Grace – Liberty Church of Wilmington

Don’t worry, Jesus is alive and well and He will come again.

John 14:1-6

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 1:8-11

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

As believers we have this blessed hope and assurance. He ascended back to heaven to make constant intercession for us, and He is getting our place ready for us. He will come and take us. He will meet us and lead us home. We do not need to worry about getting lost on the way because He personally will take us to be with Him for all eternity. What an outstanding promise.

This life will not always be easy

Acts 8:18; 22-23 – For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

One reason we are looking for His return is to escape this body of sorrow.

Our bodies have yet to be redeemed (adoption).

We will be given a brand-new body.

I Corinthians 15:51-58 – Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

There will be a reward for remaining faithful in this life.

II Timothy 4:6-8 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Do not give up, keep fighting.
Finish what God has designed for you.
A crown awaits your faithful service.’
Persecutions come.
Sickness comes.
Hurts come.
Victory has been declared by Jesus Himself for you.

I Corinthians 15: 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Are you ready for His coming?

Romans 10:13 – For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

WHAT TO DO?

Must believe you are a sinner.
Must be willing to turn from sin to Jesus.
Must believe He died for your sin.
Must do what God requires:

Romans 10:9-11 – That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed

Rejoice with them as they gain victory, return to the church, and become vital in reaching others.

Romans 12:14-19

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

It does not matter what someone else has done to you, FORGIVE anyway.

Matthew 6:14-15 – 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

II Corinthians 2:1-11 – But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Ephesians 4:30-32 – And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Colossians 3:10-13 – And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Always remember what you did to Jesus. – YOU KILLED HIM.

I Peter 2:21-25 – For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Give others the same grace you want for yourself

I Peter 3:8-10 – Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

Romans 12:14;17 –

14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Use your voice to encourage them – (Our job is to restore.)

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Proverbs 29:22-23 – An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.23 A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit

Proverbs 12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

James 3:10-18 – Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

MAYBE TODAY WE SHOULD DO WHAT TOMORROW WE WILL BE GLAD WE DID

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.

If man is the center, it is not Biblical.
If man claims any power outside of what God is doing through Him, he is not biblical.
If man is pushing a personal agenda that promises riches and fame, he is not biblical.
A true minister of Christ will NEVER try to bring attention to his self.
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

: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.
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.
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.
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

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.
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.
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.
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.

Tag: Grace