R sbc
Date: May 14th 2006
Sunday Morning
Series: Christ The Sum & Substance of The Bible
Subject: “The Grace That Is In Christ Jesus”
Text: II Tim 2:1-17
Intro: It is not hard to figure what Paul as a leader was doing in instructing this young pastor. If you read the whole of Chapter one it becomes evident tot he reader. He wanted to encourage him...Chapter 1:4-5. He wanted to stir him: Chapter 1:6-7 He wanted to remind him Chapter 1:8-10 He wanted to motivate him. Chapter 1:13-14 He wanted to inform him of those who quit..Chapter 1: 15-18
Then the opening of the letter... “Strength in the Grace of Christ” Not in those who continue, not in those who left the faith, not in his personal wants, but in the grace of Christ...
I... “ THE INCUMBENT DUTY” ..VS 1
The word “incumbent” has several meanings, but I am using it, it has to do with Timothy’s duty toward it was in Christ himself. In order for this to occur it is a relative truth, that Paul is referring to a minister who is alive in Christ.
(1.) We must be ready for action: vs 2
Ro 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. No matter what Timothy, be ready and you need the strength that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(2.) We must be resolved to do it: vs 2 “ His work”
Here we find David instructed his Son Solomon build the house of the Lord. What ever we must do for the LORD we must do it and be ready to do it. Do not procrastinate...move out the battle is ready.
1Ch 28:10 Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.
II... THE DIRECTION WE MUST TAKE..VS 4-7
(1.) The direction is not the entanglements of this life:
Lu 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. Most Christians are concerned not with the spiritual, but the carnal things of life. Paul said in Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
(2.) It should be a direction toward what wilt thou have me to do?
These words are famous words, in that they were spoken by Saul in Ac 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
The will of Christ in our life is the most important thing we can find, it is timely, it is a scriptural imperative, it is light, it is understanding, it hope, it is a foundation, it is joy, it is happiness...it is everything.
(3.) It should be a lawful direction...vs 5
“Lawful really means to do that which is right, Jesus Christ was accused of doing wrong on the sabbath, and he clears that matter up, if it is good what we do then it is lawful. Eze 18:5 But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,
This message in it’s essence is about “Strength to do the work of the Lord” wether it be a preacher, a pastor, a teacher, a song leader, a pianist, a missionary, a grass cutter, a work for the LORD demands these things..
III... THE STRENGTH FOR THAT DUTY AND DIRECTION IS THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS”...
(1.) We must remember him..vs 8
Luke- 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee...
When we take to our hearts this great fact, that Christ died, that he was buried and that he arose from the dead, that he ascended on high, we have great reason to press on in that Strength of his powerful resurrection. Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
(2.) We must remember the grace that is in him:
(A.) That the Fathers grace was upon him: Luke 2-40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
(B.) That he was full of grace:
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. The word “full” means filled up (as opposed to empty) That which comes to the surface, covered in every part of the soul, thoroughly permeated with, lacking nothing at all.
(C.) It was grace that we have received: Joh 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. It is through his saving grace: Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
(D.) All truth is derived from him : Joh 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Not that the law was not truth, but as the law was given by the Lord through Moses, so grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. That is our strength to do his work.
I want to give you some facts that this wonderful grace of Jesus Christ has given us should remain in our minds day and night when we think of it....
1st. Grace is not withheld because of what we were and what we are at times: “Depraved sinners...
Lewis Chafer said: “Grace finds in greatest triumph and glory sphere of human helplessness.” We are helpless outside the grace of Christ, we are hopeless outside the grace of Christ, we are lost without the grace of Christ.
The illustration the Lord uses with Israel: Eze 16:6 And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.
2nd. Grace cannot and will not be lessened in the bestowal of it:
By this I mean, it takes as much grace to save one sinner who may or may not consider themselves to have do to bad after all, that person must be saved the same way a sinner who may display their sins in a greater fashion...Jesus said: Lu 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
3rd. Remember that the grace of Christ cannot incur debt:
After all the LORD has done for us, we are obligated to him, for his grace to us, not so, the LORD WILL NEVER allow us to be indebted to him. If he did it would not be real love and real grace. We often practice this in our life, we give and do having a motive in it. Not so with the LORD.
Romans 4-4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Just as much as grace is a gift from the LORD so is strength:
(1.) He blesses us with his strength: Ps 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
(2.) He assures us of his strength: Ps 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
It was Paul who said: 2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Oh the times that I have had a desire to do a certain thing in this church and found myself without the strength to do it, and the LORD supplied, at the times I have went to the casket of a love one and found strength to go on living, at the times I have found myself without a message and the power of the LORD’S grace and strength on me.... wow what a GOD we serve. Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
IV.. THE STRENGTH AND THE GRACE FOR OUR DUTY AND DIRECTION IS HIS ETERNAL ORDINATION OF OUR WORK FOR HIM:
The Lord never saved us, called us just to warm pews. He had a purpose in mind. It is clear in the bible...
a. That we might be holy: Eph 1-4
b. That we might be zealous:
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
c. That our works for him are ordained:
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
d. That we are to maintain good works:
Tit 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
e. That good works glorify our heavenly father:
Mt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Peter believed that also and passed it own: 1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.