Tag: Grace

The Gospel As Seen Through John’s Eyes – John 3:22-36

The last couple of weeks we have seen the gospel as told to us in Jesus’s own words. Ye must be born again was His declaration. The remedy He gave was Himself. Condemnation was already here. Man is born condemned and Jesus declares He is the only way for condemnation to be removed. Praise the Lord, He removed it for all who believe in Him –

John clarifies the difference between the Messiah and John the Baptist

A. John the Baptist pointed men to Jesus.
B. John stated clearly “I am not the Christ”.
C. John was the friend of the bridegroom – indication here that John the Baptist was never a part of the church.
D. The profound statement – v.30 He must increase, but I musts decrease.

THIS IS THE KEY TO THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF CHRISTIANITY.

  1. If man is the center, it is not Biblical.
  2. If man claims any power outside of what God is doing through Him, he is not biblical.
  3. If man is pushing a personal agenda that promises riches and fame, he is not biblical.
  4. A true minister of Christ will NEVER try to bring attention to his self.
  5. A true minister will allow Jesus to be the one the light shines on

John’s declaration

A. God is true – v33.
B. God the Father loves God the Son – V.35
C. God’s way to salvation – v 36

Here we see, in v 36 what Johns feels is of utmost importance.

A. John repeats this in the book of I John 5:11-13 -And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
B. God has given us the record (the proof) that eternal life is in Jesus.
C. One must possess, not just confess.

Romans 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

D. Unbelievers will experience the wrath of God if they do not repent and turn to Jesus.

Psalms 2:12  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

1 Thessalonians 1:10  And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Hebrews 2:3  How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Revelation 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Revelation 6:16-17 – 16  And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:17  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Let Us

Let us Have Grace

I. What does this grace mean to us.


A. We have been extended His unending, unfailing, undeserved amazing grace that will lead us all the way home.

Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:


B. This grace leads to mercy.
C. This mercy leads to a lively hope – a hope that is real.
D. Hope leads to an incorruptible inheritance.
E. This hope enables us to endure hardships of this earthly life.
F. Theses hardships lead to glory and honor when He comes.
G. This glory to come leads us to joy that the world just cannot understand.
H. In the end, we win – We are assured of the salvation of our souls

I Peter 1:3-9 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.


II. What does this grace in our lives do for others –


A. Leads us to consider our words carefully –

Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.


B. Leads to an attitude of grace toward others –
C. Leads to a spirit of unity others can see, even the lost. Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
D. Leads to a spirit of unity with other believers.
E. Leads to a family unit working together to see others come to Jesus –

I Corinthians 3:1-11- And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.7 So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Let Us Go Forth

Hebrews 13:13 – Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

Hebrews 12:3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

A. We are to go forth OUTSIDE the camp (the body of believers) to those who are lost in their sin.
B. We are to bear His reproach –

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.


C. We must be willing to take up our cross and follow Him regardless of the cost Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
D. It is through the trials that we become strong in Him – 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Let Us Offer The Sacrifice Of Praise.

Praise – note the word sacrifice

Praise results only when we surrender what we want and exchange it for His will for our lives

A. Praise is a day by day, moment by moment lifestyle.
B. Praise is the result of what we have on the inside.
C. Praise leads to a life of thanksgiving

Hebrews 13:15 – By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.


Ephesians 5:19-20 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Psalms 18:49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.


Psalm 145:1-21

I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. 2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy ighteousness. 8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.10 All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. 21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Let Us (Part 5)

Lay Aside

  1. :It is time for the church to wake up – Romans 13:11-14 – And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
  2. Time for a spiritual cleansing of the church. 2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
  3. Time for the church to be renewed – Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
  4. Time for the church to die to self – Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

Let Us Run

  1. Tribulation is a good thing as far as Spiritual growth is concerned Romans 5:3-5 – And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
  2. Faith (hope) is what patience leads to. Romans 8:24-25 – For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
  3. Patience will teach to move on from conflict and forgive – James 5:9-11 – Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. 10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
  4. Patience will lead to temperance (self-control) 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 – Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

Let us Have grace – Hebrews 12:28 – Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Let Go forth – Hebrews 13:13 – Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

Let us Offer the sacrifice of praise – Hebrews 13:15 – By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Let Us Draw Near –

Hebrews 10:22 – Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

This is a very needful and good thing for each of us to do.

Psalms 73:28  But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Psalms 119:10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

The closer we get the cleaner we become.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

We have been washed because of His mercy

Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Being near to Him is more than just paying lip service

Isaiah 29:13  Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Humility is necessary to draw close

James 4:7-10 – 7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Only God can create a clean heart

Stop trying and start allowing

Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

This cleansing is necessary for our final delivery

Ephesians 5:26-27 – That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Let Us Hold Fast

Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Do not let someone else get your reward –

Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Be well grounded in the scriptures and in your faith.

James 1:6  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

2 Timothy 1:13  Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Our hope is in things to come – Don’t lose hope

Hebrews 6:18  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Hebrews 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Remember, God is the one who keeps you, so do not let go.

2 Thessalonians 3:3  But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

God is faithful even when we fail –

  • We are called to fellowship

1 Corinthians 1:9  God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

I John 1:3-4 – 3  That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.4  And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

  • HE WILL DO IT. Your future is totally secure – Live like it!!

1 Thessalonians 5:24  Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

  • He secured you before the world was even created – Think about how secure you are.
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Hebrews “Let Us”

We will continue our Hebrews study by looking at another key phrase.  The term “Let Us” is seen 11 times.  We will examine this as we consider what we need to be doing as believers in these difficult days. 

Let us Fear

Hebrews 4:1 – Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

A. Fear here means to be afraid of

  1. Ignorance of God’s word – Hebrews 2:1 – Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
  2. Failure to understand the promises to believers – Romans 16:17-20 – Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
  3. We come up short of the rest (totally trust in Christ to sustain us and complete us. – Rest appears 8 times in this chapter
  • A.. In our salvation – Christ alone and nothing else Hebrews 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.–
  • B. Rest in the eternal salvation we have.Hebrews 4:5-6 -And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. – 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: –
  • C. Hebrews 4:8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.– Jesus (Joshua means savior) could not give rest to God’s people. He pointed to another. Hebrew name is Joshua and the Greek name is Jesus.
  • D. We will enter into our heavenly home – real joy real peace, Hebrews 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.–
  • E. Rest – Being complete in Him without works being a burden.
Hebrews 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
  • Learn to enjoy the journey
  • God has done everything necessary.
  • We cannot earn it even a little.

Hebrews 4: 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

  • Satisfied with being in the will of God. 
  • Satisfied with serving (Laboring for) Him. 
  • Satisfied with totally trusting Him. Learn to sit at Jesus feet. 
  • Satisfied with being used of Him

I Corinthians 9:24-27 –   Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.25  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Keep the goal in mind at all times – His reward to the faithful

2 Corinthians 5:1   For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 Corinthians 5:8  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Philippians 1:21   For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

We are to keep ourselves clean – pure

1 Peter 2:11  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Romans 6:18-19   Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 –   Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Let us Labor

Hebrews 4:11 – Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

  1. Invest your time working for the right thing John 6:27  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
  2. Our salvation should produce works that lead us to fulfill the will of God. Philippians 2:12-16   Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14   Do all things without murmurings and disputings 15  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
  3. We should be glad to invest in His work –
  4. without mudrmurings (indicates an inner complaining, silent resentment)
  5. disputings. (inner argument with yourself about doing the will of God)   

Follow God’s formula for spiritual growth

II Peter 1:5-11 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9  But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10  Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11  For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

  • Keep in remembrance where we have come from.
  • We will become fruitful in our Christian walk
  • We will triumphantly enter into His kingdom because of the King.
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