June 5, 2016

Grace That Sustains

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Series: Amazing Grace Scripture: Philippians 1:6

Amazing Grace
Grace That Sustains
Philippians 1:6

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God always finishes what He starts!

God’s Sustaining Grace Helps Me…

1. Keep Standing When I’m Tempted

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” (1 Peter 5:8–9)

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

2. Keep Standing When I’m Tired

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:28–31)

3. Keep Standing When I’m Troubled

“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah” (Psalm 46:1–3)

How To Appropriate God’s Sustaining Grace

1. Call Out For God’s Help

“casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15–16)

2. Fill Your Mind With God’s Word

“Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works. My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!” (Psalm 119:27–28)

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

3. Submit To God’s Sovereignty

“The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21)

“Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10)

“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:6–8a)

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,” (1 Peter 5:6)

4. Accept Support From God’s People

“If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26–27)

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

5. Hold On To God’s Promises

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31–32)

“for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:8–10)

Making It Personal:

  • Where do you most need God’s sustaining grace in your life right now?
  • How can you put into practice the five ways to appropriate God’s sustaining grace from above?
  • Is there someone around you that God may want to use you to be His “hands and feet” to help deliver God’s sustaining grace? How will you specifically be available to do this?
  • Is there a particular promise from God’s Word that you need to memorize and meditate upon for this season of your life?

other sermons in this series

Jul 10

2016

The Sufficiency of Grace

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1–10 Series: Amazing Grace

Jun 26

2016

Grace that Restores

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: Mark 14:27– :72 Series: Amazing Grace

Jun 19

2016

Growing in Grace

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: Philippians 2:12–13 Series: Amazing Grace