God's Wondrous Grace

Ephesians 2:8-9  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast."

  

Romans 2:1-16  (vs. 2-3) "But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.  And thinkest thou…thou shalt escape the judgment of God?"

1. God's judgment is always just in His dealings with man.  God is a loving and forgiving God; but He is a just God, as well.  He must be! 
2. We never like to admit we're lost or in need of help.  We tend to be a very proud and independent people--but face it, we do need help.  We are in desperate need of God's help!
3. Those things which you think you would never take part in, beware!  Satan knows your weaknesses and he will attack where you are weakest!
4. There's a big difference between finding religion and trusting Christ as Saviour.  Be sure you're not just playing Christianity.  It's a difference for all eternity!
5. The "measurement" is dependent upon what or whom you're measuring against.  It depends upon the standard.  Jesus Christ is the only standard.  The only way you can measure up to that standard is if you trust Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour.  He is the only way; you're in a hopeless state without Him!
6. Most of the time, hypocrisy is the one major problem in our churches--because we say our lives are ok because we're measuring up against ourselves (we're self-righteous); however God says, "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
7. All have sinned!  We are all the same--there is no one better than another--except God!  And we are only saved by the wondrous grace of God, nothing else!  There is nothing you or I can do that makes you or I any better than another.  We are all sinners…and we are only "something" because of God!
8. There are certain sins that disgust us--but all sin is sin in God's eyes.  Everyone is in need of the Lord Jesus Christ.  We need to be rid of our self-righteousness--because we are nothing but a sinful, wretched mess without God! 
9. Why should a most holy God love me and draw me to Himself?  "I am amazed that God should ever love me!"

          Oh, God’s wondrous grace!

  

        Merle

* This is another outline from my current pastor, Pastor Robert Love at Waupun Baptist Church as preached on Sunday, March 27, 2011.  I take no credit!

Seven Deadly Devices

7 Deadly Devices of the Devil

2 Cor. 2:11 "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."

The devil is always prepared to do battle--we need to be doubly prepared.  In any way Satan can defeat you, he will!  If he can make you ineffective as a Christian, he will!  Be on guard…and be prepared!

This is taken from my Sunday school lesson just this last Sunday! (as prepared and taught by Rick Laing at Waupun Baptist Church on March 27, 2011).  I cannot take credit for it; but I can tell you the devil has definitely used every single device in my life--and he will in yours as well.  Please stand guard--be prepared in God's power!

1. Diversion - (turning the mind from great things to minimal things, from the eternal to the temporal)
2. Delusion - (lies and wiles)

sin is pleasurable--but only for a season.  Satan knows your weaknesses and he will attack more in those areas just because he knows where you're weakest.

Ephesians 6:10-18 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…"

stand guard, stand prepared with God's armor -- or you can be certain the devil will work to defeat you!

3. Doubt - (causing hesitation for both the saved and the unsaved) - the opposite of doubt is faith (believing) - believe God! and trust!

doubt concerning our salvation

doubt regarding God's will and direction in our lives

4. Double-mindedness (compromise)

"compromise means defeat in due season"

Matt. 6:24 you cannot have two masters!

don't be a "fence straddler"

• there is ever a gradual deterioration -- the line of principles or standards is slowly moving and compromising in our standards for--
•          music
•          drinking
•          sexual standards

there is a gradual infiltration by the devil, moving in and taking over -- areas of standard we thought we would never compromise in, and yet, we have, we do all the time!  Stand guard!

5. Darkness (encompassing your thoughts)

Isaiah 5:20 "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"

Luke 11:35 "Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness."

6. Deadness (no life, no joy, no enthusiasm)

anything said or done in our own strength and power is dead!

"deadness" is a slowly drifting off to sleep, being comfortable, unmoving

God has given us abundant life through His Son; be careful that we are not "comfortable" or "unmoving" in our Christian lives! 

7. Delay (procrastination)

Proverbs 27:1  "Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."

saved or unsaved -- be careful not to procrastinate what God has laid on your heart to do; you're not promised anything apart from the moment you're in!

Stand guard, stand prepared!

    Merle

 

Our Own Way

 "For all this they sinned still and believed not"  Psalm 78

This is a scary but unfortunate story of God's wrath against the disbelieving and disobedient.

What is really scary and unfortunate is the fact that so many Christians today act just like the Israelites spoken of in this psalm.  Many of us are like that.  The bottom line:  we want our own way; it's SELF that is on the throne, not God, like He so deserves.

I.  The Ridiculousness of such a State  
           A.  God Delivered Them 
           B.  God Led Them  
                     i.  by a cloud by day  
                    ii.  by fire by night 
           C.  God Leads and Guides Us, as well  
                     i.  by His Word 
                    ii.  by His Spirit 
           D.  God Refreshed Them  
           E.  God Will Refresh Us, as well  
                     i.  spend time with Him  
                    ii.  allow Him to refresh you  
           F.  God Fed Them
  
 II.  The Result of such a State  
           A.  An Empty Life  
           B.  A Troubled Life
  
III.  The Reasons for such a State--UNBELIEF  
           A.  For the Saved  
                        i.  saints do not believe they are a new creature  
                       ii.  saints do not believe they will reap what they sow  
                      iii.  saints do not believe they have been set free from sin  
            B.  For the Unsaved  
                        i.  the unsaved do not believe in the blood atonement of Christ  
                       ii.  the unsaved do not believe the wages of sin is death--apart from God in                               a place called hell  
                      iii.  the unsaved do not believe Jesus will truly save

IV.  The Recourse for such a State  
           A.  Recognize the chastening hand of God  
           B.  Experience repentance toward God--a turning from sin  
           C.  Trust in God's compassion  
           D.  Seek God's forgiveness  
           E.  Don't presume of God's patience

This was a sermon outline from my dear pastor in Pleasanton, CA, Pastor Bill Bryson, as preached on August 12, 2007.  May we always believe God and His Word, and follow hard after Him.  God's ways are always best.  May we trust God and love Him more & more each day!

May we follow hard after God

        Merle

It's Through the Blood

      

Jesus Christ and His shed blood is our only hope of salvation.  "Jesus saith unto him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."  Salvation is by grace alone...God's amazing grace, God's amazing love.  His blood is our only plea!

Please listen to the words of this song...and please trust Christ today, if you haven't already.  

            It's Through the Blood!