A Grace Awakening April 29, 2018
Review Last week we talked about a new era that came to the world through Jesus. Grace
The precursor to that was Moses and the Law. The Law had to come first.
John 1:17 NKJV For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
* One of the biggest differences between the law and the entire old covenant is that the law commanded the old nature from without externals. Thru the new covenant, grace... writes on the heart of the new nature within.
The Law was God’s diagnostic. It revealed the inner motivation of sin the desire to be independent from God. It also showed man his need of grace which once he received and experienced that. It was the pathway to right standing with God and everything He has for us. Another interesting thing about the Law It not only stated the standard of right and wrong, it identified sin. It actually activated and stirred up the power of sin.
Important point: It almost seems like the Law is or was sinful if it can only identify and stir up sin.
Paul answers that in Romans 7:712 NIV 7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. 9 Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. 12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.
So we see ... the Law is perfect and does a perfect job as God’s diagnostic.
1 Summary of the Law Diagnostic 1. Not a means to achieve righteousness 2. Reveal and identify sin 3. Reveal our carnal nature 4. Foreshadow of Christ 5. To bring us to Christ schoolmaster. Slave. Pedagogue. Strict Galatians 3:24 KJV 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 6. To keep Israel a separate people.
Romans 3:20 NIV 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
The Effects of the Law on People
1. Identifies and stirs up sin. Romans 7:9 NIV 9 Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 2. Strengthens its power. 1 Corinthians 15:56 NIV 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 3. Produces condemnation. Romans 8:1&3 NIV Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4. Keeps us under Satan’s dominion. Colossians 2:1416 NIV 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the
cross. 16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 5. Brings a curse. Galatians 3:10 NIV 10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 6. Produces bondage. Galatians 4:2125 NIV 21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise. 24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar
2 stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 7. Persecutors: Galatians 4:29 NIV 29 At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. Ishmael and Isaac
Now we come to stage 2 and the Era of Grace. Jesus shows up and lets everyone off the hook. Prodigal complete restoration, starting with forgiveness. Reinstatement into the family. Further exemplified with the woman caught in adultery.
Question: So what did Jesus do that made this possible? Colossians 2:1416 NIV 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. ( What got nailed to the cross? The law!) 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. 16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. Romans 8:23 NIV 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, Result: We aren’t under a system of law and penalty. (10 commandments)
Romans 7:46 NIV 4 So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5 For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. 6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. Results no condemnation Romans 8:12 KJV There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, Who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit. (not) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. Romans 8:12 NIV Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death Talk about the error in translation.
3 Jesus ushered in a new era of Grace the new command and the only real ultimate order of the day
Grand Conclusion Romans 6:14 NKJV 14 WOW! I’m FREE!! So .. what does God require of us as believers who are living under Grace, free from the Law?? One word LOVE
Romans 8:34 NIV 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
What is the requirement of the Law? The Greek word for requirement is dikaíōma (a neuter noun, literally, "a judiciallyapproved act") – properly, an act God approves , focusing on its " result " (Zodhiates, Dict , note the ma ending); justification (righteousness), with its results.
Romans 10:4 NKJV 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Galatians 2:16 NIV 16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of šthe law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
We are not required to keep the Law. But we are expected to produce the outworked righteousness of the Law. What is that?
Matthew 22:3540 35 Then one of them, a lawyer, (theologian) asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
LOVE is the requirement in the Law.
4 Romans 13:810 NIV 8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Galatians 5:2223 NLT 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and selfcontrol. There is no law against these things!
Endgame 1 Timothy 1:5 NIV 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
The word identifies Love and its nature in 1 Corinthians 13:47 NIV 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not selfseeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
True love is not just an emotion. It is reflected in our actions
1 John 3:18 NIV 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. Love is reflected in obedience John 14:2122 NIV 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” 22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
So no law… What do we obey? Everything in the New Testament. It’s not working with externals and behavior. It’s going right to the heart of the matter which is you and I have a new nature and a new capability that came from Grace. Example ... Old Testament: the Law says don’t commit adultery, but I say if you even look…..
5 It is very important to love yourself. If you don’t love yourself, what good is it to love your neighbor the way you love or don’t love yourself. The root of the failure to love yourself is rejection and inferiority, both have NO PLACE in Christian living.
So the thought of all rules and regulations gone, and I’m not guilty of anything is a wild feeling. Hard to handle. What to do? A whole new way to live. How in heaven’s name do you live in a world with no rules to come under, no debts... Paul said in Colossians 2:16 NLT 16 So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths.
Wake up with new motivation and new obligation Romans 8:1215 NIV 12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Huge point: Therefore THE NEW WAY TO LIVE walking in the Spirit everyday, feeding the new nature, renewing our minds. listening to the Holy Spirit leading and speaking to our conscience and being constantly transformed by renewing our minds. Romans 12:2 NIV 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
This means being connected to God and His will, His way always until every area of our lives reflects the divine nature made perfect in love
Romans 8:2930 NIV 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
This takes work it’s a never ending process. At this point many believers tend to make one of the deadliest mistakes one could make. We start out reveling in finally having inner peace and knowing we are heaven bound and that God loves us. We experience a taste of grace and security and a new hope for the future. We start off good. But here and there we begin to slack in our daily commitment to the leading of the Spirit and
6 walking with God, and we slip back into a performance mode and reliance on our carnal nature and all it’s tendencies and inadequacies. We establish some rules and policies and regulations, that if those things are in place, we’re good to go. Ultimately we are slipping back to legalism and the system of law and performancebased relationship with God which is deadly. Fear and insecurity creep back in, guilt and condemnation knock on our door, and we find ourself in a crazy place. On one hand knowing that somehow we are still children of God, but missing out on the beautiful environment that Grace is meant to provide. It is much easier to establish a few basic rules of performance to be good with God then following him every day and staying in touch and in tune with him. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work. It’s a sneaky slippery slope back into legalistically following the law as it means to be cool with God…. Total deception.
A list of what’s cool and what’s not.
Scary If I do this and don’t do that, I’m good to go. not so
Warning Galatians 5:4 NIV 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
Don’t go back to the Law and rules…..stop working..stop feeling guilty… we like to feel a little guilty we are familiar with it makes us feel humble. We are comfortable with working our way back into the good graces of God by having a couple of good days Nothing could be further from the truth!
Close James 1:25 NKJV 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does
Church, it’s work to walk in the spirit… let us labor to enter into the rest
Hebrews 4:11a NIV 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest,
What is that rest? That means totally committed to the will of God in every area of your life until He is directing everything because you chose to let Him do it.
Hebrews 4:10 KJV 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 7 Keys to walking in grace.
1 Stop working. Romans 4:45 NLT 5 But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. This is called humbling yourself and it is very hard for religious people to do they are saying we need to be justified because we are ungodly. 2 Affirm Christ is living in you. Galatians 2:20 NKJ 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 3 Rely on Christ’s all sufficiency. Philippians 4:13 NKJV 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. We cannot mix grace and works. We must believe and confess that we don’t rely on our own ability our own good works on our denomination. We only rely on the grace of God that is working in us. 2 Corinthians 12:910 NKJV 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Paul discovered that when he felt weak he should not be discouraged because he was weak, he was strong in this. In a certain sense, it’s good to feel weak because when you feel weak you were forced to rely on the grace of God. Why is this true? Because grace is still working.
The same is true when we fail, or struggle in some area of life. Don’t be discouraged because your faith is still credited to you for righteousness. Romans 4:5 NLT 5 But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.
Even when you’re not doing the right thing; even when you were failing, if you will continue to believe and trust God, your faith is still credited to you as righteousness. It’s not your righteousness, it’s given to you as a credit from God. Example: Today we use credit cards to make most our purchases. We don’t have the cash on hand but we offer a credit card and it is accepted just as if it were cash. God has made His righteousness credit card available to us through our faith, that when we fail in any situation we have the privilege of just stretching out the father’s credit card and saying to the devil, “My faith is still credited to me as righteousness, and there is no condemnation. I’m not under the law or its guilt or penalty. I am free even in my weakness. God accepts responsibility for me even the way that I am.” When we do this, we are relying continually on the grace of God.
8 We must remember we are all a work in progress and when your number is up you will still need work. If you die tomorrow, you will go to heaven. Why? Because, your faith in Jesus and what He did for you is credited to you for righteousness. It’s an extremely fat bank account, bought in blood, backed by Christ’s perfect performance.
Closing secret: It’s all a work of grace. It was grace that gave you the faith to believe in Jesus and what He did for you. It was grace that allowed you to repent and receive the new nature. It was grace that brings breakthroughs. It’s grace that brings revelation to our heart of how we need to live, and it will be grace that enables us to overcome every obstacle and step fully into everything He has for us. Trust His grace, not your own efforts.
1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
It is grace that brought you safe this far and Grace will lead you home…
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