Amazing Grace Bible Class – Lesson Eight – Secure In Grace

Posted on June 16, 2013 by Jack Exum Jr

This article is part 9 of 20 in the series Amazing Grace Bible Class

* HOW HIGH DO YOU RANK ‘SECURITY’ in your life?
* As a child grows up – biggest fear = “Will mom and dad stop loving me…. ‘throw me out’
when I fail/ don’t do good?” SECURITY IS A BIG ISSUE FOR US ALL. Even in
marriage…. Is a child/teenager/married couple security based on HOW
WELL/CONSISTENTLY YOU PERFORM OR ON SOMETHING ELSE?
* What about in Christ/relationship with God (VERTICAL)- Do you FEEL secure?
– What is this security based on? PERFORMANCE OR GRACE?
* What about within the body of Christ (HORIZONTAL)- Do you FEEL Secure?
– What is this security based on? PERFORMANCE OR GRACE?
* Which do you FEEL more secure in: VERTICAL OR HORIZONTAL?
– Why???
* What is it about GRACE that make one FEEL more secure than PERFORMANCE?
* Describe SECURITY of Christian in terms of a FAMILY WITH CHILDREN.
* Why do you think dad put “FALLING FROM GRACE” as his next lesson?
____________________________________________________________________________

Introduction:
a.) Are you an HONEST/SINCERE/BELIEVER IN JESUS? “Yes” = NOT A HYPOCRITE
     “You don’t qualify! By definition you COULD NOT be a hypocrite. A hypocrite “never
      intends to be what he pretends to be.” Are you pretending to be a disciple? If the
      answer is “no” then you are a disciple. But you say, “I feel so weak and human and
      filled with sin and immaturity.” This is not hypocrisy. This is the way normal human
      beings feel! This is why we are studying, “GRACE, GOD’S POWER TO BE(COME)”.
b.) Ephesians 2:8-10
c.) We will be looking at SECURITY/GRACE re: SALVATION (Vertical) and BRETHREN
     (Horizontal) as well as other things as time permits…What is not covered, we can
     look at later if you wish.

1. SALVATION – VERTICAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD (one to ONE)
    A. NOT human regulation IT IS DIVINE RECONCILIATION
         1.) Ephesians 2:16
    B. NOT the cessation from some sin IT IS THE CANCELLATION OF ALL SIN
         1.) I John 1:7 (Continually cleansing)
    C. NOT law/works (delighting in/depending on/performance of law keeping) IT IS
        BEINGDELIVERED FROM AND BEING MADE DEAD TO THE LAW.
        1.) Galatians 3:11,13.
    D. NOT human reformation/determination- IT IS DIVINE REGENERATION.
         1.) John 3:3, 5
         2.) Colossians 2:12
         3.) 2 Corinthians 5:17
    E. NOT becoming exceptionally good- IT IS BEING “IN CHRIST” AND BEING MADE
        ACCEPTABLE TO GOD.
       1.) Ephesians 1:6-7
       2.) Faulty (sinful/forgiven), weak (can’t stand long/fall often), human (‘let people be
            people’) disciples = A   C   C   E   P   T   E   D.
       3.) What does ‘ACCEPTED’ mean in this context?
       4.) Which is more saved/accepted – the beginner or the mature Christian?
       5.) “Salvation = COMPLETENESS IN CHRIST NOT COMPETENCY IN
             CHARACTER!”
       6.) I Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 3:8
   F. NOT of man, self, works, law, boasting – IT IS BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH
       WHICH STOPS ALL BOASTING.
       1.) Growing, learning, maturing, heaven bound!!!
       2.) 2 Corinthians 5:17
       3.) Galatians 2:20-20
2. FALSE CONCEPTS
    A. Once saved always (no matter what) saved.
    B. Once saved never sure, never confident, never ‘heaven bound’, always doubting
         andfearful ‘saved’.
    C. “Surely I can do 10% and God do the rest” salvation. (GIFT!!!)
    D. ‘I have nothing to do with it’ salvation – ie UNIVERSALISM. (GIFT OFFERED
         MUSTBE RECEIVED)(Medicine)
   **These are extremes and must be rejected. The Bible speaks of the gift which
         demands a response (obedience) from man (which in no way qualifies as
         EARNING ANYTHING.
3. GRACE/FAITH or LAW/WORKS
    A. “If you base salvation on law/works, you will never tolerate or come to understand
         thegrace/faith foundation…..” Read from Workbook. Pg. 37
    B. “Law/works says, “Sing better (louder) if you want to go to heaven”. Grace/faith
          says, “I sing because I’m heaven bound.” Law/works says, “if you don’t get more,
          you’re not going.” (Read from Work book. Pg. 37-38
4. HOW SECURE ARE WE IN THE HORIZONTAL RELATIONSHIP
    A. What is “FELLOWSHIP” based on? “Who is my brother and sister?”
    B. How secure do you FEEL with others in the body of Christ?
    C. What example can you point to which illustrates YOUR FEELINGS of ‘secure’ or
         ‘insecure’?
    D. What might be some things Christians CAN DISAGREE ON and still be ‘one in
         spirit’?
    E. What might be some things Christians CANNOT DISAGREE ON which endangers
         the‘one in spirit’ stand we should have?

The survey to be filled out by the class to show how brethren don’t always agree on everything…. How does a proper understanding help Christians in dealing with differing opinions? Do brethren have to agree on every thing? Answer: No! It would be nice, but we just don’t. This being the case, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO APPLY THE GRACE CONCEPT WITH EACH OTHER AS WELL AS KNOW THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD. Is this easy? No. Because GRACE/FAITH CANNOT WORK UNDER LAW/WORKS,

FOR THE CLASS:
Here is a survey. It’s not a test. I’m not going to grade this. I just want to see how much disagreement we have over some pretty basic things.Mark the correct interpretation of the quoted passages? You may only mark one answer per question, and you must choose one.

1. (2 Cor 13:12) Greet one another with a holy kiss.
   a. Says what it means; means what it says.
   b. No longer applies today at all.
   c. Applies today but only the underlying principle (greet one another warmly) applies.
   d. Other: __________________________________________________________
2. (Rom 1:27) In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
   a. Says what it means; means what it says.
   b. No longer applies today at all.
   c. Applies today but only the underlying principle (sex with a temple prostitute is wrong)
      applies.
   d. Other: __________________________________________________________
3. (Mat 5:29) If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
   a. Says what it means; means what it says.
   b. No longer applies today at all.
   c. Applies today but only the underlying principle (lust is a deadly sin) applies.
   d. Other: __________________________________________________________
4. (Mat 5:25-26) “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”
   a. Says what it means; means what it says.
   b. No longer applies today at all.
   c. Applies today but only the underlying principle (resolve personal dispute through
    compromise, but when settlement fails, financial disputes are appropriate for the
    courts) applies.
   d. Other: __________________________________________________________
5. (Mat 5:22) But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
   a. Says what it means; means what it says.
   b. No longer applies today at all.
   c. Applies today but only the underlying principle (any name calling that dehumanizes is wrong) applies.
   d. Other: __________________________________________________________
6. (Mat 5:10-12) Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
   a. Says what it means; means what it says.
   b. No longer applies today at all.
   c. Applies today but only the underlying principle (persecution should be avoided but if it happens, at least we’ll
       go   to heaven) applies.
   d. Other: _________________________________________________________
7. (Mat 5:39) But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
   a. Says what it means; means what it says.
   b. No longer applies today at all.
   c. Applies today but only the underlying principle (do not seek revenge over a point of honor) applies.
   d. Other: __________________________________________________________
8. (Lev 27:30) “‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.
   a. Says what it means; means what it says.
   b. No longer applies today at all.
   c. Applies today but only the underlying principle (give generously to good works, especially your church) applies.
   d. Other: __________________________________________________________
9. (Exo 20:9-10) Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.
   a. Says what it means; means what it says.
   b. No longer applies today at all.
   c. Applies today but only the underlying principle (Sunday is the Christian Sabbath) applies.
   d. Other: __________________________________________________________
10. (Num 18:29) You must present as the Lord’s portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you.
   a. Says what it means; means what it says.
   b. No longer applies today at all.
   c. Applies today but only the underlying principle (wear our best to church) applies.
   d. Other: __________________________________________________________
11. (1 Cor 14:34-35) women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
   a. Says what it means; means what it says.
   b. No longer applies today at all.
   c. Applies today but only the underlying principle (women should do nothing in church that
        shames their husbands) applies.
   d. Other: __________________________________________________________
12. (1 Cor 11:6) If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head.
   a. Says what it means; means what it says.
   b. No longer applies today at all.
   c. Applies today but only the underlying principle (women should wear fashionable hats to church) applies.
   d. Other: __________________________________________________________
13. (1 Cor 11:7) A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.
   a. Says what it means; means what it says.
   b. No longer applies today at all.
   c. Applies today but only the underlying principle (long hair on men is okay, but no baseball caps in the building)
       applies.
   d. Other: __________________________________________________________
14. (1 Cor 16:1-3) Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.
   a. Says what it means; means what it says.
   b. No longer applies today at all.
   c. Applies today but only the underlying principle (we should give weekly at church) applies.
   d. Other: __________________________________________________________

(Special thanks to Jay Guinn and his study on “Amazing Grace” for the survey used here. His web site www.oneinjesus.com is well worth the look. It provides in depth study on many subjects, along with the opportunity to agree/disagree and discuss openly your reasons.)

Baptism And The Holy Spirit

Posted on June 16, 2013 by Jack Exum Jr

This article is part 5 of 7 in the series Holy Spirit

   What is Bible baptism for? The short answer… Baptism (immersion) is “for the remission of sins”. Sounds pretty straight forward, right? Yet many sincere people have misunderstood it. Perhaps you have heard or read some who said baptism is not what Peter said it was for in Acts 2:38, ie “for the remission of sins”. A good principle is ‘THE PLAINEST THING IS THE MAINEST THING.” This should not be hard to understand. Just read Acts 2, and the picture is clear on this subject.
   There are many other passages of course on the subject of salvation. Not all truth is contained in one passage. There are verses on FAITH (John 3:16), REPENTANCE (Luke 13:3-5), CONFESSION (Romans 10:9-10), as well as BAPTISM (Mark 16:16) and the gift of the Spirit (Acts 2:39). All are important to the process of being saved, and being sealed as one of His children. You cannot separate any of them from the ‘plan of God’. Yet each have a different reason for ‘being there’… Some passages do not mention all these things. Context determines why.
   Having said this, which is all too obvious when one reads the ‘salvation accounts’ scattered throughout Acts… there is more to the study. Jesus Himself, refers to it, but not just to the water aspect of it. He knew very well, that ‘just water’ is, well, just water. When he spoke of ‘grape juice’ and bread (Matthew 26) He made some very special connections in referring to these as his blood and body. More than just grape juice and bread… It involved ‘remembering’, ‘examining’, ‘communion’. It also speaks of relationships, both ‘vertical’ and ‘horizontal’ for the Christian.
   Baptism (immersion in water) is powerless in and of itself when divorced from Jesus’ blood on the cross.. Jesus gives it meaning and purpose and brings it to an even ‘higher level’ when combined with the work of the Holy Spirit in the process… and calls it ‘being born again’. He said it, and it should be enough for us… Remember this good principle: ‘THE PLAINEST THING IS THE MAINEST THING.” (Not good English, but good Bible!)
3 “Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. ” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:3-8).
   Here Jesus himself says water and Spirit are involved in this marvelous new birth. I believe the “Spirit” mentioned here refers to the Holy Spirit (Greek ‘pneumatos’ which can mean ‘wind’, ‘spirit’ or Spirit’). I do not believe translators made a mistake in capitalizing “Spirit” here. My opinion is that it means what the context demands….the HOLY SPIRIT, and according to the text it is Jesus who ‘baptizes’ or gives the Holy Spirit (that’s what John says).
   There is no contradiction with Paul saying there is ONE BAPTISM (Ephesians 4:3-5), because there is only one. It is simply composed of TWO ELEMENTS…. ‘water’ for the remission of sins (which is a command …Acts 2:38) and the ‘Spirit’ (a promise mentioned in Acts 2:39) done/given by Jesus. Without the Holy Spirit’s involvement, it would be confusing indeed since in Titus, it says, “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 2:4-7). Here we have terms “washing of rebirth” (immersion in water) and “renewal by the Holy Spirit” (which takes place when one is immersed in water)… When the Holy Spirit was “poured out” on Pentecost…the apostles are given ‘power from on high’ as promised (Acts 1:4) and they were empowered to speak in other languages and perform miracles. The Holy Spirit however, is for all who submit to Jesus and by faith repent and are immersed into Christ. Luke records, ” John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Luke 3:16ff). Context reveals that the “fire” was to burn up the ‘chaff’ (contextually referring to the unbelieving Jews (not just a few), and refers to the AD70 event, and can indeed refer also to the final judgment of hell fire for all who reject Jesus… The Holy Spirit in this text refers to what Jesus Christ gives to the ‘wheat’. I believe this happens when one is born again. The ‘wheat’ mentioned in Luke 3:16ff refer to those who are being added to the church. This began on the day of Pentecost. This is the gift of the Spirit promised in Acts 2:39, and this differs from receiving gifts FROM the Spirit (speaking in different languages, miraculous powers etc…) Again, the powers which the Apostles received were special and limited, but the ‘baptism’, ‘outpouring’, ‘gift’ (all referring to the same thing) of the Holy Spirit is the gives one ‘new life’ in Christ.
   We are commanded to be immersed (in water). We are not commanded to be immersed in (receive) the Spirit….we are just promised that the Spirit would be given to all Christians. My understanding of scriptures is that when we are baptized in water for the remission of sins, we receive the Spirit of God in our lives (in that order)…. we come up out of the water a ‘spirit-being’, alive, and a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17), “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4ff).
   Without the Spirit…. we do not belong to Him (Romans 8), are not sealed (Ephesians 1).
   It is simply true, that a ‘waterless Spirit baptism is as powerless as a Spiritless water baptism’. Jesus said “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:5).
   One can take any truth, and push it to an extreme and make it false, or contradict other passages. Considering the various passages, and their contexts, makes it plain to me… ‘renewal of the Spirit whom He poured out on us’, is what happens when one is immersed for the remission of sins. Note: We need to quit worrying about “eis” (“in”) when studying with those who insist on “salvation before immersion” and start pointing out that if salvation is received before immersion (which is not so), then we miss the NEW BIRTH OF WATER AND SPIRIT spoken of by our Lord Himself in John 3 as well as what John spoke of in Lk. 3:16f.
   To study more about what I believe regarding the gifts FROM OR GIVEN BY THE SPIRIT, you can look at the articles written which deal with this. To me there is a huge difference between the gift OF and gifts FROM the Spirit. One does not receive the Spirit as a GIFT, A SIGN OF SONSHIP OR BELONGING TO GOD THROUGH JESUS before being immersed INTO CHRIST, nor does one receive the SPIRIT long after being immersed BY PRAYING AND PRAYING ‘through’. Nor does the indwelling of the Spirit mean one receives the miraculous powers given the apostles. The Spirit of God is given (now available) for any who by faith repent of their sins, and when they are immersed into Christ for the remission of sins…. and are RAISED UP A NEW CREATION.
   (Amen walls!)

Lessons From The Can

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Jack Exum Jr

Yes dad shot the can. Years ago when I was so young. Two would-be-hunters. No ‘luck’… not even a Kill-Dee was seen. Yet years later… reflection. Just sitting here… thinking about that old can. I think it was an apple juice can… maybe tomato juice… who cares, right? Yet back then and throughout a ministry, it meant so much more. Now… it still intrigues me. Maybe you have shot a can before… maybe a bottle… but did you stop and think what lessons could be learned?
1. Watch what you shoot at! If you mean to hit a can… hit it! Soul winning is a very special work. It’s almost like open heart surgery. It’s not about winning a battle or proving someone right and going out bragging on how great you did. It is wholly about caring enough to share the word of God in a way that is gently firm. Almost like…. well it’s hard to say what it is like. But just imagine yourself on the other side. Every ‘stroke’ of the spiritual ‘knife’, just think… don’t be in a hurry… sometimes it means simply taking more time… more patience… more prayer for sure… Try again…. find the real problem why a person is holding back, and apporach it from the “needs” angle. Shot-gun approaches tend to hit (damage) things not really important. You don’t have to deal with “instrumental music” (whatever your position), to bring one to Christ.
2. Make as little damage as you can in this process… I know this is related to the previous thing. But of course when trying to win a soul, you have to (with the Word) and wisdom, remove a ‘problem’. How it is done is as important as the ‘doing’ of it. One man who had attended many services and heard many sermons… finally he obeyed the gospel and was truly happy. When asked why he waited so long, he replied, “Well, other preachers got up and taught pretty much the same thing as this preacher did. The big difference was this man was truly sorry I was lost…. and the others seemed like they were glad.” Somehow, there is more involved here than just teaching truth…. it involves CARING FOR THE LOST. This simpy cannot be hidden. Cannot be faked.
A person, even though lost may not be all wrong… Remember, ‘the less damage done = the less repairs need to be done.”
3. Be careful of a ‘one shot’ approach, which may shut the door for others to approach this person. Be a door opener, an interest creator, a bridge builder….
This doesn’t mean compromise truth by any means. It means speak truth in love for sure, but if you know you are never going to see this person again…. try to do something, say something which doesn’t close the door of the lost person’s heart for others who may ‘bump into’ this person and have an opportunity to spend more time in teaching. Remember even though you may plant, someone else waters, and God gives the increase… So what if you don’t get the credit (here)….

This is a growing article. Just wondering if you wanted to participate? If you have some ideas, feel free to share… What do you learn from the ‘can’?

The Stogie And Division

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Jack Exum Jr

This article is part 5 of 5 in the series Dealing With Church Issues

   Gerald Wright, who’s web site
(Biblical-books.com) is listed on this site,
sent me a wonderful story about a time when dad
came and helped a congregation where Gerald and his
family were attending. (The reason for putting this story here will be obvious when you read it.)
    Here is the story from Gerald Wright… (Hawaii)
   “Here’s a short story about when I first met Jack in 1966-67 in
Germany. I was in the USAF and stationed at Ramstein Air Base, living
in base housing with my wife and two daughters. The church in that
area had been split and feuding for about two years when someone
suggested that Jack Exum — who was in Ireland as a missionary…but
travelling around Europe preaching — should come and preach at our
gospel meeting. He did.
    “The first night of the meeting, Jack sported a see-through Havana
style short sleeve shirt and went up to the pulpit with a cigar
sticking out of his shirt pocked in front. You could see the whole
cigar thru the shirt! He began to introduce himself, looked down at
the cigar in his pocket as if he had just been caught with his hand in
the cookie jar, and then looked up and paused. Then he softly said:
“Brethren, would you sell me down the drain for a five cent cigar?”
WHAT A JOLT THAT CAUSED TO THESE BRETHREN WHO WERE
SO DIVIDED AGAINST EACH OTHER OVER THINGS JUST AS
INSIGNFICANT….
   Jack then presented one of his classic sermons about love and
brotherhood. IT WORKED! He stayed a week, staying with me in our
military apt., and healed the church with a week of great lessons. We
played golf together (I have a two great stories on our sporting
competitions…if you’d like them.) Ate together, and he fell asleep
on my couch the very first day he ate with us. Jack was at home with
us … kindred spirits … as we were with him….”
   Brethren, with all the discussion on issues like “Divorce and Remarriage” going on, and the much needed efforts to help brethren avoid the break up of homes, ‘stay in the struggle’, and work through family issues…. it seems we are not placing the same, much needed emphasis on how to avoid DIVISION. We are told by Paul, “I …… BESEECH (implore/beg) you to walk worthy of the calling with which you are called, with all LOWLINESS AND GENTLENESS, WITH LONGSUFFERING, BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE, ENDEAVORING TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE….” (Ephesians 4:1-3).
   Brethren, if there was ever a TIME when we need to follow this… it is now!!! Staying in the struggle, working through problems, loving each other ‘above the fault level’, refusing to be a part of any call to divide… and marking those who call for such. Refusing to listen to those who simply seem to be adding fuel to the fires instead of trying to help brethren put out the fires. We just have too much at stake to ‘give up’ and ‘divorce’ (divide).
   Thanks to Gerald Wright and his memory of dad… Hopefully it will help others.
   I will be putting dad’s thoughts on “Brotherhood and Love” here as well….

Amazing Grace Bible Class – Lesson Seven – Jesus Christ The Believer’s Grace

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Jack Exum Jr

This article is part 8 of 20 in the series Amazing Grace Bible Class

In the beginning was (GRACE) the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:1-5, 10-17)

1. Jesus Christ = THE BELIEVER’S GRACE/ in the flesh/full and overflowing with
     grace.
2. How is grace applied/lived out? Look at Jesus!
     A. Model –
         1.) Jesus called us to be ‘disciples’ (Learner)
         2.) Mom and dad – model for children (learners)
3. Dad (in his Workbook) speaks about our salvation and all blessings = everything =
     IN CHRIST our GRACE.
4. Today we study HOW JESUS = OUR GRACE.

1. Glancing thru Luke – GRACE
    A. Grace = just a word without God… just a word when out of context of sinful man
         1.) Jesus shows us God “Seen Me… seen the Father”
         2.) Beauty of Grace = seen in Jesus – W/o Jesus we wouldn’t u/stand grace.
         3.) “Grace” = Noun/ Jesus makes it a VERB – ACTION!
         4.) God could have exercised the “C.M.M.D.H.T.H.H.” principle
               a.) But He made the (BIG) move – JESUS
    B. Miracles (Can’t do on our own)
          1.) (Lk. 5:12-16 Leprosy)
          2.) (Lk. 5:17-26 Forgiving/healing paralytic)
          3.) Raising son of widow from dead Lk. 7:11-17
          4.) Wind and waves obey Jesus – Lk. 8:23-25 (FEAR)
          5.) Girl raised from dead/ woman healed Lk. 8:40-56
          6.) Feeding the 5,000 Lk. 9:10-17
          7.) Boy is healed Lk. 9:37-42
    C. Prayer
         1.) Show us how… Lk. 11:1-4
         1.) All night in prayer – Lk. 6:12-16
    D. Parables – 27 Stories/Comparisons/Parables (Hide/Reveal/Preserve truth)
         1.) Sower/Old and New Cloth/ Good Samaritan/Lost Sheep/Lost Coin, Lost Son
         2.) Grace personified/ walkin’ talkin’ GRACE… shows us HOW TO REACH OUT
              TO PEOPLE
         3.) Disciples not meant to be ISOLATED/CUT OFF FROM LIFE – INVOLVED….
              GRACE PERSONIFIED.
    E. Fight Satan (Can’t do on our own)
        1.) Lk. 4:31-37
        2.) Lk. 8:26-39
    F. Fighting tradition
        1.) People waited till after Sabbath to come for healing (Lk. 4:40-41)
        2.) Disciples picked corn (Sabbath) Lk. 6:1-5
        3.) Healing on Sabbath Lk. 6:6-11
        4.) Man with dropsy healed on Sabbath Lk. 14:1-6
    G. Calling Disciples
         1.) Lk. 5 Simon (“Depart from me … sinful man”) James and John
         2.) Matthew (tax collector) Lk. 5:27-31
    H. Dealing with sinners
         1.) Lk. 7:36-50 Sinful woman
         2.) Lk. 5:8 Called them/ saw potential to BECOME
    I. Promise of the Holy Spirit to disciples Lk. 12:11,12
   J. Tears of Jesus
       1.) Over Jerusalem Lk. 13:34-35

CONCLUSSION:
1. Grace is JESUS… His ways/teachings/parables/miracles/calling sinners/promises/
    tears and care.
2. Grace is Jesus our salvation and in Him we have all spiritual blessings
3. Grace is LIFE… ACTION – NOT JUST ENJOYED, BUT SHARED with people
4. Don’t worry about running out of grace… JESUS IS FULL OF GRACE… WE ARE IN
    JESUS/ HE IS IN US…. GIVE….
5. Action points of GRACE for us:
     a.) Lk. 6:27-39 JUST DO IT…
     b.) Lk. 6:43-45 FRUIT…

Amazing Grace Bible Class – Lesson Six – Vertical And Horizontal

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Jack Exum Jr

This article is part 7 of 20 in the series Amazing Grace Bible Class

(This lesson is taken from “Amazing Grace – God’s Power To Be”
* Is the church a denomination? Of course not! Yet the church divides.
* BIG TASK = GOING DEEPER/ BROADEN OUR UNDERSTANDING NT CONCEPTS.
* (J.W. Debate) Dad conducted a small debate with a Jehovah Witness when he was a young minister. The debate was over, IDENTITY OF THE N.T. CHURCH. Dad began: “AD 33, Jerusalem, Pentecost, Acts 2:38, Organization, Worship… all explained with scriptures to back up each point. Then his opponent began… The NT Church is a PRAYING CHURCH, A LOVING CHURCH, A SOUL WINNING CHURCH, A UNITED CHURCH…all with scriptures to back up each statement.
* Need to re-examine our approach… What dad said was not wrong… but he recognized that something was missing.
* What a/GRACE? Ephesians 2:4-10 Read NEED TO GROW /BROADEN OUR U/STANDING/ MARVELOUS CONCEPT “God’s power to GROW”.
* Not cheap grace (Jude 4/ Romans 6:1-2)
* Not small grace (Romans 5:8-10) It’s a ‘much more’ grace!

1. PROCESS OF SALVATION
    A. Hearing the Gospel (Romans 10:17)
    B. Believing/ faith/ trust (Romans 10:17; Heb. 11:1,6; James 2:17, 26)
    C. Obedience (John 14:21, 23-24)
    *** These are not important by themselves. These are important only because the
          end result is BEING ADDED TO, PUT IN, RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD thru
          JESUS CHRIST.
    *** BEING ADDED TO THE CHURCH, PUT INTO CHRIST AND IN RELATIONSHIP
         WITH GOD THRU JESUS MEANS ONE IS REDEEMED, SANCTIFIED,
         FORGIVEN, SEALED AND HEAVEN BOUND….
    *** THIS MAKES ALL THE OTHER THINGS IMPORTANT!
     D. One may say, “I don’t believe in repentance, confession, and baptism…. I
          BELIEVE IN JESUS! HE COMMANDS IT AND I OBEY IT! Yet it all finds value in
          the ‘end result’ of relationship with God thru Jesus.
2. FIRST CENTURY EXAMPLES – SALVATION BY GRACE THRU FAITH
     A. Pentecost (Acts 2)
     B. Samaritans (Acts 8:12)
     C. Saul (Paul) (Acts 9; 22)
     D. Cornelius (Acts 10)
     E. Philippian jailor (Acts 16:25-33)
3. VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL (Ephesians 2:8-10)
     A. VERTICAL = MOST IMPORTANT – 1^st Place – 1^st Allegiance – Cause/Effect –
         Power
          1.) Matthew 6:33; Luke 14:25-33
          2.) All other relationships/allegiances= governed by this
          3.) Law and prophets hang on this one.
          4.) Faith is the cable that “gets hold of God”. It’s not how much faith or how great
               the faith…the power is in the OBJECT of faith which is vital.
          5.) Give up everything…. But never give up your connection w/God. (HUB OF
               WHEEL)
4. THE HORIZONTAL RELATIONSHIP IS ALSO IMPORTANT (Can’t have vertical w/o
     horizontal)
     A. Look up to God – look out to people (wife/husband/children/friends/work/enemies)
     B. “I belong to Christ” THEREFORE….
     C. Family – (2 Timothy 3:15)(Acts 2:36-38, 41, 47)
     D. Horizontal relationship = seen in FRUIT/ACTION/ cf. James 2:24-26
     E. I John 1:7 “Fellowship” w/each other.
     F. I John 3:14-18 “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love
         each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a
         brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life
         residing in him. 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his
         life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If
         anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no
         pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us
         not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

Conclusion: Yes, grace is all about being saved and remaining saved…. We will learn more about this in the weeks coming. Yet it is also about the horizontal (people) relationships we as God’s children have.
I Corinthians 12:12-27 The hand does not hate the foot. The eyes are not jealous of the toes. WE ARE MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER.

Modifying The Pattern – “Nothing Takes The Place Of Unity”

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Jack Exum Jr

This article is part 4 of 4 in the series Modifying The Pattern

The hard thing about ‘change’ is managing the ‘fall-out’ or as some might call it ‘damage control’. Sounds political right. Not meant to be. But these lessons are meant to help avoid as much damage as possible. Sometimes ‘change’ comes and leaders feel very helpless. A group may end up with an undeclared split… those who want it, and those who are against it. If changes don’t occur then those who want it, leave, and if changes occur, then those who don’t want it leave. What’s a leadership to do?

May I suggest several things as I move to the last of the installments of notes and lessons dad had on this subject.

1. Spend much time in prayer, visitation with members, gather all information on feelings and thoughts as possible, encourage a spirit of love and unity, and sow the seeds of all concerned with the idea of compromise (each moving towards each other/ give and take).
2. The last thing we need is more splits and division. Brethren need to see more than anything, what the end will be if an un-Christ-like attitude prevails. All need to be on the page of seeking the best move for not only the congregation, but for the cause of Christ. Division is not only wrong, but damaging to the influence of the church in the community.
3. DO NOT BE FOOLED INTO THINKING:
A. People will not see when a congregation is at war with itself
B. People will not see a congregation that can weather the winds of change and
come out loving each other even more!
4. NOTHING… TAKES THE PLACE OF UNITY! (This is the title of this lesson from dad.) As you recall from the first lesson in this series, dad grew up in a different time. Church looked different, times were different, and changes came hard. Congregations divided, and hurt feelings grew. It wasn’t all bad times then… but the hope for now is that we can learn from the past and grow.
1. SCRIPTURES TO STUDY AND KEEP IN MIND
A. Ephesians 4:1-7 Paul’s plea for and outline of unity.
B. I Corinthians 1:10-3:23 Paul deals with division.
C. Romans 16:16-17 Paul encourages unity and warns against those who hurt the
same.
D. Romans 14-15 Paul instructs on how to maintain unity (weak brother/strong
brother/liberty etc…)
2. A FEW THINGS WHICH PALE IN IMPORTANCE WITH THE CROSS OF CHRIST
AND HIS MISSION:
A. Church buildings
B. Arrangement of singing
C. Tenure of elders
D. Treasury
E. Order of services
F. Local Ministers
G.Time of services and how many
H. Name of the church (assembly). (Consider “Central – “Where Christians meet”)
I. How money (funds) are dispensed
J. How to select elders
K. Deaconesses
L. Where “giving” is an act of worship
M. How often should we give
3. SOME CONSIDERATIONS
A. There are many other things which dad could have added to the list, but did not.
1.) You can add some things as you consider this.
B. Grow in grace, and understand, that not everything which look like big deals are in
fact A BIG DEAL.
C. Tradition has played a BIG APART IN THINGS WE DO.
1.) Prove this by asking for the scripture which proves one must do something
‘this way’ or ‘that’.
D. Tradition is not bad in and of itself.
E. Some changes are good if it helps the congregation to grow and reach out to the
community.
1.) This doesn’t mean on is a ‘change agent’.
F. Galatians 5:6 What is important is “FAITH WHICH WORKS BY LOVE.”
G. Keep a firm hold on things which are not CHANGEABLE. The “basic core” as
dad calls it. This must not, cannot be changed.
H. It takes wise shepherds, to grow and help their flock to grow with them.
1.) Pray
2.) Work together
3.) Grow in grace
4.) Maintain your liberty in Christ
5.) Earnestly strive to hold onto unity and peace – NOTHING TAKES THE PLACE
OF UNITY!!!

Modifying The Pattern – “Managing Change”

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Jack Exum Jr

This article is part 3 of 4 in the series Modifying The Pattern

Dad was very concerned for the church, the body of Christ. Praying for unity, peace, growth in grace and love… Dealing with ‘change’ without being labelled a “change agent”, is difficult. Sometimes unavoidable. This material is being made available to help leaders in dealing with “Change” in a way which is in keeping with the ‘story of the Bible’ and the instruction of Paul, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2).

This expanded outline is part of dad’s study which he prepared for his Three Unusual Days Ministry…

“Managing Change”
1. Change should be: BASED ON ENLIGHTENMENT and GROWTH SPIRITUALLY
A. Any time a church family deals with ‘change’, the leadership must
1.) Educate the people
2.) Discuss and communicate with the people
3.) Teach the people
4.) Be available to the people
2. Change should be: GRADED AND GRADUAL
A. No ‘next Sunday surprises’
B. Take time needed for the things mentioned above.
C. Consider the congregation’s present ‘comfort zone’
1.) ‘Change’ is not easy
3. Change should be: DIRECTIONAL – INTENTIONAL – WITH GOALS IN MIND
A. No hidden agenda allowed
B. Present a clear picture of WHERE YOU ARE GOING.
4. Change should be: WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR CONGREGATION.
A. Open your minds to options/ compromise
5. Change should be: GOVERNED BY BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES
A. Each congregation is independent
B. What is BIBLICAL, UN-BIBLICAL, NON-BIBLICAL and ANTI-BIBLICAL.
6. Change should be: COMMUNICATED WELL (before, during and after)
A. NO “Politics” “Undermining leaders over the phone
B. When this surfaces…. DEAL WITH IT QUICKLY AND DECISIVELY
7. Change should be: WITHOUT A FEAR ELEMENT
A. Deal with change openly and in the right way, so as to get rid of ‘fear’.
B. Cries of “It is un-scriptural” must be dealt with properly.
8. Change should be: DONE IN A WAY WHICH PROMOTES
A. Unity
B. Love
9. Change should be: IN THE SPIRIT OF SENSITIVITY AND CARE FOR ALL.
10. Changer should be: WITH ALL IN MIND
A. The “Old guard”
B. The “baby-boomers”
C. The “baby busters”
D. The “young and unmarried”
E. The “teens”
F. The “kids”
*** MEETING SOME OF ALL NEEDS – is wise.
*** KEEP THIS IMPORTANT THING IN MIND… Nothing takes the place of unity….

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