 How can GraceLife bring out vessels of honor? How can gracelife benefit a church, even a broken church? Last week we saw that Grace accomplishes what God delights in. Grace takes a sinner, a wretch and brings Him into the mercy and loving kindness of God through Jesus Christ. Then Grace takes that sinner and puts Him in right relatonship with God, and enables God’s Justice and Truth to dwell in his heart and his life, and transform that wretched sinner into a vessel of Honor that God can dwell in and use to accomplish His Kingdom will on earth. As Paul described Grace, it is an active force that does not leave the born again saint alone. Grace is an active force that never, never leaves you the same! Grace is the very hand of God nudging you to do His good pleasure.  Paul defined active grace: Phil 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. "Our will does nothing thereunto without grace; but grace is inactive without our will" [ST. BERNARD]. Man is, in different senses, entirely active, and entirely passive: God producing all, and we acting all. What He produced is our own acts. It is not that God does some, and we the rest. God does all, and we do all. "FOR His good pleasure"; in order to carry out His sovereign gracious purpose towards you Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,. What is Grace and What does it do? Jeremiah 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. Since Grace accomplishes the pleasure of God, and the pleasure of God is in working lovingkindness, justice and righteousness, we can rest assured that God’s Grace works in our lives to accomplish what God takes pleasure in. So let’s build a profile of GraceLife, and see where we individually and corporately might be resisting God’s Grace. GRACE ACCOMPLISHES GOD’S MERCY AND STEADFAST LOVE (HESED)  Brings Men to repentance Zechariah 12:10  Imparts Faith to Believe Acts 18:27:  Brings Salvation to Sinful Man Titus 2:11, Ephesians 2:8-9 WE ARE SAINTS (63 tines)  Gives us all Christ’s riches and full acceptance. 2 Corinthians 8:9, Ephesians 1:6-7  Gives Good Things Psalm 84:11  Increases Thanksgiving 2 Corinthians 4:15  Brings Abundance of faith and love 1 Timothy 1:14 GRACE ACCOMPLISHES GOD’S DESIGN OF JUSTICE IN OUR LIVES (MISHPAT).  Made a Partaker of Christ 1 Corinthians 10:30, 1 Corinthians 1:30-31  Justified Titus 3:7, Romans 3:24  Overcome Sin Romans 5:20-21  Gives strength and growth 2 Timothy 2:1, Acts 20:32, Luke 2:40.  Help in times of need Hebrews 4:16  Provides Stability Hebrews 13:9  Inspires Singing Colossians 3:16 GRACE ACCOMPLISHES THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST IN US. (TSEDAQAH)  Grace Gives allows us to share in the Victory of Jesus Christ!  Changes Lives 1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.  Gives Power 1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.  Gives Endurance 2 Corinthians 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.  Seasons our speech Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.  Means of Acceptable Behavior in the World 2 Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.  Teaches Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  Gives aid in suffering Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Hebrews 4:15-16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.  Renders true service Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we

• published: 18 Jun 2012
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