sermon: Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part 4)
It Is Absolutely Necessary
John W. Ritenbaugh
Given 18-Feb-12; Sermon #1088; 70 minutes
Description: (hide)
John Ritenbaugh, focusing on the Potter’s house analogy in Jeremiah 18:1-6, reminds us that God is sovereign over His creation. God is the Inventor; we are His invention. He is creating us in His image. Grace sets parameters for our relationship with God. We must choose to cooperate with Him in the utilization of spiritual gifts, realizing that the character we develop cannot be given to us by fiat. It must be developed by doing good works mirroring God’s character. The character we develop must be a permanent part of us, developed within us, guided by, but purposely independent from fiat creation on His part. God requires works based on keeping His commandments (demonstrating our love for Him); they do not earn us salvation, but they are absolutely necessary to complete the sanctification process, qualifying us for a place in His Family and a responsibility in His Kingdom. God the Father and Jesus Christ are continually involved in our sanctification process, enabling us to grow spiritually by means of His Holy Spirit, the creative power of Almighty God, flowing from both God the Father and God the Son, identified as the Mind of Christ or the Spirit of Truth. Paul teaches us that Jesus Christ is both a synonym and the personification of grace. Jesus Christ empowers us to develop into our future roles as members of God’s family. Though God lavishes us with His gifts, He is not a “spendthrift sap,” but dispenses grace in a timely manner, helping us through our trials. Because we are all sinners, we have earned only death; justification is not earned, but must come through faith and believing God as did our father Abraham. We are promised that we shall be saved because Christ is alive and He is overseeing our calling, justification, and meticulous sanctification process. As our High Priest, Jesus Christ is continually working in our lives, forgiving our sins, providing us with the tools for overcoming sin and building godly character, faithfully keeping His Law and commandments.
Topics: (show)
Abraham Acts 1:8 Another vessel Attitude Blessing upon blessing Charis Chesed Genesis 26 Grace Grace upon grace Hen (pronounced Heen) Isaac Jeremiah 18:1-6 Jesus Christ as a synonym for grace John 1:14-18; 14:14-26 Justification by faith Law of first mention Living by faith Luke 24:49 Manna Marred vessel Matthew 5:43-45 New covenant Old and new covenant Personification of grace Potter’s House Pride Rejecting God’s gifts Romans 3:19-23; 4:1-8; 6:8 II Corinthians 5:17-18 Titus 2:11-15 Union in marriage
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