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Sermon 1651[1] Miscellaneous
Sermons Title: Distinguishing
Grace Text: 1
Corinthians 4:7 Readings: Micah
6:1-8 Bob
Pruitt and Rex Bartley Tape
# Z-8b Introduction: Such is the depraved nature of man that we all naturally
cherish, nurture, cling to, and promote in ourselves and in one another that
which is most abhorrent to God and most certain to bring us at last to utter
ruin. The evil I speak of is the original sin of the universe, the persistent
sin of our race, the most abominable of all sins in the sight of God, and the
sin with which I have to do battle every day, every waking hour. The sin I
speak of is pride! Pride was the sin of Lucifer in the beginning (Isa.
14:13-15). Pride was the problem Adam had in the garden. Pride arises like an
ugly weed and monstrous destroyer in the heart. Their is no such thing as a
truly humble man by nature. ManÕs pretense of humility is just another
expression of pride calling attention to itself. It is pride that hardens the
heart and keeps sinners from coming to Christ (Dan. 5:20). — ÒThe
wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is
not in all his thoughtsÓ (Ps. 10:4). Nothing but pride causes a person to reject the Word of
God (Jer. 43:2). The root and cause of all carnal strife, division,
whisperings, backbiting, and slander is pride, showing itself in envy and
jealously. Pride is the great deceiver of men. It makes men and women behave
in cruel, mean-spirited self-righteousness under the guise of doing GodÕs
service. Be warned my friends! Be warned, O my soul! Be warnedÉ (Proverbs 16:18)
ÒPride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.Ó (Micah 6:8)
ÒHe hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD
require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with
thy God?Ó With those things in mind, I want you to turn with me to a
text of Scripture that the Holy Spirit has been burning into my heart for
several weeks — 1 Corinthians 4:7. My subject is Distinguishing Grace.
You will see the reason I have chosen this title for my message as soon as we
read the text. (1 Corinthians 4:7)
ÒFor who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst
not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou
hadst not received it?Ó These three questions may be and should be applied any and
all differences which appear among men. á
Natural
Differences: Physical — Mental — Moral! á
Differences
Among Preachers: Gifts — Abilities — Usefulness — Place! á
Differences
Between Believers and Unbelievers! Proposition: I
want you to hear what I am saying. The object of my message today is to show
you from the Word of God that whatever differences there are between
believers and unbelievers, between GodÕs elect and the reprobate, must be
traced to the distinguishing grace of God alone. LetÕs look at these questions together and pray that God
the Holy Spirit will burn them into our hearts and cause us never to forget
them. ÒWho maketh thee to differ from another?Ó I am going to spend a little time here, leaving the other
two questions for the summation of my message; but I want us to see three
things here. Sinners Still There is a sense in which GodÕs elect do not differ from
other people, and we know it. Though we have been chosen by God the Father,
redeemed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and called by the
blessed Holy Spirit of promise, though we are saved by GodÕs adorable and amazing
grace, the people of God in this world are sinners still. This is a sad fact,
but a fact nonetheless, and a fact we must never forget. Grace does not
eradicate, or even change the believerÕs old, Adamic, sinful nature. Grace
subdues it. Grace rules it. Thank God, one day grace will destroy it! But
grace does not change our old nature. We know something about the depravity of our hearts (Matt.
15:19). (Matthew 15:19)
ÒFor out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.Ó The most shocking thing I discovered as a young believer,
shortly after God saved me, was the fact that the raging monster of sin in my
heart had not been slain, or even tamed. Illustrations: High
School English Teacher Boy
At Springfield And the sad fact is, I am every day made increasingly
aware of the depths of my depravity. Yet, I know that I have not even begun
to discover the hideous enormity of my sinfulness! We know that our best deeds of righteousness are just
filthy rags in GodÕs sight (Isa. 64:6; 1 John 1:8, 10). (Isaiah 64:6)
ÒBut we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are
as filthy rags;
and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken
us away.Ó (1 John 1:8)
ÒIf we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is
not in us.Ó (1 John 1:10)
ÒIf we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word
is not in us.Ó I have sinned. I do sin. I am sinning. But the worst of it
is this — I am sin! When I would do good, evil is present with me! So I
cannot do the things that I would! All that I am, and all that I do, is sin!
Let me see if I can state the matter clearly. á
There
is nothing in all the world more delightful to me than prayer; but there is
nothing more difficult. á
There
is absolutely nothing in the world that I desire like I desire to believe
God; but nothing is more troublesome to me than my unbelief. á
There
is nothing in the world I more want to do than to worship Christ and walk
with him in sweet communion; but nothing appears to be further out of my
reach. á
There
is nothing in this world which I strive harder to attain than conformity to
Christ in thought, word, and deed; but the more I strive after it the more
illusive it appears to be. á
The
fact is, I am a man at war with himself (Rom. 7:14-24; Gal. 5:17). (Romans 7:14-24)
ÒFor we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under
sin. (15) For
that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I
hate, that do I. (16) If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it
is good. (17) Now then it is no more I that do
it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,)
dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I
find not. (19) For
the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
(20) Now if I do
that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
(21) I find then
a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. (22) For I delight in the law of God
after the inward man: (23) But I see another law in my members, warring against the
law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in
my members. (24) O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this
death?Ó (Galatians 5:17)
ÒFor the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the
flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the
things that ye would.Ó ÒIf I pray, or hear, or read, Sin is mixed with all I do. You who love the Lord indeed, Tell me, is it thus with you? Yet, I mourn my stubborn will, Find y sin a grief and thrall! Would I grieve for what I feel, If I did not love the Lord at all?Ó Without question, there is a very real sense in which
believers are no different from other people, so long as we live in this
world, in this body of flesh. We still have the nature of our father Adam. We
are sinners still! Saved Sinners Yet, our text clearly and distinctly suggests that GodÕs
saints are indeed different from other people. We are sinners still; but we
are saved sinners, men and women with a new nature, that which is born of
God. The question, ÒWho maketh thee to differ,Ó would be redundant if no
difference. GodÕs people do differ from other people. Believers are different
from unbelievers. GodÕs saints are a peculiar people. Believers are men and women who have undergone a marvelous
change (1 Cor. 6:9-11; 2 Cor. 5:17). (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) ÒKnow ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the
kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, (10) Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor
drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
(11) And such
were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are
justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.Ó á
We
have been ÒwashedÓ from our sins by the blood of Christ. Our old record is gone,
expunged, cleared! á
We
are ÒsanctifiedÓ by the Spirit of God, given a new nature in regeneration.
Righteousness as been imputed to us in justification; and a righteous nature
was imparted to us in regeneration. á
We
are Òjustified,Ó made righteous by divine imputation. This is mentioned last because it
is experienced and perceived last. We were justified when Christ redeemed us;
but we had no knowledge of our justification until the Holy Spirit called us
and gave us faith in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
ÒTherefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold,
all things are become new.Ó Grace changes a personÕs life! You may change your way of
life without grace; but you cannot experience the grace of God that brings
salvation without also experiencing that change of life that causes us to
live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present, evil world. Illustration:
Whitefield and the Coal Miners á
We
have a new Master over our lives. — The Lord Jesus Christ. á
We
have a new motive in life. — The Will of God and the Glory of God! á
We
have a new manner of life. — We are no longer the servants of sin, but
the servants of righteousness (Rom. 6:18). (Romans 6:18)
ÒBeing then made free from sin, ye became the servants of
righteousness.Ó Illustration:
The Former Slave and His Old MasterÕs House Every person in this world who is born again by the grace
and power of God the Holy Spirit bears the fruit of the Spirit (Gal.
5:22-23). (Galatians 5:22-23)
ÒBut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.Ó á
Love,
joy, and peace toward God. á
Longsuffering,
gentleness, and goodness toward one another. á
Faith,
meekness, and temperance within. Believers are people who live by faith in Christ, who
trust the Son of God. It is written, ÒThe just shall live by faith.Ó We trust Christ our God and Savior
in hisÉ á
Redemptive
Work. á
Goodness
and Faithfulness. á
Providential
Rule. á
Heavenly
Intercession. GodÕs people love each other (1 Cor. 13:1-8; 1 John
4:7-8). (1 Corinthians 13:1-8) ÒThough I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and
have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (2) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all
mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could
remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. (3) And though I bestow all my goods
to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it
profiteth me nothing. (4) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not;
charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (5) Doth not behave itself unseemly,
seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; (6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but
rejoiceth in the truth; (7) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all
things, endureth all things. (8) Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail;
whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.Ó (1 John 4:7-8)
ÒBeloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one
that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. (8) He that loveth not knoweth not
God; for God is love.Ó Believers are people who have been and are continually
taught of God to live soberly, righteously and godly in this world. I stress
this because it needs stressing. DonÕt tell me that so long as a persons
believes the gospel it does not matter how he lives, that his character and conduct
are insignificant. GodÕs people do differ from unregenerate worldlings! (Tit.
1:11-12; Eph. 4:17-24). (Ephesians 4:17-24)
ÒThis I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth
walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, (18) Having the understanding darkened,
being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them,
because of the blindness of their heart: (19) Who being past feeling have given
themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
(20) But ye have
not so learned Christ; (21) If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by
him, as the truth is in Jesus: (22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation
the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (23) And be renewed in the spirit of
your mind; (24) And
that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and
true holiness.Ó (Titus 2:11-12)
ÒFor the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
(12) Teaching us
that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world;Ó Distinguishing Grace Those are the facts; but the question is — ÒWho
maketh thee to differ?Ó Paul answers the question himself in Philippians 2:13 — ÒIt
is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.Ó That which distinguishes GodÕs
elect from the reprobate of this world is the distinguishing grace of God. It
is written, ÒThe LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and
Israel.Ó The
distinction which grace makes is a fivefold distinction. 1.
The
Distinction of GodÕs Sovereign Election (John 15:16)
ÒYe have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that
ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that
whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.Ó (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14) ÒBut we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you,
brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you
to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
(14) Whereunto he
called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus
Christ.Ó 2.
The
Distinction of ChristÕs Blood Redemption (Revelation 5:9)
ÒAnd they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book,
and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to
God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;Ó 3.
The
Distinction of the SpiritÕs Effectual Call (Ephesians 2:1-4)
ÒAnd you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: (2) Wherein in time past ye walked
according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power
of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
(3) Among whom
also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh,
fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the
children of wrath, even as others. (4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love
wherewith he loved us,Ó (Psalms 65:4)
ÒBlessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we
shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.Ó 4.
The
Distinction of GodÕs Gracious Preservation (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24) ÒAnd the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I
pray God your
whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ. (24) Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.Ó 5.
The
Distinction of Resurrection Glory (John 5:28-29)
ÒMarvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are
in the graves shall hear his voice, (29) And shall come forth; they that have
done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto
the resurrection of damnation.Ó ÒWho maketh thee to differ from another?Ó Only God! — ÒBy the grace
of God I am what I am.Ó
(2 Corinthians 12:3-10) ÒAnd I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of
the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) (4) How that he was caught up into
paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to
utter. (5) Of
such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine
infirmities. (6) For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will
say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that
which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. (7) And lest I should be exalted above
measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a
thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be
exalted above measure. (8) For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might
depart from me. (9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength
is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (10) Therefore I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses
for ChristÕs sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.Ó ÒWhat hast
thou that thou didst not receive?Ó Nothing! — Nothing in Nature! — Nothing in
Grace! — Nothing in Time! — Nothing in Eternity! ÒNow, if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?Ó John Gill wrote, ÒTo glory in any mercy, favour, or
blessing received from God, as if it was not received from him, but as owing
to human power, care, and industry, betrays wretched vanity, stupid and more
than brutish ignorance, horrid ingratitude, abominable pride and wickedness;
and is contrary to the grace of God, which teaches men humility and
thankfulness. To God alone should all the blessings of nature, providence,
and grace be ascribed; he ought to have all the glory of them; and to him,
and him only, praise is due for them.Ó Pride, envy, and jealousy are totally contrary to the
grace we profess to believe. We are nothing but sinners saved by grace! There
is no room for pride in the house of grace. á
Pride
of Place! á
Pride
of Face! á
Pride
of Race! á
Pride
of Grace! (Psalms 115:1)
ÒNot unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for
thy mercy, and for
thy truthÕs sake.Ó (1 Corinthians 1:26-31) ÒFor ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise
men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: (27) But God hath chosen the foolish
things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things
of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (28) And base things of the world, and
things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring
to nought things that are: (29) That no flesh should glory in his presence. (30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus,
who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and
redemption: (31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in
the Lord.Ó (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
ÒThus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let
the mighty man glory
in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: (24) But let him that glorieth glory in
this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise
lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things
I delight, saith
the LORD.Ó Satan desires to have us that he may sift us as wheat. And
our Savior often runs us through SatanÕs sieve, to separate the precious from
the vile, teaching us to trust him. (Luke 22:32-34)
ÒBut I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou
art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (33) And he said unto him, Lord, I am
ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. (34) And he said, I tell thee, Peter,
the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that
thou knowest me.Ó (John 13:36-38)
ÒSimon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered
him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me
afterwards. (37) Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay
down my life for thy sake. (38) Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my
sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou
hast denied me thrice.Ó (John 14:1)
ÒLet not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.Ó (John 21:17)
ÒHe saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter
was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he
said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.
Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.Ó (Mark 16:6-7)
ÒAnd he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth,
which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they
laid him. (7) But
go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into
Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.Ó When I read these three, humbling questions, ÒWho
maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not
receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst
not received it?Ó
my heart is humbled within me before my God and Savior, and cries, ÒBy the
grace of God, I am what I am: and,.Ó I rejoice to confidently add, Òhis grace was not
bestowed upon me in vain.Ó That which he has begun in me, he will finish Òto the praise of
the glory of his grace.Ó Amen. |
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[1] Date: Danville — (Sunday PM — 08/13/06)
Buck Mt. Baptist Church, Roan Mountain, TN — (Thur. 08/09/06)