The Blessed Hope
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As disciples of Jesus, we have great hope despite the world we live in.
Grace is a most incredible thing. For it is the grace of God that has brought salvation to us, that instructs us in a life of repentance.
But the hope that we have can easily be overshadowed by our own personal struggles.
But the hope that we have can easily be overshadowed by our own personal struggles.
What we need is, to be constantly reminded of the blessings we have in Jesus, and learn how to trust in the Glory that has been revealed to us.
Constantly reminding ourselves of our heavenly state, brings an awareness of our own lack and need for holiness.
What we need is, to be constantly reminded of the blessings we have in Christ, and learn how to trust in the Glory that has been revealed to us.
Today our scripture brings us to a place where we find the purpose and hope of Grace.
Grace is not simply a benign gift that is void of reciprocation , but is a living trust designed to bring heart felt conviction of sin and hope of glory.
In other words, “grace” does not just make us saved, but makes us obedient!
In other words, “grace” does not just make us saved, but makes us obedient!
In other words, “grace” does not just make us saved, but makes us obedient!
In other words, “grace” does not just make us saved, but makes us obedient!
I believe the scriptures bare this out, that if there is no obedience then there is no grace.
Now, think about what I did not say:
I did not say that grace is dependent upon obedience.
I did not say that grace can be achieved through obedience.
What I did say:
True grace produces obedience.
So what is grace?
Grace (void of any personal merit) is the free gift of God, giving us what we did not deserve.
Grace (void of any personal merit) is the free gift of God, giving us what we did not deserve.
I. Grace has appeared to us instructing us in the way of holiness.
I. Grace has appeared to us instructing us in the way of holiness.
There are those who are confused by grace.
Many believe that they have been saved by grace and secure in Christ, living no differently than they did before, and are simply waiting to be raptured or die and go to heaven.
I believe this makes up a good portion of evangelical Christians today!
But, as we can see from this verse, we are being taught that holiness is an important fruit of grace.
Verse 12 says, ...teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age,
Verse 12 says, ...teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age,
This is true divine enlightenment!
Through divine enlightenment we are able to see the responsibility we have to serve the lord, and walk in His ways.
You see, we have been born again!
And, we have been given His word as our guide.
Listen to the following scriptures:
Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to all who believe. (
Jesus Himself said that He came not to destroy the law and prophets but to fulfill them. ()
So don’t verses like these show us that we don’t need the law?
There are two key words in these verses:
End & fulfill
Jesus is the culmination of the entire law, and so has commanded His disciples everywhere to follow and obey Him!
God’s word therefore is the measure of rule for us concerning instruction and knowledge.
Why do we need the law? So that we know what holiness looks like!
The New King James Version Chapter 2
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
In this modern age we live, it seems unconscionable that people so easily abandon the Bible as the supreme source of wisdom!
So that we know what holiness looks like!
In this modern age we live, it seems unconscionable that people so easily abandon the Bible as the supreme source of wisdom!
Yet, this is exactly what many churches promote and teach, when they place personal inspiration over the word of God.
But the reality is they have eared from the truth.
There are many who approach faith this way, but the reality is they have eared from the truth.
“For all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness...” ()
“For all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness...” ()
It’s pretty simple, through saving grace, we are learning to walk in holiness, being instructed through the word of God.
Our bound duty and conviction of sin begs for us to walk in holiness!
We are pricked in the heart and convicted because saving grace has come upon us, and we can find no rest except in the presence of God our Savior.
II. Grace causes us to look for the blessed hope.
II. Grace causes us to look for the blessed hope.
We will not find hope in anything of this world.
Our careers
Our families
Our health
Our treasures
To put any trust in those things is an endeavor of futility!
A. Our hope is found in the person of Jesus.
A. Our hope is found in the person of Jesus.
We have a God who is alive and powerful.
We have a God who is alive and powerful.
B. Jesus is our
B. Jesus is our
Who loves and cares for us.
Who is coming again to bring righteousness and justice.
B. Our hope is not a fairy tale.
B. Our hope is not a fairy tale.
We who have been touched by the grace of God know very well the comfort and security we have, “because the Spirit of God bears witness with our own spirit that we are the children of God”. ()
This is tangible but not easily described, life changing but only realized through faith.
Another reason we must be true witnesses of the grace of God.
And what better way to publicize it than to live like we are waiting for Him!
Which brings me to my last point:
III. Grace produces a desire to live righteously.
III. Grace produces a desire to live righteously.
The New King James Version Chapter 2
Savior Jesus Christ, 14 jwho gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed kand purify for Himself lHis own special people, zealous for good works.
(NKJV)
...our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
For some they are whisked into eternity because of a death bed conversion.
But for the rest of us...
We are left here to live by faith that Christ might redeem (to free) us from every lawless deed, purifying us through His blood, to obedience to His commands.
We are left here to live by faith that Christ might redeem (to free) us from every lawless deed, purifying us through His blood, to obedience to His commands.
We all have desires.
Some are good and some are bad!
The dilemma many find themselves in is, how to deny the bad and give themselves over to the good ones.
Practically speaking, If you are a born again child of God, the desire to live righteously is there, but may be buried under a pile of sinful indulgence!
New believers have an instant awareness that something is different and many times find it easier to give themselves over to righteousness because the contrast is so great.
On the other hand, Believers who have been under grace for a long time, who have vexed their souls because of over indulgence in sin, find it very difficult to change!
Many find themselves prisoners of sin.
There is only one remedy for such a case:
A. Increase the distance to sin.
A. Increase the distance to sin.
I don’t say this glibly, because there is nothing easy about dealing with entrenched sin.
If it already has a hold on you, you are in for the fight of your life!
You may need to confide in someone trustworthy as an accountability partner. Someone to hold you accountable.
But, regardless of how you approach it, there are some things you need to do.
1. Confess it to God in prayer.
2. Starve the sin by providing no outlet for it.
3. Remind yourself constantly of who you serve.
4. Memorize scripture that deals specifically with it, and use it like a weapon.
5. If you find yourself unable to resist, fall to your knees.
6. Don’t ever allow yourself to think you’ve arrived.
B. Decrease the distance to Christ.
B. Decrease the distance to Christ.
You must remember that you are a child of the most high God.
Do not let Satan fill your mind with lies, that you are worthless or beyond help!
But rather, you must run to the cross where there is forgiveness and restoration.
You need a lot of quiet time with the Lord.
You need to fill your heart and mind with the knowledge of His earthly walk.
You need
Conclusion:
We have not been saved to receive a stamp of acceptance, but saved unto good works.
We have not been saved to receive a stamp of acceptance, but saved unto good works.
Our lives no longer belong to us but to Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. “therefore we are debtors - not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh”. (), but now debtors to Christ to live according to righteousness, until He comes in glory to take us home. This is our Blessed Hope!