Preached by Pastor Mike Hess Sunday morning 03/21/2010.
Living by Grace
James 4:7-10
Introduction:
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:25-26
I. Submission (James 4:7)
“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” Romans 6:22
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:13
The weapons (or resources) God gives to you to combat Satan:
truth, faith, righteousness, salvation, peace, the Word of God (Eph. 6:10-17)
II. Closeness (James 4:8)
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13
“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
Psalm 145:18
“My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD: my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.” Psalm 84:2
“Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.” Psalm 24:3-4
III. Grief Over Our sin (James 4:9)
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51:17
“There is a vital connection between soul-distress and sound doctrine. Sovereign grace is dear to those who have groaned deeply because they see what grievous sinners they are.” Charles Spurgeon
IV. Humility Before God (James 4:10)
“But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:2b
“There is only one thing I know of that crushes me to the ground and humiliates me to the dust, and that is to look at the Son of God, and especially contemplate the cross.” Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Application:
1. Identify what it is that is keeping you from getting close to God – schedule, certain people or misplaced priorities.
2. Think of when the last time was that you sincerely grieved or even wept over sin in your life.
3. God always has unique ways of humbling us. Be certain that at this very moment you are depending completely upon His grace and mercy in Christ.
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