Psalm 107:43 [NLT] ‘Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord‘

Wow!!!!!!! – May people see the faithful love of the Lord in all that we do!

‘You are My God’ – God was David’s God – a personal God with whom He had a relationship. This is a key of Christaninity – bacause of Jesus we too can have a personal and intimate relationship with Father God.

‘I earnestly search for You’  - David wasn’t satisfied with ‘presenceless’ days – He wanted to meet with Father God every day. How often our quiet times become a duty – something that needs to be done – religious works – instead of making our quiet times about meeting with Father God. This should always be the goal of quiet times – a time to meet and spend time with Father God.

‘My whole body longs for you’ – every part of David longed for God – every part of him was desperate for God. How often I know that this is not true of me – there are parts of me that desire to honour God – but if I be honest there are also parts of me that do not desire God and want to live in sin. Often my mind entertains thoughts that I know displease God. This part of the Psalm should be my goal – our highest place of worship – every part of us surrendered to and desiring God – wow! Romans 12:1-2 calls this real worship. Being totally consumed by God! O God let this be true of me!

Romans 11:5-6 ‘It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved‘

1. Undeserved Kindness – you turned your back on God and chose to live a life of sin and rebellion – yet God sent His Son – while you were still deep in sin and rebellion – to die on a cross and take the full penalty for your sin. You don’t deserve this grace! You rebelled – He Loved – wow!

2. God’s Kindness – Some think that Jesus is cool and loving, but God is in heaven angry and waiting to punish them. This is not the God of the bible – does He still punish unrepentant sinner? Yes. But more than that He is Love and Has made a way for you to come back into right relationship with Him. On the cross God’s wrath was satisfied and God’s love was revealed. Grace is all about God’s kindness

3. Not by Good Works – You can’t earn it by doing something – it is based on what Jesus did already 2000 years ago on the cross.

4. Free – It doesn’t cost you anything – the full price was paid by Jesus at Calvary.

Wow God’s amazing grace – here’s what this shows there will be no excuse when you stand before the Judgement Seat of God – God has made a way for you to know Him and live the life that He intended you to live.

Deuteronomy 6:4-3 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.’

God must be all of our focus. Our only object of worship. Our passion and delight. We must pursue Him with all that we have!

God doesn’t want a divided heart – He wants our full loyalty – this is because He ALONE is God. A divided heart means that we have allowed other ‘gods’ into our lives!

By God’s grace lets become passionate God chasers!

Deuteronomy 4:20 ‘Remember that the Lord rescued you from the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt in order to make you His very own people and His special possession which is what you are today.

He saved you so that you can make His Name famous! Christianity is not about you – it is all about HIM! Don’t let anyone tell you any differently!

In His Grace

Adam

Monday Mark 14vs12-26

Tuesday Mark 14vs27-31

Wednesday Mark 14vs32-42

Thursday Mark 14vs43-50

Friday Mark 14vs53-65

How did Grace come about? Many people have probably told you that the law don’t really matter because we are under Grace, “oh its ok to sin because we are under Grace.” Don’t believe that lie! Without the law we wont have Grace. How can we be given Grace if we have done nothing wrong? (Gal 3: 19-25) That is how law plays its part in Grace. Remember God never goes back on His word, if the law wasn’t going to be needed do you think he would’ve put it in the bible?

My message tonight is divided into three sections, namely: Grace defended; Grace explained; Grace applied. I hope by the end of tonight that you will fully understand the basics of Grace and how to live a life pleasing to God while under his Grace.

Grace extended: (Gal 1:1-6) Paul is shocked that the Galations believers are turning against God’s Grace and embracing a lie. If you preach a message of salvation different from the truth you shall suffer eternal destruction (Mark 10:42-47).

(Gal2:1-10) Paul traveled to Jerusalem, false teachers tried to force Titus to keep Old testament law and be circumcised. Paul defended the truth that Christians aren’t made right with God by legal observances, his message was affirmed by the leaders of the church – likely James, Peter, and John. So now we know we are under Grace, but the Question still remains: what happens to the law? Well the answer is quite simple guys. Because we are under Grace does this mean that we can still sin? DEFINITELY NOT! (Rom 6:15). (Gal 2:19)-Go back to intro’- (Gal 2:20) That what it is to live in Grace.

Grace explained: (Gal 3:1-9) Not only does our relationship with God Begin in Grace, it grows because of Grace. Human effort can’t enable us to live in a way that is pleasing to God, because our failure to keep the all of God’s commands places us under a curse. We receive the Holy Spirit as a gift when we believe, and the work of the Spirit in our lives is how we grow. What is living under the law? Living under the law is when you believe that the law is what makes you right with God and what gets you to heaven, so you see the difference between living the law and obeying the law? (Gal 3:15-18) Paul goes back to the Old Testament to prove his point. He notes that Abraham was made right with God long before the law; he was made right by Grace through faith when he believed in God’s promise. The purpose of the law is to reveal our sin and alienation from God. The law is good, but it can’t make us good (Gal 3: 24-25)

Grace applied: (Gal 5: 1-6) Christ set us free so we could live free, but anyone who tries to please God through the law is obligated to keep the law. Christ becomes worthless to those who let themselves be circumcised (meaning if you choose to use any law in that manner). What matters God isn’t an outward symbol but an inward transformation, faith that results in love. Love fulfills the law, Jesus died for us with love, that why he fulfilled the law! The law can be written as: love your neighbor as yourself (Gal 5 :14)

Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Now the works of the flesh are evident:

• Adultery
• Fornication
• Jealousness
• Selfish ambitions
• Envy
• Murders
• Drunkenness

Those who practice these will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal 5: 19-21)

Fruit of the spirit:

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Longsuffering
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Faithfulness
• Self-control

Against such there is no law. And those who are Christs have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Gal 5: 22-24). Live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit.

As believers we have an obligation to bring back people who wander from God to sin. Yet each person ultimately is responsible for his own decisions. Good choices feed the process of maturity going on inside us, bad choices cause destruction. God can’t be fooled, and he brings a great harvest to those who persist in doing right.

Preached by: Tyler Herron

Don’t forget next week we have the Covenant Players at youth – they will be putting on an awesome play – so make sure that you don’t miss it and why not invite a friend!

Leaders don’t forget to mark the 9th April in your calenders – we are having a training day starting at 9h00 sharp – the teaching is really going to be good!

See you tonight!

In His Grace

Adam

The Foundations series starts on Friday 17 April 2010. This course

is designed to both equip you in the basics of your faith and also help you to answer the questions that the world throws at you.

We will answer things like:

1. Evolution fact or fiction?

2. Are all religions really okay?

3.Who is God really?

So make sure that you don’t miss a single week!

Monday – Mark 12:18-27

Tuesday – Mark 12:28-34

Wednesday – Mark 12:35-44

Thursday – Mark 13:1-13

Friday – Mark 13:14-36