Sermon Title: ???

June 28, 2015

Albert K Mensah

Marital Infidelity pregnancy termination decision

Lethal health condition death

Walk in an electrified water pool death by electrocution

Single Parenting with weak finances School dropout

What ‘one word’ can explain all of these?

GRACE

FAITHFULNESS

Sermon Title:His Grace and Faithfulness

These are my stories (testimonies) and

many more…

What is this 'Grace'? -The Nitty-gritty of Grace

Dictionary (Oxford) definition:The free and unmerited favor of God, as

manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.... a divinely given talent or blessing (given by the Holy Spirit)

Grace = the image (totality of the image) of Jesus Christ in a believer

Apostle shared the grace of Jesus with the: Then churches in Rome, Corinth, Galatia,

Ephesus, Philippi, Colosse, Thessalonica, etc. His sons in the faith (Timothy, Titus) and

fellow workers in the faith (Philemon).

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

-Romans 16:24; I Cor. 16:23; II Cor. 13:14; Gal. 6:18; Eph. 6:24; Philippians 4:23; Col. 4:18; I Thes. 5:28, etc.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified-Romans 8:29-30 ESV

A product of the Grace of God

The unique and special blessings/abilities/gifts

That's why Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:13 ESV-I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence

-2 Peter 1:3 ESV

Grace is imputed; you don't have to do anything to earn it.

Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV –For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Maintaining Grace requires leading a God-glorifying life

Titus 2:11-12 ESV -For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self- controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age

Apostle Paul said, "Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? "-Romans 6:1 ESV

God gives special abilities/gifts (financial, influence, revered leadership/governance, etc.) according to each believer's capability

God knows our hearts better than we do

There are diverse unique abilities (gifts), but one Grace (Jesus)

To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away –Matt. 25:15 ESVIf any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. -1 Peter 4:11 KJV

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”-I Samuel 16:7 ESV

God ties our gifts/abilities/blessings to our God-given assignment (destiny)

Ephesians 4:11-12 ESV -And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ

The effectual body of Christ: Our individual gifts are meant to complement each other’s (in LOVE)

1 Corinthians 12:24-31 God composed the body; many parts (vs.

24) Hence, no division within the body:

Unity & Care: If one suffers (is honored), all suffer (rejoice) (vs.25-26)

Unique Gifts: Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Miracle, Healing, Helping, Government, Tongues (vs. 27-30)

Highest (best) gift: LOVE (vs. 31 and chap. 13)

Identifying Those With Grace

They are led by the Spirit of God, not the flesh.

Romans 8:14 ESV-For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God

Galatians 4:6-7 ESV -And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God

Romans 8:11 ESV-If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you

They operate by revelation, not their own strengthNB: Revelation is primarily driven

by the word of God (the Bible)The Holy Spirit reinforces this

revelationMatthew 16:17 ESV-And Jesus

answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar- Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven

1 Samuel 30:8 KJV-And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all

1 Samuel 2:9 KJV-... for by strength shall no man prevail

Zechariah 4:6 ESV-…Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts

They wait on the LordIsaiah 40:31 KJV-But they that wait

upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 ESV-He has made everything beautiful in its time….

They put their trust completely in God

Psalms 125:1-2 ESV -Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore

Psalms 91:1-16 ESV -He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust…

Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV -Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

They give all the glory resulting from the grace (God-given gifts) to God , not to themselves

Revelation 4:11 NIV-“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

How to Activate the Gift in You, which is a Product of Grace

Involves doing what God wants every believer to do, including points noted immediately above

Revelation 3:2-3 ESV-Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you

What is His ’Faithfulness'?

Faithfulness = fidelity, loyalty, constancy, devotion, trueness, …

Faithfulness of God:God is faithful to only those with

Grace (the image of Christ) New Testament Era 1 Thessalonians 5:24 ESV-He who calls

you is faithful; he will surely do it 1 Corinthians 1:9 ESV-God is faithful, by

whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord

God is faithful to covenants made with His own, spanning many generations. However, it requires obedience Old Testament Era

Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV-Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations

Deuteronomy 7:7-8 ESV -It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Thank you for your Grace, Jesus!