EVERYTHING IS BECAUSE OF HIS GRACE

Shalom,

We have enjoyed beautiful services throughout the crusade and there is no doubt that the Holy Spirit strengthened us all so that “One Spirit in One Tabernacle” was not just a mere theme of the crusade. There is no word that can express how great God’s love toward us is. For that reason, we have to serve Him more faithfully as an expression of gratitude. Since we live only once, let us glorify God in our lives. And in one Spirit, let us join hands to spread His Words since we cannot work on our own in the hope that those who do not know Him will receive His grace and salvation and that more and more souls will dwell in His Kingdom.

What is the effect of grace that the Lord has upon mankind as it is written in Ephesians 2: 1-10?

Man’s spiritual standing before God (vv. 1-3)

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.”

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:9-18, 23). Because of their trespasses, they are under the wrath of God, that is, death. 

If Jesus gives us a chance to live eternally with Him in Heaven, there is also an eternal life in hell. Indeed, it is really a matter of God’s grace that we are allowed to enter Heaven and live with Him while we are actually doomed to hell.

Man’s extrimity, God’s opportunity (vv. 4-7)

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

Thanks to God’s great love for us, His wrath is no longer upon us. The plight of man who was supposed to die (because of his trespasses) has become God’s opportunity to raise him up along with Christ and given him a

Having received God’s grace, we now belong to Him. But we must remember those around us, the non-believers because He loves all mankind. 

We are obliged to spread His Word as He has commanded us (Matthew 28: 19-20) so that no one will perish but turn back to repentance (2 Peter 3: 9).

Have we ever imagined what Jesus will do for us, the redeemed, later in Heaven in return for our ministries? He will give us the following:

- The Crowns of Glory (1 Peter 5: 4)

These crowns will be given to the servants of God, including pastors, who served Him without any personal interests but integrated their ministries with God’s work project for the sake of His Kingdom.

-  The Crowns of Life (Revelation 2: 10)

These are the crowns given to those who have been loyal and perservered (to the end) in doing God’s works no matter what the circumstances were.

- The Crowns of Splendor and Rejoice (1 Thesalonians 2: 19-20).

Evangelists and missionaries deserve a Crown of Rejoice to their credit for their burdensome ministries in remote places.

-  The Crowns of Righteousness

These crowns are reserved for all believers who are looking forward to His second coming.

-The Crowns of Eternity (1 Corinthians 9: 25).

These crowns will be presented to those who have tirelessly served Him in their posts such as secretariat, transport, accommodation, catering and so forth.

-     The Crowns of Life (James 1: 12).

God is ready to give these crowns to those who have served Him and He does not want to miss even a single person. We have to admit that trials are always there to confront or trap us. 

But we do not have to worry because the Holy Spirit in us is far greater than the spirits in the world (1 John 4: 4). Eventually, those who have survived all trials will receive the Crown of Life.

The crown we will receive from the Lord depends on what we did we we were alive. With the talents that He has given us, let us remind one another not to throw away the chance to serve Him.

Introspection: While the Lord has given us the best of Him – His only Son, Jesus Christ – should we express our gratitude any old way? We must give Him the best that we have. Furthermore, we, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2: 5) and Jesus Himself is the Tabernacle. We are the chosen generation, a holy nation (1 Peter 2: 9) and will receive crowns to rule as kings with the Lord, the King of kings.

Man’s complimentary salvation – not a purchase (vv. 8-9)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

In Jesus Christ, we have our redemption. That is His grace – something eternal in nature. All we can do is believe in and live up to it in our lives. Keep in mind that grace is the gift of God and that salvation is not for sale.

Man as God’s graceful workmanship (v. 10)

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

We are His grandiose workmanship designed way long before we were born here on earth to do good deeds in which there is no evil. He has planned these before and wants us to walk in them.

In conclusion, we see how great God’s Grace is in our lives. When we were in such a bad condition – as sinners –  the Lord raised us all from the vaults of sins with Jesus Christ bringing us to a high place where we will live with Him in Heaven.

The recent Revival Meeting was not the finish line where the beautiful fellowship came to an end. Rather, it goes on until we sit together with Him in Heaven, wearing the crowns that He has prepared to reward us in return for our service to Him. Amen.

By Rev. Jesus Camacho

Lemah Putro, Sunday, 24th September 2017

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