Empowered by Grace: Faith, Joy, and Obedience
Summary
In our journey through the Word of God, we have come to understand that grace is the unmerited favor of God. However, once we are born again and become part of the family of God, this favor becomes merited because we are His children. This morning, I want to delve deeper into the connection between grace and faith. Grace is not just a blanket term; it is specific and multifaceted, covering various aspects of our lives, from marriage to ministry, from child-rearing to missionary work. Each of these areas has a specific grace attached to it.
We have the freedom in Christ to believe as we choose, to fellowship where we desire, and to draw upon the grace that covers the ministry we are a part of. I recall my own journey, where I was introduced to the teachings of Kenneth E. Hagin and how they transformed my understanding of faith. Despite opposition from some within the church, I chose to embrace these teachings, and they have borne fruit in my life and ministry.
The Word of God is clear that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Yet, time can erode our expectancy, our hope. We must not allow the consideration of time to rob us of the faith that the Word of God has produced in us. Abraham is our example in this. He waited 25 years for the promise of a son to be fulfilled, yet he did not waver in his faith. He continued to give glory to God, and in doing so, he accessed a specific dimension of grace that sustained him.
We, too, have access to this grace through faith. We stand in it and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Joy is a key component of our strength in the Lord, and it manifests in singing, dancing, and laughter. Even when we face trials, we must count it all joy and maintain our joy through faith.
Our words have power, and we must speak the Word of God to our situations. We must thank God and praise Him, for in doing so, we will receive divine instruction that will lead us to our breakthrough. We must be obedient to the instructions God gives us, even if they seem unusual or difficult.
As we continue to stand in faith, we must not let the enemy steal our hope. We must keep our anchor firm, rejoicing in hope, and maintaining our confession of faith. We must be diligent to meditate on the Word, allowing it to transform from logos to rhema in our hearts, producing the faith we need to see God's promises fulfilled in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Grace, once a general favor, becomes specific and accessible to us as believers. We must recognize and draw upon the grace for the particular area of our lives we are trusting God in. This grace empowers us to stand firm in faith, regardless of the time it takes for the manifestation of God's promises. [15:13
- Abraham's unwavering faith over 25 years is a testament to the sustaining power of grace. He did not consider the natural impossibility of his situation but focused on the promise of God. We too must learn to look beyond our circumstances and hold fast to the promises of God, giving Him glory and accessing the grace that upholds our faith. [35:32
- Joy is not just an emotion; it is a spiritual force that strengthens us. It is manifested through singing, dancing, and laughter, and it is rooted in the reality of what God has done for us in Christ Jesus. Even in the midst of trials, joy is a spiritual connection to God that we must express by faith. [40:56
- Our confession aligns us with the Word of God. We must speak life and truth to our situations, using the authority of the Word to reinforce our faith. This confession is not just wishful thinking; it is a declaration of the reality of God's promises over our lives. [51:45
- Obedience to divine instruction is critical in the journey of faith. When God gives us a directive, it is often the key to our breakthrough. We must be willing to act on His instructions, even if they challenge our understanding or comfort, trusting that He enables us to do what He asks of us. [54:16
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 4:16-21
2. Romans 5:1-2
3. Nehemiah 8:10
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 4:20, what was Abraham's response to God's promise, and how did it affect his faith? [23:52]
2. In Romans 5:2, what does Paul say we have access to by faith, and how should we respond to this access? [25:55]
3. How does Nehemiah 8:10 describe the relationship between joy and strength? [28:17]
4. What specific examples of grace in different areas of life were mentioned in the sermon? [26:44]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How did Abraham's unwavering faith over 25 years serve as a testament to the sustaining power of grace? What can we learn from his example? [35:32]
2. The sermon mentioned that joy is a spiritual force that strengthens us. How can joy be manifested in our lives, especially during trials? [40:56]
3. The pastor emphasized the power of our words and confession. How does speaking the Word of God to our situations reinforce our faith? [51:45]
4. Why is obedience to divine instruction critical in the journey of faith, and how can it lead to breakthroughs? [54:16]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to wait for a promise from God. How did you maintain your faith during that period, and what specific actions helped you stay encouraged? [35:32]
2. Joy is described as a spiritual force that manifests through singing, dancing, and laughter. How can you incorporate these expressions of joy into your daily life, especially when facing challenges? [40:56]
3. Think about a situation in your life that needs change. What specific scriptures can you speak over this situation to align your confession with the Word of God? [51:45]
4. Have you ever received a divine instruction that seemed unusual or difficult? How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can you be more open to following God's instructions in the future? [54:16]
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of not letting the enemy steal our hope. What practical steps can you take to keep your hope and expectancy alive, even when the manifestation of God's promises seems delayed? [33:59]
6. Identify an area in your life where you need to draw upon God's specific grace. How can you actively seek and stand in that grace through faith? [26:44]
7. The pastor mentioned the importance of meditating on the Word until it transforms from logos to rhema in our hearts. What is one scripture you can meditate on this week, and how will you incorporate it into your daily routine? [59:08]
Devotional
Day 1: Grace Tailored for Life's Journey
Grace is not a one-size-fits-all garment; it is intricately tailored to fit the contours of every believer's life. Recognizing and drawing upon the specific grace for each area of life is essential. Whether facing challenges in marriage, ministry, child-rearing, or missionary work, there is a grace designed to empower and sustain. This grace is not a passive covering but an active force that enables believers to stand firm in faith, no matter how long it takes for God's promises to manifest. It is a divine enablement that turns the impossible into possible, the unseen into seen, and the hoped-for into reality.
Ephesians 4:7 says, "But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift." This passage highlights the individualized nature of grace, affirming that each person receives a measure specifically apportioned to them by Christ. It is a reminder that grace is not a generic concept but a personalized gift that equips each believer for their unique calling and challenges.
Reflection: What specific area of your life do you need to seek God's grace for today, and how can you actively draw upon that grace? [07:40]
Day 2: Sustained by Faith, Not Circumstances
Abraham's journey of faith over 25 years is a powerful testament to the sustaining grace of God. He did not waver in his faith despite the natural impossibility of his situation. Instead, he focused on the promise of God, giving glory to Him and accessing a special dimension of grace that upheld him. Believers today are called to emulate Abraham's example, looking beyond their circumstances and holding fast to the promises of God. It is a call to trust in the character and faithfulness of God, allowing His grace to sustain and strengthen faith through every season of waiting.
Romans 4:20-21 describes Abraham's faith: "No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised." This passage illustrates the kind of unwavering faith that accesses God's sustaining grace, a faith that does not consider the improbability of circumstances but is fully convinced of God's ability to fulfill His promises.
Reflection: How can you emulate Abraham's example in your current situation, and what promise of God do you need to hold onto without wavering? [35:32]
Day 3: Joy as a Spiritual Strength
Joy is not merely an emotion; it is a spiritual force that strengthens believers in the Lord. It is expressed through singing, dancing, and laughter, and is rooted in the reality of what God has done through Christ Jesus. Even in the midst of trials, joy is a spiritual connection to God that must be expressed by faith. It is a force that transcends circumstances, enabling believers to maintain their strength and hope in the Lord.
James 1:2-3 encourages believers to "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." This passage calls believers to a counterintuitive response to trials—joy. It is a joy that comes from understanding that trials are an opportunity for faith to be tested and steadfastness to be produced.
Reflection: What trial are you facing right now, and how can you choose to respond with joy as an act of faith? [40:56]
Day 4: Confession Aligns with Divine Reality
The power of confession lies in its ability to align believers with the Word of God. Speaking life and truth to situations is not wishful thinking but a declaration of the reality of God's promises. It is an authoritative act that reinforces faith and shapes the believer's perspective, bringing it into alignment with divine truth. This confession is a critical component of faith, as it verbalizes trust in God and His promises, shaping the atmosphere and setting the stage for God's intervention.
Hebrews 10:23 encourages, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." This verse underscores the importance of maintaining a confession of faith that is unwavering, rooted in the faithfulness of God who has made the promises.
Reflection: What is one situation in your life where you need to start speaking God's truth, and what specific confession can you begin declaring over it? [51:45]
Day 5: Obedience Unlocks Divine Breakthroughs
Obedience to divine instruction is not always easy or comfortable, but it is often the key to breakthroughs in the journey of faith. When God gives a directive, it may challenge understanding or comfort, yet it is in the willingness to act on His instructions that believers find empowerment. Trusting that God enables what He asks of us is a step of faith that can lead to miraculous outcomes and the fulfillment of His promises.
In 1 Samuel 15:22, Samuel says, "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams." This passage emphasizes the value God places on obedience over ritual, highlighting that following His directives is more important than external acts of worship.
Reflection: What unusual or challenging instruction might God be asking you to obey today, and how can you take a step of faith towards obedience? [54:16]
Quotes
1) "Time has the ability to erode expectancy... the consideration of time begins to rob you of the faith the word of God has produced in you because you're stepping out from under the grace that Faith supplied." [33:59
2) "Abraham continued to give Glory to God... somehow some way God had to keep him encouraged for 25 years before he had a son." [35:32
3) "Your joy is going to have to be manifested by faith... Joy is Inward... the foundation of your joy is the reality of what God has done for us in Christ Jesus." [41:38
4) "If you go into faith without a Grace suit on, the time element, the situations, the circumstances, they will erode your hope." [44:37
5) "Your hope is your expectancy. The Bible calls hope an anchor to the soul... the enemy wants to cut the cord of your anchor so that your faith will drift away into unbelief." [45:29
6) "You have to thank God, praise and worship. Once you get the instruction from God, you are so close to your receiving, to your miracle." [52:21
7) "When God says do this and if you say I can't do that, you got to understand something, God knows that you can, that's why he said to do it." [54:16
8) "If you're born again... Grace is working in a dimension for you. You have access to this Grace because you're in the body of Christ." [15:13
9) "The devil never attacks anything that doesn't threaten him... much of Christianity, religion, and theology is not a threat to the enemy." [13:04
10) "Whatever you cannot produce yourself, God will quicken you, add his supernatural power, so what is dead in your life can come to life." [18:49
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