Grace Reigning

Turn to the book of 2 Cor.

“Christian”

1. Very common word (politics using “God” a lot.)

2. Your definition about you.

3. World’s definition about a Christian

Does this word paint the picture it is suppose to?

Common Denominator of all “Christians”

Walk in the things of God.

>Have separated the things we try and obtain and the life we try and represent.

>Jesus came establishing the kingdom of God here on earth and prayed in Matt. 6:10 “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”

He then went on to pay the ultimate price so this will of God in heaven could be accomplished here on earth.

And on that cross completing what He came to do He cried out, “...it is finished!”

2 Cor 4:7

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (KJV)

2 Cor 3:5

5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; (KJV)

2 Cor 10:4

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not , but mighty through God... (KJV)

3 scriptures which paint a picture that says there is no ability in ourselves

In 1 Cor. 15:10 the Apostle Paul states that, “by the grace of God I am what I am.”

Let me show you something real quickly:

Rom 5:21

21 That as sin hath reigned unto ,

We understand that prior to our coming to Christ - sin reigned in our lives. We were controlled by the nature fulfilling the of the flesh.

But then, Paul goes onto say,

even so (or just like sin reigned now,) might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV)

>Life in the flow becoming the witness not

a two part life of living a witness and trying to get from God.

John 1:17

17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace ...came by Jesus Christ. (KJV)

>Contrast living by what we can accomplish to living by what Christ has accomplished

Gal 2:20-21

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: (treasure in an earthen vessel) and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

21 I do not frustrate the grace of God... (KJV)

>Frustrate = nullify or make void

21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness (remember grace reigns through righteousness? ’Rom. 5:21’) come by the law, then Christ is in vain

Law: My adhering to a code / based on what I can do. (expound on things I do are “self”)

Grace: Christ in you - living according to His ability allowing His ability through you to be a witness to all men.

Closing:

Realization that what I seek after is the life and witness of my life

Don’t nullify the very power you seek after

Be strong in the Lord by yielding yourself to Him.

Allow His life to be the very life in you.

Come to the place where you can say, “I am, all that I am, by the Grace of God.”

That means you got out of the way and everything is by the power and ability of Christ in you.