June 7-8, 2003         GOD’S SECURITY SYSTEM! Psalm 84:11

THE CODE WORD FOR SECURITY!

l THE CODE WORD FOR SECURITY IS GRACE!

*** Psalm 84:11 “For the Lord God is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory.”

[New Living Translation]

*** Psalm 145:8 “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.”

[New International Version]

l What is GRACE?

GOD GIVING ME WHAT I NEED, NOT WHAT I DESERVE!

GOD’S RICHES AT CHRIST’S EXPENSE!

! Mercy - not getting what we do deserve – hell!

! Grace - getting what we don't deserve – Heaven!

HOW TO BE SECURE IN YOUR SALVATION!

GOD’S GIFT TO ME!

*** Romans 3:24 “People are made right with God by his grace, which is a free gift. They are made right with God by being made free from sin through Jesus Christ.” [International Children’s Bible]

! YOU CAN SUMMARIZE ALL OTHER BELIEF SYSTEMS BY ONE WORD – DO! YOU CAN SUMMARIZE CHRIST’S TEACHING BY ONE WORD – DONE!

*** Acts 16:30-34 “What must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Have faith in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved! This is also true for everyone who lives in your home." Then Paul and Silas told him and everyone else in his house about the Lord. Then he and everyone in his home were baptized. They were very glad that they had put their faith in God.”

[Contemporary English Version]

*** 2 Cor. 9:15 (NIV) “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

RECEIVED BY FAITH!

*** Ephes. 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast.” [NIV]

!FAITH IS THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS HEAVEN’S DOOR!

*** Romans 4:16a “So people receive God's promise by having faith. This happens so the promise can be a free gift.” [New Century Version]

! MY SALVATION ISN’T BASED ON MY PERFORMANCE BUT ON GOD’S PROMISE!

! MY SALVATION ISN’T BASED ON MY GOODNESS, BUT ON GOD’S GRACE!

*** 2 Samuel 9:11 “So Mephibosheth ate at David's table like one of the king's sons.”

*** Luke 15:20-24 “When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: 'Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.' "But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, 'Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!' And they began to have a wonderful time.” [Message]

AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE!

*** Romans 4:16 “So people receive God's promise by having faith. This happens so the promise can be a free gift. It is not only for those who live under the law of Moses but for anyone who lives with faith like that of Abraham….” [New Century Version]

*** Romans 10:13 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." [NIV]

*** 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT) “The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.”

COMES THROUGH BEING IN CHRIST!

*** John 1:17 “The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” [NCV]

! GRACE IS FREE BUT IT IS NOT CHEAP!

*** Romans 5:15 “Many people received God's gift of life by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ.” [NCV]

*** Galatians 2:21 “By saying these things I am not going against God's grace. Just the opposite, if the law could make us right with God, then Christ's death would be useless.”

! YOU ARE EITHER GOING TO HEAVEN IN CHRIST OR YOU ARE NOT GOING!

EXTENDED THROUGHOUT ETERNITY

*** Romans 6:23 (NLT) “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

! GRACE IS THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING!

l A PLACE OF REUNION!

l A PLACE OF REWARD!

l A PLACE OF REASSIGNMENT!

l A PLACE OF RELEASE!

*** Acts 2:36-38 (NCV) "So, all the people of Israel should know this truly: God has made Jesus—the man you nailed to the cross—both Lord and Christ." When the people heard this, they felt guilty and asked Peter and the other apostles, "What shall we do?" Peter said to them, "Change your hearts and lives and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

TWO CHOICES:

!FOCUS ON YOUR SIN – GUILT! OR

!FOCUS ON YOUR SAVIOR – GRACE!

Proverbs 12:3 “Wickedness does not give security,

but righteous people stand firm.” [Today’s English Version]