Grace, light and spiritual understanding are gifts of God. We must seek to approach this subject with a quiet and patient spirit and as in Colossians 3:12-13 'put on as the elect of God kindness, humility of mind, meekness longsuffering forbearing one another & forgiving one another as Christ forgave you, so also do you.'
The approach is an attitude of faith as 1 Corinthians 3:10 The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. Our thoughts are not God’s thoughts, neither are His ways our ways.
This teaching is contrary to the natural pride of man. We must learn of God. We need the Holy Spirit to take our eyes off men and fix them on Jesus the highest name of All.
One day there will be a shout. Revelation 11:15 'the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord & His Christ & He shall reign forever.'
2 Timothy 3:16-17 'All Scripture is given by inspiration of God & is useful for teaching, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect.'
Our relationship with God, with Christ, Holy Spirit, salvation, grace, glory are made known to us.
Proverbs 23:7 'As a man thinks in his heart so is he.' John 8:32 'you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.' From ignorance, prejudice, error, wiles of Satan.
The first chapters of Paul’s letters are taken up with teaching before application in life.
We need to know the teaching about grace, inspiration of scripture, justification which leads to assurance in Christ, sanctification the ongoing changes brought about by the Holy Spirit
2 Timothy 4:3 We need to endure sound teaching.
The results of the Sovereignty of God:
Scripture inspired. Basis of all Christian teaching. Anchor in the storms of life, to refresh our spirits, gratitude, patience in adversity, security for unknown future, glory alone to the Trinity.
1 Corinthians 8:6 'there is one God the Father of whom are all things, and we in Him & one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by Him'
God is the Potter. Revelation 4:11 'You have created all things and for Your pleasure they are & were created.'
Who are we to question God why have You made me like this? Romans 9:20.
We cannot understand how God works. Romans 11:33 'How unsearchable His judgements & his ways past finding out.'
God allowed evil to enter our world, He caused His Son to enter it to deliver those He has chosen.
God planned and will succeed Acts 15:18 Known unto God are all His works from the creation of the world.
Ephesians 3:21 'God purposed to glorify Himself in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages.'
His plan was not defeated by the failure of man. Revelation 13:8 'the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.' Psalm 76:10 'The wrath of man shall praise You.' The Lord reigns Psalm 99:1
Grace is revealed - undeserved, free for the worst of sinners. God chooses who to experience grace. Grace draws out a people to bring pleasure to God, grace breaks down the opposition of the sinful heart, overcomes the opposition of the mind resulting us loving Him who first loved us.
God alone is to be feared and respected. His will the most nb in our lives. All we do is for His glory. He has planned for us to be conformed to the image of His Son who came to carry out His will to take upon ourselves His yoke and learn of Him for He is meek and lowly of heart.
Grace alone, not works. Proverbs 14:12 'There is a way which seems right unto a man but in the end it leads to death.'
God helps those who are unable to help themselves.
Romans 9:16 'It is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.'
God hears: God be merciful to me a sinner. The sinner is helpless until God causes him to respond to what God has provided for him through the life death & resurrection of Jesus.
Modern world emphasises human effort. Leaves out God The Bible teaches that salvation is by grace through faith & that not of yourselves it is the gift of God. It removes all human boasting.
Salvation is God’s business. People born not of the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but born of God John 1:13. No boasting in heaven by man.
Psalm 115:1 'Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us but unto Your Name give glory for Your mercy and for Your truth sake.' By the grace of God I am what I am.
The saved sinner says My God is infinite in power: I will not fear what man can do to me. When times I am afraid I will trust in You. Psalm 4:8 'I will go to sleep in peace for you Lord make me live in safety.'
Deuteronomy 33:26 The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the eternal arms.
He that lives in the secret place of the Most High shall abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say He is my refuge, my fortress, my God in Him will I trust. Psalm 91
2 Timothy 1:12 'I know whom I believed & am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have entrusted to Him until that day.' He is able, for He is King of kings & Lord of lords.
God is everywhere Psalm 139:7-12 Your presence in heaven on earth, overseas, in darkness, night.
Trials allowed by God, part of His plan 1 Thessalonians 3:3, Job 9:12 He takes away & who can stop Him?
Job 7:1 The number of our days is with Him.
Romans 12:2 Prove what is good & perfect & acceptable to Him.
2 Samuel 15:26 'Let Him do to me as seems good to Him.'
Being content with the ordering of your life by your heavenly Father.
Our response: Philippians 4:4 'Rejoice in the Lord always.'
The Lord is in control. Why? Romans 8:28 'We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to His purpose.'
Why all things? Because He is in control. He seeks our spiritual welfare. We are: Ephesians 5:20 'to give thanks always for all things unto God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.' Our disappointments are His appointments!
Final Triumph of God over evil. Exodus 15:11 'Who is like You O Lord among the gods? Glorious in in holiness , fearful in praises doing wonders'
God will ultimately triumph but when Jesus returns will He find faith on earth? Our role is to keep relying on the faithfulness of our God to carry out His promises to complete what He has begun to choose out of His creation a people in whom He would find pleasure for all eternity.
If God has pre determined the salvation of His own and fore ordained the good works for them to carry out Ephesians 2:10, then what incentive remains for us to strive after practical godliness?
What encouragement is there for us to make Jesus known and the lost found? Woe is me if I do not preach the good news of salvation. When we are weak we rely on God for our strength 2 Corinthians 12:10.
Isaiah 40:29 'He gives power to the faint & to them that have no might He increases strength.'
Love your enemies, only God enabling can we do that. In nothing be anxious – relying on the Lord. He is able to carry us through.
Philippians 3:14 'Press on to the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.'
Augustine: God gives commands we cannot perform that we may know what we ought to ask from Him. God is able.
An evangelist believes in the freedom of the will of man & his inability to respond to God unless God does His work. Remember God is choosing out of this world a people for Himself Acts 15:14
God will succeed 1 Corinthians 3:6 'Paul planted, Apollos watered but God gave the increase.'
Our part is to obey Jesus and preach the good news to every one & allow the Holy Spirit to play His role.
Isaiah 55:11 'My word that proceeds from my mouth will not return empty to Me but accomplish what please.'
2 Timothy 2:10 'I endure all things for the sake of the elect.'
John 6:36-37 'All that the Father gives to Me shall come to Me. Him that comes to me I will not cast out.'
John 10 Other sheep I have which are not of this fold. Them I must also bring & they shall hear my voice.
1 Corinthians 15:58 'Be always abounding in the work of the Lord for you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.'
Remember the condition of the lost: Romans 3:11 None that seek after God. Only a remnant will be saved. Ephesians 1:11 'Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will'
Proverbs 16:33 'The lot is cast, but the decision is from the Lord.'
Pray that the Lord will give you liberty to speak about salvation through Jesus. You are relying on the Holy Spirit to make the break through. Be prepared with gospels and tracts in the boot of your car. Trust in God alone.
