Posts Tagged ‘grace’
Always with Grace
by David Gibson It was about 4:00 a.m. in the ICU. There had been a change of shifts, and a nurse entered Chub Lambert’s room whom he had not met before. “Good morning!” Chub said. “How are you doing today?” She didn’t respond at first. After a pause, she said, “I don’t know how to…
Read MoreFrom Now on Sin No More
by Zeke Flores There she sat, crumpled on the ground and completely humiliated. She was plainly guilty of her adultery, but her only defender turned the legal quibble into a moral quandary. Who had the right to judge her? No one, it seems. One by one, they dropped their stones and shuffled away. Jesus chose…
Read MoreGrace and Repentance
by Doy Moyer We are saved by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:5). Salvation is not of ourselves but is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-10). That teaching should be front and center for us. Grace also has a context that should never be ignored. We don’t have the authority to define it however we…
Read MoreThe Riches of His Grace
by Terry Wane Benton It is exciting to go through Romans, Hebrews, Ephesians, and II Corinthians and note how many times and ways Paul mentioned or described “the riches of His grace” and how “unsearchable” these riches are. It’s like finding an endless supply of gold coins, pearls, precious stones, and other things that would…
Read MoreThe Goodness and Severity of God
by Jim Mickells via Biblical Insights, Vol. 14, No. 9, September 2014 “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off” (Romans 11:22). It seems that many, if not most, in the religious world today only…
Read MoreMercy and Grace
by Perry Hall Are mercy and grace the same? As with many things, metonymy can combine multiple things under a single word (i.e., faith often includes obedience and being saved by grace). Even with that example, faith and works are distinguishable. Faith is inward first (like mercy), being trust, and then demonstrated outwardly second (like…
Read MoreLove versus Grace
by Terry Wane Benton God does indeed love us all. He “so loved the world” that He gave His only Son (John 3:16). But, did you notice that even though He loves all, many will “perish”? Many will go to hell, even though God loves us all. You see, telling people that God loves them…
Read MoreEvery Good and Perfect Gift
by Terry Wane Benton When we contemplate buying gifts to give, we generally want them to be good gifts and fitted to the needs and desires of the person we are trying to honor. It is the same with God. God knows how to give good gifts, perfect gifts, to His children. James describes this…
Read MoreBe Not Many Masters
by Robert F. Turner Plain Talk, March 1972 Every now and then, a preacher (usually young or inexperienced) gets the idea that he has discovered something new and wonderful in his nonsectarian, undenominational concept of the church or that salvation is a gift of God through Jesus Christ rather than the product of legalized obedience.…
Read MoreWe Depend on God’s Grace for Salvation
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/We-Depend-on-Gods-Grace-for-Salvation.mp3 by Raymond Warfel [The first passage was Acts 15:6-11]
Read MoreBaptism, Grace, and Works
by Andy Belknap There are many people today who believe that baptism (immersion) is not essential to being saved. I truly believe this is one of Satan’s grandest lies that he has successfully spread throughout the ages. What greater way is there to snatch souls away from God than to sow deceit and confusion around…
Read MoreWas I truly born again?
Question: Hello, I had a question regarding baptism. I was baptized a few years ago when I was around 20 years old; however, I struggled with sexual immorality and lust with my girlfriend for a long time. Eventually, we got married. After this, I started to think baptism wasn’t necessary for the forgiveness of sins,…
Read MoreRoles in Salvation
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2003/10/Roles-in-Salvation.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Ephesians 2:1-10 I. There are many misleading claims in the denominations regarding salvation A. Most of the misconceptions come because people only look at some of the verses regarding salvation. B. They find verses which says we are saved by God’s grace and then trumpet that salvation is solely…
Read MoreFinding the Words to Say
by Ross Ward, Jr. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). Have you spent time meditating on how to address a difficult situation? If you are considerate of the things you say and…
Read MorePharisaical Works Salvation?
by Terry Wane Benton One fellow said the following: “Terry Wane Benton, why must you be so wrapped up in your salvation by works just like the Pharisees? Jesus despised the Pharisees for this very mentality that you are showing. Grace and grace alone allow you to enter into heaven.” Grace is the only thing…
Read MoreGratitude for the Grace of God
by Doy Moyer The grace of God through Jesus Christ is one of the most powerful concepts to consider. We stand in the grace of God as we have peace (reconciliation) with Him (Romans 5:1-5). As great as this is, it is also a concept that can be twisted, perverted, and become a license to…
Read MoreGrace and Authority
by Doy Moyer Grace can only come from one with the power and authority to grant it. Some may pit emphasis on God’s authority over against emphasis on grace, but they go hand in hand. The only way that grace can mean anything to us is that it has been offered by the only One…
Read MoreFree Gift
by Terry Wane Benton Some teach that “there are no conditions for salvation” because it is a “free gift.” But free gifts can have conditions for reception. I can put a free gift in the trunk of my car and tell you that if you take my keys and get it, you will have it.…
Read MoreAmazing Grace
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Amazing-Grace.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 2:1-10 I. John Newton was born in England in 1725 A. Before he reached the age of seven, his mother died. B. His father remarried and John was sent off to a boarding school C. At the age of 11, John left school to become a sailor on his…
Read MoreJeremiah’s Ending Doesn’t Fit
by Perry Hall If you read the ending of Jeremiah, it doesn’t fit. The actual ending should be Jeremiah 52:30, which fittingly records how many Jews were taken into captivity. That verse completes a beginning where Jeremiah is called to prophesy the coming doom and closes a section describing Nebuchadezzar’s conquering, destruction, exportation, and vicarious…
Read MoreReceiving the Grace of God in Vain
by Terry Wane Benton Have you thought about the fact that you could have received the grace of God in vain? That is a very real possibility. How can we receive it in vain? “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain” (II…
Read MoreIf We Taught More About Grace
by Terry Wane Benton If we taught more about grace, we would teach people to deny ungodliness and worldly lust. Paul told Titus that the grace of God had already appeared to all men. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11). Now, what does grace teaching look…
Read MoreTaking the Gifts of God
by Robert F. Turner “And Jehovah said unto Joshua, See I have given into thy hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor” (Joshua 6:2). According to some theories of Gift and Grace, this promise says, “(1) you already have the city and can’t lose it; and (2) no condition could…
Read MoreWorks, Grace, and Faith
by Doy Moyer Works won’t save us, but failure to engage in them can condemn us. Likewise, being moral won’t save us, but being immoral will condemn us (I Corinthians 6:9-10). This is a consistent message throughout Scripture. Salvation is “by grace through faith,” and faith means that we will trust God and seek to…
Read MoreDid My Generation Neglect the Grace of God?
by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. I cannot understand how so many of the younger generation of preachers (sometimes encouraged by a few older ones) can talk about how woefully the generation before them neglected to tell people about the grace of God. They boldly speak about it as though it was a settled fact of…
Read MoreIrresistible Grace
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Irresistible-Grace.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 23:34-39 I. John Calvin and his followers believe that God is so totally sovereign in His will that no one can change His creation. He is all powerful and irresistible A. The Westminster Confession of Faith states, “God from all eternity, did … unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass.”…
Read MoreFinding Grace
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Finding-Grace.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 6:1-8 I. Each time we choose to sin, we are rejecting the one who tells us not to sin. A. It is something God has seen throughout man’s history 1. Numbers 14:11 – Israel’s rebellion 2. I Samuel 15:23 – Saul’s rebellion 3. II Kings 17:15 – Israel’s rebellion 4. It is why…
Read MoreA Resource for Grace and Peace
by Terry Wane Benton “Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth” (Revelation 1:4-5). The…
Read MoreThe Extent of God’s Grace
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-Extent-of-Gods-Grace.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreGrace and Faith
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Grace-and-Faith.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreAt Peace with God
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/At-Peace-with-God.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamiton Text: Romans 5:1-11 I. How do you know that God has actually forgiven you? A. It is a frequent question. People make mistakes, fall into sins, and though they struggled back out of those sins, they still wonder whether God could ever forgive such a sinner as themselves. Perhaps God has…
Read MoreThe Teaching of Grace
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/The-Teaching-of-Grace.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Titus 2 I. When you talk to people in the denominations, much is made about the Grace of God A. Emphasis is place on God’s grace – Ephesians 2:8-9 B. To the point that if any mention is made of men needing to accept the offered gift, then strong objections are…
Read MoreWhen does grace begin for an individual?
Question: When does grace begin for an individual? Before or after baptism? What about God’s grace before baptism? The grace that gives us a plan of salvation. Just a thought. Thanks. Answer: The difficulty with your question is that there is an assumption that grace is just a single thing. Grace is the giving of…
Read MoreFaith, Works, and Grace in Romans
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 1:1-17 I. In understanding biblical writings, it is important to remember that God is the author A. II Timothy 3:16 – All the written writings are breathed from the mouth of God B. This was Paul’s point in I Corinthians 14:33 when discussing roles and organization of the worship service. 1. God…
Read MoreGrace Is Sufficient
by Doy Moyer Paul describes certain visions and revelations that were beyond his understanding (II Corinthians 12). He then spoke of what he calls a “thorn in the flesh,” given to him to keep him from becoming conceited. He implored the Lord three times that this thorn would be removed from him. Whatever it was,…
Read MoreDo these fall under grace or mercy?
Question: First of all, know that your website has been so very helpful in my journey to mature in Christ. I am struggling with recognizing sins that will keep me out of heaven. Below are a few examples: At a counter there is a sign out to take 1 face mask, I take 2 or…
Read MoreLearning from Noah
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Learning-from-Noah.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreSin versus Grace
by Doy Moyer Sin is much more than just the commission of a bad act here or there. It is a condition in which we reside. Sin is something in which people walk and live (Colossians 3:7). We were dead in sin and were by nature “children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:1-3). Sin holds us captive…
Read MoreSalvation by Grace
by Matthew W. Bassford Recently, I have become an even louder proponent of grace, indeed of the naked necessity of grace, than I ever was before. I can tell from the comments I’ve been getting on social media that this has made some good brethren nervous. They reply with variations of, “Yes, but you have…
Read MoreIs it a slap in God’s face to ask for forgiveness since Jesus already died to forgive sins?
Question: Hi minister, I’ve recently heard of the dispensation of grace and it’s something I’ve never heard before. I’ve read and been told by those who teach it that it is basically a slap in God’s face or rejecting the finished work in Christ to ask for forgiveness of God when we sin because he…
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