The Package Called Grace Part 3
The Package Called Grace Part 3
Tuesday September 10, 2024
It is impossible to bring God glory by man’s effort.
Man’s effort brings glory to man, God's grace brings glory to God.
Many of us have heard this beautiful quote by the English missionary, C. T. Studd,
“ Only one life, ‘twill soon be past.
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
This is an accurate statement, but one which needs to be explored a little deeper.
It is not enough for us to do things for God, but we must also ensure that what we do are of God and by God.
“Of God” means it is inspired, commanded and authorized by God. This speaks to the instructions we have received , the basis of our authority. “I can do all things in Christ” does not mean I have been commanded to do all things. This speaks to our opportunity. Too many copycats who see what others are doing for God and then go do likewise.
John 2:5 (NASB20) His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He tells you, do it.”.
“By God” means it is empowered and resourced by God's Grace. We rely not on human efforts, not on Human Resources, but on God’s Grace. This speaks to our means.
Not only is it wrong to do God’s work by human effort, it is also wrong to use human methods. Some would lie and cheat in a misguided attempt to advance the Kingdom of God.
“For God” means it is what God wants, and expressly for His glory. This speaks to our motives. We better make sure that what we are doing for God is really being done for God’s glory.
1 Corinthians 4:5 (NASB20) Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of human hearts; and then praise will come to each person from God.
Philippians 1:15-17 (NLT) 15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me.
God is a whistleblower. God will not partner with unrighteousness even when we claim it is intended for His glory. (Remember what happened when Uzzah touched the ark. 2 Samuel 6:1-8)
1 Corinthians 15:10 KJ21
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.
Today, too much emphasis is placed on man…
The way some christians talk about their spiritual accomplishments, one would get the impression that they are such awesome people, God is privileged to have them on His side.
If it is not done by grace, it is by human effort.
Philippians 2:13 (NLT) For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
If it is of man’s inspiration, done by man’s effort, it cannot be for God’s glory.
1 Corinthians 2:11 NKJV
For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
Whatever is of human inspiration, human motives and human ability will not stand the test of fire.
1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (NLT) 10 Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have--Jesus Christ. 12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials--gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
Man’s righteousness is like filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6) Man’s best efforts are corrupted by pride, selfishness and vainglory.
2 Corinthians 5:12-13 NLT
Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart. [13] If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit.
God Gives Grace For His glory.
The ways of bringing glory to God will often not make sense to the natural mind.
ACCESSING GRACE: A Quick Circle Back
Accessing Grace during difficult times; when we are going through.
When going through, there are two questions we should be asking.
How can I get out of this situation?
How can I bring glory to God through my situation?
Which one do we ask first? Or the most?
How can I get out of this situation?
The first question puts all the focus on self.
All I want is what I want. I want a way of escape. I want an end to my pain and my shame. I want my breakthrough. I want my promotion.
This mindset makes it all about me. It doesn’t make much room for what God wants. I want God to release His Grace for my benefit. God gives grace primarily for His glory.
Seeking personal benefit is not an efficient way to access Grace.
2. How can I bring glory to God through my situation?
The second question is more highly developed and invariably grants access to grace…
Ask yourself, “How can I bring great glory to God through my loss, my pain, my deprivation, my shame?”
“With my focus on God’s glory, what kind of prayers should I be praying?”
1 Samuel 1:11 NKJV
Then she made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head."
“With my focus on God’s glory, in what kind of manner must I conduct myself?”
1 Peter 2:22-23 NLT
He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. [23] He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
Job 2:9-10 NLTHis wife said to him, "Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die." [10] But Job replied, "You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?" So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.
Acts 16:25 LSB
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
By His Grace, God always provides either a supernatural way of escape or He provides supernatural strength for His saints to endure the situation. Grace produces either escape or endurance.
1 Corinthians 10:13 LSB
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
Those who prioritize the second question entrust themselves to God to do with them as He pleases.
Hebrews 5:7 NLT
While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.
When faced with tests or temptations, a concern for God’s glory will help us pass or overcome.
As a slave in Egypt, Joseph was tempted with physical pleasure and an improvement of his self-esteem by his master, Portipha’s wife. He overcame, because he was more concerned about God’s glory than he was with his own physical or emotional needs.
When Aaron created the golden calf for the people, (leadership failure) God tested Moses with an offer to start a new nation with him. Moses passed the test because he was more concerned with God’s glory than with his own relief.
Exodus 32:10-14 NLT
Now leave me alone so my fierce anger can blaze against them, and I will destroy them. Then I will make you, Moses, into a great nation." [11] But Moses tried to pacify the LORD his God. "O LORD!" he said. "Why are you so angry with your own people whom you brought from the land of Egypt with such great power and such a strong hand? [12] Why let the Egyptians say, 'Their God rescued them with the evil intention of slaughtering them in the mountains and wiping them from the face of the earth'? Turn away from your fierce anger. Change your mind about this terrible disaster you have threatened against your people! [13] Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You bound yourself with an oath to them, saying, 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven. And I will give them all of this land that I have promised to your descendants, and they will possess it forever.'" [14] So the LORD changed his mind about the terrible disaster he had threatened to bring on his people.
Daniel was able to access Grace because he made up his mind not to defile himself with the king’s portion.
Esther accessed Grace because she was willing to risk her life for God’s glory.
Grace for Daniel and his three Hebrew friends brought them deliverance, a form of escape. Daniel 3:23-30; 6:16-28
Stephen received grace to endure. Acts 7:55 NLT
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God's right hand.
Peter received grace to escape. Acts 12:6-12
An angel brought him out of prison.
Paul received grace to endure. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NLT
Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. [9] Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
grace is sufficient for you.
Jesus received grace to endure. Luke 22:43 LSB
Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.
What type of manifestion of grace will you receive? I don’t know. God alone makes that determination.
Those who prioritize the second question entrust themselves to God to do with them as He pleases. We don’t mind whatever happens to us, so long as God gets the glory.
Acts 20:22-25 NKJV
And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, [23] except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. [24] But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. [25] "And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.
Answer to the first question doesn’t always come from Grace… sometimes it comes from compromise.
