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Generous Grace

Lord, open my eyes to see your grace!

Matthew 17:1-8

Peter’s first mistake was to think that Moses and Elijah could be on the same level as Jesus. Jesus stands on a level all by himself, as Moses and Elijah were prophets under the Original Covenant, Jesus is the prophet of the New Covenant. Jesus gives us a better covenant.

“This is my beloved son” This is what the Father says about us (John 1:12) There is an unhealthy fear of God. Jesus calms that fear. “They saw no man, but Jesus only.” This is where God is bringing us…..to see Jesus alone, to see

His grace, His love, His care for us.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (AMP) 21 For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].

His righteousness is your right to be blessed……to be healed……to be prosperous……for total-life well being! His righteousness is your right!

1 )Righteousness is not a list of things you have to do2) Righteousness is not good deeds3) Righteousness is right standing with God-----and you became righteous because of what Jesus did for you on the cross4) All the religions of the world are about doing right

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5) Faith in Christ is about believing right

Galatians 2:21 (KJV) 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Galatians 2:21 (AMP) 21 [Therefore, I do not treat God's gracious gift as something of minor importance and defeat its very purpose]; I do not set aside and invalidate and frustrate and nullify the grace (unmerited favor) of God. For if justification (righteousness, acquittal from guilt) comes through [observing the ritual of] the Law, then Christ (the Messiah) died groundlessly and to no purpose and in vain. [His death was then wholly superfluous.]

Jesus became sin-----even though he never sinned We become righteous-----even though we didn’t do anything to merit righteousness

Romans 11:6 (KJV) 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

You are either depending on Jesus Or you are depending on yourself------there is not middle ground

Understanding your right-standing with God is the key to believing for big things from God!

Philippians 3:7-10 (KJV) 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

If I am depending upon my own righteousness, then I can only expect good things to happen to me when I am perfect.

But if I am depending upon His righteousness, then I can expect good things to happen to me all the time! I can ask for big things from God all the time!

Grace allows you to ask for the extravagant!

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Luke 23:38-43 (KJV) 38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Matthew 27:24 tells us the “thieves (plural) were mocking Jesus.” Somewhere this one thief changed his opinion of Jesus and stopped mocking him. There is time to repent and receive the grace of God! Jesus went way above the thieves expectations!

John 1:14 (KJV) 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:15-17 (KJV) 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

The fullness of the blessing is in the good news of Grace, of Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:29, Ephesians 3:19)

"And grace for grace" is an interesting assertion. To the thought of receiving out of His fullness, grace upon grace is added. Each blessing becomes the means of receiving a new, fresh, increasing blessing.” There is a momentum of grace that begins in your life when you see Christ/when you see grace!

Romans 5:20-----where sin increased, grace super-abounded……….and then more grace (Wuest)

(super-abounded was a word that never existed before!)

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Make this your prayer: “Holy Spirit, help me to see Jesus in your Word. And when I see Jesus in your Word, I will see grace and truth in your Word.”

What are you beholding? What you focus on will affect you. People move in the direction of their most dominant thought. What consumes your thoughts? What are you feeding on? (John 14:1, John 14:27-----Shalom:” completeness, safety, soundness, welfare, health, prosperity, peace, quiet, tranquility, contentment, peace used of human relationships, peace with God especially in covenant relationship and peace from war.” Hebrew Lexicon

The peace of God dispels fear (1 John 4:18); We are perfected in love the more we know and believe and experience how much God loves us.

Isaiah 54:9-10: God is not angry with us!

God Found Fault With the Old Covenant of Law

Hebrews 8:13 (KJV) 13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Hebrews 8:6-7 (KJV) 6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

Think about getting a major promotion at work. But you fight the company to keep your old salary and low benefits! How crazy! But that is what Christians do who want to live under the law.

In all of Israel’s 1,500 years under the law, not a single person was made righteous under the law. Even the man after God’s own heart failed. Under the law, the best failed. Under grace, even the worst can be saved.

Know your covenant rights in Christ (Psalm 103:1-5) Know the difference between the old and new covenants

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Romans 8:3 (KJV) 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

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All the righteous requirements of the law are fulfilled in your life through Jesus! (Galatians 3:24-25).

The law demands from man; grace imparts to man The law condemns man; grace makes the sinner righteous The law brings death; grace brings life The law exposes all your deficiencies; grace points to sufficiency in Christ The law says God will leave you when you fail, grace says He will never leave you nor

forsake you! The law makes you sin-conscience; grace makes you righteousness conscience The law tells you what you must do; grace tells you what Jesus has already done! The law puts the burden on you to perform; grace puts the burden on Christ’s

performance The law makes you self-conscience; grace makes you Christ-conscience Hebrews 8:6-10 (KJV)

6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Be alert to sit under new covenant ministries that do not slip in and out of the two covenants. Failure to rightly divide the Word leads to confusion and God calls this “mixture.” He cannot bless mixture.

Mark 2:21-22 (KJV) 21 No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. 22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

The law will lose its convicting power to lead you to Christ if it is balanced with grace. Grace will lose its essence of being unmerited, unearned, and undeserved when people are told that they still need to depend on themselves and their works to deserve God’s presence and favor. It is an outright contradiction. What man calls balance God calls mixture.

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The Major difference between the Old and New Covenants

John 1:17 (KJV) 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Notice how grace and truth come together (John 1:14). In the Greek tense, they are a singular unit. Jesus embodies grace and truth. Jesus is grace. Grace is not a doctrine; grace is a Person. Jesus did not come to give us more laws; He came to give us unmerited favor.

Before the Law was given, none of the children if Israel died when they came out of Egypt. Even though they murmered and complained against God’s appointed leadership, not a single one of them died. This is a picture of pure grace. All the blessings and provisions were dependent upon God’s grace. When they murmured, God gave them manna from heaven and water from a rock. It wasn’t because of their great behavior, it was because of God’s goodness. Israel was dependant upon God’s faithfulness to the Abrahamic covenant. Abraham lived 400 years before the law was given.

Romans 4:1-3 (KJV) 1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Romans 4:1-3 (AMP) 1 [BUT] IF so, what shall we say about Abraham, our forefather humanly speaking—[what did he] find out? [How does this affect his position, and what was gained by him?] 2 For if Abraham was justified (established as just by acquittal from guilt) by good works [that he did, then] he has grounds for boasting. But not before God! 3 For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed in (trusted in) God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness (right living and right standing with God).

Today we are under the new covenant of grace His provisions are based entirely on His goodness and faithfulness God’s unmerited favor is on our lives

The Transition of Covenants

God was dealing with His people based on the Abrahamic covenant: unmerited favor and blessing was upon them, even when they were doing wrong.

Exodus 19:4-6 (KJV) 4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. 5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a

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peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

“And the people answered All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” God’s grace was rejected and the people relied upon their own good merits and righteousness.

The result was that as Moses was receiving the Ten Commandments from God, they were at the bottom of Mt.Siani worshipping a false god and committing fornication.

Numbers 21:5-6 (KJV) 5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. 6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

God’s people had exchanged the Abrahamic covenant, based on God’s grace, for the Mosiac covenant, which was based on their performance.

We are in the Abrahamic covenant, in Christ, we receive unmerited favor because of the work Christ-----not our good or bad behavior.

No man can be perfected by keeping the ten commandments

James 2:9-10 (KJV) 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

The law was designed to silence all human efforts to earn God’s blessings. Jesus showed us the pristine standard of God’s law

Matthew 5:21-28 (KJV) 21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

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26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. 27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Teaching on the ten commandments will not stop sin. Preaching the “thou shalt nots” will not change people. Nowhere in scripture am I told to preach more on the law so that sin will stop.

Romans 3:10-20 (KJV) 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (KJV) 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our human propensity to sin is aroused when a law is given. It stirs up the flesh and produces “all manner of evil desire.”

Romans 7:8-10 (KJV) 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. 9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

Colossians 2:13-15 (KJV) 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us,

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and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

We were set free from the condemnation of the law by the Cross of Christ!

Is the law evil? Romans 7:12-19……………… “O wretched man that I am! WHO will deliver me from this body of death?” When you keep the law at its high standard, this will be your reaction. If you lower the law, then you will try to keep it in your self-efforts. Notice that Paul does not say, “What will deliver me?” The solution is not in things, programs, objects…………………….the solution is in the person of Christ!

Jesus did not remove your ability to be tempted; Jesus removed the penalty of all your sins!

The power to sin no more is found in Romans 8

Romans 8:1-4 (KJV) 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

In the oldest manuscripts of the NT, it simply says, “There is therefore now no condemnation in Christ Jesus.” The end was added later by Bible translators. You can overcome temptation by walking in the righteousness of God and knowing you are not condemned by God!

The gift of no condemnation is the key to overcoming weaknesses, bad habits, and addictions. If you believe that God condemns you, you will not run to him for help.

John 8:1-11 (KJV) 1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. 3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

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5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Religion says, no more condemnation after you stop sinning. Christ says, I don’t condemn you, go and sin no more.

Romans 6:13-14 (KJV) 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Yield yourselves to the righteousness of God.

Yield yourselves to God’s grace.

“Yield”-Parestemi---put at someone’s disposal----the same word is used in John 19:26 “and the disciple standing by.” There is no work in “standing by.” The emphasis in yielding is on getting under grace, not in your striving to be holy or righteous. Just yield to grace! Praise God!

If you are still struggling with sin, stop depending upon the law. You are now free to go and sin no more for Christ does not condemn you for past present or future sins.

If you are under the law, the sin struggle will ever be present.

If you are under grace, sin will not prevail over you or dominate you.

One translation says, “You are not under a reign of law but a reign of mercy, love, and unmerited gifts.”

Romans 6:14 (MSG) 14 Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny any longer. You're living in the freedom of God.

Romans 6:14 (AMP) 14 For sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God's favor and mercy].

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Paul gives us a command not to let sin reign in our mortal bodies. He would be unjust to command us to do something beyond our ability. Therefore, it's a lie to say that we can't help but sin or "I can't control myself." That's a lie of the devil and only applies if we believe Satan's lie.

The only way sin can reign is through the Law (Ro 5:21). A person who is freed from the Law because of the grace of God can always successfully resist sin.

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 4 at Rom. 6:12: If this sentence was to be diagrammed the way we were taught in school for the purpose of identifying the subject and verb, then the understood subject of this sentence would be "you." Paul is saying, "You let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body." You have the power to stop the reign of sin in your life or the Lord would not have given you this command.

A mistaken belief that we can't help but sin is one of the biggest reasons that we do sin. The power of sin (see note 9 at Ro 5:21) has been broken in our lives and the only reason a Christian sins is because he hasn't renewed his mind with the reality of his new life with Christ (see notes 7 and 8 at Ro 6:6).

Andrew Wommack's Living Commentary.

1 Corinthians 15:44-49 (NIV) 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.

Grace is not dangerous for those with the new nature.

The Gospel removes the power of sin to hurt you. The sting of death is removed by the power of the Gospel! Sin has a sting under the law----physcological distortion, a sense of condemnation and guilt. Sin does not have the power bring in death, destruction, and damage in your life when you are in Christ.

Transforming the Next Generation

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When we preach, “You have to love God! Love God with all your heart” we are placing people under the law…………..how do you love God with all your heart when you don’t know God loves you? (John 3:16)

1 John 4:10 (KJV) 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Romans 5:6-10 (KJV) 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

The Cross is God’s demonstration of His perfect and love and grace towards us. He didn’t die for us because of our love was perfect.

1 John 4:10-11 (KJV) 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

This is the emphasis of the new covenant of grace---His love for us, not our love for him. You cannot love others until you experience His love for you.

Joseph overcame temptation before the Law was given (Genesis 39:9). The basis for his overcoming the temptation was the favor, grace of God upon his life. We all began our relationship with the Lord because we were impacted by his love and grace. Let us continue in that grace.

Galatians 1:6-9 (KJV) 6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

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Any Gospel apart from the Gospel of Grace is a perversion. Attempting to be justified by the works of the law is perversion.

Galatians 3:1-5 (KJV) 1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. 5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

How do I know if I have reverted back to the old covenant?

It is actually very easy to identify the difference between the old and new covenant teachings. Just ask yourself if the teaching is putting emphasis on what you have to do or what Jesus has done. Does it make you introspective, always looking to yourself and how you fared or failed? Or does it turn your eyes away from yourself and look to Jesus?

Do not listen to messages that negate the cross, instill fear, and put the emphasis on you----what you must do, what you must perform, and what you must achieve for God to be satisfied with you.

At the cross, our acceptance is secured.

You do not have to pay for your sins.

Your salvation is not uncertain and insecure.

It is finished secured the blessings of God for us……our sins have already been punished. God is not assessing you on what you have or have not done. He is assessing you on what Jesus has done!

Hebrews 8:6-13 (KJV) 6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a

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new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Most Christians and people are more established in the Old Covenant than the new. But the law holds no appeal or attraction to hurting people. If we shove the Ten Commandments down the throats of our young people, they will be turned off by legalistic forms of Christianity. The strength of sin is the law. The law has no power to stop sin. When young people catch a revelation of Jesus and how precious they are in his sight, their lives will be supernaturally transformed. Reach out to young people with the arms of grace and embrace them with the Gospel. Be a preacher full of grace and mercy, full of new covenant teachings, and full of the person of Jesus.

Our Part in the New Covenant

In every covenant there are terms and conditions:

In the Edenic covenant, Adam and Even had to avoid the tree of knowledge to walk in the favor of God.

In the Old Covenant, Israel had to obey the law of God to enjoy God’s blessings.

What about the New Covenant? First, don’t try to love under the OT terms. We have a new covenant.

Hebrews 8:9-13 (KJV) 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

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13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Hebrews 8:10-13 (MSG) 10 This new plan I'm making with Israel isn't going to be written on paper, isn't going to be chiseled in stone; This time I'm writing out the plan in them, carving it on the lining of their hearts. I'll be their God, they'll be my people. 11 They won't go to school to learn about me, or buy a book called God in Five Easy Lessons. They'll all get to know me firsthand, the little and the big, the small and the great. 12 They'll get to know me by being kindly forgiven, with the slate of their sins forever wiped clean. 13 By coming up with a new plan, a new covenant between God and his people, God put the old plan on the shelf. And there it stays, gathering dust.

The old covenant is about what you must do. The new covenant is full of what God has done. NOTICE THE NUMBER OF TIMES “I WILL” IS SPOKEN.

The law is written in our hearts…….what law is written in our hearts? John 13:34 (KJV)

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Romans 3:27 (KJV) 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

Love is the fulfillment of the law. With the love of God in our hearts and minds, and operating by the law of faith--------we don’t need commands--------love and faith begins to flow in every relationship and every area of our lives.

Ephesians 5:25 (KJV) 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

The focus is not on what we have to do for our wives; the focus is on receiving Christ’s love for us. We can only give what we have!

We have supernatural ability to forgive and love others:

Romans 13:9-10 (KJV) 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

With God’s love, you will exceed the obligations of the law. The law is inferior. It can command you not to commit adultery but it cannot make you love your wife.

God made it so easy for us in the new covenant. We no longer have to run to prophets to find God’s will for us. He himself leads us! What is in your heart?

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This is how he leads you…..He puts His laws in your mind and writes them on your heart.

The Clause That Makes the New Covenant Work

Hebrews 8:11-12 (KJV) 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

For means “because.” The new covenant works because He forgives us! No More will he remember our sins! The new covenant hinges on this. It is not dependant on us. Its dependant on him!

Our Part in the New Covenant of Grace

Our part in the new covenant is simple: Believe!

1) Believe that God has forgiven you of all your sins……through Christ. 2) Believe God’s Promises to You3) Believe the favor of God is upon your life

Many believers believe that negative things happen to them because God is punishing them for some sin in their life. “The rooster has come home to roost.” They believe that they are reaping what they have sown.

We are not reaping what we have sown. We sowed nothing, but we are reaping every blessing that Jesus paid for on the Cross!

There are passages in the Bible that have been erroneously used to justify and perpetuate a judgement mentality among Christians.

Galatians 6:7-8 (KJV) 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

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The context of Galatians 6:7-8 is not talking about sin. Look at the context, its talking about money. (V6,9, 10)

We have used this principle to intimidate believers into thinking that if they have sowed sin, they should expect judgment, condemnation, and punishment from God.

Sow wrong, reap wrong?

Sow righteous deads, reap righteous deeds? Where is the cross of Jesus in this equation? Salvation hangs on what we do and are careful not to do, instead of being rooted in what Jesus has done!

This passage is talking about financially blessing the teachers of the Word and the church you attend. Jesus reaped all the punishment of the sins we sowed and we reaped all the blessings he sowed! The New Covenant does not contain a karma-clause. We are not reaping what we have sown, we are reaping what Christ has already sown. Sowing and reaping is never used in reference to sin in the New Covenant.

We have total forgiveness of sin

Ephesians 1:7 (KJV) 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

All sins---past, present, and future have been forgive, not because you have sown good works but because God’s grace is rich. This forgiveness is once and for all!

Colossians 2:13 (KJV) 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Hebrews 7:27 (KJV) 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

Why you must have a revelation that your sins are forgiven:

1. So that you can live knowing your salvation is eternal and secure2. So that you can have full confidence that God is on your side, behind your success and

prosperity.3. So that you can be relieved from the fear that God is waiting to punish you for past or

present failures. 4. So that you can walk in close relationship with the Father and enjoy the presence of the

Holy Spirit.

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God does not evaluate you based on your behavior. God evaluates you based on Christ’s finished work.

The cross of Jesus qualifies you; but unbelief disqualifies you in the new covenant. If you refuse to believe the promises of the new covenant, you disqualify yourself from walking in complete victory. You hear a message on God’s forgiveness, then this week your washer machine breaks and you say “Well, that must be because I didn’t talk to so and so kindly last week, I’ve sown to the wind and I’m reaping the whirlwind.” No! A million times no!

The new covenant is based entirely on His unmerited favor!

1. There is nothing for you to do2. There is nothing for you to perform3. There is nothing for you to accomplish

The part you play in the New Covenant is to have faith in Christ, His finished work, and His promises! Believe that you are totally forgiven and free to enjoy His blessings!

While Jesus is ready to bless you, give you favor and make you a success, unbelief in His finished work robs you of the ability to receive His goodness, His blessings, His unmerited favor and success in your life.

How the Grace of God is Cheapened

First of all, to call the pure Grace of God cheap is an insult to the Cross of Christ. Grace is so valuable you cannot earn it or buy it. Something that is priceless can only be given. When you feel insecure or unworthy, look at the Cross.

What cheapens God’s grace?

When you believe that you need to do something to earn God’s forgiveness so that he will bless you, that’s cheapening the grace of God. With this mentality, it’s hard to expect God to be gracious to you and favor you. Rather, you will have an expectation of God’s judgment and reaping of your sins.

Do We Need to Confess Our Sins to Receive Forgiveness?

The teaching of confessing our sins after each failure 1) builds a strong sin-consciousness in our minds and emotions. 2) Puts people in bondage and oppression. 3) Causes believers to live in fear and continual introspection. 4) Prevents believers from receiving God’s favor and blessing.

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Ephesians 1:6-7 (KJV) 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

The Bible does not say that the forgiveness of sins is an accordance with the confession of sins. Forgiveness of sins is according to the “riches of His Grace!”

You cannot believe this confession of sins doctrine and live up to it. Have you confessed all your sins, your worries, your lack of faith……..are you keeping short accounts with God?

Once forgiveness of sins is made our responsibility, we will surely fail.

James 2:9-10 (KJV) 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Are you right with God because you have been confessing all your sins or are you right with God by the finished work of Jesus Christ?! (Hebrews 10)

Hebrews 10:2 (KJV) 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

Hebrews 10:9-17 (KJV) 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Paul Never Wrote About Making Confessions of Sin

Review all the letters that Paul wrote: Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and Hebrews.

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There is not one mention of the confession of sins in all his letters.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV) 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Paul based his ministry on

1) Reminding believers to be conscious of who they are in Christ2) Reminding believers of what they have in Christ3) This is the key to victory of sin

Paul never taught on confession of sins!

What About I John 1:9?

“It shall greatly help thee to understand Scripture, if thou mark not only what is spoken or written, but of whom, and unto whom, with what words, at what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstance, considering what goeth before, and what followeth after.” (Miles Coverdale).

1. There is no greeting to believers2. He addresses the Gnostics who had infiltrated the church (Gnostics are herectics who do

not believe in the existence of sin----modern day new agers). 3. 1 John 1:8-10 (KJV)

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

4. Romans 3:23-24 (KJV) 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

5. 1 John 1:2-3 (KJV) 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

6. John was clearly preaching to non-believers. Therefore, I John 1:9 was not written to believers. This verse is in reference to the prayer of salvation that a sinner prays to accept Christ. By accepting Christ, the sinner knows and admits that he has sinned.

7. How many times to you pray the prayer of salvation? One time! You cannot be born again again and again! You are already forgiven! The blood of Christ covers your past and flows into your future!

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8. 1 John 2:1-2 (KJV) 1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

9. Notice, my little children, indicating that he is addressing believers now. There is no mention of confession.

10. There is no power in confessing our sins, but there is power in confessing we are the righteousness of God, confessing our identity in Christ, and confessing that favor we have in Christ!

11. 1 John 2:12 (KJV) 12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

12. Personal Application:a) Stop being sin-conscience (focused on your sins)b) Be alert to teachings and counseling that promotes extreme introspection (every time

you search your heart for failings, you will find something!)c) Develop a righteousness-consciencenessd) Be open and honest with God knowing He has forgiven you and has the power to set

you freee) Turn away from yourself and turn to Christ

Does The Message of Grace Produce the License to Sin?

Luke 7:36-50 (KJV) 36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my

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feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

a) The woman loved Jesus much because she knew that she was forgiven muchb) The grace of Jesus caused the woman to fall in love with Jesusc) There is no such thing as one person being forgiven a little and another forgiven muchd) But if you ruled by sin-conscieness, and are always looking at your failures, you will love

little. e) Knowing how much you have been forgiven is the secret to worship, praise, and loving

Godf) God’s forgiveness is not given in installments! His forgiveness is once and for all!

Good Success

Joshua 1:8

Not every promotion is necessarily God’s best for you.

Joseph experienced many promotions, but his eyes were not fixed on the promotions, his eyes were fixed on God.

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Success that takes you away from your family, robs you of attending the house of the Lord, gives you no time to spend in peace with the Lord or family-----is not good success! Success that takes your eyes off the Lord is not “good success.”

Good success comes without the strife, manipulation, strain, and fleshly struggle. Good success comes in the flow of God’s grace.

Deuteronomy 6:9-12 (KJV) 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. 10 And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, 11 And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; 12 Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

1) Houses THEY DID NOT BUILD2) Houses full of good things THEY DID NOT FILL3) Wells THEY DID NOT DIG4) Vineyard and olive trees THEY DID NOT PLANT

This is God’s Grace-------giving you what you do not deserve! Giving you things that came without sweat and toil! Good success in the effortless flow of God’s grace! God said, “My grace is going to cause you to enjoy the labor and fruits of another. This is a move of grace!

“Israel, you just get in my grace flow……and I will cause you to enjoy the fruits and labor of another. That was the grace of the Promise Land!”

New Testament Equivalent of Promise Land

Hebrews 4:9-11 (KJV) 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

“….entered into his rest” is literally “Sabbath-rest.” Literally “an observance of the Sabbath.” Now, how can we keep the Sabbath when we are not under the Old Covenant? Every time we rest and trust in what Christ has done for us and cease to strive and struggle, we are enjoying the Sabbath! This is used only one time in the entire New Testament. The significance is in that we cease from our own works as God ceased from working on the seventh day (Sabbath). We cease from our own works and enjoy the work of Another.

“Christianity is not about what you have to do; Christianity is about what He has already done!”

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The Simple English Bible says, “There is a keeping of the Sabbath still open for God’s people.”

“has rested from his works, Williams... himself rests altogether from his works, Wade... just as God stopped working, Adams.”

We are now enjoying the fruits and labor of ANOTHER! Christ Jesus! We are not getting what we deserve…………..we are getting what Christ deserved!

Under the New Covenant, our “Promise Land” is a place of resting in Christ Jesus and enjoying the His victory!

“Those who think they have to act a certain way to gain God's acceptance and approval are not resting in the finished work of Christ. Sure, we need to live holy, but it should be a fruit and not a root of our relationship with the Lord. This is what the O.T. Sabbath was a picture of.” Andrew Wommack's Living Commentary.

“This sounds like an oxymoron. Why labor to rest? If you understand clearly what the rest of the Lord is then it takes effort to rest in the finished work of the Lord. Our human natures want to do something to be worthy of the Lord's blessings. But the truth is that we can never deserve the goodness of the Lord. We have to cease from trusting in our own works and rest in what Jesus has freely provided by grace. That takes effort. It will be the hardest thing you've ever done to quit relating to God on the basis of your own works and start trusting totally in what Jesus did for you. You have to labor to rest.Andrew Wommack's Living Commentary.

How do you have good success?

1) Meditate on God’s Word in the light of the New Covenant of Grace

Meditate simply means to “utter and mutter.” The key is in your mouth. What is in your heart will come out of your mouth. When the Word of Grace is in your heart, the Word of Grace will come out of your mouth. Meditating on the Word is meditating on Jesus.

2) Faith will spring from your revelation of GraceRomans 10:13-17 (KJV) 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

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15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The Blessed Man Versus the Cursed Man

You must know that you are under the new covenant of grace. Every revelation in God’s Word is built upon the revelation of Jesus Christ and his finished work. You can either be mature in the new covenant or immature in the new covenant.

Hebrews 5:13 (KJV) 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

If you still think that your righteousness is dependant upon your right doing, the Scripture calls you a baby. But when you know that your righteousness is depending on your right believing in Christ, Scripture calls you mature and becoming skillful in the word of righteousness.

You do not need the Holy Spirit to understand the law You do not need faith to understand the law You do not need revelation knowledge to understand the law

The emphasis on one’s own behavior, efforts, and good deeds is the basis of all man’s religions and the system of the law. The world calls it “Karma.” The New Covenant does not teach Karma. Salvation is not Karma.

You need the Holy Spirit to understand the New Covenant You need faith to live in the New Covenant You need revelation knowledge to see Jesus in Scripture

This is what the world and religion does not understand----the grace of God! We are not living by Karma, we are enjoying the blessings of Christ! Even when we fail, we can have confident expectation of good instead of fearful expectation of punishment.

Psalm 51:1, 8

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*David leaned upon the mercy and grace of God, knowing enough about God’s ways to be confident that good things would happen to him again-----despite his sinful actions.

1 Timothy 1:12-16

*Paul leaned upon the mercy and grace of God, expecting God to use him even after persecuting and hurting believers in Christ.

Why can we expect good things to happen to us, even in light of our sinful actions?

Ephesians 2:4-10 (KJV) 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Love is God’s motivation for his blessing upon us V4 Sins could not stop what God would do through Christ! V5 Grace causes promotion, elevation, and a lifting-up of one’s overall life V6 When we are in grace, our position is one of sitting and resting V6 God will show off his grace upon us---in this world---and the world to come (ages to

come) V7 Heavenly Grace (Grace from another world) is available right now! Hebrew 6:5! Eph

1:21 Grace is eternal V7 God will show the exceeding riches of His Grace TOWARD YOU! V7 The word “exceeding” means “to go beyond that which is usual or expected.”

The Difference Between a Cursed Man and a Blessed Man: It’s the Difference between Grace and the Law

Jeremiah 17:5-8 (KJV) 5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. 6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. 7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. 8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and

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shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

1) When your trust is in people more than God2) When your trust is in self-efforts, good works, and claiming to be a self-made man

This man “makes flesh his strength.” “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes self-effort his strength.”

Two ways to live this life: 1) Trust entirely on God’s unmerited favor or 2) depend on your self-efforts and struggle and strive for success.

Self-efforts will result in partial success-----there will always be something missing.

The God-kind of success is complete-----spirit, soul, and body “You will prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers.”

Proverbs 10:22 (KJV) 22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Jeremiah 17 “For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes.”

Good comes, but he cannot see it. They are determined to trust in their efforts, and tend to be arrogant and frustrated with people around them. The good is there, but they don’t see it. Their only faith is in the good that they get from their self-efforts. They don’t say thank you very much. They feel entitled to and deserve what they receive. They are rarely grateful or appreciative. They are a dried up shrub in the desert!

People living under grace are thankful, grateful, and appreciative of people around them. People living under grace can truly enjoy the blessings around them because they know that these blessings are undeserved.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (KJV) 7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. 8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

This promise if for the man or woman who puts their trust---not in self efforts---but in the Lord:

1. He is like a tree planted by the waters2. His roots are spread out by the waters

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3. He will not fear when heat comes4. His leaf will be green5. He will not be anxious in year of drought6. He will not cease from yielding fruit

How A Believer Can Fall Under A Curse

1. Depend on yourself, rather than on Christ. Look to yourself for success in family, career, and finances.

2. All believers are redeemed from the curse, but when you reject Grace and depend on your works to be blessed, you fall under the curse of the Law.

Galatians 5:1-4 (KJV) 1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Galatians 3:10 (KJV) 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Galatians 3:11-12 (KJV) 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Galatians 3:10-14 (KJV) 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

1. Jesus died on the cross to redeem us from the curse of the law---not the curse of sin (sin does not bring the curse, the law brings the curse).

2. When you depend upon the law, the blessing of Abraham cannot flow in your life.3. The problem is not sin; the problem is man trusting in his own self-efforts!

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Who Is A Blessed Man?

Romans 4:5-8 (KJV) 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

7. [Saying], Blessed [are] they whose iniquities are forgiven: Spiritually prosperous, Wuest... Happy are they, Wesley... whose breaches of the Law, Moffatt... whose lawless acts, Adams, Young... whose crimes are forgiven, JB... whose wrongdoings have been forgiven, TCNT.

and whose sins are covered:... whose sins are obliterated, Fenton... and over whose sins a veil has been drawn, TCNT.

8. Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin:... will not record any sin, Norlie... whom the Lord considers sinless, JB... if the Lord doesn't count sins against you, Beck... will in no wise reckon sin, Clementson.

Romans 4:7-8 (AMP) 7 Blessed and happy and to be envied are those whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered up and completely buried. 8 Blessed and happy and to be envied is the person of whose sin the Lord will take no account nor reckon it against him.

The Bible does not say that this man does not sin. It says that his blessing is that even when he sins, that sin will not be imputed to him! How can this be?

Hebrews 10:16-18 (KJV) 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Isaiah 53:4-5 (KJV) 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions , he was bruised for our iniquities : the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

So don’t think for one moment that God is punishing you for some sin just because something bad happened to you. Look to the cross and know that all your sins have already been punished fully in the body of Christ. Believe that God is for you and expect victory!

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1 John 2:2 (KJV) 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Propitiation is a word that the Greeks used to explain the act of appeasing the angered Greek gods. Propitiation was the act of averting the gods anger and repairing the relationship. “Expetiation” nullified the action that caused the rift between the individual and the god. (Daniel 9:9, 1 John 4:10). Jesus took the punishment for the sins of the world. He took the wrath and judgment and penalty that sin required!

(Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins).

1 John 1:7 (KJV) 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

(Cleansed: Matthew 8:1-3, the Leper was immediately “cleansed” from his leprosy. Matthew 23:25-28, Jesus told the Pharisees to cleanse the inside. Go from the inside out, not the outside in. Live an “inside-out” kind of life. Notice that Jesus did not say the outside was unimportant. Holiness begins from the inside out, not the outside in. Grace will not leave you the same. Jesus will not leave you the same. Grace will meet you in the pit but grace will not leave you in the pit! Things will get cleaned up in your life. But the purity starts on the inside. Religion begins with the outside. Christ begins with the inside. During the feasts of Israel, tombs were whitewashed to prevent a Jew from being ceremonially unclean. But inward, the tomb was still filled with dead bones. A grave is a grave whether it looks beautiful from the outside or not!

Jesus starts within:

John 15:3 (KJV) 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

(Clean: free from dirt, clean, unsoiled………..used for purity, thus indicating genuiness and not a mixture, i.e., pure gold).

(The literal interpretation of John 15:3 is, “Already you are clean because of the Word I have spoken to you). Inward change: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 2:29, Jeremiah 31:33, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 7:15, 2 Corinthians 7:5------Guard your heart, the inner man----Proverbs 4:23. Romans 8:9---The Spirit of God dwells in the believer. Galatians 4:6-7---the Spirit of His Son has been sent into our hearts. The Spirit of Christ cannot dwell in a vessel that is full of sin. So what did God do? Through Christ, he forgave the sin, cleansed the sin, disqualified the sin, evicted the sin, and nullified the effects of sin against you!

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (KJV) 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

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18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1. Jesus became my sin2. Jesus suffered the wrath of God for my sin3. Jesus became what I was so that I become what He is

What qualifies you to be a blessed man? Your sins are forgive and the Father has not imputed your sin unto you. Trust in this, trust in what Christ has done for you……..and you are blessed!

Walking in the Blessing of Abraham

Genesis 12:1-3 (KJV) 1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

The Abrahamic Covenant is a Covenant of Grace-----that’s why the Father continues to bless the Jewish people even though some have not yet received Christ as the Messiah. God accepted the responsibility to bless Abraham. Abraham’s part of the covenant was to step out and act upon the promise of God.

******Galatians 3:6-8 (KJV) 6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham , saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

This is further biblical evidence that the covenant that God made with Abraham was a covenant of grace.

The blessing is “in thee.” You don’t have to run and find the blessing, you are a carrier of the blessing.

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Galatians 3:6-14 (KJV) 6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

What was the “promise of the Spirit”?(v14)

Romans 4:13 (KJV) 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

What is a “Heir”?

Classical Greek

Klēronomos is a compound word that comes from klēros (2792), a “lot,” and nemomei, “to possess.” The original word picture is of a person who possesses something by lot. Inheritance belongs among those things that come from factors beyond a person’s decisive control; he is “lucky” to possess what he receives. From classical usage onward, then, a klēronomos was someone who inherited another’s estate—an heir. It is used figuratively to indicate anyone that benefits from his heritage or environment.

Heirs: Romans 8:17, Titus 3:7

What are we “heirs” of? The word “world” here is “kosmos.” It means the “whole circle of earthly goods, endowments, riches, advantages, and pleasures.”

Psalm 24:1---“The earth is the Lords, and the fullness thereof, the world, and they that dwell therein.”

Financial prosperity is a part of the blessing of Abraham; financial blessing is a part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Genesis 13:2, Abraham was very rich….blessed to be a blessing). The church over the years has not walked in the blessing of Abraham. We have cut off financial prosperity by not declaring the good news. The result has been that the world sees us as poor, we see ourselves as poor. “Vow of poverty.” “Poor as a church mouse.” We’ll keep the pastor poor

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and God will keep him humble.” But why is Mickey Mouse healthy and wealthy, but the church mouse is poor and sick!?

James 1:16-17 (KJV) 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Every blessing, including financial blessing, flows from the river of God’s unmerited favor!

Give God the credit for your financial success and don’t boast of being a “self-made” man.

Be preoccupied with the Lord and money will flow to you. Be concerned with getting the Gospel of Grace to more people and the money will come! You cannot be an heir of the world and be broke and in debt all your life.

Becoming An Heir of the World

Romans 4:13 (KJV) 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Romans 5:12-17 (KJV) 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

Grace is “Unmerited favor” They which receive abundance of unmerited favor!

Verse 17

There are a few key words in this verse, focusing on verse 17:

“Receive”

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Greek word is “Lambano.” It means to take, to take hold of, grasp, seize, get, and obtain.” It is used both in the active and passive tense. Here it is in the passive, indicating there is no struggle, striving, or working. It is simply receiving. There is not struggle, just receiving. There is no working, just receiving. When it comes to grace, it is just about receiving. Example: The Prodical Son. He did not work; he received…….

The literal rendering of the Greek is “receiving” indicating you just keep on receiving unmerited favor from God!

“Gift”

Greek word is “Dorea.” It means “a gift without cost and a bounty.” A gift cannot be earned. It can only be received. Anything that you try to earn cannot be called a gift. If you earned it, it is not a gift. If there are strings attached to it, it is not a gift. The only response necessary for a gift is a “thank you!”

Children know how to receive a gift. Adults, immersed in an “earning mentality,” struggle to receive gifts.

“The Gift of God”John 4:10----If you knew the unmerited favor of God, you would ask for so much more!

Acts 8:18-21----If you knew the unmerited favor of God, you wouldn’t try to attain it any other way but by grace! (When you try to deserve His gift through your works, your man-made efforts---perish! When you receive by grace, you flourish!)

Ephesians 3:7-8----Everything is your life that is from God, was unearned and a free gift out of Grace!

Our access to the blessings is not through our performance or ability, but through the abundance of grace and the gift or righteousness. (Romans 4:13).

Consider the areas of your life that are not flourishing-----in fact, they may be perishing. Family, Marriage, Finances, Health, Occupation, Business……………..Have you been trying to earn God’s blessings in those areas of your life? Have you been relying on your performance, your actions, your faith, your determination.

Peter said, you are trying to get a gift of God through money, your money will perish.

Now surrender these areas of your life to the Grace of Jesus.

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The Abrahamic blessing comes not through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. This means that access to the blessing of Abraham is not through our performance or ability to keep the ten commandments, but through believing that we are righteous by faith in Jesus.

Romans 4:13-16 (KJV) 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Believing that you are the righteousness of God is the key to victory in every area of life. The Bible is clear about how the blessing of Abraham works in your life. “If you are not seeing the manifestations of the blessings, whether it is in the area of your health, finances, relationships, or career, it is because you are trying to earn God’s blessings through the law and your performance, when those blessings come only through the righteousness of faith.

Our performance does matter………but how do we get to right performance? Right believing leads to right living. Believe right and you will live right. Believe wrong and you will live wrong. Christianity is not about behavior modification. It is about inward heart transformation.

Why do believers get trapped in sin and fail to produce godly qualities: 2 Peter 1:9----he has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins and is the righteousness of God. Where is your struggle? Confess and believe that you are the righteousness of God in that area.

How are the blessings added to you? Matthew 6:33

Seek “His Righteousness!” Use your faith to believe that you are the righteousness of God in Christ! This is the main use of faith in the writings of Paul:

Romans 1:16-18 (KJV) 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Romans 3:21-22 (KJV) 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

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Romans 4:11 (KJV) 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

Romans 9:30 (KJV) 30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

Romans 10:5-6 (KJV) 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

Philippians 3:9 (KJV) 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

What is the opposite of faith?

The Scripture teaches that the opposite of faith is not fear-----it is works.

Galatians 2:15-16 (KJV) 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

What is the opposite of fear?

The Scripture teaches that the opposite of fear is love.

1 John 4:18-19 (KJV) 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Any fear can be replaced and eradicated by accepting Christ’s perfect love for you. (The only perfect love is Christ’s love).

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The only way the devil can have influence over you:

The enemy promotes the law as much as possible, marketing and advertising the law.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (KJV) 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

The enemy fights the Gospel of Grace through persecution and by promoting the law and works. The enemy deceives you into thinking you are not the righteousness of God or he tries to make you lethargic towards believing and speaking in faith.

A Big Difference between the law and faith:

Romans 10:1-13

The righteousness of the law DOES; the righteousness which is faith SPEAKS. The law is about doing; faith is about speaking. (This is where many believers are missing it, they are not speaking…..but continue to work.

Faith is activated when you speak! We believed therefore have we spoken!

The next time you fail, confess, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ.”

You cannot lose Fellowship with God. I used to teach, “You can lose your relationship with God.” Then Scripture corrected me. So I taught, “You cant lose your relationship with God but you can lose fellowship with God.” But Scripture has corrected me again!

1 Corinthians 1:9 (KJV) 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Fellowship: Koinonia in Greek ; Relationship: Koinonia in Greek

Daniel 9:23-24 (KJV) 23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. 24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Jesus’work on the cross is a COMPLETE, PERFECT, and FINISHED work! Amen! You cannot lose your rightstanding with God because it’s based on His perfect work, not your imperfection!

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Supernatural Protection is in righteousness by faith

Isaiah 54:8-10 (KJV) 8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. 9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. 10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.

Isaiah 54:11-17 (KJV) 11 O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. 12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. 13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. 14 In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. 15 Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. 16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. 17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Confess that you are the righteousness of God when life is going horribly wrong!

Confess it when you are sick.

Confess it when you have failed.

Confess it when there is financial trouble.

Confess when the accuser is harassing you.

Channel you faith is the direction that you are the righteousness of God in Christ…….all things shall be added to you!

Good things happen to people who believe they are the righteousness of God in Christ!

We don’t deserve the blessing of Abraham

We are not getting what our own righteousness deserves We are getting what Jesus deserves

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We did nothing right, but Jesus did everything right on our behalf! Grace is the key that opens the door to the blessings of Abraham

Romans 4:1-8 (KJV) 1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

The key is verse 5: Abraham believed the God justifies the ungodly. Put your faith in the unmerited favor of God instead of your works

“Father God, I thank you that in your great plan of love, you want be blessed in every area of my life. Your heart’s desire, according to 3 John 1:2, is for me to prosper and be in health even as my soul prospers. I thank you that my children, marriage, career, and ministry will be blessed with the blessing of Abraham. I know that it comes because it is your promise and not because of my efforts or good works. So Father, in Jesus name, deliver me from performance-oriented Christianity and give me your grace to be established in the righteousness of faith. I confess before you that I am the righteousness of God in Christ. Therefore, every blessing that belongs to the righteous is mine. This is my call. This is my destiny. The devil is under my feet. I am above the evil one because I am in Christ, who is my righteousness. I have everlasting righteousness. T am not righteous today and unrighteous tomorrow. I am righteous forever! The Holy Spirit dwells in me to show me how righteous you have made me. In Jesus name, I declare that I shall reign in life and be an heir of the world. Amen!”

Self-Occupation versus Christ Occupation

1 John 4:17----As Jesus is, so are we in this world.

Ephesians 1:20-23----Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, in a position of authority and power…..far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named…………..so are we!

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Ephesians 2:4-7----we are seated with Christ at the Father’s right hand

What does it mean to be “seated with Christ”?------we are in a position of rest in Jesus’ finished work. To be seated in heavenly places is to 1) rest, 2) to trust in Him, and 3) receive everything Christ has accomplished on our behalf.

(Illustration: when you go out to eat…..an ideal dinner you 1) rest 2) trust that the cook knows what he is doing 3) receive what is brought to you.)

The key to success is sitting in rest, relying upon Christ instead of relying upon our good works or human efforts.

The tactic of the enemy is to get you out of rest and out of reliance upon Christ by looking at yourself and depending on yourself……the result is either pride of depression.

“Am I acceptable to God?” “Am I pleasing to God?” Am I doing what I am supposed to do? Am I giving God my best? Am I loving God with all my heart? Am I? Am I? Am I?

The law makes you self-concious. Grace makes you Jesus conscious! Imagine a child always walking around, “Am I pleasing to mom and dad?” Am I doing

what I am supposed to do?” The child would be emotionally warped! Ephesians 3:17-19 (KJV)

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Your part of the new covenant is to turn away from yourself and turn to Jesus!

What is the benefit of looking at Jesus? ----Matthew 14:22-33. When Peter looked at Jesus, he became like Jesus, and did what Jesus did!

2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV) 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

We are transformed by beholding, not by working. Keeping your eyes on Jesus will cause you to overcome every storm of life! (calm water or stormy weather, walking on water is impractical!)

Matthew 6:33-----Seek His Righteousness (Jesus is the Righteousness)

The Old Covenant of the Law is about you; the New Covenant of the Law is about Jesus! The law puts a demand upon you to perform and makes you self-concious; grace puts the demand upon Jesus and makes you Christ-concious.

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Jesus is the Old Testament concealed; in the NT revealed.

In the Old Testament, God provided manna for the Israelites to eat on a daily basis. Today, Christ is the bread. He is the Bread of Life.

John 6:31-35 (KJV) 31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

We need to eat of the bread of life everyday! We need a fresh revelation of Jesus everyday! (Read is Word with goal to see Christ, listen to messages that teach the finished work, spend time in His presence).

Do the One Thing That is Needful

Luke 10:38-42 (KJV) 38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Martha was frantically running around, in and out of the kitchen getting a meal ready for Jesus

Mary was sitting, resting at the feet of Jesus, beholding him, and hearing his Words.

Martha became so stressed she blamed Jesus and her sister! She was not in a position of rest, but merely doing what any good middle-easterner would do----serve the guest by preparing a meal (It was bad protocol to sit down when a guest came to your home. You didn’t sit down until you fed the guest).

But Jesus said Martha was anxious and troubled about many things. Her service was done out of a works-mentality. Jesus said Mary had” chosen the good part, which would not be taken away from her.”

(Rest is a choice)

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It would be improper for Mary to sit down when her sister was busy working for the guest. But Jesus was not an ordinary guest. He was God in the flesh. And they way you minister to God is to sit down, rest, and receive from Him! Jesus didn’t come to be fed, he came to feed.

This pleased Jesus----not be served, but to receive from him. Mary beheld Jesus. One sister saw Jesus as needing her ministry. The other saw herself needing Jesus!

*The hardest thing for us to do is to sit down! The most challenging thing we can do is to cease from our own efforts and rest completely in Jesus’ unmerited favor.

Martha did many things, but failed to do the one thing!

When you do the one needful thing, resting at Jesus feet and drawing from Him---you will end up doing the right thing at the right time and be found at the right place at the right time.

Ecclesiastes 9:11 (KJV) 11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

In the world’s system, your success is based upon how swift, strong, wise, knowledgeable, and skillful you are. It is based entirely on you and your abilities.

In God’s way, he gives unmerited favor.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (KJV) 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

The foolish and weak don’t remain foolish and weak but they rise above the strong of the world!

God chooses those that are weak in the natural so that no man can boast in his own ability. (no flesh glory in His presence).

Illustration: Moses, when he was strong in Egypt, God could not use Him. When he was a “has-been” in the wilderness, God used Him.

David, a shepherd boy, was used by God to defeat Goliath

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Zechariah 4:10 (KJV) 10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

What us humility? It is when a person is Christ-occupied instead of self-occupied. With the Lord all things are possible, by himself, he cannot have true success. 1 Sam 17:45-47. True humility is to be occupied with Christ, and then you will be filled with courage and boldness to overcome your giant. The battle belongs to the Lord.

Right Place Right Time

Psalm 37:23; Ecc 9:11---happen means “right happening.” Depend upon God to be in the right place at the right time, to have the right happenings in your life. Hebrew word: “Qarah.” First mentioned in Genesis 24:12. :O Lord God of my master, please give me success (Qarah) this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.” Position me in the right place at the right time.

Ruth 2:2-3---“….that I may find favor.” Positioned at the right time in the right place to experience success in all areas.

Romans 5:20, Inter-linear Bible

“The law but slipped in, that might increase the offense, where but increased the sin, superabounded the grace.”

Observations:

1. The law was never the primary intention of the Father.

The word “slipped in” indicates to come in “by stealth” or to “come alongside.” The law came in with man’s rejection of relationship with the Father as man boasted of his ability and self-efforts. Relationship was God’s original intention not a religion.

2. The law increases the propensity to sin.

The law slipped in and the result was the increase of sin. The law shows man’s inability to keep God’s standards through his human strength.

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3. There will always be a greater build-up of grace than the accumulation of sin. If you can see sin, you can be sure that grace is working.

Great revivals occur where sin abounds.

Great awakenings happen where people know they are in need.

*Matthew 11:20

The place of your greatest struggle is often the place where God gives you your greatest victory.

1 Corinthians 15:54-58 (KJV) 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Victory (Nike in Greek) meaning “longevity, endurance, and perseverance.” God’s grace will always outlast sin.

Heb 11:2525 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

Sin is temporal; grace is eternal.

Problems are temporal; grace is eternal.

Failure is temporal; grace is eternal.

Sin cannot outlast grace. Death cannot outlast grace. Sickness cannot outlast grace! Trials and tribulations cannot outlast grace!

1 Peter 5:1010 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

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Fig-Leaf religion: Adam and Eve covered themselves in fig leaves, the first man made attempt to cover himself, and clothe himself in self-righteousness. The fig leaves are a sign of a bloodless religion. Man made religion is established on man’s performance to be right with God. But when God covered Adam and Eve, He slew an animal---the first blood sacrifice. Redemption is in the blood. Forgiveness is in the blood. You can either live life attempting to cover yourself with the threads of self-efforts and human performance-----or you can allow God to cover you in the robes of righteousness through the blood of Jesus!

Where is grace first mentioned in the Bible. This is important because there is a law of first mention. The first time something is mentioned in Scripture carries great significance. The first time grace is mentioned is in Genesis 6:8, “Noah found grace in the sight of the Lord.” In the midst of horrific sin and iniquity, Noah found favor from God. But there must be something of greater significance here. The name Noah means “rest.” The way you attract more grace is to rest in God, to rest in the finished work of Christ.

There are levels of grace. There can be more or less grace in your life. You can increase in grace.

Luke 1:28 (KJV) 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured (graced), the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Luke 2:52 (KJV) 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour (grace) with God and man.

(Also note, if Jesus had grace, then grace is something that is needed for more than just the solution to sin for Jesus never sinned).

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How does one increase in grace? How do you go from low grace to like Mary, highly graced? The answer is in Genesis 6:8. Noah “rest” found grace. Rest attracts the grace of God.

Leviticus 25: God told the nation of Israel to take one year off out of seven. For sixth years work the land, but on the seventh year, take the year off……you rest, and the lands rests……………this was under the original covenant, a shadow of better things to come in Christ. God established rest. Rest is a spirit-inspired activity.

Fluctuating Faith and Steady Grace: Fluctuating faith mixed with steady grace will bring God’s promises to pass (Genesis 18:12-15). Our focus should be on his steady grace not our fluctuating faith (2 Timothy 2:13). Faith is merely a good opinion about God and what he promises you.

The Grace Revolution: A very important change in the way people think so that it is much better.

We shouldn’t need a platform to feel significant---our significance should be solely in God’s love for us. If we are satisfied in God’s love for us, than it is safe for God to give us a bigger platform, a greater influence.

Find out where your grace is. Your success is in your grace. There are two indictments against the church: 1) foolish 2) slow of heart to believe (But

Jesus expounded upon himself……Road of Emmaus). Luke 18:18-23-----Rich young ruler approached Jesus based upon the law and self-

efforts---the end result was he was sorrowful and stingy. The Law will make you sorrowful and stingy, and even when you do give, it will be out of obligation and without cheerfulness! When you make your boast in self-efforts, there will always be at least one thing you are lacking. He did not have an encounter with Jesus in His Grace because he was focused on what he had done and what he needed to do. Therefore, he didn’t follow Jesus, he followed a religion.

Luke 19:1-10-----Zacchaeus, wealth publican; a leader of tax collectors who was very rich. He was wealthy like the young rich young ruler. But the difference between Zach and the young ruler was Zach didn’t come to Jesus on the basis of the law, he simply wanted to see Jesus, he wanted a revelation of Jesus! The Greek tense shows, he kept on seeking to see Jesus, he was passionate and persistent in seeing Jesus. But he couldn’t see Jesus because the crowd was in his way. Many of us have wanted a revelation of Jesus, but we couldn’t because religion is too crowded with many obstructions. You come to church to help you get a vision of Jesus, but you get bogged down in programs, gimmicks, works, rules, politics, people……and you see everything and everyone else but Jesus. But Zach ran ahead of the crowd. He climbed a sycamore tree, very low trunk but branches that extend 40 to 50 feet high. The leaves of the sycamore tree are in the shape of a heart. Jesus was eager to come to his house, in fact invited himself to his house. Zach’s humility and desire to see Jesus resulted in a commanded blessing “Come down, for today I must abide at your house.” Jesus commanded, “I’m coming to your house! I must be there!” And when Jesus came to Zacchaeus’ house, he came with all the blessing and revelation and brought it to his house! Luke 19:6 (KJV) 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. What a stark contrast between

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this wealthy man, and the wealthy young ruler. The rich young ruler walked away sorrowful, but Zacchaeus received Jesus joyfully. “The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” The young ruler walked away carrying the heavy burden of the law; Zach received the Person of Jesus Christ!

Luke 19:7 (KJV) 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

Interlinear: “With a sinful man he has gone to lodge.” (Prophetic statement!).

Jesus shows Zach grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Zach receives Jesus. What is the result? He is so excited, so thrilled, so filled with love and joy…………..he says he is going to give half of his possessions to the poor. He is under no obligation give but the grace of Jesus gives you the best and brings the best out of you! He then makes 4fold restitution to people he has stolen from. This is the kind of thing that happens when you see Jesus, you encounter Jesus, and you experience Grace!

Grace: “Love that goes upward is worship; love that goes outward is affection; love that stoops is grace.” To show grace is to extend favor and kindness to one who doesn’t deserve it and can never earn it.”

Imagine going to a friend’s house for dinner, then saying, “How much do I owe you?” Then why do people feel they can pay God back for what he has given?

Jesus shows grace on woman taken in adultery. Jesus shows grace when being accused and reprimanded by Martha and Mary (John

11:21…….we can be transparent with the Father (garden of eden). C Edward Jones, prominent painter in the 1800’s. Painted a wall for his granddaughter to

look at when punished. 4 things happen when you grow in grace: 1) Begin to appreciate God’s gifts to you and

others, 2) spend less time critical and concerned about others choices, 3) become more tolerant and less judgmental, 4) You begin to mature and worlds of opportunity open to you.

What is the most dangerous heresy on earth? Humanism. Been around since the Garden of Eden.

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