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Living By Faith and God's Grace

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Grace is indispensable to our salvation, serving as the key element in God's entire purpose. Without it, there would be no calling, no justification, no Holy Spirit given, no sanctification, and no salvation. In the book of John, grace is highlighted in a tight context, describing Jesus as full of grace, suggesting lovingkindness and benevolent gifts. From this fullness, we receive grace for grace, which can be understood as grace on grace or grace upon grace, picturing an endless stacking or linking of blessings. Through our relationship with Him, we are supplied with a continuous flow of grace, including gifts, favor, powers, forgiveness, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, healings, and protection. God supplies our every need, not our every desire, as His spiritual creation of each of us moves toward His conclusion, all freely given toward His glorification and purpose of creating us for a place in His Kingdom.

Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

In the book of John, the apostle used the term charis, translated as grace, only four times, all within a significant context that underscores its importance to our faith. Jesus is described as full of grace and truth, embodying generous lovingkindness and benevolent gifts. From His abundance, we receive grace, as John states that of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. This reveals Christ as the source of the grace we receive, emphasizing His vital role in our spiritual relationship. The phrase "grace for grace" can also be understood as grace on grace or grace upon grace, illustrating a continuous series of benefits stacked one upon another. Grace is not a one-time act but a constant flow of empowerment from our Savior to us, available as long as we accept and utilize it. This ongoing provision includes blessings, gifts, favor, powers, forgiveness, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, healings, and protection, all stemming from God's loving concern through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is an ever-fulfilling source of everything good in our spiritual life, supplying our every need for His spiritual creation. This continuous flow of grace is freely given, underscoring that He owes us nothing, yet provides abundantly toward His purpose of creating us for a place in His family Kingdom.

Defining Grace

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God is a Being full of patience, mercy, and grace, acting with kindness and forbearance toward all. His nature is to extend unmerited favor, a gift freely given without obligation. In the life of Jesus Christ, we see the fullest manifestation of this grace, as He lived among men, serving even the lowest, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and giving His sinless life for our redemption. This grace is not something we earn or deserve; it is the expression of His lovingkindness, bringing delight and salvation to humanity. The concept of "grace for grace," or grace upon grace, signifies that God provides grace to meet every need. It encompasses the entire process of salvation, from His initial thought to reproduce Himself to the ultimate gift of eternal life. Every step in this process is a gift, freely given because of who He is, not because of any obligation. He loves what He is and desires to expand that goodness in all creation, offering everything we need to be saved if we yield to His grace. We are called to emulate this grace in our lives, forgiving others as He forgives us. This reflects our transformation into His likeness, becoming part of what He is. Grace, then, is not just a gift received but a way of being we are to adopt, extending mercy and kindness as He does, without expectation of merit or return.

Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God's grace is a profound and encompassing force in the entire salvation process, extending far beyond the mere forgiveness of sin. It is by His grace that even faith is bestowed as a gift, representing His boundless ability to provide whatever is needed. Grace includes the gift of free moral agency, allowing the knowledge and right to choose as a divine endowment. From the very beginning of creation, God's grace motivated Him to share His nature and essence with others, unconstrained by any external force. He created the starry heavens, the earth, and humanity, offering life and the opportunity to be like Him, purely out of His gracious nature. In the life of Jesus Christ, this grace is vividly displayed as He is described as full of grace and truth, sharing His loving, powerful, and creative genius. His grace is endless, often expressed as grace heaped upon grace, piled on top of grace, motivating all that He does. This grace, intertwined with His love, drives actions that accomplish His will, ensuring a purposeful and balanced creation designed to provide the right environment for His children. Every individual, from Abraham to Paul, is a product of God's creative effort, equipped and prepared by His grace for their specific roles in His plan. Paul's calling and apostleship, for instance, were direct gifts of God's grace, given for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name's sake. God's grace is evident in the intricate design of humanity, fearfully and wonderfully made, with each part predestined to function in a life-supporting manner. This same grace extends to the spiritual creation, shaping the church as Christ's bride, predestined to be His wife and to be like Him, functioning in a unique yet complementary role. His infinite care, as seen in His work with David and Jeremiah, ensures that each person is prepared with loving attention to fulfill their purpose in His kingdom. God's grace, His enabling and inspiration, opens doors and provides what is needed, always out in front, guiding and equipping His children to accomplish their tasks in alignment with His sovereign purpose.

What Does God Really Want? (Part 6)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God provides the gift before it is actually needed so that when it is needed, everything is prepared for the person to do as he has been commissioned to do.

Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Ten)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like with the heroes of faith, our testing will be commensurate with the job God has prepared for us. We must make our relationship with God our top priority.

John (Part Three)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Even many extra-biblical sources such as Tacitus, Seconius, Justin Martyr, Pliny, and Josephus corroborate and validate the biblical accounts of Jesus.