THE CHRISTIAN M&M’STHE CHRISTIAN M&M’S

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WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE MINISTRYMINISTRY OF OF RECONCILIATIONRECONCILIATION

WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE MESSAGEMESSAGE OF OF RECONCILIATIONRECONCILIATION

II CORINTHIANS 5:18-21II CORINTHIANS 5:18-21

As God's fellow workers we urge you not As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says, to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you."the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.of salvation.

RECEIVING THE RECEIVING THE GRACE OF GODGRACE OF GOD

TODAYS MESSAGETODAYS MESSAGE

1.1. The Corinthians had received God’s grace The Corinthians had received God’s grace a. They were Christiansa. They were Christians

But you were washed, you were sanctified , But you were washed, you were sanctified , you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. I Cor. 6:11Christ and by the Spirit of our God. I Cor. 6:11

b. Salvation is a gift Eph. 2:8,9 b. Salvation is a gift Eph. 2:8,9

2. It is possible to receive God’s grace in vain 2. It is possible to receive God’s grace in vain a. The statement shows possibility a. The statement shows possibility

b. What does this verse mean?b. What does this verse mean?

1) This verse has nothing to do with 1) This verse has nothing to do with salvation from sin salvation from sin

2) The statement comes from a fellow 2) The statement comes from a fellow worker, the Apostle Paul, who worker, the Apostle Paul, who recognized our partnership with Jesus recognized our partnership with Jesus

““We then, [as] workers together with Him”, We then, [as] workers together with Him”,

3) The statement comes in the form of a 3) The statement comes in the form of a plea of urgency plea of urgency

““we urge you”we urge you”

4) The statement comes from an OT 4) The statement comes from an OT context of Isaiah 49 context of Isaiah 49

READ ISAIAH 49:1-13 (CONTEXT)READ ISAIAH 49:1-13 (CONTEXT)

And said unto me, You are my And said unto me, You are my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified…3 I will also give you for a light glorified…3 I will also give you for a light to the Gentiles, that you may be my to the Gentiles, that you may be my salvation unto the end of the earth….6 salvation unto the end of the earth….6 Thus says the LORD, In an acceptable time Thus says the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard you, and in a day of have I heard you, and in a day of salvation have I helped you:salvation have I helped you: and I will and I will preserve you, and give you for a covenant preserve you, and give you for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; v. 8 cause to inherit the desolate heritages; v. 8

5) The “grace” referred to here is the 5) The “grace” referred to here is the promised help and provision of God to promised help and provision of God to His people for ministry. His people for ministry.

Example Example

““But by the grace of God I am what I But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” grace of God which was with me.” I Cor. 15:10 I Cor. 15:10

3. How not to receive the grace of God in vain3. How not to receive the grace of God in vain

(In context, two primary ways)(In context, two primary ways)

a. Don’t be a stumbling blocka. Don’t be a stumbling block

““We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.” so that our ministry will not be discredited.”

v. 3 v. 3

b. We are to commend ourselvesb. We are to commend ourselves

““Rather, as servants of God we commend Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves” v. 4 ourselves” v. 4

c. The means by which we commend c. The means by which we commend ourselves ourselves

““in every way:”in every way:”In much patience – enduring of trials In much patience – enduring of trials In afflictions – things that press downIn afflictions – things that press downIn necessities – must needsIn necessities – must needsIn distresses – narrow places – tight spotIn distresses – narrow places – tight spotIn beatings – lashings by way of punishmentIn beatings – lashings by way of punishmentIn imprisonments - In imprisonments - In riots – tumult or crowd disturbanceIn riots – tumult or crowd disturbanceIn labors – trouble united with extreme toilIn labors – trouble united with extreme toil

In sleepless nights by watchingIn sleepless nights by watchingIn fasting – voluntary deprivation of food In fasting – voluntary deprivation of food In purity – upright life - holyIn purity – upright life - holyIn knowledgeIn knowledge

In forbearance and kindness In forbearance and kindness In the Holy Spirit and in sincere loveIn the Holy Spirit and in sincere loveIn the word of truthIn the word of truth In the power of GodIn the power of GodWith weapons of righteousness in the right With weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the lefthand and in the leftThrough glory and dishonorThrough glory and dishonorThrough bad report and good reportThrough bad report and good report

Genuine, yet regarded as impostorsGenuine, yet regarded as impostorsKnown, yet regarded as unknownKnown, yet regarded as unknownDying, but look, we live onDying, but look, we live onBeaten, and yet not killedBeaten, and yet not killedSorrowful, yet always rejoicingSorrowful, yet always rejoicingPoor, yet making many richPoor, yet making many richHaving nothing, and yet possessing Having nothing, and yet possessing everythingeverything

Simply put, we receive the grace of Simply put, we receive the grace of God in vain if:God in vain if:

1. We do not allow it to manifest to 1. We do not allow it to manifest to others in the midst of our life others in the midst of our life experiences and ministry experiences and ministry

2. We try to do in the flesh what can 2. We try to do in the flesh what can only be done in the Spirit. only be done in the Spirit. Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Are you so foolish? After beginning with the

Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? 4 Have you suffered so much for human effort? 4 Have you suffered so much for nothing--if it really was for nothing? Gal. 3:3-4nothing--if it really was for nothing? Gal. 3:3-4