Be Strong - Grow In Grace

10.12.2008 BE STRONG - GROW IN GRACE

by William Akehurst, HSWC

To BE or not to BE. That is the question.

BE!

Call to Worship

Psalm 104:33

I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

TEXT:

2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

LAST WEEK WE LOOKED AT WHAT IT WAS TO BE STRONG and TO BE.

But today I want to expound a bit.

2 Peter 3:18

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

BE JUSTIFIED

Titus 3:7

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

BE MULTIPLIED THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD AND JESUS

2 Peter 1:2

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

Gods Grace

Grace, grace, God’s grace. Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.

GOD’s grace is unmerited favor GRACE means unearned favors received from God.

GRACE is the unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification

If we are to be STRONG in the GRACE that is in Christ Jesus

Then does that mean that we can do whatever we want and just ask the LORD to forgive us? Not a chance.

Romans 6:1-2

1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Heaven Forbid!

No, just as Christ’s showed his mercy and grace for us.

Even while on that cross, he prayed. Father forgive them, they know not what they do.

If we are to be strong in that grace

And we are to GROW in that same grace.

Then we must act in that same fashion to each other.

Growing in grace in the sense that we too, show grace to one another.

Forgiving and forbearing one another. Even when the person doesn’t come up and apologize.

Like water off a ducks back. Let the offence go. Do not hold a grudge. Show grace. Grow in grace.

We heard before the story of the eagle, flying. It was being annoyed by other smaller birds, and to get away, the eagle did not fight or charge or hold a grudge - it flew above the problem. It soared.

We too must soar above and learn from the FATHER above. He has shown us his mercy and grace. And if we are to live like Him, to be not only followers of Christ, but examples to others OF the love of Chirst.

I once heard it like this - We may be the only - Christ - that people know. We may be the only vision of what Christ was all about to someone who is looking on us. Not that we ARE Christ, but that we exemplify, magnify, glorify Jesus Christ.

So if we are to be strong in the grace of Christ

And we are to GROW in the grace of Christ

WE must BE and DO and GROW and LIVE in the Grace of Christ

WE must reflect what Christ did for us.

In this same manner, as Christ commanded us.

LOVE the LORD your GOD with all your heart, mind and strength

LOVE your neighbor as yourself.

IF we are to do this, in this fashion, then we will GROW by doing that which the LORD commanded us. We will show grace to one another.

|MORE BE’s|

BE STRONG BE BRAVE

1 Cor 16:13

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

BE KIND

BE TENDERHEARTED

BE FORGIVING OF ONE ANOTHER

Ephesians 4:32

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

BE LOVING

MATTHEW 22:37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

BE A BRIGHT WITNESS

Matt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

BE MERCIFUL

Matt 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

BE PURE IN HEART

Matt 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

BE A PEACEMAKER

Matt 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

BE PROSPEROUS, FRUITFUL

PSALM 1:1-3 1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.