GRACE TO THE HUMBLE

James 4:6 …..Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

1. THE LORD HATES PRIDE

a. Pride is an abomination to the Lord – Prov 6:16-17, 16:5

b. Pride was Satans sin – Isa 14:12-15, Eze 28:11-19,

c. Many proverbs on pride – 8:13, 11:2, 16:18-19, 18:12.

2. GRACE TO THE HUMBLE…… JUDGEMENT TO THE PRIDEFUL

a. Pride leads to disobedience – Lev 26:14-20 – Humility to repentance – vs 40-42.

b. “He humbled himself” – 1Kings 21:29, 2Kings 22:19, 2Chron 12:1-12, 30:11,20, 2Chron 32:26,

c. Judgement of the prideful – 2Chron 33:20-25, Eze 16:49-50, Dan 4:29-33, Dan 5:18-33.

d. The popular verse many wrongly apply to America - 2Chron 7:14.

e. James 4:6, 1Peter 5:5-6 – Psalms 138:6, Prov 3:34, Matt 23:10-12, Luke 18:9-14.

3. GRACE TO YOU

a. The word grace appears in more verses in Paul’s epistles than the rest of the scriptures. And never does he’s say it is only to the humble.

b. Grace to you – Rom 1:7, 2Cor 1:2, Eph 1:2, 2Tim 1:2.

c. There comes a basic understanding one will have humility if they are to place their faith in the gospel – 1Cor 15:1-4, Rom 4:24-25, Rom 3:10,23.

d. It is Christ who gives grace, and who has made us accepted – Eph 1:6-7, 2:5-9.

e. Christ humbled himself for us – Phil 2:5-9, 2Cor 5:21.

f. Exceeding abundant grace – 1Tim 1:11-16, Rom 5:15,20-21,

A NEVER CHANGING GOD, OPERATING ACCORDING TO HIS WILL.

Ephesians 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

1. GOD CHANGES WHAT HE DOES ACCORDING TO HIS WILL

a. For one to deny dispensationalism on the claim that God does not change is to be ignorant of the scripture – Gen 2:1-3, Gen 12:1-3, Luke 2:5-7, Act 1:9, Acts 2:1-4, 1Cor 13:8, Rev 6:16-17, 21:1-5.

b. If God is changing operations according to his will then He will give different instructions at different times – Heb 1:1.

c. Compare the following verses – Isa 2:4 – Joel 3:10, Gen 3:17-19 – Rev 22:3, Matt 6:14-15 – Eph 4:32, John 4:22 – Col 3:11, Luke 9:1-3 – Luke 22:35-36

2. GOD REVEALED HIS PLAN OVER TIME

a. Gods plan had been purposed since the foundation of the world – Eph 1:3-11

b. Israel was called to bring salvation to the world – Exo 19:5-6, Duet 5:2-4, 14:2, Isa 11:1-10, 46:13, 61:6, 62, Zech 8:20-23, Jer 31:31-34, Eze 36:24-36, Acts 3:19-26, Heb 8:8-13, 9:28,1Peter 2:9-12, Rev 1:5-6, 5:8-10, 21.

c. The Body of Christ was called to a heavenly position – Eph 1:3, 2:6, 3:1-11, Phil 3:20-21, 1Thess 4:16-17, 2Tim 4:1

d. Because you have these two institution by God you will see differences in instructions to both - Rom 4:5, Eph 2:8-9 – James 2:24, Rom 6:14 – Duet 17:18-19, Matt 23:1-2, 1Cor 15:1-4, Gal 1:8-9 – Mark 1:14-15, Luke 9:1-6, Rev 14:6-7 – You need to know to which one you belong.

e. The revelation given to Paul explains how God can be righteous and true and show grace and love to sinners, with no covenant, and yet remain just – Rom 3:21-26, 2Cor 5:18-21, Rom 5, 8:38-39, Eph 2, 1Tim 1:11-17 – David only knew that one was blessed – Psalm 32:1

f. Why did God not reveal grace earlier? – Gal 3:16-29, Rom 1-4, 11:25-36 - Because God is righteous, just, & true.

g. Why does God no longer intervene with miracles? – 1Cor 13:8-13, Eph 4:11-16, Col 1:25, 1Thess 2:13, 2Tim 3:16-17.

h. Gods operation changes according to his will, but his character never does.

A NEVER CHANGING GOD

Malachi 3:6 - For I am the LORD, I change not;

THE LORD DOES NOT CHANGE

a. God is:

• Righteous – Ezra 9:15, Psalm 7:9, 48:10, 50:6, Isa 41:8-10, Dan 9:14,Heb 1:8-9, 1John 2:1, Rev 16:5-7.

• Loving – Duet 23:3-5, 1Kings 10:8, Psalm 36:7, Jer 9:25, John 3:16, 1John 4:16, Jude 1:21

• True – 2Sam 7:28, Jer 10:10, John 17:3, 1John 5:20, Rev 15:3

• Just – Duet 32:4, 2Sam 23:2-3, Job 4:17, Isa 45:18-22, Zech 9:9, Matt 27:19,24, Acts 7:52, Rev 15:3.

• Gracious – Gen 6:8, 33:10, Exo 22:26-27, Ezra 9:8, Neh 9:17,31, Psalm 86:15, 103:8, 116:5, Jonah 4:2, John 1:14z

b. God changes what he does, but does not change who he is.

c. The issue is with man – Neh 9:33, Rom 3:23,

d. Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8 are speaking to the character of God, who he is. These verses are often used to refute dispensationalism but they are not referring to Gods operation.

e. God is consistent throughout the scriptures - He judges evil, and blesses righteousness

f. He is true to his covenant and promises and always forewarns of coming judgement – Lev 26, Jude

1:14, 1Pet 3:20. Jonah 3, Revelation, Matt 24, Joel, Isa 66:15-16.

f. Gods operation changes according to his will, but his character never does.

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (not instructions for this age)

2 Corinthians 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

1. THE CONTEXT OF THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

a. Matthew 4:17 – Jesus begins his ministry preaching the kingdom of heaven at hand.

b. Matthew 4:23-24 – Jesus preached the gospel of the Kingdom and heals the sick – Isa 33:20-24, Luke 10:9.

c. Matthew 4:25 – His ministry was to Israel – Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, Jordan = Israel.

d. Matthew 5:1 – Addressed to his disciples.

e. Kingdom mentioned 9 times in Matthew 5-7.

2. MATTHEW 5-7

a.Matt 5:3-11 – The Beatitudes – Blessing based on actions – Duet 11:26-28. We are blessed in Christ by faith – Rom 4:5-8, Eph 1:3

i. Matt 5:5 – A quote from Psalms 37:11 – Israel is promised to Ewing over the earth in Jerusalem.

ii. Members of the Body of Christ are promised a position in heavenly places – Eph 2:6, 1Thess 4:17-18.

b. Matt 5:14 - The light of Israel was the Law (vs 16) - Psalm 119:105-106, Isa 2:3, 60:3. We today shine as light not by keeping the law or good works but by proclaiming the word of life – Phil 2:15-16, 2Cor 4:4-6.

c. Matt 5:17-20 – You must keep the law and exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees to enter the kingdom of heaven. Today we are not under the law – Rom 6:14, Gal 4:9.

i. Jesus teaches true righteousness – Matt 5:21-48

ii. Paul teaches righteousness without the law, we need Christ righteousness – Rom 3:21-26, 4:22-25, 5:17-19.

d. Matt 6:14-15 – Your forgiveness is based on how you forgive. Today we are forgiven through the blood of Christ – Eph 1:7, 4:32.

e. Matt 6:25-34 – Seek the kingdom of God and all your needs will be met. Today if you don’t work you don’t eat – 2Thess 3:10-12, 1Tim 5:8.

i. This teaching of God miraculously providing your needs is tied to the kingdom/tribulation time period.

ii. Just as God had once provided for Israel he would do so again – Exo 16:14-15, Matt 14:15-20, Rev 12:14

iii. This is why the disciples could sell all they had, quit their jobs (literally) because the kingdom was “at hand”. This is not the case today, if someone sells all they have to do ministry they will be asking others to give them money (just like every missionary) – Matt 13:44, Luke 18:22, Luke 12:22-34

f. Matt 7:7-11 – This is a teaching for the kingdom/tribulation age, and has to to with those who “seek God” and “ abide in him” – John 15:7, Jer 29:11-13, Psalm 145:17-20. Today we know not what we aught to pray for (Rom 8:26) and when we make supplication to the Lord all we are promised is peace (Phil 4:6-7)

g. Matt 7:15-20 – You will know false prophets by their fruits is a teaching under the law – Matt 3:10, John 15:1-14, 1John 2:3-8. Today we know a false prophet by what they say – Act 20:29-31, Gal 1:6-9, 2Tim 2:16-19,

3. SPIRITUAL APPLICATION

a. We can learn what is righteous from this sermon as the Law shows is right from wrong – Rom 7:12, 1Tim 1:8.

b. We should seek the Lord first knowing that we can know his will today by studying the word rightly divided – Col 3:1-3.

c. When you are stablished in the word you too can be likened to one who built his house on a rock – Rom 16:25, Col 2:7.

MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM

Matthew 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

1. DON’T GET CAUGHT UP ON WORDS

a. Many people believe this is where Jesus starts to reveal the dispensation of grace and the mystery Body of Christ….. this is not the case.

b. There are more than one mystery in the scripture – Duet 29:29, Matt 13:11, Rom 11:25, 1Cor 15:51, Eph 3:3-4, 1Cor 4:1.

c. In Matthew 13:11 it’s clear what the mysteries Jesus is revealing to his apostles is about – Matt 13:11, Mark 4:11, Luke 8:10.

d. The mysteries can be categorized in two categories – 1) Mysteries concerning Israel and their kingdom. 2) Mysteries concerning the Body of Christ.

2. CONTEXT OF MATTHEW 13

a. Jesus is speaking in parable because it was not for the unbelieving Jews to know the mysteries – Matt 13:10-16, 34-35,

b. A parable is meant to keep people from knowing the meaning – Isa 6:8-10, Eze 17:1-2,24:3,

c. The parables in Matthew 13 are not about this present age, they are about the “kingdom of heaven” – vs 11,24,31,33,44,45,47,52

d. There were things the prophets prophesied but did not understand – Matt 13:17, 1Peter 1:9-13 – There are prophesies about the suffering servant (Isaiah 53) and the glorious king and righteous judge – Zech 14 – these are prophesied together in Isaiah 61:1-2 but what was a mystery is that there was a gap -Luke 4:17-21 – Jesus rightly divided these 2 advents – Luke 24:44-49, 1Peter 1:11.

e. The Parable of the sower is explained by Jesus to his disciples – vs 18-23

I. Three unfruitful seeds - one fruitful – John, Jesus, the apostles ministries were all rejected – the 144,000 Jews bear fruit – Rev 14:2-5

II. Those that bear fruit get in the kingdom, the unfruitful do not – Matt 3:8-10, 7:16-20, John 15:4 – Today we know one is saved by what their faith is in, not their fruit.

3. ITS CLEAR THAT MATTHEW 13 DOES NOT CONTAIN THE MYSTERY OF THIS PRESENT AGE

a. Matt 13:35 – “From” the foundation of the world is different than “before” the foundation of the world – 1Cor 2:7, 2Tim 1:9. Compare Acts 3:21 and Rom 16:25

b. Matt 13:51 – The disciple clearly understood what Jesus was teaching from these parables in this chapter – Mark 4:34.

c. Matt 16 comes after Matt 13 and it’s in Matt 16:21 where Jesus “begins” to tell his disciples he was going to die and they don’t believe it – Peter rebukes the Lord – Matt 16:21-23

d. Luke 18:31-34 – It was hid from them – Cf 2Corinthians 4:3-4

e. This age of grace and the mystery of the gospel and Body of Christ was revealed “first” to Paul – 1Tim 1:16, Eph 3:1-5, Col 1:25-27, 1Cor 2:6-8, Rom 16:25-26.

f. Jesus came to minister to the Circumcision not reveal usher in this present age – Rom 15:8, Matt 15:24

THE DISCIPLES PRAYER? (not ours)

Matt 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

1. Some important points to make

a. Jesus never prayed this prayer – “ye” Matt 6:9, Luke 11:2. Matt 6:12, Luke 11:4 – Jesus never sinned.

b. Repeating this prayer time and time again is contrary to what Jesus had just taught – Matt 6:7

c. This prayer is not for the Body of Christ in the dispensation of grace, but for Israel when they go through the tribulation.

2. MATTHEW 6:9-13

a. Mt 6:9 – Our Father” – In the context the “our” is referenced to Israel – Exo 4:22-23, Duet 32:6, 1Chron 29:10, Isa 63:16, Matt 15:26.

i. “Hallowed be thy name” – Israel bore the name of God – Exo 5:1, Eze 36:21-22.

b. Mt 6:10 – To pray for the kingdom of God today is to pray for Gods wrath to come in this age of grace – Zeph 1:14-18, Rev 6:16-17, 21:2.

i. The disciples preached the kingdom at hand – Matt 10:5-7.

ii. The Body of Christ will not see that day of wrath – Rom 5;9, 1Thess 1:10, 5:9

c. Mt 6:11 – No one today prays this with sincerity when they have biscuits, wheat thins, loaves of bread in their pantry.

i. Israel needed daily bread before - Exo 16:15-21 - and will again – Mic 7:14-15, Rev 12:13-14

ii. The Body of Christ instructions – 2Thess 3:10-12

d. Mt 6:12 – This is conditional/covenant forgiveness. Not how we receive forgiveness from God today.

i. Under the Law Israel received forgiveness by having faith that God would forgive based on them performing what he said to do – Lev 5:5-6, 6:6-7, 2Chron 7:14, 1John 1:9, Matt 6:12,14-15.

ii. Members of the Body of Christ receive forgiveness by faith in the cross work of Christ – Eph 1:7, Col 2:13. – Cf Matt 6:14-15 with Eph 4:32.

e. Mt 6:13 – Temptation = trial – James 1:12-13 – God will lead Israel away from evil – Luke 22:28-29, Rev 3:10, Rev 12:12-16.

f. If this prayer is a model for us as members of the Body of Christ to follow today, why did Paul write this verse – Rom 8:26?

THE HUMANITY OF CHRIST

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

1. The two natures of Christ

a. Jesus is a person of the Godhead, He is God – Col 2:9, Rev1:11,17, Isa 44:6

b. Jesus became man, he added humanity but did not subtract deity – John 1:1-3,10,14, Heb 7:24.

c. Fully God and fully man, not half/half.

2. The nature of man (originally)

a. Man was created in the image of God – Gen 1:26-27

b. Formed from the dust of the ground (made flesh) – Gen 2:7

c. Man is Spirit, soul, & body – 1Thess 5:23, Heb 4:12

d. Man was created to have dominion & life – Gen 1:28-30, Gen 3:22-24.

e. Man can be holy – Lev 19:2. Have knowledge – 1John 2:20, 1Cor 13:2.

f. Sin corrupted and changed man – Gen 2:17, 5:3, Rom 5:12, Rom 1:20-25.

3. Jesus human nature

a. Jesus is God, but he is also man – 1Tim 2:5, 1John 4:1-3, 2Cor 5:16

b. Being human meant he put on flesh and blood, not sin or flaws – John 6:54, Phil 2:5-7, Heb 4:15.

c. He was made of a woman – Isa 7:14, 9:6, Gal 4:4, Matt 1:1,16-25.

d. His humanity displayed – He hungered – Matt 21:18, Luke 4:2. He slept – Matt8:23-24. He cried – John 11:35. He bled – John 19:34. He died – John 19:30-33.

e. Jesus had Spirit and body – Luke 24:36-43. Luke 23:46, Ecc 12:7.

f. As a man he was not required to sin or die – Heb 4:15, 2Cor 5:21, John 10:17-18.

g. His humanity does not diminish, abandon, remove, or give up his deity – Much like a clothes designer is not dependent on the clothes they make if they wear them.

4. Why Jesus needed to be man

a. To be a proper mediator – Heb 2:9-18, 1Tim 2:5. A mediator represents both sides - Gal 3:20

b. To manifest God to man – 1Tim 3:16, John 1:18, 14:1, Col 1:15.

c. To sit on David’s throne – 2Sam 7:12-16, Luke 1:32-33, Acts 2:29-30, 2Tim 2:8.

d. To be preeminent in all things – Col 1:16-18

e. To reconcile all things to himself – Col 1:20, Rom 8:19-23

f. To be a sufficient substitute – Heb 2:9, 1Cor 15:21-22

DEALING WITH DIFFICULT VERSES ON THE DEITY OF CHRIST

Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

1. THE TWO NATURES OF CHRIST

a. He has the nature of God – Not created, eternal, spiritual – John 17:5, 1Tim 1:17

b. He has the nature of man – Created, flesh and blood, earthy – Luke 2:6-7, John 19:28.

c. When you fail to understand the two natures of Christ you will be easily confused on this issue.

d. Letting the Word of God be true does not mean we understand everything it says.

2. Problem verses

a. Heb 1:5 – Not said about Jesus birth but his resurrection – Psalm 2:7 - Heb 5:5, Acts 13:33, Rom 1:4. This passage has to do with Jesus being the King that would sit in David’s throne – It also speaks of Jesus having a higher name than the angels or humanity “Son of God”.

b. John 5:19 – In context it has to do with Jesus coming here to do the will of the father – Vs 18,

23,26,30 – Not that Jesus didn’t have power.

c. Matt 27:46 – Jesus quoting Psalm 22:1 - It’s possible Jesus quoted this whole psalm while on the cross – John 19:28 – Psalm 22:15. John 19:30 – Psalm 22:31 – Did God turn his back on Jesus? – John 20:27-28

d. Mark 13:32 – Two explanations.

1. Jesus was a man, and as man he did not know the day and hour but as God he did – Luke 2:52 – He learned things as a man – See verse 33 and context is for them to watch – 34-37

2. Could mean that it was not given for Angels or the Son to make known as Paul uses it in 1Cor 2:2

e. Col 1:15 – Firstborn of the dead – vs 18.

f. John 14:28 – The Lord was not inferior in His essential being or power but in office – Vs 9-11, 10:30 – 1Cor 15:27, Phil 2:9-11

THE DEITY OF CHRIST & WHY IT MATTERS

1. IT’S REVEALED IN THE SCRIPTURE

a. We are to believe the scriptures – Rom 10:17, 2Tim 2:15, 2Tim 3:16-17, 2Pet 1:20-21.

b. Last week we showed clearly the scriptural support for the Trinity – 1John 5:7, John 1:1-3

c. The Trinity requires faith in the scriptures

2. CHRIST HAS TO BE GOD TO SAVE YOU FROM YOUR SIN

a. There is one God – Duet 6:4, Isa 45:5

b. Salvation comes from God alone – Isa 45:17-25, Jer 3:23, Psalm 3:7 but ….. Act 4:12

c. God is a jealous God – Exo 20:4-6, 34:14, Duet 4:24 but…… Matt 14:33, John 11:25-26, John 14:1, Tit 2:13-14, 1Tim 1:16.

d. It is clear that salvation comes from God alone and that salvation is found in Jesus Christ. To deny that Jesus is God is to deny Gods salvation.

3. THE DEITY OF CHRIST

a. Christ equal with God – Phil 2:6, John 10:30

b. Christ the creator of “all things” not “all other things” – Col 1:16

c. God never changes Mal 3:6 – Heb 13:8

d. The nature of God – Eternal, immutable – Mal 3:6, James 1:17, Omnipresent – 1Kings 8:27, Psalms 139:7-12, Potent – Isa 46:10-11, 48:3, Creator – Genesis 1:1, Psalms 90:2, Isa 44:24.

e. Jesus divine attributes – Eternal, immutable – John 8:58, Heb 13:8, Omnipresent – Matt 18:20, Omniscient – John 16:30, 21:17, Potent – 1Tim 6:13-16, Creator – Heb 1:2-3, Col 1:16

f. If Jesus is not God his death is no greater than the greatest man.

g. His resurrection could not happen without deity – John 10:17-18, 20:27-31.

SCRIPTURES SHOWING THE TRINITY

1. IN THE OT

a. Notice the plural pronouns – Gen 1:26, 3:22, 11:7, Isa 6:8

b. Christ in the OT – John 1:18, John 6:46, 1John 4:12, Exo 33:20-23….. But – Gen 12:7, 17:1-3, 18.

26:2, 24, 1Sam 3:21, 1Kings 3:5, 9:2, 11:9 – 2Cor 4:4, Col 1:15, Heb 1:3

c. “The angel of the Lord” seems to be God himself in several passages – Gen 16:7-11 cf Gen

17:19:20, Gen 22:10-12, Exo 3:1-4 cf 3:16….. but – Luke 1:11,18-19, Matt 2:13, 28:2. (Context)

d. The Spirit seen in the OT – Gen 1:2, Exo 31:3, Neh 9:20,30, Judges 13:24-25, Psalm 51:11.

2. IN THE NT

a. “God made flesh” – John 1:1-3,14, 1Tim 3:16, Luke 1:35, Matt 1:23.

b. Three in one – Matt 28:19, John 15:26, 1John 5:7, 2Cor 13:14, Rom 8:9

c. Jews understood Jesus said he was God – John 10:24-31

3. CROSS REFERENCES

a. God raised Jesus – Acts 2:24, Rom 10:9, 2Cor 4:14 – John 2:18-22.

b. Duet 6:4 – 1Cor 8:6

c. Genesis 1:1 - John 1:3, Col 1:16

d. Psalms 78:4,15,20 – 1Cor 10:4

e. Exo 3:14 – John 8:58

f. Isa 45:21-23 – Phil 2:10-11

g. Isa 44:6 – Rev 1:11,17

h. Isaiah 9:6, Isa 7:24 – Luke 2:11