Seeing is Believing. April 29, 2018 Tom Shannon, Pastor Restored Life Church

Transcription

1 Seeing is Believing April 29, 2018 Tom Shannon, Pastor Restored Life Church

2 A quick review from last week s message

3 What is Grace? Greek Genesis 6:8 (NKJV), But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Grace, Greek, χάρις cháris; Grace, that which causes joy, pleasure, kindness, gratification, favor, acceptance, a benefit, thanks, gratitude, free benevolence, gift, good will. A favor done without expectation of return. The absolutely free expression of God s loving kindness to men with its only motive in the wealth and benevolence of the Giver. Unearned and unmerited favor. Stands in direct antithesis to érga, works, the two being mutually exclusive. Showing kindness to someone, implying the graciousness of the giver.

4 What is Grace? Hebrew Grace, Hebrew, א ל ך (ḥēn) Favor, grace, freely, for nothing, beauty, charm (attractive pleasing quality), merciful, acceptance, good will, agreeableness, to take pleasure in, delight in, joy. A heartfelt response by someone who has something to give to one who has a need. To bend, to incline.

5 Noah Found Grace Genesis 6:8 (NKJV), But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Typically understood as God favoring Noah. God s grace was on Noah, but Noah stood out from his generation in finding (seeing) grace in God. God s grace has always been on all, man s problem has been not seeing God s grace and keeping it at bay. 2 Timothy 1:9-10 (NKJV), who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, The Gospel: Jesus loved all, died for all, forgave all, included all, reconciled all, blesses all, is good to all, has embraced all. What separates us from enjoying the full benefits of His embrace is man s attempts at keeping His embrace at bay, just as Noah s generation.

6 Finding Grace Do we find grace in God s eyes, or are we like Noah s generation, unable to see God s or His grace? Jesus came to reveal who God truly was to all humanity. Hebrews 1:3 (NKJV), who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high Jesus came to seek and save that which is lost (Luke 19:10). 1 John 4:17-19 (NKJV), Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.

7 As He is, so are We 1 John 4:17 (NKJV), because as He is, so are we in this world What does this mean? This is the that which Jesus came to restore. Genesis 1:27 (NKJV), So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. John 8:58 (NKJV), Jesus said to them, Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM. Jesus understood who He was, do we?

8 About Us As He is so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17) We are the temple of the Holy Ghost, thus God dwells within us. 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NKJV), Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? If God dwells within us, His fullness dwells within us. It is out of this that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV), Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 1 John 5:14 (NKJV), Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

9 Why? So why is it so often that we fail to see completion of the things we hope for? What are you hoping for that you have yet to see fulfilled? What were you hoping for that you have given up on? God calls the things that are not as though they are, He resurrects dead hopes and dreams. (Romans 4:17)

10 They were Amazed what Jesus Said Happened Mark 11:22-24 (NKJV), Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away. 22 So Jesus answered and said to them, Have faith in God. ἔχετε πίστιν θεοῦ ἔχω πίστις θεός have trust of God V2PPAM NFSA NMSG

11 Mark 11:22-24 (NKJV), For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, Be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. This mountain, the obstacles, and lack of trust which causes them to remain. When is a mountain no longer a mountain, when it is under the sea. Doubt, Doubt, διακρίνω diakrínō; from diá (1223), denoting separation, and krínō (2919), to distinguish, decide, judge. To separate throughout, completely, to separate oneself. Particularly, to separate oneself from. Heart

12 Mark 11:22-24 (NKJV), For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, Be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Believes, πιστεύω pisteúō; verb, from pístis (4102), faith. To believe, have faith in, trust. Says, λέγω légō; to say, speak, i.e., to utter definite words, connected and significant speech equal to discourse. It tdiffers from laléō (2980), to utter sounds, which may refer only to words spoken and not to their connected sense. Will be done, γίνομαι gínomai; Verb-present, to begin to be, that is, to come into existence or into any state; Will have, ἐσομαι ésomai; (Here, future) 1st person sing. of eimí (1510), to be. I shall be. Whatever, ἐάν eán; wish, possibility, implies a condition which experience must determine, a future objective possibility. He says, ἔπω épō; to say, to speak.

13 Mark 11:22-24 (NKJV), 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive (present) them, and you will have them (future). 25 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.

14 Faith and Identity Hebrews 11:1-2 (NKJV), Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. The parable of the sower, Matthew 13. It s about our identity, knowing who we are, and who He is.