[Biblemat] The Messenger Vol 002 Iss 039

Sun Dec 2 21:24:09 CST 2007

The Messenger

Published Weekly by Main Street Church of Christ

306 West Main Street, Newbern, TN 38059   731-627-3514

bibleanswers at charter.net                                    www.mainstreetcofc.com

Bulletin Editor: T. Sean Sullivan

VOLUME 002::ISSUE 039 :: December 02, 2007  

ARTICLE ONE: Saved By Grace: Through Faith

ARTICLE TWO: "Fellowship of the Mystery"

Article One: Saved By Grace: Through Faith

     There is a religious term that has been notoriously misconstrued over the years: "grace". When one truly understands God grace they know how important it is to have a relationship with God wherein His grace is available.

The problem that exists is that many have misapplied the meaning, purpose, and promise of God's grace. Some have opened up God's grace to such a wide meaning that everyone will have the grace of God and in turn He will accept everyone. They believe that God's grace is like a big umbrella that covers the whole world so that God no longer sees sin. We need to clarify grace and know its true meaning. Through the study of the scriptures we need to understand how God's grace impacts our lives and our hope.  In this lesson we will focus on grace and launch our lesson from the second chapter of Ephesians.

We Are Saved by Grace:

According to Paul's inspired writings each of us has fallen short of perfection, we have all sinned (Romans 6:23). He also states in Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death-separation from God. Sin is a perilous situation from which we cannot free ourselves (Romans 6:16 "slaves"). It is as if we are in a deep pit with no hope of ever climbing to the top to get out. It is at the bottom of this pit where all of us find our selves without God's grace. God's grace is the rope that God lowers into the pit. 

The word grace means "undeserved gift". God extension of this hope is "grace" because it is given without the receiver deserving to have it given.  Consider where we were when God extended the plan of salvation to us. According to Ephesians 2:12-18 we were afar off from God; Ephesians 4:17-19 says we were walking in futility, in the darkness of our understanding, alienated from God, hard of heart, given over to lewdness, and greedy workers of uncleanness. Certainly by this list we can see how God is offering something that we do not deserve to receive. God loves us enough to offer us what we do not deserve (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8).

We Are Saved By Grace and Not By Works

It is true to say that we are not saved by works. There is no work that will alone result in our own justification. Getting to Heaven is not about, "Look at what I have done" (Ephesians 2:9). Mankind is not strong enough to triumph over sin; all have sinned (Romans 3:23).  We are not smart enough to find his way out of sin (Jeremiah 10:23). Without God we have no avenue, opportunity, or ability to free ourselves from sin (Romans 6:16-18). God has freely given us: the avenue-Jesus Christ (Romans 5:6-8; John 14:6), the opportunity-our life (Acts 17:30-31; Hebrews 9:27), and the ability-a livable will (Matthew 7:21-23; Romans 12:1-2). 

We Are Saved By Grace Through Faith.

We cannot sit back and pretend that there is nothing for us to do.  There is much to do (Matthew 7:21; James 1:22-25). We must do the good works of faith (Ephesians 2:10). What is the difference between fruitless works condemned in Ephesians 2:9 and the good works commended in Ephesians 2:10? The "works" mentioned in Ephesians 2:9 are those self-declared works. Things that we decide are good; things that give us something to boast in ourselves over. The "good works" in Ephesians 2:10 are the works of God's choosing. God's chosen words are humble things not of our own design but of God's. We are simply meeting the requirements of God's grace by accomplishing the things that He has given us to do (Luke 17:6-10). All of the necessary works piled one on the other will never reach to Heaven. It is only with God's grace that the gap is bridged and our way is made available. 

Conclusion:

Without God's grace we would be hopelessly lost in our own sin. We must obey God to receive His grace (Matthew 7:21). We must continue to serve God to stay in His grace (Hebrews 10:35-39). We must have His grace to bridge the gap to our home in heaven (John 14:1-6). 

Grace is not a cover-all that masks our souls with Christ. We must strive to find God's grace and keep it (James 1:17-25). We must not abuse God's grace, but much rather count on it and trust it to be there for our salvation. If you are a Christian you have been saved by grace through faith. If you are not yet a Christian the grace of God has allowed Him to patiently wait and has provided you with opportunity to obey. Are you ready? ~tss

Article Two:  "Fellowship of the Mystery"

How is it that God is able to forgive your sins and make you acceptable for righteousness and ultimately a home in Heaven? You may be able to explain those things?  The information is available to you now. This, however, has not always been the case.

>From the "Garden" to the "cross" this avenue of acceptance was shrouded in mystery. Paul tells us that we are part of a fellowship or a stewardship of that mystery.  Did you know that as a Christian you are part of the fellowship of the mystery? We need to consider Paul's inspired words in this passage so that we might know the mystery.

What Is The Mystery?

It is something that Jesus began to reveal. By His parables He began to make known information that had never been known (Matthew 13:34-35). He taught concerning a "new" kingdom prepared for the "faithful" (Matthew 25:34).       He gave glimpses into that kingdom in Matthew 13:24 Parable of the Sower, Matthew 13:31 Parable of the Mustard seed, Matthew 13:33 Parable of the Leaven, Matthew 13:44 Parable of the Hidden Treasure, Matthew 13:45 Parable of the Pearl of great price, and Matthew 13:47 Parable of the Dragnet. 

Jesus told His disciples that He had only begun to reveal the mystery (John 16:12-15). He promised to send the Holy Spirit to finish the revelation of the mystery (all truth vs. 13). Peter, being inspired by the Holy Spirit, proclaims more concerning the "mystery"

When preaching on the day of Pentecost he reveals to the audience that they have a hope of salvation and freedom from their sins (Acts 2:36-42). This is part of the mystery: Salvation and freedom from sins through Jesus Christ. 

The fullness of the mystery is not revealed until the tenth chapter of Acts when Peter is called to teach Gentiles (Acts 11:15-18). The fullness of the mystery was then known: God has a plan for the salvation of all men, regardless of their nationality, through Jesus Christ. 

The Fellowship (Responsibility) of the Mystery:

The word translated as fellowship can fit appropriately in this place. However, more of the early Greek manuscripts contain a word better translated as stewardship or responsibility. So what is the "responsibility of the mystery"? Paul, being inspired by the Holy Spirit, reveals the responsibility of the mystery. In this passage Paul says that his responsibility is to make it known the mystery to all (Ephesians 3:9). He reveals that the mystery was created and accomplished in Jesus Christ by God-the Father (Ephesians 3:9-11). Paul declares the church as the witness to the mystery being revealed. It is with the creation of the church that God makes known His plan to all. Including the Heavenly host who apparently were waiting and watching for what would be revealed. In 1 Peter 1:10-12 we are told that the angels desired to know what would be revealed for man and that they desire to look into it. In the church the mystery-the plan-is available. We read this in Ephesians 1:3-10 and it is also clear from our passage in Ephesians 3:11-12.

The Mystery Revealed Is No Longer Mysterious

We have no mystery today. All things that were at one time held in a cloak of mystery waiting for God's time to be revealed are now open and made known to all. The mystery was revealed as the eternal purpose of God. God's purpose was to save mankind from their sins. We do not need a new revelation or further explanation. We are no longer in the dark. God's plan is available to all who are willing to receive, believe, and obey His will. 

In God's plan: Jesus Christ was given as our sacrifice (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8; Hebrews 9:28). His blood paid the price of our redemption (1 Peter 1:18-19). He established the plan enabling all mankind, who are willing, to come to the Father (John 14:6). He established His church (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2). He has revealed all things that we must do to be part of that church (John 8:31-32; 2 John 9). Jesus will one day return bringing judgment (Acts 17:31). Those who are judged, as righteous will be rewarded the unrighteous will be condemned (Matthew 25:46).

Conclusion:

Paul was responsible to make known the mystery of God's plan. The great part for us is that we were included: We can be made acceptable. We are the select part of God's creation that is allowed to have our relationship with Him reestablished. When the time was right: God saw fit to reveal what He had planned for us. God's plan has not changed. There are no more parts waiting to be revealed there is no more mystery. Are you excited that you have been given this opportunity? Have you taken it? ~tss

If you are enjoying The Messenger and you know someone else who would like to receive it. Please forward it to them or send me their email address and I will add it to the list.   Sean

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