Posts Tagged ‘grace’
Roles 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…
Read MoreConcern About Biblical Authority
by Doy Moyer Why be concerned about biblical authority? For this one simple reason: “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7). If we aren’t concerned about authority, then we place ourselves in God’s position of reigning. It really is just that simple. Jesus is Head (Colossians 1:18). We aren’t. Does stressing authority mean we don’t think grace…
Read MoreJericho and our Salvation
by Jefferson David Tant After reading the title, some might wonder what the battle of Jericho has to do with our salvation today. The battle when Israel conquered Jericho was about 1410 B.C., over 3,400 years ago. Thus the question might be, “What in the world would some event over three thousand years ago have…
Read MoreAre there different gospels?
Question: Hello, I have been seeing more and more about the Kingdom Gospel vs the Gospel of Grace. Dispensationalism is becoming very popular on YouTube, and people are actually turning toward this teaching. I have seen comments that the churches of Christ intertwine the kingdom gospel and the grace gospel. Basically, they are saying that…
Read MoreObligations of Grace
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Obligations-of-Grace.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 18:21-35 I. Every person is important! A. “Well, of course!” You might be thinking. “I’m glad someone sees my worth.” B. But Jesus told a parable – Matthew 18:12-14 1. When one person gets himself into trouble, it is God’s will that he be rescued, if possible. 2. And that will mean…
Read MoreWhat is Arminianism?
Question: Good morning Jeffrey, I’m having an issue understand something. A lot of the denominational world is under the assumption that if a person is not a Calvinist, then they are an Arminian. What is an Arminian? I’ve thoroughly studied Calvinism and its faults, but I can’t seem to find much info on Arminianism. I…
Read MoreBy Grace Through Faith with the Washing of Water
by Terry Wane Benton Notice the prepositions: by, through, and with. The Book of Ephesians uses all three to describe what is involved with our salvation. It teaches we are saved by grace. It teaches we are saved through faith. It teaches we are saved with the washing of water by the word. It is…
Read MoreHow Noah Was Saved
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/How-Noah-Was-Saved.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Peter 3:18-22 I. In our reading, Peter draws on the account of Noah’s salvation to illustrate how the Christian is saved. A. Many people object to the straight forward reading of I Peter 3:21 because it stands contrary to what they have accepted. 1. To many people, baptism is simply…
Read MoreFreedom in Christ
by Matthew W. Bassford A few days ago, I posted a bulletin article about Galatians 3:23-25 and Paul’s proclamation that we are no longer under the Law of Moses. In particular, I applied this to the use of instrumental music in worship and explained that the use of the instrument in Psalms and elsewhere is…
Read MoreAnother Chance
by Carey Scott Many people in the denominational world embrace doctrines which offer a second chance to everyone. Many realize that they will fail God, and the thought that they might get a second chance intrigues them. For some, this is all the crutch they need to just continue in their sins, for after all:…
Read MoreWhy All the Fuss about Grace-Fellowship?
by Aubrey Belue, Jr. via Gospel Guardian, August 15, 1974 In recent months, much writing –“pro” and “con” (but mostly “con”) — has been done on the “grace-fellowship” issue. Due to the misdirection and “side issues” that now obscure the scene, wisdom requires us to seek a clear definition of matters as they currently stand.…
Read MoreThe Words We Speak
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/The-Words-We-Speak.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 4:17-24 I. There is a Proverb that stands out in my mind – Proverbs 26:18-19 A. You cannot cover up lies with a claim that you were making a joke. B. We are judged by what we say, even the casual things said without much thought – Matthew 12:35-37 1. Why?…
Read MoreA Debtor to Grace
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/A-Debtor-to-Grace.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
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