Category: New

The Power of Grace – What is it? How do we get it?

Sermon by William E. “Bill” Henry, based on Titus 2:11-14, transcribed from his last Bible by his daughter (me). All scripture is from the NASB1995 on Bible.com.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” https://bible.com/bible/100/tit.2.11-14.NASB1995

Many errors in our world come from one-sided messages. We tend to see one side of a truth and proclaim it as a whole. An interesting illustration concerns one of the most common, and at the same time, most beautiful words in the Christian vocabulary: the word “Grace.” Bishop [Richard] Trench [said] “It is hardly too much to say that the Greek mind has in no word uttered itself and all that is within its heart more distinctly than in the word “Charis” – Grace.

We testify to it – sing about it – write definitions of it, yet too often understand it little.

The word “Grace” has significant and particular beauty.

It is the word “Charis” – it was used in classical Greek to mean “Beauty,” “Charm,” “Attractiveness.” By easy extension it came to mean “Favor,” “Kindness,” and “Gratitude” as felt by the beholder or receiver.

When New Testament writers took over the term, they used it to describe the spontaneous, unearned Love of God at work in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. “Grace” means primarily the “the Free Forgiving Love of God in Christ to sinners and the operation of that Love in the lives of Christians.”

We can learn something about grace by using the letters of the English as an acrostic.

G – stands for GOD, the Source of Grace. 1 Peter 5:10 “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”

R – means REDEMPTION, the Purpose of Grace. Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace”

A – is for ABUNDANCE, the Measure of Grace. 2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; “

C – points to CHRIST, the Mediator of Grace. 2 Corinthians 8:9 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”

E – speaks for Eternity, the Duration of Grace. Romans 5:20-21 “The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Yet with all these truths many still stumble over its meaning because they only see one side.

Grace is usually defined as “the unmerited favor of God.” It is indeed that! Salvation is ALL of Grace and NONE of our works.

But to stop with Justification, as wonderful as that is, is to miss the total thrust of the Gospel. We are justified by God’s Grace in order that we may be Purified in Grace – Full living – Abundant Life.

Grace not only provides Pardon, it also provides Power for Righteousness. It is not only Saving Grace for a Forgiven past, it is Sanctifying Grace for a transformed present and future.

One of the finest Biblical statements of this side of Grace is Paul’s great declaration to Titus (2:11-14). Here is the Whole of Grace:

  1. It is Grace that SOUGHT us when we were far from God – Grace that PURSUED us – “It has appeared to all men,” the Grace that comes to the Heart before the Heart turns to the Saviour.
  2. It is Grace that SAVED us, Grace that PARDONED us from all our sins.
  3. It is Grace that SANCTIFIED us, Grace that PURIFIES us to renounce “ungodliness and worldly lusts,” and enables fallible human beings to “live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.”
  4. It is Grace that SUSTAINS us, Grace that PRESERVES us to be “zealous of good works” and keeps us “looking for that Blessed Hope and Glorious Appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”

In Luke 21:33, Jesus said: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words [shall abide forever] will not pass away.”

All His words are eternal, but none more precious than these He spoke to Paul and through Paul to us: 2 Corinthians 12:9 “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” “

To GOD be the Glory!

Who Knew?

When God said these Words thousands of years ago to the Israelites, He knew they would be true for us today. I substituted our nation in the following scriptures to show His Words to us.

“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the GOD of [America], says: “Do not let your prophets and fortune-tellers who are with you in the land of [the United States of America], trick you. Do not listen to their dreams, because they are telling you lies in My Name. I have not sent them …. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” ” – Jeremiah 29:8-9,11 NLT

There are so many false prophets today! Look at the messages being broadcast on national television, plus all of the other media out reaches there are. Giving money will not get you closer to God. Having a charlatan lay His hands on you and pronounce you healed won’t do anything to save you. Lavish sets and thousand dollar suits and dresses don’t show the gospel. Million dollar buildings can’t get you any closer to God, and expecting God to make you rich will only bring spiritual defeat.

Have I offended you yet?

A truly committed, saved by Grace pastor won’t waste his preaching and teaching time to exhort money from his flock. His burning desire will be to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone who will listen. He will be a humble man, and he will be more concerned with his people than the building where they meet. It is the Elders and the deacons duty to oversee the care and feeding of the flock, and the head shepherd (the pastor) to oversee it, but also to not be averse to doing whatever needs to be done. His focus should be God first, his wife second only to the LORD, thirdly his children, and then his church flock. That’s the example Jesus gave and lived.

I’m not saying all television pastors are false prophets, and there are great men of God leading some of the biggest churches. “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts completely. Great men are ALMOST always bad men.” (From a letter written by Lord Acton, historian and moralistic, in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887.) Men called by the LORD don’t want control, they just want to preach as God called them to do. Having said all that, there still have to be funds to maintain the buildings, and to pay a living wage to the pastor in order for him to devote his life to spreading the Gospel. Nobody – NOBODY – needs millions of dollars to live, and many, many pastors work other jobs besides pastoring to they can provide for their families. This includes our politicians!

It is imperative we test our leaders, and that our leaders test tnemselves. Paul and John both wrote about this:

“…. but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21‭-‬22 NLT

“Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from GOD. For there are many false prophets in the world. But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here.” – 1 John 4:1‭, ‬3 NLT

“Our actions will show that we belong to the Truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.” – 1 John 3:19 NLT

Look at yourself first before looking at anyone else. (“Look At Yourself” by Uriah Heap. Great song!) We are sinners, saved by Grace and not by works, according to the Gospel of our LORD Jesus Christ. Our preachers and teachers are human, just as we are, and they are not infallible. There will be times when they will stumble and even fall, and it is our job to help them. When Jeremiah wrote his words to the Israelites, I’m quite sure he didn’t know they would be read by me. I’m pretty certain he didn’t know they would still be true today …… but God knew.

Don’t judge them; PRAY for them instead.

(All scriptures quoted from http://bible.com)

Hold On!

“For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the LORD, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him;”
Hebrews 12:3‭-‬5 NASB1995

We have only just begun this battle for our lives and our beliefs. The enemy is alive and well in our nation’s capital, and we must stand against him! Rise up, Christians! Armor yourself with prayer and with Scripture, and with the fellowship of other believers. HOLD ON, for we will prevail in the end!

(I know, because I read the back of the Book!)

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND Lord OF LORDS.”
Revelation 19:11‭-‬13‭, ‬16 NASB1995

Hallelujah! Christ is KING!

Pick up your swords!

Help us, O LORD

GOD is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 ESV


What have we done, fellow Christians? In just a few days, our country will be headed by people who approve of, and support, killing our children. Abortion is exactly that. This is no time to be squeamish or to waver in our beliefs. Whether it is 2 weeks after conception or the day of birth, killing babies is wrong. These new “leaders” also approve of marriage between other than a man and a woman, they want to legalize paedophilia, and take away our right to free speech (yes, Facebook and Twitter really are deleting and banning conservatives). That’s the First Amendment that we are losing! These so-called leaders want to eliminate the Second Amendment as well, and they are determined to drastically change the America we know and love.

Currently, across our country, many churches have been banned from holding services. This is America! We are being inundated with False Prophets. God and the Bible have been banned from schools….. but the Koran is okay to be there. Our Police are being denied the ability to do their job of keeping our citizens and property safe. Our history is being rewritten, historic names and statues are removed and replaced with….. with what? Foriegn nations have our politicians in their pockets. Christians are being persecuted, right here in these United States. What else can you call it when we aren’t allowed to worship as we see fit any longer?

I am blessed to live in the middle of the country, in the “Bible Belt”, because we aren’t as regulated and oppressed as parts of the country….. yet. What are we to do?

What can we do? There is only one answer. Turn to GOD. We have to be in constant prayer. Even so, I don’t see these circumstances changing for the better. We have to be prepared for them to get worse. Are your convictions strong enough to stand against evil? I can’t judge you. If I am told that in order to get basic food and medical care for me and my family I am required to have certain vaccinations, would I do it?

It’s sounding a lot like parts of the Revelations of John, doesn’t it?

I don’t have the answers. Only God knows. I will do my best to stand on the principles that I have, and be very careful not to judge anyone else for what they do. That is God’s job. I pray for our country, the outgoing leaders in Washington and in our states, and I pray that those coming into power will not abuse it. God bless America, because the enemy is here.



Silent Night, Holy Night

“Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” ”

(Luke 2:1‭-‬14 NASB1995)

Thank God!

A Psalm of David:

“I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to You before the gods. I will bow down toward Your holy temple. And give thanks to Your name for Your Lovingkindness and Your Truth; For You have magnified Your Word according to all Your Name. On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.”

“All the kings of the earth will give thanks to You, O LORD. When they have heard the words of Your Mouth. And they will sing of the ways of the LORD, For great is the Glory of the LORD. For though the LORD is exalted, Yet He regards the lowly, But the haughty He knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your Hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your Right Hand will save me. The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your Lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your Hands.” Psalms 138:1‭-‬8 NASB1995

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. Everything is a gift. Be thankful for His Mercy, Pardon, Patience, Lovingkindness, Truth. “It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night,….” Psalms 92:1‭-‬2 NIV

Pray. God delivers His promises in fulfillment of His Word. Don’t forget to say Thank You, Jesus! “….. to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,….” Ephesians 3:19‭-‬20 NIV

Remember God’s Pre-eminence. Eventually, EVERYONE will give thanks and praise the LORD. ALL of Creation will praise Him. He is our protection. Be thankful for all the troubles that have MISSED us. God’s Grace and Mercy will sustain us. He gives us Purpose. He will complete and accomplish His plans for me. God made me and He has a purpose for me!

“For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.” Psalms 139:13‭-‬14 NASB1995

“….. being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV

Thank God for His fulfillment!

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20‭-‬21 NIV

Happy Thanksgiving from my home to yours!

What has happened to America?

We are so divided. There are color lines, political lines; “protesters” are attacking children and elderly, defenseless people, and physically destroying their own communities with riots.

I am a follower of JESUS CHRIST. I kneel at His feet alone, and NOT to anyone – or anything – else.

I stand for the FLAG of my country, in respect for all of the people who have died defending it and for the FREEDOM it stands for.

I stand in sorrow for the thousands of babies who are MURDERED every day; black, white, brown…..every color, from conception to birth, through abortion.

I stand with business owners, large and small. Free enterprise keeps America moving, NOT Socialism or Communism. If you want a socialist country, feel free to move.

I stand for Freedom. We have free schools, free libraries, free education for anyone who chooses to pursue it, plus many choices past high school for those who choose to pursue a higher education.

I stand for and respect our Police, our Service Members, our First Responders. They put their lives on the line FOR ME, every time they suit up to go to work. Are they always good and kind and fair? No. Are you?

I stand for and respect our Educators. They are absolutely front line and essential.

I stand for the Constitution of my country, the United States of America, and the ENTIRE Bill of Rights AS WRITTEN. I will defend myself and my family. (No interpretation needed)

I stand for RESPECT and common sense. I stand for responsibility and reasonable expectations.

No one on this earth is perfect. We ALL have flaws. Practice forgiveness, defend yourself and your family against evil, and stand against abortion, socialism, elitism, communism, pedophilia, terrorism, and entitlement.

Where do YOU stand?

Mockers Will Mock Us, But JESUS WILL Return, Despite Their Mockery

“This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the Commandment of the LORD and SAVIOR spoken by your apostles. Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers* [the OT Patriarchs] fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water [All but 8 people in all the earth were killed. There are over 270 flood stories across civilizations. In the 1880’s, Hugh Miller researched stories and similarities]. 7 But by His Word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the LORD one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The LORD is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you* [*you = Believers, the Elect. Romans 11 – somewhere out there, the last person, the last elect, will come to Jesus, and at that moment, Jesus will return], not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance [Psalm 90:4; God is outside of time, because He created time].” 2 Peter 3:1-9 NASB

The Bible can be summed up in 3 phrases:1. Jesus is coming (OT),2. Jesus has come (NT Gospels),3. Jesus is coming again (NT).”The Commandment”: Be prepared for the Second Coming, the Return of Jesus Christ. The “last days” are all of the days between the Advents: the First Coming and the Second Coming. The mockers and scoffers grow louder in a crescendo of sound, denying the Second Coming. By doing this, they are fulfilling the prophesies of the Second Coming. Beware of False Teachers! Just because it seems slow to us (i.e. humans), God is not slow. His time is not our time. Remember verses 8-9: “But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the LORD one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The LORD is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”God is Power, God is Sovereign. God has an Eternal Perspective. God is Timeless, God is Patient, God is Merciful.“Whoever will call on the Name of the LORD will be saved .” Romans 10:13 NASB“He* [*JESUS] Who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” Revelation 22:20‭-‬21 NASB

Forgiven

“If You, Lord , should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.” Psalms 130:3‭-‬4 NASB

This reminds me of this phrase: Because I say I am a Christian doesn’t mean I’m perfect (far from it!); it just means I am forgiven.

There’s a song the Newsboys sang called You Are My King, and this is the beginning verse.

I’m forgiven because you were forsaken
I’m accepted, You were condemned
I’m alive and well
Your Spirit is within me
Because you died and rose again

If Jesus hadn’t voluntarily left heaven and accepted living as a human, and then died as our sacrifice for our sins, where would we be today? If Jesus hadn’t voluntarily hung on that cross, forsaken and condemned, where would we be today? If Jesus hadn’t conquered death and hell, and walked away from the tomb, where would we be today?

It is because of His sacrifice that we live.

Have you accepted that? Because of Jesus, all of my sins are forgotten! Without Jesus, there would be no peace in my life. I pray that you find that peace today!