Grace, Mercy and Peace � Part 2
1 Timothy 1:2
January 29th 2012 AM
Introduction (1 Tim
1:2; 2Tim 1:2; Titus 1:4; 2Jn 1:3)
I love the meanings of words �
especially Bible words!
Three little words: Grace,
Mercy and Peace
Paul and John are wishing for
grace mercy and peace to be in the lives of other believers. It is a distinctly Christian wish from one believer for another
The world wants peace and
love.
The 60�s phrase was, �Peace man!� and �Love!�
And yet the 20th century has seen more war and bloodshed in every city and town
But the Bible believer knows
the world needs GRACE, and MERCY and PEACE!
Did you notice in all the
scriptures there, that whatever Grace, Mercy and Peace are, they only come from a relationship with Jesus Christ! You won�t find them in a Pharmacy, or in a bottle of wine, or can of beer.
Let�s learn what those three
words mean and start experiencing them ourselves!
Review
Grace
Definition:
- It is when you honour someone who does not deserve the honour!
- A Kindness, goodwill, giving unearned attention towards someone, to lovingly put up with someone that should be rejected!
- To do something for someone when they don�t deserve it, and haven�t earned it
- Grace is BIG!
- Grace is the opposite of all my best efforts, and abilities � it needs NONE of my help!
- It is an attitude that God has towards sinners (Eph 2:8,9). And you received it when you got saved!
Wrong ideas about Grace
- That it is a measure of forgiveness � you can�t give forgiveness in small amounts. Yet the RC Church teaches we earn grace in small amounts from Mary and the saints as we work out our salvation!
- That you can earn it by your good works (Rom 11:6)
It is pretty important to have (Heb 13:9) � anchor your life to this attitude
We talked about how a person can get God�s grace
Beware! Things to beware about grace�
- It can be abused (Rom 6:1,15)
- It can be missed (Heb 12:15) � not held on to when it was most needed, and let slip by - bitterness and unforgiveness will always ruin grace in your life � take its place!
- Don�t let trouble rob you of God�s grace and strength!
- It is something we should wish and pray for others to have (2Thes 3:18)
Thank God for His AMAZING grace!
Message
Mercy
Definition:
- To treat an offender better than he or she deserves
- The ability to overlook injury
- To NOT judge someone when they deserve condemnation
- Mercy is like a judge finding you guilty, but then withholding any punishment.
- Grace would be the judge going ahead and paying for your punishment himself!
Mercy is needed when you are in trouble for wrong doing (Psalm 51:1)
Mercy is all throughout the Old Testament pages � a BIG concept!
Jesus praised Mercy (Mt 9:13)
- Should just condemn sinners
- And should just demand perfect worship and sacrifices
- But instead wanted to be merciful toward us in our sinful state!
- Jesus came to save the sinner, when He should have damned him � that�s mercy
It is the foundation for Grace (Psalm 136; Lam 3:22). Mercy and Grace go hand-in-hand
Examples of people who �found mercy�
- Lot (Gen 19:16,19)
- Paul (1Tim 1:13)
- All believers in the OT � approached the MERCY Seat in the Tabernacle
- Every person who approached Jesus for help (Mt 9:27; 15:22; 17:15; 20:30)
We need to have it towards each other � a lot of mercy! Not as much justice!
Give me some examples of how to show mercy towards someone�
Peace
Definition:
- It is a rest of the heart and mind � a calmness
- Absence of conflict, fear, worry, anger, sorrow
- It is the opposite of worry and anxiety
False �peace� (Jer 6:14)
- Yoga meditation
- Drugs and drink
- Propaganda
- Isaiah 48:22
Jesus is the source of all peace in your life (Isa 9:6; 53:5; Rom 5:1; Col 1:20)
- No Jesus? No peace
- Know Jesus? Know peace!
- He IS our peace (Eph 2:14)
It is one of the fruits of the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life (Gal 5:22). Given to you at your new birth
Signs you don�t have God�s peace
- Constant anger at wrongs against you
- Inability to forgive
- Constant worries and anxieties
God�s peace is bigger than all fears and anxiety � His peace is perfect (John 16:33)
It is possible to have PERFECT Peace all day, any day � GREAT peace
Do you know what it takes to have such kind of peace?
- Child like trust in the Lord, against all odds (Psalm 4:8)
- Upright, godly living (Psalm 37:37) � that�s why we make such a big del about Godly living � because of the good fruit!
- Love God�s word � the Bible (psalm 119:165)
- A life that pleases the Lord (Prov 16:7) � in the way you dress, act, react, talk
- Right thoughts. Peace is only experienced by the spiritually minded (Rom 8:6; Jer 26:3)
Examples of people who had perfect peace
- Stephen (Acts 7:57-60)
- Paul (Acts 27:22-25)
- Jesus asleep in a storm (Mk 4:37-39)
Conclusion
I love the meanings of words �
especially Bible words!
Three little words: Grace,
Mercy and Peace
What is Grace?
Definition:
- It is when you honour someone who does not deserve the honour!
- A Kindness, goodwill, giving unearned attention towards someone, to lovingly put up with someone that should be rejected!
- To do something for someone when they don�t deserve it, and haven�t earned it
- It is a internal, supernatural response towards trouble (2Cor 12:7-10). Grace was given to us so that we could handle troubles!
It is pretty important to have (Heb 13:9) � anchor your life to this attitude
- We need grace more than we need anything in life (Heb 4:16)
- Towards one another (Heb 12:28)
- Towards trials and troubles � not lashing back, or even giving up!
Aren�t you glad there is more Grace than there is Sin!
How do you GET grace?
- It is ONLY given to the humble (James 4:6)
- Who go to JESUS (not Mary) for it (John 1:17)
Beware!
- It can be abused (Rom 3:8; 6:1,15)
- It can be missed (Heb 12:15) � bitterness and unforgiveness will always ruin grace in your life
What is Mercy?
Definition:
- To treat an offender better than he or she deserves
- The ability to overlook injury
- To NOT judge someone when they deserve condemnation
- Mercy is like a judge finding you guilty, but then withholding any punishment.
- Grace would be the judge going ahead and paying for your punishment himself!
- It is the foundation for Grace. Mercy and Grace go hand-in-hand
Jesus taught Mercy (Mt 9:13)
- Should just condemn sinners
- And should just demand perfect worship and sacrifices
- But instead wanted to be merciful toward us in our sinful state!
- Jesus came to save the sinner, when He should have damned him � that�s mercy
Name some Examples of people who �found mercy�
- Lot (Gen 19:16,19)
- Paul (1Tim 1:13)
- All believers in the OT � approached the MERCY Seat in the Tabernacle
- Every person who approached Jesus for help
We need to have it towards each other � a lot of mercy! Not as much justice!
Peace
Definition:
- It is a rest of the heart and mind � a calmness
- Absence of conflict, fear, worry, anger, sorrow
- It is the opposite of worry and anxiety
Jesus is the source of all peace in your life. As a matter of fact, He IS our peace
It is one of the fruits of the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life (Gal 5:22). Given to you at your new birth
God�s peace is bigger than all fears and anxiety � His peace is perfect (John 16:33)
It is possible to have PERFECT Peace all day, any day � GREAT peace. How?
- Child like trust in the Lord, against all odds
- Upright, godly living
- Love God�s word
- A life that pleases the Lord � in the way you dress, act, react, talk
- Right thoughts
Wouldn�t it be great if we
actively enjoyed all three powers in our lives?
My prayer for every Christian
in this room is God�s grace, His Mercy, and His Perfect Peace be active in your life and hearts all week long!