Security in Christ

The Case of the $5 bill and the Airplane

 

John 14:15, American Popular Version

So, God reckons us righteous if we believe Him. 

·         Reckon: To count; to number

·         Believe: To credit upon the authority or testimony of another  (Webster’s 1828)

The Case of the $5 Bill

     I told "Mary" that I had hidden a $5 bill in the piano bench.  I asked her if I was truthful (she said yes).  I then told her that I had given her the $5.  Was it hers?  Yes.  Could she see it?  No.  I then told her to walk to the piano bench.  Halfway down, I asked her again if the $5 was hers.  Yes.  Could she see it?  No.  How did she know it was hers?  Because I said so.  Why did that matter?  Because I was truthful.  So it went until she got it out of the piano bench.  The point was, just as she had to believe my word that she had something she couldn't see, so we have to believe God's word that we have things that we can't see.

So, let’s look at some problems:

1.      2 Corinthians 5:17 – Am I a new creation?

2.      Romans 6:2 – Am I dead to sin?

3.      John 10:28 – Can I be taken from God?

4.      Hebrews 13:5 – Can God forsake me?

5.      1 Corinthians 10:13 – What if I’m tempted too much?

John 14:15 Romans 6:2, American Popular Interpretation

 

The Case of the Airplane

      You cannot fly unless you are in the airplane.  Thus, we need to be in Christ in order to live as He commands.  Take a look at Ephesians.

Transferring the Reckoning

At the end of the lesson, we handed out prizes to our three groups for Bible memory.  Quite a few of the girls had memorized all the required verses, a few had memorized most of the extra verses, and one had memorized ALL the verses!

Reminder: the joint BL/HL Christmas party is on December 8.  Please plan on bringing 1-2 large dishes to share at 5:30 (if that requirement would keep you away, please email us and we'll get it figured out) to Zion Lutheran (2 blocks away for HL and BL).  Caroling will start shortly after that, with meal to follow.  Hope to see you all there!

And thank you to Adam4d.com for allowing me to use his comics!!  His comics are amazing and very Christ-centered.  :-)

Meeting #3: Grace

Grace

This week, the lesson was delivered in two parts, since both of us had a bit we wanted to say on the topic of grace.  Here is the handout, filled in and slightly expanded.  

What is grace?

·         God’s love

·         God’s forgiveness

·         God’s power

CHARIS: grace, the state of kindness and favor toward someone, often with a focus on a benefit given to the object; by extension: gift, benefit, credit; words of kindness and benefit; thanks, blessing.

What is grace?

·         Romans 5:2 (forgiveness/love)

·         Romans 6:1 (forgiveness)

·         John 1:16 (love/forgiveness)

·         Romans 11:6 (love)

·         Acts 4:33 (power)

·         2 Corinthians 12:9 (power)

The Mud Puddle

You live in a mud puddle called sin.  Grace is God seeing you in your mud puddle, loving you, and reaching over to give you a hug in your mud puddle.  Grace is God grabbing you by the shoulders and pulling you out of the puddle so that you can stand on firm ground and move your legs as God's created you to.  So you are loved, forgiven, and empowered. 

Three aspects of grace:

1.      God offers us love.

2.      Jesus offers us forgiveness. 

3.      The Holy Spirit offers us power.

2 Corinthians 8:9—we are saved through God’s grace through Christ's sacrifice

G od's

R iches

A t

C hrist's

E xpense

 

First kind of grace: what God gives us—love, forgiveness, and power.

Second kind of grace: God’s grace, given to us, which we extend to others.

“Social graces”: etiquette, poise, always knowing what to say, etc. = focus on others, not self.

(Matthew 7:3-5! When giving a rebuke, ALWAYS focus on yourself first and examine your own life for issues!)

God’s grace from us to others:

1.      Love (God)

2.      Forgiveness (Jesus)

3.      Power (Holy Spirit)

4.      HUMILITY – our special task!

Grace: The ability to view others through the lens of Christ’s love, acting with humility and selflessness, offering ungrudging forgiveness, encouraging and building them up in the Lord.

Grace looks like...

1. putting others’ desires/good above your own (love)
2. forgiving someone who has hurt you (forgiveness)
3. building others up and encouraging them in the Lord (empowering)
4. giving glory to God and deference to others (humility)
5. relying on God to give us the ability to do this (love, forgiveness, power)

LOVE...Is this action or statement kind?  Does it follow the Golden Rule?

FORGIVENESS...Am I holding a grudge or trying to get back at someone?

POWER...Am I building the other person up or bringing them closer to God?

HUMILITY...Am I being humble, or seeking to make myself look good?  Will this bless someone else?

G-Race: God’s power for God’s race.

Personal reflection: What one practical step can you take to become more full of grace? Make it your goal for this week.

Ideas:

-In conversations, focus on building the other person up.

-In a social environment, try to ensure that others are enjoying themselves.

-At home, make it your goal to interact graciously with your parents and siblings.

-When spending time with friends, ask God to help you make your attitudes, words, and actions full of grace.