 It's about living for him. 51 00:02:12,740 --> 00:02:17,600 And so chapter six begins with reminding us who we are working for 52 00:02:12,740 --> 00:02:21,400 and what we are working with. 53 00:02:22,180 --> 00:02:25,220 I want you to see here this morning that there is a perspective 54 00:02:22,180 --> 00:02:26,868 when it comes to our life. 55 00:02:27,004 --> 00:02:31,900 There is a perspective that should be a gospel centric grace 56 00:02:27,004 --> 00:02:35,444 focused perspective, because our 57 00:02:27,004 --> 00:02:36,780 perspective matters. 58 00:02:36,820 --> 00:02:41,520 Because often we're tempted to lose sight of what we have in a relationship 59 00:02:36,820 --> 00:02:42,380 with Christ. 60 00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:46,280 Sometimes we're tempted, because of the distractions of this 61 00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:48,696 world, to lose focus on what he has 62 00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:50,408 done for us in his grace. 63 00:02:50,544 --> 00:02:53,056 And we lose sight of his grace, and therefore, we're tempted 64 00:02:50,544 --> 00:02:54,300 to live for ourselves. 65 00:02:55,480 --> 00:03:00,352 And so these first few verses here in chapter six challenge us 66 00:02:55,480 --> 00:03:02,000 with two main thoughts. 67 00:03:02,040 --> 00:03:06,140 Number one, the privilege of working for the Lord. 68 00:03:06,790 --> 00:03:11,530 And then number two, the dangers of losing that perspective. 69 00:03:12,030 --> 00:03:14,078 And so let's look at these verses here this morning. 70 00:03:14,134 --> 00:03:16,582 Verse number one says this. 71 00:03:16,726 --> 00:03:17,582 We then. 72 00:03:17,726 --> 00:03:20,206 Now he's saying, we then talking about what we've just talked 73 00:03:17,726 --> 00:03:22,318 about, being an ambassador, having 74 00:03:17,726 --> 00:03:24,406 a ministry, having a message. 75 00:03:24,518 --> 00:03:31,030 He says, we then, as workers or laborers, together with him. 76 00:03:31,070 --> 00:03:31,686 Now, who's him? 77 00:03:31,718 --> 00:03:32,932 He's talking about Christ. 78 00:03:33,086 --> 00:03:34,176 He's talking about the Lord. 79 00:03:34,208 --> 00:03:38,300 He says, we get to work together with him. 80 00:03:39,120 --> 00:03:42,384 Now, I know that sometimes a christian cliche, but we're going 81 00:03:39,120 --> 00:03:43,768 to dive deeper into what it means to 82 00:03:39,120 --> 00:03:45,808 be on the team of Jesus Christ, what 83 00:03:39,120 --> 00:03:47,820 it means to have our victory in Jesus. 84 00:03:48,120 --> 00:03:52,208 And he says, though we work with him, we also need to, as it 85 00:03:48,120 --> 00:03:55,120 says here, beseech or plead you also 86 00:03:48,120 --> 00:03:57,360 that ye receive not the grace of 87 00:03:48,120 --> 00:03:58,584 God in vain. 88 00:03:58,752 --> 00:04:02,016 We're gonna dive into a topic here this morning about how we, as 89 00:03:58,752 --> 00:04:04,640 the church, can receive the grace 90 00:03:58,752 --> 00:04:06,728 of God in vain, something that we don't 91 00:03:58,752 --> 00:04:07,136 wanna do. 92 00:04:07,168 --> 00:04:09,824 This is the warning, don't receive the grace of God in vain. 93 00:04:09,952 --> 00:04:10,712 Verse two. 94 00:04:10,816 --> 00:04:15,776 For he saith, I have heard thee, in a time accepted. 95 00:04:15,928 --> 00:04:19,776 And in the day of salvation, I have succoured thee, behold, now 96 00:04:15,928 --> 00:04:21,512 is the accepted time. 97 00:04:21,696 --> 00:04:25,334 Behold, now is the day of salvation. 98 00:04:25,512 --> 00:04:27,650 We're gonna look here this morning about what it means to be 99 00:04:25,512 --> 00:04:30,610 on Jesus team, what it means to be 100 00:04:25,512 --> 00:04:32,794 working with him in this ministry, 101 00:04:25,512 --> 00:04:35,426 what it means to have that grace filled 102 00:04:25,512 --> 00:04:36,630 perspective. 103 00:04:37,010 --> 00:04:39,350 You know, I don't know if any of you have been a part of a team 104 00:04:37,010 --> 00:04:40,538 in your life. 105 00:04:40,594 --> 00:04:44,658 Maybe it's sports or maybe it's a workplace, but being a part 106 00:04:40,594 --> 00:04:46,442 of a team is a unique experience 107 00:04:40,594 --> 00:04:49,150 because we can't do all the work ourselves. 108 00:04:49,610 --> 00:04:52,914 You know, there have been some instances, probably throughout history 109 00:04:49,610 --> 00:04:54,474 where one sports team had one player 110 00:04:49,610 --> 00:04:55,478 who could carry them. 111 00:04:55,594 --> 00:04:58,638 But for the long haul, on a very high level, that's not going 112 00:04:55,594 --> 00:04:59,318 to happen. 113 00:04:59,454 --> 00:05:00,542 There needs to be support. 114 00:05:00,606 --> 00:05:01,478 There needs to be workers. 115 00:05:01,534 --> 00:05:02,810 They need to work together. 116 00:05:03,550 --> 00:05:06,750 I had an opportunity to go to a football game here recently, and 117 00:05:03,550 --> 00:05:08,678 it was unique to watch the players 118 00:05:03,550 --> 00:05:09,358 out on the field. 119 00:05:09,414 --> 00:05:10,566 They're doing all the work. 120 00:05:10,718 --> 00:05:13,710 There's guys on the sideline whose clothes are completely clean. 121 00:05:13,830 --> 00:05:14,814 They're not doing anything. 122 00:05:14,862 --> 00:05:15,590 They're sitting there. 123 00:05:15,670 --> 00:05:17,182 These guys didn't even have their helmet with them. 124 00:05:17,206 --> 00:05:18,166 One guy was walking around. 125 00:05:18,238 --> 00:05:19,046 He never had his helmet. 126 00:05:19,078 --> 00:05:21,346 One time with him, I guess he knew he wasn't going in the game. 127 00:05:21,438 --> 00:05:22,882 Okay, I couldn't find his helmet. 128 00:05:22,906 --> 00:05:24,098 He was walking around. 129 00:05:24,274 --> 00:05:26,962 And the truth is, at the end of the game, when they won, guess 130 00:05:24,274 --> 00:05:27,554 who celebrated? 131 00:05:27,602 --> 00:05:28,990 They all got to celebrate. 132 00:05:29,370 --> 00:05:32,218 They all had a role in that victory, whether they were on the 133 00:05:29,370 --> 00:05:32,826 field or not. 134 00:05:32,858 --> 00:05:34,658 Now, you could say, well, what does that look like? 135 00:05:34,674 --> 00:05:36,114 Well, maybe they were helping in practice. 136 00:05:36,162 --> 00:05:37,586 Maybe they were encouraging. 137 00:05:37,738 --> 00:05:41,290 But the Bible says that we are on a team, and he says we are working 138 00:05:37,738 --> 00:05:45,390 together with him. 139 00:05:45,850 --> 00:05:49,042 Now really the star of our team, the captain of our team, the 140 00:05:45,850 --> 00:05:50,730 one who is winning us the victory, 141 00:05:45,850 --> 00:05:51,858 is Jesus Christ. 142 00:05:51,994 --> 00:05:55,162 Without Jesus, we are all vain. 143 00:05:55,266 --> 00:05:57,250 Without Jesus, we are all empty. 144 00:05:57,290 --> 00:05:59,190 Without Jesus, we are all lost. 145 00:05:59,650 --> 00:06:03,266 But sometimes what happens is we are tempted to know the grace 146 00:05:59,650 --> 00:06:05,362 of God, but receive it in vain and therefore 147 00:05:59,650 --> 00:06:07,674 work in our own stead, work in our 148 00:05:59,650 --> 00:06:10,178 own power, work in our own wisdom, 149 00:05:59,650 --> 00:06:14,744 and try to work together in our own strengthen. 150 00:06:14,862 --> 00:06:15,996 What happens with that? 151 00:06:16,108 --> 00:06:19,044 Well, when we remove Jesus Christ from the equation, it says 152 00:06:16,108 --> 00:06:20,836 here in verse number one that we 153 00:06:16,108 --> 00:06:23,720 receive the grace of God in vain. 154 00:06:24,340 --> 00:06:27,740 And so this morning, I want us to look at what it means to go in 155 00:06:24,340 --> 00:06:29,080 God's grace. 156 00:06:29,900 --> 00:06:31,796 We're going to go ahead and pray, and then we're going to jump 157 00:06:29,900 --> 00:06:32,748 right into our main thoughts here 158 00:06:29,900 --> 00:06:33,060 this morning. 159 00:06:33,100 --> 00:06:35,244 Lord, I pray that you be with us as we look into your word. 160 00:06:35,332 --> 00:06:38,268 I pray that we can understand the depths of your grace, that we 161 00:06:35,332 --> 00:06:41,182 can understand what it means to experience 162 00:06:35,332 --> 00:06:43,094 your grace in our life and therefore 163 00:06:35,332 --> 00:06:46,118 rest in that grace and that grace alone 164 00:06:35,332 --> 00:06:48,878 for our salvation, our sanctification 165 00:06:35,332 --> 00:06:50,050 and our service. 166 00:06:50,390 --> 00:06:53,614 Lord, I pray that we as believers this morning, can truly 167 00:06:50,390 --> 00:06:55,510 believe in what your grace means 168 00:06:50,390 --> 00:06:58,734 for us and live in that day of salvation. 169 00:06:58,822 --> 00:07:02,638 Live in that confidence, live in that perspective that you have 170 00:06:58,822 --> 00:07:03,958 blessed us with in our lives. 171 00:07:04,094 --> 00:07:08,638 Lord, I pray that we can live in light of that, not just on Sunday 172 00:07:04,094 --> 00:07:10,422 mornings, but also in our daily walk 173 00:07:04,094 --> 00:07:13,662 on Mondays and Fridays and all throughout 174 00:07:04,094 --> 00:07:14,838 our week, through the ups and through 175 00:07:04,094 --> 00:07:15,262 the downs. 176 00:07:15,286 --> 00:07:18,310 Help us to keep our eyes fixed on your grace in our lives. 177 00:07:18,470 --> 00:07:19,670 Lord, we thank you for your love. 178 00:07:19,710 --> 00:07:20,198 We thank. 179 00:07:20,254 --> 00:07:21,770 We're thankful for your grace. 180 00:07:22,230 --> 00:07:25,334 We're thankful for the opportunity to know what it means 181 00:07:22,230 --> 00:07:27,182 to be a part of the family of God. 182 00:07:27,206 --> 00:07:27,982 And I pray this morning. 183 00:07:28,006 --> 00:07:30,782 If there's someone here that does not know you as savior, that 184 00:07:28,006 --> 00:07:32,614 today can be the day of receiving 185 00:07:28,006 --> 00:07:36,438 the grace of God in truth and in belief 186 00:07:28,006 --> 00:07:37,518 and in faith. 187 00:07:37,654 --> 00:07:40,030 But if there are believers here today that have drifted from 188 00:07:37,654 --> 00:07:41,182 understanding what it means to have 189 00:07:37,654 --> 00:07:42,566 the grace of God pervading their 190 00:07:37,654 --> 00:07:44,198 life, I pray that today can be the 191 00:07:37,654 --> 00:07:45,822 day in which we can all rest in God's 192 00:07:37,654 --> 00:07:47,662 grace and be driven forward in God's 193 00:07:37,654 --> 00:07:49,566 grace in all that we do for you. 194 00:07:49,718 --> 00:07:53,126 As ambassadors of the gospel message, Lord, I pray that you bless 195 00:07:49,718 --> 00:07:54,382 us here in this time, remove any 196 00:07:49,718 --> 00:07:56,046 distractions from our minds and from 197 00:07:49,718 --> 00:07:57,262 our hearts, and allow us to see you 198 00:07:49,718 --> 00:07:57,966 clearly this morning. 199 00:07:57,998 --> 00:07:59,322 In Jesus name we pray. 200 00:07:59,486 --> 00:07:59,954 Amen. 201 00:08:00,002 --> 00:08:03,710 I want you to see, number one, the perspective of privilege. 202 00:08:04,090 --> 00:08:06,682 Now, sometimes we can look at that word privilege as a negative 203 00:08:04,090 --> 00:08:07,350 thing. 204 00:08:08,250 --> 00:08:10,682 And really, privilege in and of itself is not negative. 205 00:08:10,746 --> 00:08:14,218 It's how we deal with that privilege that becomes a negative 206 00:08:10,746 --> 00:08:14,986 thing, right? 207 00:08:15,098 --> 00:08:18,106 Someone can have privilege in this world, but yet utilize that 208 00:08:15,098 --> 00:08:20,290 privilege as a steward of those gifts 209 00:08:15,098 --> 00:08:21,990 and actually do great things. 210 00:08:22,570 --> 00:08:25,562 I'm an only child, and I have the opportunity to have people judge 211 00:08:22,570 --> 00:08:26,002 me on that. 212 00:08:26,026 --> 00:08:28,072 They go, I've heard people say one thing or the other. 213 00:08:28,096 --> 00:08:29,800 I've heard people say depending on how their reactions 214 00:08:28,096 --> 00:08:33,624 are with me, you're natural, normal, only 215 00:08:28,096 --> 00:08:33,928 child. 216 00:08:33,984 --> 00:08:34,608 We can tell. 217 00:08:34,704 --> 00:08:36,664 We can tell by how you're selfish and how you feel like you 218 00:08:34,704 --> 00:08:38,208 have privilege, how you expect all 219 00:08:34,704 --> 00:08:38,512 these things. 220 00:08:38,536 --> 00:08:41,208 And I've met other people that maybe saw me in a better light that 221 00:08:38,536 --> 00:08:42,432 said, well, you're not like the typical 222 00:08:38,536 --> 00:08:43,608 only child, okay? 223 00:08:43,624 --> 00:08:45,704 You didn't use that privilege to become negative. 224 00:08:45,872 --> 00:08:48,392 Well, the truth is, is that privilege in and of itself is not 225 00:08:45,872 --> 00:08:49,432 a bad thing. 226 00:08:49,616 --> 00:08:53,200 It's if we abuse that privilege in vain and utilize it 227 00:08:49,616 --> 00:08:54,608 for negative things, that's when 228 00:08:49,616 --> 00:08:56,558 it becomes a bad thing in our life. 229 00:08:56,704 --> 00:09:00,658 So as a Christian, I think we can all agree that we are privileged 230 00:08:56,704 --> 00:09:01,770 in the grace of God. 231 00:09:01,810 --> 00:09:04,490 Look back there with me in verse number one, he says, we then 232 00:09:01,810 --> 00:09:07,070 talking about christians, we then 233 00:09:01,810 --> 00:09:08,610 as workers. 234 00:09:08,770 --> 00:09:10,410 Now, in this case, it's Paul. 235 00:09:10,530 --> 00:09:15,266 And in his support here, we then as workers together with him, 236 00:09:10,530 --> 00:09:17,674 he says, we get to have the privilege 237 00:09:10,530 --> 00:09:19,898 of serving with Jesus Christ. 238 00:09:19,954 --> 00:09:21,362 We didn't deserve this. 239 00:09:21,546 --> 00:09:25,240 And when we ponder on the privilege of service to the Lord, 240 00:09:21,546 --> 00:09:28,348 we practice passionate persistence. 241 00:09:28,524 --> 00:09:31,676 Folks, I'm gonna tell you, as a Christian, sometimes we can lose 242 00:09:28,524 --> 00:09:33,228 sight of the bigger purpose when 243 00:09:28,524 --> 00:09:34,796 we lose sight of the privilege it is 244 00:09:28,524 --> 00:09:36,100 to serve with Jesus Christ. 245 00:09:36,220 --> 00:09:38,924 If we start thinking that all we're doing is serving with the people 246 00:09:36,220 --> 00:09:40,476 that we're with here at the church. 247 00:09:40,588 --> 00:09:41,636 And guess what happens? 248 00:09:41,708 --> 00:09:44,204 Let's say, for example, everything's going well, and all 249 00:09:41,708 --> 00:09:45,492 of a sudden someone questions what I'm 250 00:09:41,708 --> 00:09:46,276 doing for Jesus Christ. 251 00:09:46,308 --> 00:09:47,516 They say, hey, you know what? 252 00:09:47,548 --> 00:09:48,740 Your ministry is a little iffy. 253 00:09:48,780 --> 00:09:49,148 I don't know. 254 00:09:49,164 --> 00:09:51,788 Or maybe some people stop showing up to your Bible study or 255 00:09:49,164 --> 00:09:52,746 whatever it is. 256 00:09:52,908 --> 00:09:54,158 It's tempting to say, you know what? 257 00:09:54,174 --> 00:09:57,878 I'm going to lose my persistence in ministry because I 258 00:09:54,174 --> 00:09:59,454 really don't have a purpose anymore 259 00:09:54,174 --> 00:10:01,622 because my purpose was not for the 260 00:09:54,174 --> 00:10:02,230 grace of God. 261 00:10:02,270 --> 00:10:06,070 My purpose was for the horizontal relationship, so to speak. 262 00:10:06,190 --> 00:10:09,462 And so the Bible says here that when we understand the privilege 263 00:10:06,190 --> 00:10:12,102 of God giving us grace and working with 264 00:10:06,190 --> 00:10:14,270 him, we then practice passionate 265 00:10:06,190 --> 00:10:16,366 persistence because we're not losing 266 00:10:06,190 --> 00:10:18,004 sight of the bigger purpose. 267 00:10:18,142 --> 00:10:20,968 We're not losing sight of the privilege that God has given us. 268 00:10:20,984 --> 00:10:24,800 And so it says we, all of us, if you're a believer in Jesus Christ 269 00:10:20,984 --> 00:10:26,232 this morning, you have an opportunity 270 00:10:20,984 --> 00:10:28,672 to work together with other christians. 271 00:10:28,736 --> 00:10:33,608 But ultimately it says, as workers or laborers, together with 272 00:10:28,736 --> 00:10:35,712 him, with God. 273 00:10:35,896 --> 00:10:37,984 Now, I looked into this word here. 274 00:10:38,112 --> 00:10:40,920 It's actually a phrase together with him, working together 275 00:10:38,112 --> 00:10:41,760 with him. 276 00:10:41,920 --> 00:10:45,232 And in the Greek, it's a word that's very similar to the word we 277 00:10:41,920 --> 00:10:48,160 get in the word in English, synergy, 278 00:10:41,920 --> 00:10:50,160 meaning we work together. 279 00:10:50,660 --> 00:10:54,012 We're working together with different aspects, and we're all 280 00:10:50,660 --> 00:10:55,732 coming together for a bigger purpose. 281 00:10:55,876 --> 00:10:57,560 What a privilege it is. 282 00:10:58,460 --> 00:11:03,620 What a privilege it is to work together with God and him to say, 283 00:10:58,460 --> 00:11:04,036 you know what? 284 00:11:04,068 --> 00:11:08,156 I want you to be a part of this, to work in the same purpose, 285 00:11:04,068 --> 00:11:08,556 folks. 286 00:11:08,588 --> 00:11:12,344 It would be like if you, let's say, for example, you loved baseball, 287 00:11:08,588 --> 00:11:12,936 okay? 288 00:11:12,968 --> 00:11:14,340 Let's say you love the Phillies. 289 00:11:15,240 --> 00:11:18,000 It's hard for me to say that, okay, because I don't love the Phillies. 290 00:11:18,120 --> 00:11:20,008 But let's say who's the best Phillies player? 291 00:11:20,024 --> 00:11:21,056 Is it Bryce Harper? 292 00:11:21,208 --> 00:11:22,224 We all like Bryce Harper. 293 00:11:22,272 --> 00:11:25,008 Okay, what if Bryce Harper said, hey, you know what? 294 00:11:25,064 --> 00:11:27,736 I would love to just come and, like, play baseball with you. 295 00:11:27,808 --> 00:11:30,128 I'd love for you to come and be a part of the Phillies and have 296 00:11:27,808 --> 00:11:31,792 a day where you can do batting practice 297 00:11:27,808 --> 00:11:33,112 and you can come into the locker 298 00:11:27,808 --> 00:11:34,944 room and you can be a philly for the day. 299 00:11:34,992 --> 00:11:36,448 That would be like, wow, I get to do that. 300 00:11:36,464 --> 00:11:37,136 That's a privilege. 301 00:11:37,168 --> 00:11:38,130 I'm excited. 302 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:41,606 And that's such a very basic surface level thing. 303 00:11:41,758 --> 00:11:44,630 Think about the God of the universe, the one who created all, 304 00:11:41,758 --> 00:11:46,302 the one who saves us, the one who 305 00:11:41,758 --> 00:11:48,062 redeems us, the one who died on the 306 00:11:41,758 --> 00:11:49,678 cross for your sins, says, hey, you 307 00:11:41,758 --> 00:11:52,654 get to work with me, and I get to 308 00:11:41,758 --> 00:11:54,742 utilize this opportunity as a Christian. 309 00:11:54,806 --> 00:11:58,158 And then he says, here, all of us as workers together, get to have 310 00:11:54,806 --> 00:11:59,286 the synergy. 311 00:11:59,478 --> 00:12:02,390 We do this together, but ultimately with God. 312 00:12:02,550 --> 00:12:05,966 And so we get the privilege to work with him in distributing the 313 00:12:02,550 --> 00:12:07,100 message of the truth. 314 00:12:07,190 --> 00:12:10,128 Folks, sometimes we can be tempted to think that serving God 315 00:12:07,190 --> 00:12:12,624 is an inconvenience, that serving 316 00:12:07,190 --> 00:12:14,352 others is an inconvenience. 317 00:12:14,536 --> 00:12:17,864 We get so used to the grace of God that I could sit up here and 318 00:12:14,536 --> 00:12:19,232 say, hey, think about the grace of 319 00:12:14,536 --> 00:12:19,392 God. 320 00:12:19,416 --> 00:12:20,704 And we go, oh, yeah, that's great. 321 00:12:20,752 --> 00:12:22,100 Wonderful, amazing grace. 322 00:12:22,680 --> 00:12:28,088 Think about what Jesus Christ did for you in while you were yet 323 00:12:22,680 --> 00:12:28,592 sinners. 324 00:12:28,656 --> 00:12:30,100 Christ died for you. 325 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:33,638 He died on the cross for those that he knew would reject him. 326 00:12:33,744 --> 00:12:37,106 He died on the cross for those who would sin over and over again. 327 00:12:37,138 --> 00:12:40,922 But yet he says, I love you enough to sacrifice my life for you. 328 00:12:40,946 --> 00:12:43,350 We looked at this a few weeks ago when we talked about friends. 329 00:12:43,890 --> 00:12:46,306 There's no greater love than someone who says, I'm gonna willing. 330 00:12:46,378 --> 00:12:49,602 I'm willing to lay down my life for those that I love. 331 00:12:49,666 --> 00:12:52,202 Jesus says, I love you, and he proves his love. 332 00:12:52,346 --> 00:12:54,310 That's the depth of God's grace. 333 00:12:55,610 --> 00:12:57,618 But so many times we receive that in vain. 334 00:12:57,674 --> 00:13:00,344 So many times we hear the grace of God preach, and we go, yep, 335 00:12:57,674 --> 00:13:01,228 he loves me. 336 00:13:01,284 --> 00:13:01,972 He should love me. 337 00:13:01,996 --> 00:13:03,196 Don't you know who I am? 338 00:13:03,348 --> 00:13:05,080 I'm a good church member. 339 00:13:05,380 --> 00:13:07,660 And the truth is that we almost come to the point where this 340 00:13:05,380 --> 00:13:09,572 privilege that we get from God becomes 341 00:13:05,380 --> 00:13:11,204 a badge of a, you know what? 342 00:13:11,292 --> 00:13:12,604 I expect this to happen. 343 00:13:12,692 --> 00:13:14,732 I expect God to just keep pouring out grace to me. 344 00:13:14,756 --> 00:13:17,540 Folks, every gift that we have is a gift from God. 345 00:13:17,620 --> 00:13:20,268 We should be thankful, and that thankfulness should drive us 346 00:13:17,620 --> 00:13:22,676 to that point of persistence in the 347 00:13:17,620 --> 00:13:24,412 distribution of the gospel grace 348 00:13:17,620 --> 00:13:25,520 of Jesus Christ. 349 00:13:26,010 --> 00:13:28,266 Paul sees himself as a co worker with Jesus. 350 00:13:28,298 --> 00:13:29,350 They're partners. 351 00:13:30,050 --> 00:13:34,430 The Lord wants us to know that we're not alone in our ambassadorship. 352 00:13:34,810 --> 00:13:36,674 Sometimes you might feel tempted to be alone. 353 00:13:36,722 --> 00:13:39,746 This is a reminder here that you're not alone, though. 354 00:13:39,778 --> 00:13:41,954 You might feel alone in your ministry, you might feel alone in 355 00:13:39,778 --> 00:13:42,834 your christian life. 356 00:13:42,922 --> 00:13:44,418 You might feel alone in this world today. 357 00:13:44,474 --> 00:13:45,642 You might say, you know what? 358 00:13:45,666 --> 00:13:48,482 I just feel like no one cares about what I'm doing for Jesus. 359 00:13:48,586 --> 00:13:51,858 No one cares about what I'm doing when it comes to my sacrifice. 360 00:13:51,954 --> 00:13:54,938 No one cares what I'm going through when it comes to this trial 361 00:13:51,954 --> 00:13:55,914 and this issue. 362 00:13:56,002 --> 00:13:56,466 You know what? 363 00:13:56,498 --> 00:13:59,290 The Bible says that God does care for us, and he's with us through 364 00:13:56,498 --> 00:13:59,698 that. 365 00:13:59,794 --> 00:14:02,954 And it's his victory in our life that is our victory. 366 00:14:03,082 --> 00:14:05,410 Folks, we sing this song called victory in Jesus. 367 00:14:05,530 --> 00:14:08,018 And the only way that we can sing victory in Jesus is because 368 00:14:05,530 --> 00:14:09,530 of what he has done for us. 369 00:14:09,610 --> 00:14:10,530 It's not our victory. 370 00:14:10,570 --> 00:14:12,354 And we slap Jesus name on it. 371 00:14:12,442 --> 00:14:15,626 It's our victory because of what he has done for us and our complete 372 00:14:12,442 --> 00:14:17,026 reliance on his grace. 373 00:14:17,138 --> 00:14:20,184 I want you to go back with me and see what it says there in Ephesians, 374 00:14:17,138 --> 00:14:20,784 chapter two. 375 00:14:20,832 --> 00:14:22,088 Most of you know what it says. 376 00:14:22,224 --> 00:14:24,128 Ephesians, chapter two, verses eight and nine. 377 00:14:24,184 --> 00:14:28,140 For by grace are ye saved. 378 00:14:30,040 --> 00:14:32,608 It doesn't say, for by grace plus works. 379 00:14:32,744 --> 00:14:34,320 It doesn't say, for by grace. 380 00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:38,216 And you giving to the church for by grace and then your service 381 00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:38,656 to me. 382 00:14:38,688 --> 00:14:42,104 No, it says, for by grace are you saved through faith. 383 00:14:42,232 --> 00:14:46,464 You are trusting in God's grace and his grace alone to save 384 00:14:42,232 --> 00:14:47,050 you. 385 00:14:47,200 --> 00:14:49,118 And then he says, and that not of yourselves. 386 00:14:49,174 --> 00:14:53,558 He reminds us it's not of ourselves, but it is a gift of God, 387 00:14:49,174 --> 00:14:54,590 not of works. 388 00:14:54,630 --> 00:14:57,902 Just in case we missed it on the front side, he's coming back 389 00:14:54,630 --> 00:14:59,422 on the backside saying, it's not of 390 00:14:54,630 --> 00:15:00,006 works. 391 00:15:00,118 --> 00:15:01,870 You did nothing for this. 392 00:15:01,990 --> 00:15:03,750 You did not work your way to heaven. 393 00:15:03,830 --> 00:15:05,902 You did not work your way to God's grace. 394 00:15:06,046 --> 00:15:08,806 All you did was trust in the grace that's already presented to 395 00:15:06,046 --> 00:15:09,410 you. 396 00:15:09,870 --> 00:15:14,366 Folks, if we are not based in grace in every element of our christian 397 00:15:09,870 --> 00:15:15,454 life, we're going to lose sight of 398 00:15:09,870 --> 00:15:17,090 the purpose of what we are doing. 399 00:15:18,020 --> 00:15:18,844 Well, you know what? 400 00:15:18,932 --> 00:15:20,364 I can't forgive that person. 401 00:15:20,532 --> 00:15:22,708 I can't forgive that person, even though they're coming back to 402 00:15:20,532 --> 00:15:24,612 me in repentance, I will never forgive 403 00:15:20,532 --> 00:15:25,756 that person for what they did. 404 00:15:25,828 --> 00:15:26,252 You know what? 405 00:15:26,276 --> 00:15:30,200 If you understand the grace of God, you will be willing to forgive. 406 00:15:30,700 --> 00:15:31,404 You know what? 407 00:15:31,492 --> 00:15:34,716 If you say, I'll never give someone this, I'll never give God 408 00:15:31,492 --> 00:15:35,572 this out of my life. 409 00:15:35,636 --> 00:15:38,796 If you understand what it means to have God's grace given to 410 00:15:35,636 --> 00:15:40,644 you, it won't be a struggle for you 411 00:15:35,636 --> 00:15:41,948 to give that over to God. 412 00:15:42,084 --> 00:15:44,268 This area God cannot take from me. 413 00:15:44,364 --> 00:15:45,716 You say, I've never said that. 414 00:15:45,788 --> 00:15:48,764 Folks, I have heard, literally people say, I'll give everything 415 00:15:45,788 --> 00:15:50,364 to God, except this. 416 00:15:50,532 --> 00:15:51,916 Can't have this in my life. 417 00:15:51,988 --> 00:15:55,320 If you understand God's grace, it's his anyway. 418 00:15:56,140 --> 00:15:58,892 And so the truth is, in our life, when we understand God's grace, 419 00:15:56,140 --> 00:16:00,460 all these other elements of our life 420 00:15:56,140 --> 00:16:02,892 will play out in the biblical manner. 421 00:16:03,076 --> 00:16:06,644 And so what we see here this morning is this he says, for by grace 422 00:16:03,076 --> 00:16:08,724 are you saved through faith, and 423 00:16:03,076 --> 00:16:09,508 that not of yourselves. 424 00:16:09,564 --> 00:16:12,682 It is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. 425 00:16:12,796 --> 00:16:15,318 The Bible says, really, as Christians, we have no reason to 426 00:16:12,796 --> 00:16:15,970 boast. 427 00:16:16,510 --> 00:16:20,174 No reason boast means that to have this opportunity to say, look 428 00:16:16,510 --> 00:16:20,654 at me. 429 00:16:20,702 --> 00:16:21,710 Look what I did. 430 00:16:21,790 --> 00:16:25,430 Look at my ministry, look at my Sunday school, look at my bank 431 00:16:21,790 --> 00:16:27,062 account, look at my house. 432 00:16:27,166 --> 00:16:28,478 You know what the Bible tells us? 433 00:16:28,494 --> 00:16:31,342 That there is no reason to boast because of the grace of God. 434 00:16:31,446 --> 00:16:34,838 So when we stand in light of the grace of God, all we can do is 435 00:16:31,446 --> 00:16:37,050 say, this is only by God's grace. 436 00:16:37,430 --> 00:16:38,670 Only by God's grace. 437 00:16:38,710 --> 00:16:40,602 I look here this morning and Silas. 438 00:16:40,706 --> 00:16:44,290 Alicia carries up Silas this morning, and I'm like, he is only 439 00:16:40,706 --> 00:16:45,710 by God's grace. 440 00:16:46,170 --> 00:16:48,018 I didn't do anything in that process. 441 00:16:48,114 --> 00:16:49,830 I can tell you the moment. 442 00:16:50,530 --> 00:16:51,082 I'll get real. 443 00:16:51,106 --> 00:16:52,338 I'm gonna get off the script a little bit here. 444 00:16:52,354 --> 00:16:55,714 This morning, the moment they brought Silas, you know, he's born. 445 00:16:55,842 --> 00:16:57,586 And normally they bring the baby to the parent. 446 00:16:57,618 --> 00:16:58,994 The parent gets to hold the baby. 447 00:16:59,122 --> 00:17:00,354 Mom's always first. 448 00:17:00,522 --> 00:17:02,618 And then I come second, and we're sitting there and they're like, 449 00:17:00,522 --> 00:17:03,230 yeah. 450 00:17:04,330 --> 00:17:05,989 They start telling us all the problems. 451 00:17:06,089 --> 00:17:08,741 Like, well, you know, he's got this, and he's got this, and he's 452 00:17:06,089 --> 00:17:09,781 going into respiratory failure. 453 00:17:09,805 --> 00:17:10,677 We got to take him. 454 00:17:10,773 --> 00:17:12,413 We didn't even get a chance to hold him. 455 00:17:12,541 --> 00:17:15,357 And I remember he's in this little incubator looking thing, and 456 00:17:12,541 --> 00:17:17,253 they've got this mask on him, and 457 00:17:12,541 --> 00:17:18,449 the air is breathing. 458 00:17:18,909 --> 00:17:22,669 And that was, I think, the first moment in my life I started 459 00:17:18,909 --> 00:17:25,129 to realize I am not in control. 460 00:17:25,709 --> 00:17:27,889 I can't talk my way out of this. 461 00:17:28,389 --> 00:17:29,477 I can't negotiate. 462 00:17:29,533 --> 00:17:30,589 I can't manipulate. 463 00:17:30,669 --> 00:17:31,485 I can't do anything. 464 00:17:31,517 --> 00:17:34,826 In that moment, he leaves the room, and I remember Alicia looking 465 00:17:31,517 --> 00:17:38,030 to me, and she said, what is God doing? 466 00:17:38,810 --> 00:17:43,642 And as a husband, as a dad, and as a pastor, right? 467 00:17:43,666 --> 00:17:45,074 Because, mind you, I'm a pastor, too. 468 00:17:45,162 --> 00:17:48,082 I wanted to have this big theological answer and say, well, 469 00:17:45,162 --> 00:17:49,698 this is all part of the plan for 470 00:17:45,162 --> 00:17:50,770 us to trust in God more. 471 00:17:50,810 --> 00:17:53,590 And no, at that very moment, I said, I don't know. 472 00:17:54,090 --> 00:17:55,270 I don't know. 473 00:17:55,730 --> 00:17:59,604 And outside of the fact that I know that God is good, outside of 474 00:17:55,730 --> 00:18:00,796 the fact that I know that God is 475 00:17:55,730 --> 00:18:02,116 powerful, that he's extended grace 476 00:17:55,730 --> 00:18:04,428 to me in salvation, I did not have a 477 00:17:55,730 --> 00:18:06,108 theological answer of why that had 478 00:17:55,730 --> 00:18:06,988 to happen in that moment. 479 00:18:07,044 --> 00:18:07,956 I don't know. 480 00:18:08,148 --> 00:18:09,572 It's okay to say I don't know. 481 00:18:09,636 --> 00:18:12,492 But what we have to go back to is understand that God is defined 482 00:18:09,636 --> 00:18:14,660 by his holiness, and God is defined 483 00:18:09,636 --> 00:18:17,100 by his grace, and God is defined by his 484 00:18:09,636 --> 00:18:17,852 love for us. 485 00:18:17,916 --> 00:18:20,708 And therefore, no matter what happens in our life, we go back to 486 00:18:17,916 --> 00:18:22,596 that depth of grace and say, even 487 00:18:17,916 --> 00:18:25,510 if God takes away, he is still good, 488 00:18:17,916 --> 00:18:27,178 he is still gracious. 489 00:18:27,354 --> 00:18:30,826 And that is the point in our lives that sometimes we are challenged 490 00:18:27,354 --> 00:18:31,586 with in our life. 491 00:18:31,658 --> 00:18:33,602 We're challenged with this idea of, well, everything's not the 492 00:18:31,658 --> 00:18:34,570 way that I want it to be. 493 00:18:34,650 --> 00:18:36,950 And so I'm receiving God's grace in vain. 494 00:18:37,690 --> 00:18:40,226 And so God wants us to see the depths of his grace. 495 00:18:40,298 --> 00:18:42,642 But then I want you to see verse number ten in Ephesians chapter 496 00:18:40,298 --> 00:18:44,362 two, because a lot of people think, 497 00:18:40,298 --> 00:18:45,258 yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. 498 00:18:45,274 --> 00:18:46,950 I can't boast in my salvation. 499 00:18:48,610 --> 00:18:50,018 I can't boast in my salvation. 500 00:18:50,074 --> 00:18:55,600 I know that I wasn't saved by my works, but I grow in my own works. 501 00:18:55,720 --> 00:18:57,240 I'm blessed in my own works. 502 00:18:57,320 --> 00:19:00,000 No, because the very next verse, he's talking, he's continuing 503 00:18:57,320 --> 00:19:02,000 the thought, and then he says, the next 504 00:18:57,320 --> 00:19:04,456 verse, he says, for we are his workmanship. 505 00:19:04,568 --> 00:19:10,208 When we are saved, we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus 506 00:19:04,568 --> 00:19:11,820 unto good works. 507 00:19:12,960 --> 00:19:14,280 Where do the good works come from? 508 00:19:14,320 --> 00:19:18,178 Well, just me cleaning up my life and figuring it out and becoming 509 00:19:14,320 --> 00:19:19,710 more knowledgeable in the Bible. 510 00:19:20,610 --> 00:19:23,498 No, he's talking about grace here. 511 00:19:23,594 --> 00:19:25,990 He says the good works come from his grace, too. 512 00:19:26,450 --> 00:19:29,626 And so the sanctification process, the growth process of us 513 00:19:26,450 --> 00:19:31,466 understanding him more and more comes 514 00:19:26,450 --> 00:19:32,842 from a depth of understanding his 515 00:19:26,450 --> 00:19:33,738 grace in our life. 516 00:19:33,834 --> 00:19:38,602 And he says here, he says that we are created in Christ Jesus. 517 00:19:38,706 --> 00:19:42,450 That's our identity unto good works which God has before ordained 518 00:19:38,706 --> 00:19:43,706 that we should walk in them. 519 00:19:43,738 --> 00:19:45,872 This is all a work of goddess. 520 00:19:46,006 --> 00:19:49,260 Your spiritual growth is not just you cleaning your life up, it's 521 00:19:46,006 --> 00:19:51,396 God literally changing you and gracing 522 00:19:46,006 --> 00:19:52,908 you in every moment that you face. 523 00:19:53,004 --> 00:19:55,964 And God gives us grace in the moments that we need that grace. 524 00:19:56,092 --> 00:19:58,612 If I look into people's lives that are going through struggles 525 00:19:56,092 --> 00:19:59,940 and I go, I don't know how they're doing 526 00:19:56,092 --> 00:20:00,276 that. 527 00:20:00,348 --> 00:20:02,124 I don't know how they can sustain this. 528 00:20:02,212 --> 00:20:04,396 I don't know how they can look to Jesus Christ in this. 529 00:20:04,468 --> 00:20:06,948 Well, the truth is that I'm not looking at it through their lens 530 00:20:04,468 --> 00:20:07,644 of grace. 531 00:20:07,772 --> 00:20:11,158 I don't understand God's grace that is poured out upon them like 532 00:20:07,772 --> 00:20:12,598 someone that loses a child. 533 00:20:12,774 --> 00:20:15,534 I can't understand how someone could go through that. 534 00:20:15,702 --> 00:20:18,302 But if they're walking in Jesus Christ, God is giving them 535 00:20:15,702 --> 00:20:19,798 the grace for that moment. 536 00:20:19,934 --> 00:20:22,326 And that might not be the grace that I'm understanding in that 537 00:20:19,934 --> 00:20:24,390 moment, but ultimately, God is giving 538 00:20:19,934 --> 00:20:26,150 us the power to overcome all these 539 00:20:19,934 --> 00:20:27,814 elements in our life, and so his 540 00:20:19,934 --> 00:20:29,262 victory is our victory. 541 00:20:29,406 --> 00:20:30,862 It isn't that God needed Paul. 542 00:20:30,926 --> 00:20:34,614 It isn't that God needs us instead. 543 00:20:34,662 --> 00:20:38,918 It's that God wants us to be workers together with him for our 544 00:20:34,662 --> 00:20:39,646 good. 545 00:20:39,838 --> 00:20:40,902 Do you understand that? 546 00:20:40,966 --> 00:20:43,570 Do you understand this morning that God does not need me? 547 00:20:43,950 --> 00:20:45,830 If I kicked over right here, right now? 548 00:20:45,910 --> 00:20:46,222 Okay. 549 00:20:46,246 --> 00:20:48,710 And sometimes I get so fired up up here that I feel like I might. 550 00:20:48,750 --> 00:20:52,318 I got my wristwatch, and I have my heart rate on it. 551 00:20:52,334 --> 00:20:54,294 And I always love to go back and see what my heart rate is when 552 00:20:52,334 --> 00:20:54,686 I'm preaching. 553 00:20:54,718 --> 00:20:56,446 Cause it's like spiking through the roof. 554 00:20:56,598 --> 00:20:59,798 But the truth is, is that if I was gone, guess what? 555 00:20:59,894 --> 00:21:02,910 Someone can come and fill this pulpit, and the work of God is gonna 556 00:20:59,894 --> 00:21:03,358 move forward. 557 00:21:03,414 --> 00:21:05,018 This work is not in me. 558 00:21:05,174 --> 00:21:06,386 This work is not in you. 559 00:21:06,418 --> 00:21:08,146 It's where the work is in Jesus Christ. 560 00:21:08,258 --> 00:21:09,394 We get to be a part of it. 561 00:21:09,442 --> 00:21:11,954 It's for our good that we get to serve God. 562 00:21:12,122 --> 00:21:14,070 That's the exciting element of this. 563 00:21:14,930 --> 00:21:20,242 Sometimes we see working and serving God and serving others and 564 00:21:14,930 --> 00:21:22,754 pleading with others as this inconvenience 565 00:21:14,930 --> 00:21:24,322 or this burden that we place in our 566 00:21:14,930 --> 00:21:24,506 life. 567 00:21:24,538 --> 00:21:26,470 Folks, it should be the total opposite. 568 00:21:27,290 --> 00:21:28,562 There was a moment here this week. 569 00:21:28,586 --> 00:21:31,600 I got to go to the Bible museum and watch it play. 570 00:21:31,770 --> 00:21:32,916 It was Pilgrim's progress. 571 00:21:32,948 --> 00:21:35,252 If you ever know about Pilgrim's progress, it's an awesome, 572 00:21:32,948 --> 00:21:35,820 awesome story. 573 00:21:35,860 --> 00:21:37,280 One of my favorite books to read. 574 00:21:38,220 --> 00:21:41,332 And when Christian, I won't spoil it for you, but Christian is 575 00:21:38,220 --> 00:21:42,940 carrying this burden with him, this 576 00:21:38,220 --> 00:21:44,400 huge burden on his back. 577 00:21:44,700 --> 00:21:49,212 And when he comes to Mount Calvary and he trusts in Jesus, he 578 00:21:44,700 --> 00:21:50,468 puts his faith in Jesus. 579 00:21:50,524 --> 00:21:51,556 I can't work my way. 580 00:21:51,628 --> 00:21:53,436 He tried to go up Mount legality. 581 00:21:53,548 --> 00:21:56,228 He tried to go down all these different paths of his own works. 582 00:21:56,244 --> 00:21:57,366 And he finally gets to the. 583 00:21:57,468 --> 00:22:00,450 He gets to Mount Calvary, and he trusts in Jesus. 584 00:22:00,490 --> 00:22:03,618 And in the play, his burden rolls off, and the light comes behind 585 00:22:00,490 --> 00:22:04,298 the cross. 586 00:22:04,394 --> 00:22:06,018 Man, I was like a baby in tears. 587 00:22:06,074 --> 00:22:08,962 Cause I remember that day when that burden fell off at Calvary. 588 00:22:09,146 --> 00:22:11,602 And for some of you, you remember that sin burden that was 589 00:22:09,146 --> 00:22:13,834 weighing on you and taking you down. 590 00:22:13,922 --> 00:22:16,210 And the moment that you trust in Jesus Christ, that burden was 591 00:22:13,922 --> 00:22:16,890 lifted. 592 00:22:17,010 --> 00:22:19,474 And that's the point that we have here this morning, that Jesus 593 00:22:17,010 --> 00:22:20,418 did this for me. 594 00:22:20,514 --> 00:22:24,382 I can't help but to serve him and to sacrifice for him, it's no 595 00:22:20,514 --> 00:22:25,850 longer a burden of sin. 596 00:22:26,670 --> 00:22:29,730 It's the burden of service to him in thankfulness. 597 00:22:31,430 --> 00:22:35,630 And so I want you to see here as a Christian this morning. 598 00:22:35,670 --> 00:22:38,430 If you are a believer this morning, you have the opportunity 599 00:22:35,670 --> 00:22:40,382 to receive his grace and serve in his 600 00:22:35,670 --> 00:22:42,670 grace and have the focus solely on 601 00:22:35,670 --> 00:22:42,910 him. 602 00:22:42,950 --> 00:22:45,030 First Corinthians, chapter three, verse nine. 603 00:22:45,070 --> 00:22:47,758 For we are laborers together with God. 604 00:22:47,894 --> 00:22:51,454 God wants us to be reminded here this morning that we are working 605 00:22:47,894 --> 00:22:52,054 with him. 606 00:22:52,102 --> 00:22:53,214 He's on our side. 607 00:22:53,342 --> 00:22:55,070 Ye are God's husbandry. 608 00:22:55,190 --> 00:22:59,662 Ye are God's building according to the grace of God, which 609 00:22:55,190 --> 00:23:02,686 is given unto me as the wise master 610 00:22:55,190 --> 00:23:03,030 builder. 611 00:23:03,070 --> 00:23:04,734 God is the wise master builder. 612 00:23:04,822 --> 00:23:06,246 He's the one giving me grace. 613 00:23:06,358 --> 00:23:10,118 Then he says, I have laid the foundation and another buildeth thereon. 614 00:23:10,214 --> 00:23:13,478 But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 615 00:23:13,574 --> 00:23:17,844 What foundation for other foundation can no man lay that is 616 00:23:13,574 --> 00:23:19,636 laid, which is Jesus Christ? 617 00:23:19,748 --> 00:23:22,412 The grace of Jesus Christ, and what he has done for us has to be 618 00:23:19,748 --> 00:23:23,440 the foundation. 619 00:23:24,340 --> 00:23:27,196 Your spiritual growth is based in Jesus Christ and trusting in him 620 00:23:24,340 --> 00:23:27,920 alone. 621 00:23:30,100 --> 00:23:33,876 Your salvation was something that God gifted you with. 622 00:23:33,948 --> 00:23:36,876 Your sanctification is something that God blesses you with. 623 00:23:36,948 --> 00:23:40,108 Your service is something that God blesses you with. 624 00:23:40,284 --> 00:23:45,022 And so if we don't see something through this perspective, 625 00:23:40,284 --> 00:23:47,542 it's very tempting to see service as not 626 00:23:40,284 --> 00:23:48,254 a gift. 627 00:23:48,422 --> 00:23:50,370 We see service as a struggle. 628 00:23:50,990 --> 00:23:52,886 I'm going to tell you here this morning, if you see service 629 00:23:50,990 --> 00:23:54,766 as something other than a gift, it's 630 00:23:50,990 --> 00:23:56,134 time to reevaluate. 631 00:23:56,302 --> 00:23:58,182 It's time to pull back and reevaluate. 632 00:23:58,246 --> 00:23:59,822 Why am I doing what I'm doing? 633 00:23:59,966 --> 00:24:01,970 Who am I serving? 634 00:24:02,310 --> 00:24:04,250 What am I serving? 635 00:24:04,790 --> 00:24:08,166 And so the concept of that privilege is that perspective of 636 00:24:04,790 --> 00:24:09,398 privilege that we have to have. 637 00:24:09,454 --> 00:24:16,200 But then I want you to see, as the power of God comes through us, 638 00:24:09,454 --> 00:24:18,032 we have the power to plead. 639 00:24:18,136 --> 00:24:22,096 Look there in verse number one, he says, okay, because of the 640 00:24:18,136 --> 00:24:23,560 fact that I'm working with God. 641 00:24:23,640 --> 00:24:25,904 I beseech you, I plead with you. 642 00:24:26,032 --> 00:24:29,560 And so the perspective of privilege brings us to the power 643 00:24:26,032 --> 00:24:30,528 to plead. 644 00:24:30,624 --> 00:24:31,656 Now, it's okay to plead. 645 00:24:31,688 --> 00:24:32,656 It's okay to beg. 646 00:24:32,768 --> 00:24:35,488 When it comes to the idea of begging for Jesus Christ, Paul, all 647 00:24:32,768 --> 00:24:36,552 the time in the New Testament says, 648 00:24:32,768 --> 00:24:37,536 I beseech you. 649 00:24:37,648 --> 00:24:39,848 I plead with you folks. 650 00:24:39,904 --> 00:24:42,184 There is an urgency to this message. 651 00:24:42,272 --> 00:24:45,504 There is an urgency to what God has called us to do as an ambassador. 652 00:24:45,592 --> 00:24:46,640 We don't just lay back. 653 00:24:46,680 --> 00:24:48,888 We have an urgency to the gospel message. 654 00:24:49,064 --> 00:24:50,408 And so what is Paul saying here? 655 00:24:50,424 --> 00:24:51,512 As he's preaching? 656 00:24:51,696 --> 00:24:53,952 He says, I beseech you, I plead with you. 657 00:24:53,976 --> 00:24:54,808 What also? 658 00:24:54,864 --> 00:24:57,376 That ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 659 00:24:57,568 --> 00:25:01,040 Paul told us that God was pleading through his ministry. 660 00:25:01,160 --> 00:25:03,018 He was pleading through the apostles. 661 00:25:03,144 --> 00:25:06,302 And now Paul is also pleading with the corinthian Christians not 662 00:25:03,144 --> 00:25:07,902 to receive God's grace in vain, but 663 00:25:03,144 --> 00:25:09,902 to receive it in substance. 664 00:25:10,086 --> 00:25:12,614 We know that in two corinthians chapter five, just a 665 00:25:10,086 --> 00:25:15,574 few verses back, verse number 20, 666 00:25:10,086 --> 00:25:18,462 he says this same concept now that 667 00:25:10,086 --> 00:25:20,222 we are ambassadors for Christ, as 668 00:25:10,086 --> 00:25:21,486 though God did beseech you. 669 00:25:21,518 --> 00:25:22,438 God is beseeching you. 670 00:25:22,454 --> 00:25:22,958 He's pleading you. 671 00:25:22,974 --> 00:25:24,758 So he says, God's pleading with you. 672 00:25:24,854 --> 00:25:26,250 I'm pleading with you. 673 00:25:26,910 --> 00:25:29,318 You are probably familiar with Romans, chapter twelve. 674 00:25:29,374 --> 00:25:31,370 Romans, chapter twelve, verses one and two. 675 00:25:31,960 --> 00:25:35,896 This is this idea that Paul is pleading with us that live a transformed 676 00:25:31,960 --> 00:25:37,752 life, not a conformed life to this 677 00:25:31,960 --> 00:25:37,912 world. 678 00:25:37,936 --> 00:25:39,832 He says, I beseech you, therefore, brethren. 679 00:25:39,976 --> 00:25:43,240 I plead with you, brethren, by the mercies of God, by the grace 680 00:25:39,976 --> 00:25:44,808 of God, that ye present your bodies, 681 00:25:39,976 --> 00:25:47,120 your everything, a living sacrifice, wholly 682 00:25:39,976 --> 00:25:48,592 acceptable unto God, which is your 683 00:25:39,976 --> 00:25:50,456 reasonable service, and be not conformed 684 00:25:39,976 --> 00:25:50,912 to this world. 685 00:25:50,936 --> 00:25:53,752 But be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may 686 00:25:50,936 --> 00:25:55,840 prove what is that good and acceptable 687 00:25:50,936 --> 00:25:57,328 and perfect will of God. 688 00:25:57,384 --> 00:26:00,526 I to follow the will of God, we have to understand that our service 689 00:25:57,384 --> 00:26:02,766 is based in that understanding, that 690 00:25:57,384 --> 00:26:04,678 God has transformed us. 691 00:26:04,854 --> 00:26:07,734 If we're not understanding that grace and we're not living in 692 00:26:04,854 --> 00:26:09,086 that transformed life, what we do 693 00:26:04,854 --> 00:26:10,726 is we live in that conformity to 694 00:26:04,854 --> 00:26:11,502 this world. 695 00:26:11,646 --> 00:26:14,574 He basically says here that these are the two contrasting things. 696 00:26:14,702 --> 00:26:17,582 Am I gonna be living in that transformed life, or am I gonna be 697 00:26:14,702 --> 00:26:19,210 living conformed to this world? 698 00:26:19,870 --> 00:26:21,814 Folks, the default setting. 699 00:26:21,862 --> 00:26:23,990 Let me tell you what's the default setting in our humanity, 700 00:26:21,862 --> 00:26:26,176 in our flesh, conformed to this world? 701 00:26:26,328 --> 00:26:30,656 The world pulls us deeper and deeper into its clutches, and it 702 00:26:26,328 --> 00:26:32,248 looks more and more attractive when 703 00:26:26,328 --> 00:26:33,472 we're living outside of the grace 704 00:26:26,328 --> 00:26:34,208 of God. 705 00:26:34,344 --> 00:26:36,624 But the more we live in the grace of God, the more we lived in 706 00:26:34,344 --> 00:26:37,752 that transformed lifestyle. 707 00:26:37,776 --> 00:26:40,632 And that thing of that world does not pull my heart. 708 00:26:40,696 --> 00:26:42,420 It does not pull my attention. 709 00:26:42,880 --> 00:26:46,024 You know, there's that classic song that we sing when we focus on 710 00:26:42,880 --> 00:26:46,552 the grace of God. 711 00:26:46,576 --> 00:26:49,376 The things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of his 712 00:26:46,576 --> 00:26:50,460 glory and grace. 713 00:26:51,370 --> 00:26:54,470 You wanna stop being attracted to the things of this world? 714 00:26:54,890 --> 00:26:55,402 Well, just. 715 00:26:55,426 --> 00:26:57,362 Let's put more rules in the church, right? 716 00:26:57,506 --> 00:26:58,426 Let's just put more rules. 717 00:26:58,458 --> 00:27:00,306 Hey, guys, no tvs in your house. 718 00:27:00,458 --> 00:27:01,218 Kick em out. 719 00:27:01,274 --> 00:27:02,354 No more Internet. 720 00:27:02,522 --> 00:27:03,738 Did you know that if. 721 00:27:03,874 --> 00:27:05,986 Did you know that before they had tvs and Internet, there were 722 00:27:03,874 --> 00:27:07,842 still people that were lusting after 723 00:27:03,874 --> 00:27:09,030 the things of this world. 724 00:27:09,370 --> 00:27:09,914 Wow. 725 00:27:10,002 --> 00:27:11,050 It's hard to believe. 726 00:27:11,210 --> 00:27:13,178 So a lot of times what we think about is this. 727 00:27:13,274 --> 00:27:15,770 We think that, oh, we just need more rules or we need to pull 728 00:27:13,274 --> 00:27:16,676 more things back. 729 00:27:16,778 --> 00:27:19,752 Folks, the remedy to not looking at the things of this world 730 00:27:16,778 --> 00:27:21,424 and desiring it is to look to Jesus 731 00:27:16,778 --> 00:27:23,256 Christ and desire his grace in your 732 00:27:16,778 --> 00:27:23,860 life. 733 00:27:24,160 --> 00:27:25,664 I'm a product of grace. 734 00:27:25,792 --> 00:27:27,360 I'm a product of his change. 735 00:27:27,480 --> 00:27:28,880 I'm transformed by him. 736 00:27:29,000 --> 00:27:32,656 It's not about removing things as much as it is going to him and 737 00:27:29,000 --> 00:27:33,376 clinging to him. 738 00:27:33,448 --> 00:27:36,432 And the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of his 739 00:27:33,448 --> 00:27:37,440 glory and grace. 740 00:27:37,600 --> 00:27:40,168 Keep your eyes fixed on him and what he has done for us. 741 00:27:40,264 --> 00:27:42,342 And so Paul says, don't receive this. 742 00:27:42,456 --> 00:27:43,506 Don't receive this in faith. 743 00:27:43,538 --> 00:27:48,538 When he's pleading with them, the word means to essentially comfort, 744 00:27:43,538 --> 00:27:50,642 to exhort, to challenge. 745 00:27:50,786 --> 00:27:52,314 And so we're pleading with a purpose. 746 00:27:52,362 --> 00:27:54,506 I want you to know here this morning, as christians, we're not 747 00:27:52,362 --> 00:27:55,830 living hopeless lives. 748 00:27:56,330 --> 00:27:57,770 We're not living meaningless lives. 749 00:27:57,810 --> 00:28:00,386 We're leading lives that are filled with a purpose. 750 00:28:00,418 --> 00:28:04,050 And that is the purpose of preaching the grace of Jesus Christ, 751 00:28:00,418 --> 00:28:06,122 to know and to receive the grace of 752 00:28:00,418 --> 00:28:06,710 God. 753 00:28:07,090 --> 00:28:09,594 If we're preaching anything outside the grace of Goddesse on 754 00:28:07,090 --> 00:28:10,802 the initial side of things, we're 755 00:28:07,090 --> 00:28:11,990 preaching something wrong. 756 00:28:12,770 --> 00:28:15,818 And so the warning is this, don't receive the grace of God in 757 00:28:12,770 --> 00:28:16,434 vain. 758 00:28:16,602 --> 00:28:20,618 God extends grace to us in various ways in salvation and sanctification 759 00:28:16,602 --> 00:28:21,430 and service. 760 00:28:21,850 --> 00:28:24,670 And so I believe Paul is addressing both of those areas. 761 00:28:25,330 --> 00:28:28,402 Don't receive the message of God saving grace with a focus on 762 00:28:25,330 --> 00:28:29,738 yourself, because you know what? 763 00:28:29,794 --> 00:28:32,242 It actually can be that some people aren't saved because they're 764 00:28:29,794 --> 00:28:34,002 not receiving God's grace and salvation. 765 00:28:34,106 --> 00:28:37,614 Let's say you're sitting out there this morning and you're not 766 00:28:34,106 --> 00:28:39,622 a believer, and I preach to you God's 767 00:28:34,106 --> 00:28:40,702 grace, and you say, you know what? 768 00:28:40,726 --> 00:28:41,734 I don't need God's grace. 769 00:28:41,782 --> 00:28:42,886 I can handle it myself. 770 00:28:42,998 --> 00:28:46,510 That would be receiving God's grace in vain in salvation, folks, 771 00:28:42,998 --> 00:28:48,694 someone who rejects or stiff arms 772 00:28:42,998 --> 00:28:50,198 the grace of God is someone that 773 00:28:42,998 --> 00:28:51,430 is not a Christian, okay? 774 00:28:51,510 --> 00:28:53,966 You cannot get saved without understanding God's grace. 775 00:28:54,078 --> 00:28:56,558 That's not narrow minded, that's biblical, okay? 776 00:28:56,574 --> 00:28:59,574 If someone says, I don't need God's grace, I don't need his forgiveness, 777 00:28:56,574 --> 00:29:01,054 I don't need anything like that. 778 00:29:01,142 --> 00:29:03,242 I want to be religious, but I don't want God's grace. 779 00:29:03,326 --> 00:29:08,626 The Bible says, for by grace are ye saved so someone can stiff 780 00:29:03,326 --> 00:29:10,826 arm God's grace in pride and receive 781 00:29:03,326 --> 00:29:12,274 it in vain and not be saved. 782 00:29:12,362 --> 00:29:15,786 But the Bible does say that we can receive God's grace in truth, 783 00:29:12,362 --> 00:29:18,490 but yet through our lives live that lifestyle 784 00:29:12,362 --> 00:29:19,154 that says, you know what? 785 00:29:19,162 --> 00:29:20,290 I don't need God now. 786 00:29:20,410 --> 00:29:21,746 I don't need God now. 787 00:29:21,938 --> 00:29:26,018 And so it means here in the concept of receiving in vain, it 788 00:29:21,938 --> 00:29:27,866 means to receive the goodness and 789 00:29:21,938 --> 00:29:30,766 favor of goddess, yet to hinder the 790 00:29:21,938 --> 00:29:32,286 work of grace in one's life. 791 00:29:32,358 --> 00:29:34,694 It means to receive the favor of God and salvation. 792 00:29:34,822 --> 00:29:37,566 But then to fall into what Paul speaks of in one Corinthians 793 00:29:34,822 --> 00:29:39,990 chapter 15, if you go to one corinthians 794 00:29:34,822 --> 00:29:42,854 chapter 15 in verse number ten, Paul is speaking 795 00:29:34,822 --> 00:29:43,750 of the resurrection. 796 00:29:43,790 --> 00:29:46,342 He's talking about all the importance of knowing the resurrection 797 00:29:43,790 --> 00:29:47,342 of Jesus Christ. 798 00:29:47,486 --> 00:29:50,950 And then he says here in verse number ten of one Corinthians chapter 799 00:29:47,486 --> 00:29:52,846 15, something very interesting. 800 00:29:52,998 --> 00:29:56,412 He says, okay, you've trusted in God's grace for salvation, but 801 00:29:52,998 --> 00:29:57,988 now there's a big issue going on 802 00:29:52,998 --> 00:29:58,700 in your life. 803 00:29:58,820 --> 00:30:02,200 He says, but by the grace of God, I am what I am. 804 00:30:02,700 --> 00:30:05,212 He says, I'm only able to be what I am because of the grace of 805 00:30:02,700 --> 00:30:05,580 God. 806 00:30:05,660 --> 00:30:10,732 And his grace which was bestowed or given or given displayed 807 00:30:05,660 --> 00:30:15,220 unto me was not in vain, but I labored 808 00:30:05,660 --> 00:30:17,260 more abundantly than they all, yet not 809 00:30:05,660 --> 00:30:18,796 I, but the grace of God which was 810 00:30:05,660 --> 00:30:19,276 with me. 811 00:30:19,348 --> 00:30:22,924 So Paul says, even my hard working after I was saved was because 812 00:30:19,348 --> 00:30:24,254 of the grace of Goddesse. 813 00:30:24,332 --> 00:30:26,706 He says, I worked harder than everyone else, but it wasn't my work. 814 00:30:26,738 --> 00:30:28,110 It was the grace of God. 815 00:30:29,370 --> 00:30:32,270 And so this morning, it's a very simple message. 816 00:30:32,730 --> 00:30:35,450 It's, do I first of all understand what the grace of God 817 00:30:32,730 --> 00:30:36,026 is? 818 00:30:36,178 --> 00:30:39,378 The grace of God is a gift that we don't deserve unmerited favor, 819 00:30:36,178 --> 00:30:41,710 God's riches at Christ's expense. 820 00:30:42,250 --> 00:30:44,370 And so we have this understanding as a Christian. 821 00:30:44,410 --> 00:30:47,082 We understand that as a Christian, I now have grace. 822 00:30:47,186 --> 00:30:50,002 How is that grace going to drive me forward in what I do and 823 00:30:47,186 --> 00:30:51,888 what I say and how I live? 824 00:30:52,074 --> 00:30:54,292 We can see over and over again in the New Testament. 825 00:30:54,356 --> 00:30:57,188 For the sake of time, we won't go to all these passages, but I would 826 00:30:54,356 --> 00:30:58,092 encourage you to read the book of 827 00:30:54,356 --> 00:30:59,628 Galatians, specifically Galatians, 828 00:30:54,356 --> 00:31:00,600 chapter five. 829 00:31:01,500 --> 00:31:03,204 Galatians, chapter five, verse one. 830 00:31:03,292 --> 00:31:05,660 Paul says, stand fast, therefore in the liberty wherewith 831 00:31:03,292 --> 00:31:08,284 Christ hath made us free and be not entangled 832 00:31:03,292 --> 00:31:09,620 again with the yoke of bondage. 833 00:31:09,660 --> 00:31:12,228 He says, God has given you the grace to live in freedom. 834 00:31:12,284 --> 00:31:15,244 Now don't go back to those ways of your flesh and those works. 835 00:31:15,372 --> 00:31:17,502 He goes on to talk more and more about that in that passage, 836 00:31:15,372 --> 00:31:19,386 but essentially says that if you live 837 00:31:15,372 --> 00:31:21,386 that way, verse four, Christ has 838 00:31:15,372 --> 00:31:23,470 become of no effect unto you. 839 00:31:23,890 --> 00:31:27,674 So what that means is this, if we are living as christians and not 840 00:31:23,890 --> 00:31:29,266 resting in God's grace and not looking 841 00:31:23,890 --> 00:31:30,786 to God's grace, we're all just doing 842 00:31:23,890 --> 00:31:31,338 this in vain. 843 00:31:31,394 --> 00:31:34,786 We're all just a social club here today that meets and dresses 844 00:31:31,394 --> 00:31:36,826 up nice and talks about religious things 845 00:31:31,394 --> 00:31:38,578 and goes home and we miss the point. 846 00:31:38,714 --> 00:31:43,082 Don't allow the grace of God to be removed and man's works and 847 00:31:38,714 --> 00:31:45,276 traditions to be placed upon us so 848 00:31:38,714 --> 00:31:47,476 that we miss the point of the goodness 849 00:31:38,714 --> 00:31:48,284 of God's grace. 850 00:31:48,332 --> 00:31:51,200 He says, don't receive the grace of God in vain. 851 00:31:51,540 --> 00:31:55,612 Empty faith is a result of a problematic perspective of who we 852 00:31:51,540 --> 00:31:56,556 are in Christ. 853 00:31:56,748 --> 00:31:57,276 You know what? 854 00:31:57,308 --> 00:32:00,852 You know, when I'm tempted to doubt, when I'm tempted to keep my 855 00:31:57,308 --> 00:32:02,252 eyes off of what Jesus Christ has 856 00:31:57,308 --> 00:32:03,460 really done for me and who he really 857 00:31:57,308 --> 00:32:06,244 is, I know that God loves me, but 858 00:31:57,308 --> 00:32:08,684 look, I don't know if he loves me. 859 00:32:08,692 --> 00:32:12,730 In this situation, faith is tied to trust, okay? 860 00:32:12,810 --> 00:32:15,738 I can't just believe something intellectually and not trust it by 861 00:32:12,810 --> 00:32:16,830 the way that I live. 862 00:32:17,170 --> 00:32:19,274 Oh, I believe that God will provide for my family. 863 00:32:19,322 --> 00:32:20,522 I believe God heals. 864 00:32:20,626 --> 00:32:22,138 I believe that God takes care of me. 865 00:32:22,194 --> 00:32:24,578 And then when something happens with my family, I go, well, 866 00:32:22,194 --> 00:32:27,210 my situation's different, folks. 867 00:32:27,250 --> 00:32:28,434 That's a lack of trust. 868 00:32:28,522 --> 00:32:31,610 It's a lack of faith because it's a lack of understanding God's 869 00:32:28,522 --> 00:32:32,882 presence and his grace in our life. 870 00:32:32,906 --> 00:32:35,986 And so there's this contrast, and I would love to talk about this 871 00:32:32,906 --> 00:32:38,010 more, but this contrast between cheap 872 00:32:32,906 --> 00:32:40,702 grace and costly grace, folks, when 873 00:32:32,906 --> 00:32:42,542 we live a life of cheap grace, what 874 00:32:32,906 --> 00:32:43,774 God did for us means nothing. 875 00:32:43,822 --> 00:32:45,130 And we live that way. 876 00:32:45,550 --> 00:32:47,126 Our churches live that way. 877 00:32:47,158 --> 00:32:50,086 When we look at God's grace as just something freely given, cheaply 878 00:32:47,158 --> 00:32:52,246 given, yes, God's grace is freely 879 00:32:47,158 --> 00:32:53,006 given to you. 880 00:32:53,078 --> 00:32:56,414 But there was a price that was paid, a costly price. 881 00:32:56,542 --> 00:32:58,398 Jesus paid that with his blood. 882 00:32:58,534 --> 00:32:59,950 We are bought with a price. 883 00:33:00,070 --> 00:33:01,582 Jesus redeemed us. 884 00:33:01,686 --> 00:33:04,646 And so, therefore, when we see God's grace as this wonderful gift 885 00:33:01,686 --> 00:33:07,480 that God gave everything for us in, 886 00:33:01,686 --> 00:33:08,568 we would say, yes, you know what? 887 00:33:08,584 --> 00:33:10,896 I need to get busy for serving God. 888 00:33:11,088 --> 00:33:12,840 But instead we receive it in vain. 889 00:33:12,880 --> 00:33:15,512 And we live our lives in vain, and we live our lives focused. 890 00:33:15,576 --> 00:33:18,456 And so the question here this morning is this, what are we focused 891 00:33:15,576 --> 00:33:18,992 on? 892 00:33:19,136 --> 00:33:20,700 We're going to be focused on something. 893 00:33:21,280 --> 00:33:24,140 What does God's grace mean to you? 894 00:33:25,160 --> 00:33:26,832 You say, well, it means everything to me. 895 00:33:26,936 --> 00:33:28,344 Do we live our lives that way? 896 00:33:28,472 --> 00:33:30,496 Do we live our lives in light of God's grace? 897 00:33:30,528 --> 00:33:31,152 And say, you know what? 898 00:33:31,176 --> 00:33:33,812 Because of what you did for me, I'm gonna do what Paul did. 899 00:33:33,876 --> 00:33:36,480 I'm gonna beseech other people to receive it in grace. 900 00:33:37,420 --> 00:33:40,812 Folks, the whole ministry that I have as a pastor is just to point 901 00:33:37,420 --> 00:33:42,508 you to the goodness of Jesus Christ 902 00:33:37,420 --> 00:33:44,220 and to show you in the word of God 903 00:33:37,420 --> 00:33:45,480 how we can see that. 904 00:33:46,020 --> 00:33:47,668 My job is not to be perfect. 905 00:33:47,804 --> 00:33:49,196 My job is not to save you. 906 00:33:49,268 --> 00:33:50,748 My job is not to forgive you. 907 00:33:50,844 --> 00:33:53,588 My job is not to sit here and give you all the answers to all the 908 00:33:50,844 --> 00:33:54,524 problems in your life. 909 00:33:54,612 --> 00:33:57,172 My job is to point you to Jesus Christ and his grace. 910 00:33:57,276 --> 00:33:59,050 Paul says, I want you to see his grace. 911 00:33:59,140 --> 00:34:00,494 I want you to see his goodness. 912 00:34:00,582 --> 00:34:02,290 I want you to see his forgiveness. 913 00:34:03,030 --> 00:34:05,390 And so here this morning, what we do in church is this. 914 00:34:05,430 --> 00:34:08,646 We point people to the grace of God, and so we have the perspective 915 00:34:05,430 --> 00:34:09,230 of privilege. 916 00:34:09,270 --> 00:34:10,350 We have the power to plead. 917 00:34:10,390 --> 00:34:13,886 And lastly, here, we have the point of persistence with all these 918 00:34:10,390 --> 00:34:15,406 things in mind, we are to plead with 919 00:34:10,390 --> 00:34:17,614 persistence as we partner with God 920 00:34:10,390 --> 00:34:19,542 in the message of the gospel we see 921 00:34:10,390 --> 00:34:20,374 in verse number two. 922 00:34:20,422 --> 00:34:24,070 He quotes an Old Testament passage, Isaiah 49 eight. 923 00:34:24,230 --> 00:34:28,088 For he saith, I have heard thee in the time of accepted, and 924 00:34:24,230 --> 00:34:29,816 in the day of salvation I have succored 925 00:34:24,230 --> 00:34:30,224 thee. 926 00:34:30,312 --> 00:34:32,992 Behold, now is the accepted time. 927 00:34:33,176 --> 00:34:35,220 Behold, now is the day of salvation. 928 00:34:35,640 --> 00:34:40,920 By quoting and applying Isaiah 49, Paul wants to give the corinthian 929 00:34:35,640 --> 00:34:43,260 Christians a sense of urgency. 930 00:34:44,240 --> 00:34:47,940 God has an acceptable time for us to work with his grace. 931 00:34:49,320 --> 00:34:52,368 God has a day of salvation that will not last forever. 932 00:34:52,424 --> 00:34:56,348 Folks, I believe we live in a time of grace in the church age, 933 00:34:52,424 --> 00:34:57,476 the age of grace. 934 00:34:57,588 --> 00:34:59,636 But this age of grace is not going to last forever. 935 00:34:59,708 --> 00:35:00,972 We have an appointed time now. 936 00:35:00,996 --> 00:35:03,828 We don't know when that time is, but eventually God is going to 937 00:35:00,996 --> 00:35:04,556 punch that ticket. 938 00:35:04,588 --> 00:35:05,484 He's going to say, it's over. 939 00:35:05,532 --> 00:35:07,644 My grace is sufficient. 940 00:35:07,732 --> 00:35:09,440 And now comes the judgment. 941 00:35:10,340 --> 00:35:13,436 This is no time for us to wait. 942 00:35:13,548 --> 00:35:18,160 No time for us to put the foot on the brake instead of the gas. 943 00:35:19,340 --> 00:35:20,800 We should not let up. 944 00:35:22,270 --> 00:35:25,926 It's time for us to get busy for the Lord and to be workers together 945 00:35:22,270 --> 00:35:26,438 with him. 946 00:35:26,494 --> 00:35:29,086 Ephesians, chapter five, verse 16, says for us to redeem the time 947 00:35:26,494 --> 00:35:30,410 because the days are evil. 948 00:35:30,750 --> 00:35:34,290 Paul says, today is the day of salvation, not tomorrow. 949 00:35:34,950 --> 00:35:38,070 Because, you know, all of us want to put off this to another day. 950 00:35:38,150 --> 00:35:41,830 Our natural inclination is to say, just wait tomorrow I'll give 951 00:35:38,150 --> 00:35:42,750 in tomorrow. 952 00:35:42,790 --> 00:35:45,142 I'll tell my neighbor tomorrow I'll live this way. 953 00:35:45,166 --> 00:35:46,342 Tomorrow I'll forgive. 954 00:35:46,446 --> 00:35:50,638 Paul says, no, if you take the grace of God in vain, you will hold 955 00:35:46,446 --> 00:35:52,650 back from what God has for you today. 956 00:35:53,230 --> 00:35:55,246 John, chapter nine, verse four. 957 00:35:55,358 --> 00:35:56,510 John, chapter nine, verse four. 958 00:35:56,550 --> 00:36:01,798 Jesus is teaching here and his disciples, and he's speaking of this 959 00:35:56,550 --> 00:36:03,238 understanding of working. 960 00:36:03,294 --> 00:36:06,078 And he says, I must work the works of him that sent me. 961 00:36:06,214 --> 00:36:11,174 While it is day, the night cometh when no man can work. 962 00:36:11,302 --> 00:36:14,174 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 963 00:36:14,302 --> 00:36:16,950 Jesus says, there's going to be a period of time where God's grace 964 00:36:14,302 --> 00:36:18,694 is just being poured out upon people. 965 00:36:18,822 --> 00:36:20,974 And God's grace reigns on the just and the unjust. 966 00:36:21,062 --> 00:36:23,798 But there are many people that rejecting God's grace when it comes 967 00:36:21,062 --> 00:36:25,902 to salvation, because of their pride, 968 00:36:21,062 --> 00:36:27,742 because of their works, because of 969 00:36:21,062 --> 00:36:28,526 their boasting. 970 00:36:28,598 --> 00:36:31,342 And the Bible says, no, we have to receive God's grace in the 971 00:36:28,598 --> 00:36:32,214 time that he has given us. 972 00:36:32,222 --> 00:36:35,406 And so that is the point of our persistence, folks. 973 00:36:35,438 --> 00:36:38,142 We live in a dark world that's pulling us all different directions, 974 00:36:35,438 --> 00:36:39,878 but we have to remove the distractions so 975 00:36:35,438 --> 00:36:41,158 that we can get done what we need 976 00:36:35,438 --> 00:36:42,620 to get done in the time that we have. 977 00:36:42,710 --> 00:36:44,792 Folks, tomorrow was not guaranteed to you. 978 00:36:44,976 --> 00:36:46,584 Tomorrow was not guaranteed. 979 00:36:46,712 --> 00:36:48,912 Christ could come back tomorrow and we would all hopefully 980 00:36:46,712 --> 00:36:50,100 say amen to that. 981 00:36:50,520 --> 00:36:53,416 But think about all those that don't know Jesus Christ, all those 982 00:36:50,520 --> 00:36:54,704 who don't have the grace of God in 983 00:36:50,520 --> 00:36:56,560 their life and dictating their life. 984 00:36:56,720 --> 00:36:58,500 We got to get busy about our work. 985 00:36:58,920 --> 00:37:01,640 Middletown Baptist Church has a purpose and a beacon. 986 00:37:01,720 --> 00:37:03,264 We are a beacon of truth. 987 00:37:03,392 --> 00:37:05,440 And what are we going to do for the cause of the gospel? 988 00:37:05,480 --> 00:37:10,190 Paul says plead, beg, encourage, comfort. 989 00:37:10,570 --> 00:37:13,990 He says preach that today is the day of salvation. 990 00:37:15,050 --> 00:37:17,458 And so here this morning, I want you to think about this as we 991 00:37:15,050 --> 00:37:18,030 close. 992 00:37:20,050 --> 00:37:21,562 What does God's grace mean to you? 993 00:37:21,586 --> 00:37:23,310 Do you understand God's grace? 994 00:37:24,170 --> 00:37:28,402 Do you understand the gift that God has offered to all in the 995 00:37:24,170 --> 00:37:29,682 concept of your salvation? 996 00:37:29,746 --> 00:37:32,250 He died for you so that you can receive and so that you can know 997 00:37:29,746 --> 00:37:33,298 everlasting life. 998 00:37:33,434 --> 00:37:34,964 But that's not where it ends. 999 00:37:35,122 --> 00:37:37,608 He's come to give us life and life more abundantly. 1000 00:37:37,744 --> 00:37:38,912 He's come to give us gifts. 1001 00:37:38,936 --> 00:37:40,448 He's come to give us peace. 1002 00:37:40,504 --> 00:37:41,656 He's come to give us comfort. 1003 00:37:41,688 --> 00:37:44,656 He's come to give us all these elements and the privilege to be 1004 00:37:41,688 --> 00:37:45,744 part of his team. 1005 00:37:45,912 --> 00:37:48,600 We have a privilege to cheer when he wins the victory. 1006 00:37:48,680 --> 00:37:50,496 Folks, when people come to Christ in our church. 1007 00:37:50,608 --> 00:37:52,144 We should all rejoice in that. 1008 00:37:52,272 --> 00:37:53,608 Some of you might know. 1009 00:37:53,784 --> 00:37:55,300 Some of you follow the eagles. 1010 00:37:55,600 --> 00:37:56,944 You guys know who the Eagles play today? 1011 00:37:56,992 --> 00:37:58,112 Anyone to take a guess? 1012 00:37:58,256 --> 00:38:00,860 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, my team. 1013 00:38:01,290 --> 00:38:01,826 Guess what? 1014 00:38:01,858 --> 00:38:05,314 One of us tonight will be cheering and one of us will be sad. 1015 00:38:05,402 --> 00:38:05,746 Okay? 1016 00:38:05,778 --> 00:38:07,442 Some of you are like, I'm neither one of those fans, so I don't 1017 00:38:05,778 --> 00:38:07,914 care. 1018 00:38:08,042 --> 00:38:09,154 I don't like sports. 1019 00:38:09,322 --> 00:38:10,510 You guys get the point. 1020 00:38:11,530 --> 00:38:15,378 There will be a day, there will be a day when we understand 1021 00:38:11,530 --> 00:38:16,842 why we were cheering. 1022 00:38:17,026 --> 00:38:19,770 Right now we see someone come to Christ and we go, oh, that's nice. 1023 00:38:19,930 --> 00:38:22,298 They prayed a prayer and now they're a part of us. 1024 00:38:22,394 --> 00:38:26,150 Folks, the Bible says that heaven rejoices when that happens. 1025 00:38:26,620 --> 00:38:29,420 And we just go, oh, yeah, another kid came to a Sunday school 1026 00:38:26,620 --> 00:38:29,636 class. 1027 00:38:29,668 --> 00:38:30,476 Oh, a kid got saved. 1028 00:38:30,508 --> 00:38:31,324 That's great. 1029 00:38:31,492 --> 00:38:36,388 It's so in that case, that's receiving the grace of God in vain, 1030 00:38:31,492 --> 00:38:39,044 to not be excited when a person comes 1031 00:38:31,492 --> 00:38:42,884 into our church broken and struggling 1032 00:38:31,492 --> 00:38:44,484 with sin and God gives them the victory, 1033 00:38:31,492 --> 00:38:46,484 folks, we should rejoice in that. 1034 00:38:46,652 --> 00:38:49,204 We should wrap our arms around them and say, God brought you back. 1035 00:38:49,252 --> 00:38:50,308 This is amazing. 1036 00:38:50,404 --> 00:38:54,880 This is exciting, folks, the grace of God is a miraculous thing, 1037 00:38:50,404 --> 00:38:57,768 and it should be in pervading every 1038 00:38:50,404 --> 00:38:59,020 element of our church. 1039 00:38:59,680 --> 00:39:00,944 By God's grace. 1040 00:39:01,112 --> 00:39:02,360 By God's grace. 1041 00:39:02,520 --> 00:39:03,208 And you know what? 1042 00:39:03,264 --> 00:39:06,300 God is graceful to us when we aren't so graceful. 1043 00:39:06,720 --> 00:39:09,220 And that allows us to extend that grace to other people. 1044 00:39:10,000 --> 00:39:11,760 Folks, it's hard. 1045 00:39:11,920 --> 00:39:13,072 It's not easy. 1046 00:39:13,216 --> 00:39:15,704 But Paul says, don't receive the grace of God in vain. 1047 00:39:15,752 --> 00:39:15,984 Why? 1048 00:39:16,032 --> 00:39:17,552 Because today is the day of salvation. 1049 00:39:17,656 --> 00:39:18,392 Let's get busy. 1050 00:39:18,416 --> 00:39:23,336 Let's have the persistence to plead the persistence to plead the 1051 00:39:18,416 --> 00:39:23,872 truth. 1052 00:39:23,976 --> 00:39:25,864 And so there's a point to our persistence. 1053 00:39:25,952 --> 00:39:29,856 There's a point to why we are pushing foreign, and that point is 1054 00:39:25,952 --> 00:39:32,848 the kingdom of God, the message of 1055 00:39:25,952 --> 00:39:33,820 the gospel. 1056 00:39:34,440 --> 00:39:36,500 Let's not lose sight of what matters. 1057 00:39:36,880 --> 00:39:38,496 Let's not lose sight of what matters. 1058 00:39:38,528 --> 00:39:40,984 Here we have a fall festival coming up. 1059 00:39:41,072 --> 00:39:44,504 Okay, let me just give you guys something. 1060 00:39:44,632 --> 00:39:46,500 The fall festival is not about candy. 1061 00:39:46,990 --> 00:39:48,742 The fall festival is not about fun. 1062 00:39:48,846 --> 00:39:49,790 We want to have fun. 1063 00:39:49,910 --> 00:39:53,078 The fall festival is so that we can get people the gospel and 1064 00:39:49,910 --> 00:39:54,118 that we can show them the grace of 1065 00:39:49,910 --> 00:39:54,598 God. 1066 00:39:54,734 --> 00:39:55,390 Okay? 1067 00:39:55,510 --> 00:39:56,598 We have a softball team. 1068 00:39:56,654 --> 00:39:57,806 We have a soccer program. 1069 00:39:57,918 --> 00:39:59,030 We have a ladies ministry. 1070 00:39:59,070 --> 00:40:00,174 We have a men's ministry. 1071 00:40:00,262 --> 00:40:02,494 Do you want to know what the reason why we have all these ministries 1072 00:40:00,262 --> 00:40:03,134 for? 1073 00:40:03,302 --> 00:40:07,490 To show people the grace of God, to display the grace of God, 1074 00:40:03,302 --> 00:40:10,102 to rest in the grace of God, if any 1075 00:40:03,302 --> 00:40:11,814 ministry we have has lost the focus 1076 00:40:03,302 --> 00:40:13,566 of the grace of God, well, we better 1077 00:40:03,302 --> 00:40:15,056 just rip that out of the paper. 1078 00:40:15,238 --> 00:40:18,404 That's okay, because we have to get, and it doesn't matter what 1079 00:40:15,238 --> 00:40:19,964 the title is of the ministry. 1080 00:40:20,052 --> 00:40:22,300 The ministry must be a gospel grace ministry. 1081 00:40:22,340 --> 00:40:24,120 We are in the gospel ministry. 1082 00:40:24,620 --> 00:40:27,212 That's the business that we're in and that's the business that we're 1083 00:40:24,620 --> 00:40:28,212 going to push forward. 1084 00:40:28,396 --> 00:40:30,804 So I encourage you to think about what does grace mean to me? 1085 00:40:30,932 --> 00:40:32,836 Have I rested in his grace recently? 1086 00:40:32,988 --> 00:40:36,092 And what does that grace and that belief in that grace mean for 1087 00:40:32,988 --> 00:40:37,660 me when it comes to my everyday life? 1088 00:40:37,700 --> 00:40:41,920 Am I receiving the grace of God in vain, or am I receiving it 1089 00:40:37,700 --> 00:40:43,562 with purpose? 1090 00:40:43,746 --> 00:40:45,978 Am I receiving it personally? 1091 00:40:46,114 --> 00:40:47,810 Am I applying it to my life? 1092 00:40:47,850 --> 00:40:50,498 These are all things that I think we can see from this passage. 1093 00:40:50,594 --> 00:40:52,762 Well, I'm going to ask for you to stand with me, every head bowed, 1094 00:40:50,594 --> 00:40:54,510 every head closed as the music plays. 1095 00:40:54,890 --> 00:40:58,018 We thank the Lord for his grace this morning. 1096 00:40:58,194 --> 00:41:00,870 Maybe you just want to thank God for his grace. 1097 00:41:02,690 --> 00:41:05,394 Maybe there's not an egregious sin in your life that you need to 1098 00:41:02,690 --> 00:41:06,906 get right with God, but maybe you've 1099 00:41:02,690 --> 00:41:07,690 just drifted. 1100 00:41:07,730 --> 00:41:09,644 Maybe it's the sin of apathy. 1101 00:41:09,842 --> 00:41:11,392 Maybe it's the sin of indifference. 1102 00:41:11,456 --> 00:41:12,820 Maybe you say, you know what? 1103 00:41:13,120 --> 00:41:16,920 I'm not living in rebellion to him, but I'm not pushing forward 1104 00:41:13,120 --> 00:41:17,880 in that persistence. 1105 00:41:17,920 --> 00:41:20,584 I'm not pleading, I'm not resting in his power. 1106 00:41:20,712 --> 00:41:24,064 I'm not living with that perspective of privilege in my life. 1107 00:41:24,192 --> 00:41:26,112 I'm not living as a child of the king. 1108 00:41:26,216 --> 00:41:28,768 I'm not living as an ambassador that's been gifted by 1109 00:41:26,216 --> 00:41:30,736 the king, this wonderful opportunity. 1110 00:41:30,888 --> 00:41:32,500 I've just been drifting. 1111 00:41:33,360 --> 00:41:36,680 I've been content with the mediocre. 1112 00:41:37,420 --> 00:41:39,596 I've been okay with being in a spiritual rut. 1113 00:41:39,628 --> 00:41:41,092 I've been okay with spinning my wheels. 1114 00:41:41,116 --> 00:41:42,588 Maybe today you say, you know what? 1115 00:41:42,604 --> 00:41:46,892 I'm done hearing about the grace of God and receiving it in 1116 00:41:42,604 --> 00:41:47,520 vain. 1117 00:41:48,180 --> 00:41:50,620 I want to put feet to my belief. 1118 00:41:50,660 --> 00:41:52,420 I want to put trust in my life. 1119 00:41:52,500 --> 00:41:56,980 I want to live my life as Paul lived, pleading in the power of God, 1120 00:41:52,500 --> 00:41:59,700 in persistence with privilege, to 1121 00:41:52,500 --> 00:42:01,262 know that, that we get to be a part 1122 00:41:52,500 --> 00:42:02,030 of the work of God. 1123 00:42:02,070 --> 00:42:03,650 We get to be on his team. 1124 00:42:04,270 --> 00:42:06,350 And so here this morning, maybe you just want to thank God 1125 00:42:04,270 --> 00:42:06,950 for his grace. 1126 00:42:06,990 --> 00:42:10,606 Maybe you want to rededicate your life to service to him. 1127 00:42:10,798 --> 00:42:12,430 That service is a gift. 1128 00:42:12,550 --> 00:42:15,806 Maybe you've lost sight of service being a gift for him. 1129 00:42:15,838 --> 00:42:19,926 Maybe you've looked at service as an inconvenience as another thing 1130 00:42:15,838 --> 00:42:21,846 just to punch out on your daily ticket 1131 00:42:15,838 --> 00:42:22,694 of life. 1132 00:42:22,862 --> 00:42:25,566 But let me tell you this morning, renew your purpose in your 1133 00:42:22,862 --> 00:42:26,170 service. 1134 00:42:26,490 --> 00:42:28,906 See it as a gift of grace. 1135 00:42:29,058 --> 00:42:31,626 And when you see your ministry as a gift of grace and you see those 1136 00:42:29,058 --> 00:42:32,762 people that you're ministering to 1137 00:42:29,058 --> 00:42:34,530 as a gift of grace, all the more 1138 00:42:29,058 --> 00:42:37,306 reason for you to be persistent and 1139 00:42:29,058 --> 00:42:38,522 confident in what God has done for 1140 00:42:29,058 --> 00:42:39,138 you. 1141 00:42:39,314 --> 00:42:41,826 Hey, maybe you haven't trusted in Jesus as your savior. 1142 00:42:41,858 --> 00:42:44,658 Maybe you're that person who has received the grace of God in 1143 00:42:41,858 --> 00:42:46,442 vain when it comes to trusting in 1144 00:42:41,858 --> 00:42:46,914 him. 1145 00:42:47,042 --> 00:42:49,218 This morning we have some folks up here that can show you from 1146 00:42:47,042 --> 00:42:50,786 the word of God what it means to 1147 00:42:47,042 --> 00:42:53,036 know Jesus not of works, lest any 1148 00:42:47,042 --> 00:42:54,748 man should boast, folks, let me tell 1149 00:42:47,042 --> 00:42:55,420 you a little secret. 1150 00:42:55,500 --> 00:42:58,160 None of us can meet his standard. 1151 00:42:58,540 --> 00:43:02,396 None of us are gonna sit on a scale and say, my good is outweighing 1152 00:42:58,540 --> 00:43:03,652 my bad, so I'm going to heaven. 1153 00:43:03,676 --> 00:43:07,116 The Bible says, no, our bad always outweighs our good. 1154 00:43:07,148 --> 00:43:08,284 And we'll never be perfect. 1155 00:43:08,332 --> 00:43:11,708 We'll never be holy in the sight of God when it comes to sinlessness. 1156 00:43:11,844 --> 00:43:16,692 But it's his sinlessness and his sacrifice that gives us salvation 1157 00:43:11,844 --> 00:43:18,692 and gives us sanctification and gives 1158 00:43:11,844 --> 00:43:19,440 us service. 1159 00:43:19,920 --> 00:43:22,520 So I pray that that can be something that you can deal with 1160 00:43:19,920 --> 00:43:22,936 this morning. 1161 00:43:22,968 --> 00:43:25,168 Lord, I pray that you be in this time of invitation, working 1162 00:43:22,968 --> 00:43:26,040 hearts and lives. 1163 00:43:26,160 --> 00:43:27,240 We thank you for your goodness. 1164 00:43:27,280 --> 00:43:28,696 We thank for your grace. 1165 00:43:28,808 --> 00:43:30,232 In Jesus name, amen. 1166 00:43:30,256 --> 00:43:32,712 As the music plays if you need to come follow him this morning, 1167 00:43:30,256 --> 00:43:34,336 you need to give him thanks for his grace 1168 00:43:30,256 --> 00:43:34,832 this morning. 1169 00:43:34,896 --> 00:43:36,340 Follow him today. 1170 00:43:37,280 --> 00:43:39,840 Thank you again for listening to the Middletown Baptist church 1171 00:43:37,280 --> 00:43:40,696 podcast. 1172 00:43:40,848 --> 00:43:43,420 I hope that this sermon has been a blessing for you. 1173 00:43:43,800 --> 00:43:46,056 If you would like to find out more information about our church 1174 00:43:43,800 --> 00:43:49,748 or this sermon, you can find us@middletownbaptistchurch.org 1175 00:43:43,800 --> 00:43:52,640 or find us on Facebook or YouTube. 1176 00:43:53,140 --> 00:43:58,812 You can also email me directly@joshmissaroiddletownbaptistchurch.com if 1177 00:43:53,140 --> 00:44:00,764 you've enjoyed this podcast, please 1178 00:43:53,140 --> 00:44:03,084 subscribe and follow along for future 1179 00:43:53,140 --> 00:44:05,120 podcasts and updates. 1180 00:44:05,540 --> 00:44:06,620 Thank you so much. 1181 00:44:06,740 --> 00:44:07,564 God bless. 1182 00:44:07,692 --> 00:44:08,740 Have a wonderful day.