The Benediction Of Grace

The Benediction of Grace Romans 16. 25 Now to Him Who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. There was a time when we were not so concerned about how many people attended the church as we were that those who attended were established in Christ. Recent conversations continue to show the church’s attempt to compromise with the world. More than ever before the world and all that is in it is setting the agenda for the church in America. This is not the way it should be. This is not what the Word teaches. We are being warned that there is persecution coming for the church in America. This past Thursday for the first time in years we did not have a National Day of Prayer Gathering in our nation’s capital! A sign of the times. A.W. Tozer said, “I believe a time is coming when we will not be able to take our Christianity as casually as we do now.” As the battle intensifies a firm foundation is more important than ever. This Benediction of Grace in the last lines of Romans speak to this. He is Able To establish you Make stable, place firmly, strengthen, set fast, make constant Even those of us who are more emotional than others He is able to establish us. He can make us stable so that our emotions stop ruling our lives. Our feelings are not good judges for what we should be doing. They can lead us to slippery slopes. Even in the worst of times. Rome would soon begin to persecute Christians, Paul executed, John on the Isle of Patmos because of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus. We are established by the Word of God. Matthew 8:3 God's Word is obvious in this miracle. If something requires cleansing, "the washing of water by the word" must be actively present (Ephesians 5:26). God does not work apart from His Word. From the creation of the world to the present, the place of God's Word in His work has been essential: "In the beginning was the Word [the One who became Jesus Christ], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made" (John 1:1-3). In addition, the phrase "God said" is found ten times in the creation account (Genesis 1). The Bible is God's written Word, as the Father had the Word (Jesus Christ, the Spokesman) inspire and reveal it. Many professing Christian churches have pushed Scripture to the back burner, into irrelevance, taking an a la carte spiritual meal from it as if they have the authority to choose which doctrines to swallow and which to refuse. If the true church is to do a work for God, it must be established and built on God's Word rather than on tradition He is able: To accomplish what concerns you today. He will supply all our needs. Philippians 4.19 He will give us peace that surpasses all understanding. Philippians 4.7 To do more than you could ever ask or imagine Ephesians 3.18-20 To do anything Nothing is too difficult for Him! “I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah 32.27 In this Benediction of Grace we have... The Revelation of Jesus Christ The mystery of the Gentiles coming in The Disciples struggled with this. Slowly they were taught by Jesus and led by the Holy Spirit. Acts 9,10 Peter and Paul SyroPhonecian woman Mark 7.24-30 Cornelius Paul’s call The mystery of Israel believing Romans 11 Israel’s Messiah... the Savior of the world, God’s Son, God in the flesh The mystery of death and eternal life Of Godliness... I Timothy 3.16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. Prophecy told of the New Covenant. Jesus revealed it. He is the fulfillment of the Ages. I Corinthians 10.11 The Opening of the Holy of Holies The Temple Curtain Matthew 27.51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split We can come with confidence Hebrews 4. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. We can come anytime... this was New! - [ ] We can come anywhere, not tied to a locale John 4 Rather tied to a disposition of the heart. The Salvation Christ Made Possible Hebrews 2.3 How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the LORD, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. To God Be The Glory! For the Hope of the Ages For those who have come For Eternal Life in Heaven So Paul closes this wonderful letter with this benediction of Grace. May all of what we shared today grow strong in your heart. May your trust be in the LORD and in Him alone always.