| Series | Location | Subjects | Takeaways | Sermon Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allison on Galatians | Emmaus Orthodox Presbyterian Church | - | - |
š”Big Idea
Takeaways and Next Steps
šBible Passage
Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
Points
- There is a complete unity between the Father and Son.
- They are unified in purpose, action, and thought.
- They are never at odds or in disagreement.
- Hebrews 1.3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, who, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high,
- John 14.9 Jesus said to him, āHave I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, āShow us the Father?ā
- Together the Father and the Son:
- chose Paul to be an apostle: Galatians 1.1
- bless the congregation with grace and peace: Galatians 1.3
- gave up the Son for our sins: Galatians 1.4
- Paul wrote 13 letters in the bible, and every single one begins with the same salutation: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- This consistently shows the unity of the Son with the Father and their blessing upon the Church.
- What is this grace given to us?
- First it is something beautiful.
- In this world we often see things that were once so beautiful, yet have become quite ugly.
- A beautiful beach may be ravaged by a devastating hurricane.
- This is how it is for us sinners.
- We were made perfect and beautiful.
- Yet we have turned from God, away from righteousness, and have turned to ugly sin and defilement.
- While we may think that we are righteous and beautiful, God sees what is beneath.
- Proverbs 15.11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahwehā how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
- Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account. [[Heb-04#v13|]]
- Sin has made us enemies with God.
- We may be lovely in our relationship with others, but if we are not worshippers of God then we are ugly in our relationship to Him.
- Sin has even corrupted and damaged our relationships with others.
- But grace beautifies.
- While sin corrupts, defiles, and makes ugly, grace restores and makes it beautiful.
- Proverbs 1:8-9 My son, listen to your fatherās instruction, and donāt forsake your motherās teaching: for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck. [[Prov-01#v9|]]
- Proverbs 3:21-22 My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion: so they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck. [[Prov-03#v22|]]
- Grace comes from the same root as joy.
- Grace is something that evokes more grace still.
- Jesus grew in the grace of God, and as a result gained favor from those around Him.
- Grace in the sense of attractiveness evoked grace in the sense of favor.
- Jesus grew in the grace of God, and as a result gained favor from those around Him.
- Grace gives God pleasure.
- Similarly as we exhibit Godās grace, we will give joy and pleasure to those around us.
- Godās grace is sufficient:
- Paul was given a magnificent vision in 2 Cor 12 and saw unspeakable things. So God gave him a thorn in his flesh to humble him. But Godās grace was sufficient for Paul, despite the affliction.
- 2 Corinthians 12.2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years agoāwhether in the body, I donāt know, or whether out of the body, I donāt know; God knows.
- 2 Corinthians 12.9 He has said to me, āMy grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.ā Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
- theodicy: We may ask, Why is God allowing me to suffer so now?:
- We must remember that Godās grace is sufficient for us.
- Paul was given a magnificent vision in 2 Cor 12 and saw unspeakable things. So God gave him a thorn in his flesh to humble him. But Godās grace was sufficient for Paul, despite the affliction.
- Godās grace equips us:
- He gives us what we need when we need it.
- He does not leave us neglected and unequipped.
- Ephesians 4.7 But to each one of us, the grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 12.7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all.
- This grace should also call us to prayer.
- Why? Because this is what the Church needs if we are to meet His call.
- Godās grace is the grace that saves.
- Our election is by grace. Repentance, saving faith, sanctification, perseverance. These are all undeserved gracious gifts from God.
- We need Godās grace every day, to the end.
- In this world we often see things that were once so beautiful, yet have become quite ugly.
- First it is something beautiful.
Application
- How do we receive and continue to receive this grace?
- This grace comes to us through prayer and hearing Godās Word.
- Do you not know what to pray for, for yourself and others?
- You can always pray for Godās grace. We will never stop needing it.
- We must listen to God. We must hear God through His word.
- Romans 10.17 So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
- Do you not know what to pray for, for yourself and others?
- This grace comes to us through prayer and hearing Godās Word.