“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9  not by works, so that no one can boast. 10  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
 The Christian’s life is:
 1. 100% GRACE:
    A. Everything we have received, do receive, and will receive from God = GRACE.
    B. Grace = an UNMERITED/UNEARNED  gift.
    C. Grace = not withheld because I am a sinner… nor is it made less because I am a
         sinner…It is because we are sinners that grace is so important to the Christian
         life.
2. 100% FAITH:
     A. Everything I receive by grace is accepted on the principle = FAITH.
     B. Not mixed with work 40% / 60% – 75% / 25% – 90% / 10% … all by FAITH.
     C. Negatively speaking: NOTHING can be received from God accept by FAITH
         Paul says, “By grace through faith” (Can it be said, “by faith only”?)
         If so… Why? If not…Why? (When Paul speaks of FAITH in Romans 4,
         he is certainly not speaking of that which DOES NOTHING IN RESPONSE)
     D. This faith is shown to us by Abraham, (KJV)=(“WORKS” (MERIT) VS
         (“COUNTED” CREDIT)- (Romans 4 and 5:2)
3. 100% SALVATION: (Can Christians hold confidently to salvation?) YES 
     A. Discussion with Baptist minister and dad… (Something to think about)
          1.) Dad – “You believe in faith only salvation.” “Right? ” (Ministers reply) “YES” 
               Dad “No, that’s wrong”
          2.) Baptist minister “You believe in water salvation.” “Right?” (Dad’s reply)
               “YES” (Minister’s reply) “No, that’s wrong”
          3.) Dad – “You believe in once saved always saved.” “Right?” (Minister reply)
               “YES” (Dad replies) “No, that’s wrong!”
          4.) (Minister) – “You believe in once saved maybe saved.” “Right?” Dad’s
                response“ “YES” (Minister) “No, that’s wrong!”
      B. What do we believe? Confident salvation or not?
      C. Let’s look at some options (on board)
          Note: To do this draw two parallel vertical lines about an inch apart.
          At the bottom place “Baptism” and at the top “Heaven”. Representing the life of a
          Christian, typically we draw the line going up, then out (sin) and then back in, up
          a bit, out (sin) then back in etc…
          The question here is: ARE CHRISTIANS IN AND OUT OF SALVATION LIKE
          THIS? HOW BIG IS GRACE? ROOM FOR TIMES WHEN WE SIN, REPENT,
          CORRECT PATH… OR DO WE ‘FALL FROM GRACE’ HAVE TO GO FORWARD,
          CONFESS ETC… TO ‘GET BACK IN’? WHAT ABOUT SINS WE FORGET
          ABOUT?
          Verses to consider (a.) Romans 6:1 (b.) Ephesians 2:8; I John 1:7; I John 2:1-2)
          WHERE DOES ‘ABUSE’ COME INTO THE PICTURE?
  4. 100% NOT: (Disclaimers)
     A.  Disclaimers
          1.) Not of self
          2.) Not of works
          3.) No room for boasting
          4.) Irrevocable (once saved DOES NOT MEAN ‘do what you want’ saved)
          5.) Doubtful (once saved maybe saved)
     B. Nothing I can do about God’s grace but ACCEPT OR REJECT it.
5. 100% GIFT OF GOD
     A. Not cheap (Acts 20:28; Isaiah 53:10; Romans 3:26; 2 Cor. 9:15; Rom. 5:15)
6.  “For we (100%) are God’s (100%) handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good
       works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”
     A. Saved by Grace/Faith principle NOT Law/Works standard.
     B. Illustrating the principle with simple semantics (Eph. 2) “…good works..”
          i.)  Eph. 2:10 – change “works” to ‘spiritual fruit’ (Cf. Gal. 5:22-24)
         ii.) “workmanship”, ”workmen”, “unto good works”, “ordained”, “Walk in them” =
              FRUIT
        iii.) Change Law to LORD, and Works to FRUIT fits perfectly in the plan of God,
              and mind of disciple.
         iv.) To base salvation/ Christian life on achievements, quotas, measures of growth,
                contributions… for the good of the church = wrong. (“another gospel”)
          v.) Law/works results in GUILT (Romans 7:23-24)
               1.) Read Work book pg. 19 (Amazing Grace God’s Power To Be” Workbook by
                    Jack Exum
7. Special Study: WHO IS SAVED – OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST
     A. Questions:
          1.) What does a person need to know to be saved?
          2.) If I lose my salvation, am I still a Christian?
          3.) Is there such thing as an unsaved Christian?
     B. Light from Hebrews 3:7-19
          1.) IF today’s Christians are guilty of the same sins as the Israelites = suffer same
               fate..
               a.) What is that fate?
          2.) These sins are two types, what are they? REBELLION and UNBELIEF.
               a.) These are synonymous for “hardening your hearts” “testing” “trying” God
               b.) Having a heart that is always going astray. (Israel = 40 years!!!)
          3.) But the lesson works in both ways…
               a.) Christians not guilty of these sins WILL enter “into God’s rest”
          4.) What is the opposite of:
               a.) Unbelief — FAITH
               b.) Rebellion — SUBMISSION
               c.) Hardness of heart — (soft heart) seen in PENITENT/REPENTING
          5.) A Christian ceases to be a Christian when he LOOSES FAITH/REPENTANCE
               and remains a Christian as long as he CONTINUES IN FAITH AND
               REPENTENCE,  Hebrews 10:26-27. “If we deliberately keep on sinning….”
                1.) Salvation = lost – deliberately  continuing a life of sin… ie rebelling/hard
                     heart/refusing to repent.
                      a.) “Rebellion” = __________________
                      b.) “Sinning continuously” = _______________________
                2.) How does grace help us here?
                3.) How are believers made “perfect forever”? Hebrews 10:1
                4.) How does the Holy Spirit fit into this?
                5.) What does a penitent, teachable, moldable Christian life produce?
                     Galatians 5:22-23              
                6.) Bottom line: The Christian who loses faith, and the heart becomes
                     hardened and cannot and will not repent loses salvation… is not a
                     Christian… is lost. Christians who do not lose faith, and who’s hearts do
                     not become hardened… are saved from “spiritual cradle” till the time they
                     die.

(Special note of thanks to Jay Guinn and his work on Amazing Grace. Bible Class notes, and book “Holy Spirit and Revolutionary Grace”, www.oneinjesus.info)

 
“I’M UNASHAMED” (Composed by dad, Bob and myself)
“I’m unashamed of my Savior and Lord,
So unashamed of his wonderful word;
I’m unashamed of his powerful sword,
He’s mine, yes mine to share.

I’m unashamed of the thorns that were pressed,
So unashamed of his colorless dress;
I’m unashamed to sigh on his breast,
He’s mine, yes mine to share.

I’m unashamed of his teaching so bold;
So unashamed of the heaven foretold;
I’m ashamed to found in his fold,
He’s mine, yes mine to share.

I’m unashamed just to stand in his grace
So unashamed just to serve in his place,
I’m unashamed just to finish the race,
He’s mine, yes mine to share.

I’m unashamed of the wonders he rought,
So unashamed of the wisdom he taught,
I’m unashamed of salvation He brought
He’s mine, yes mine to share.

I’m unashamed of the parables told,
So unashamed of his challenge so bold,
I’m unashamed to be placed in his mold,
He’s mine, yes mine, to share.

 Primary purpose of lesson = BRING GRACE INTO FOCUS/BALANCE.  Grace=“The life of grace is not a substitute for a holy life and an earth shaking message. It is the foundation for both.” 
Questions: 
1. Why do you think Paul EMPHASIZED grace?  
2. Is preaching TRUE, REAL, grace ‘risky’? How? (“CAUTION- GRACE TAUGHT HERE!”)
3. There are two BASIC extremes (abuses)… what are they?
4. What is wrong with the following statement: “If you want to go to heaven, you must obey the commandments, do good works, and do so regularly, and consistently, and if you do not fail to in doing this…  you will be pleasing to God, and heaven will be yours.” Agree? Disagree? Why???
Danger – EXTREMES (ie Abuse) “ANYTIME GRACE IS TAKEN TO AN EXTREME – be it by LIMITING ITS APPLICATION, or USING IT AS A LIFE-LICENSE… it shows a lack of understanding/ appreciation for grace.” (Cf. Romans 6:1-2).

1. PERVERTED GRACE… (Galatians 1:6-8)
    A. WHY… was Paul “flabbergasted” with these Christians?
    B. What was being added to the Gospel which changed it to “another gospel”
        (which was not really the Gospel?)
    C. Call it a ‘scam’, ‘fake’, or just plain ‘false’. Anytime you add something to grace, it
         changes the essence of the Gospel. What are some examples of doing this
         today? Why are scams, fakes, so convincing? (Discussion)
2.  LEGALISTIC GRACE… (Contradiction? How?)
    A. What is (define) ‘legalism’? (Give personal illustration)
         1.) What does legalism (Strict adherence to the letter of law) do to grace?
         2.) Grace/Faith+Law/Works = Butterfly/Spider
         3.) How is a legalistic attitude recognized?
         4.) What does legalism do to a congregation? Restoration Movement?
    B. Illustration: Lady with the check list.
    C. Is it ok to “observe certain days, months, years etc…  as Holy?” (e.g. Christmas,
         Easter)
    D. What about ‘circumcision’ (Galatians 5:2-3; 4:10-11)? Cf. Timothy (Acts 16:3) and
         Titus and Galatians 2:3. What’s the difference? Timothy fallen from grace???
    E. Why does legalism seem ‘easier’ than grace?
    F. “Freedom in Christ” (Sermon outline)
        1.) … Take it seriously (Galatians 5:1)
        2.) … Guard it courageously (Galatians 5:2-11)
        3.) … Use it lovingly (Galatians 5:13-14)
3. BUSINESSMAN’S GRACE (“Hey God, ‘let’s make a deal’!”)
     A. “Give me half, and I’ll earn the rest!” (“You prepare supper/ I’ll sing for it” grace).
     B. Illustration: Ruler
     C. Prodigal son vs elder brother “Will work for food!”/ “I have slaved for you!”
     D. Is GRACE a 50:50 PROPOSITION? Why? Why not?  
     E. Consider the following: Salvation: It’s all (100%) grace on God’s part, and all
         (100%) faith on man’s part. (Agree? Disagree? Why?)
     E. LET’S LOOK AT YOUR DRIVING RECORD!
4. RELIGIOUS GRACE
     A. The religious ‘check list system’.
     B. Luke 18:9-14 One felt justified… WHY?
     C. How can we ‘mess up’ like the Pharisee?
     D. “The Pharisee rejected the love, mercy and forgiveness of God based on grace. 
           They just could not understand (comprehend) how God could be so gracious… 
           They depended on their law (commandment) keeping, their works as the
           foundation of their ‘worthiness’.
      E. The other, pleaded only for mercy, and received love, forgiveness and
           acceptance (grace).
      F.  Any appeal to law keeping, inward goodness, human works, tradition keeping,
           achievements or levels of self-righteousness constitutes a rejection of the grace
           of God! (Romans 11:6).
5. MORE SIN – MORE GRACE (LIVE IT UP GRACE)
    A. How much grace is too much grace?
    B. We all sin… we know better when we do it… Are we IN OR OUT of grace?
        1.) If we are out… how to get back in? (Give example from Bible)
        2.) If we are in… (Still a child of God /Holy Spirit) what should we do to correct
             path?
    C. What did it do for Paul? (What should real grace do for us?)
    D. Paul’s Argument from Romans 6
         1.) By grace – PRINCIPLE OF SIN = BROKEN (any sin/all sin)( Romans 6:1-11)
         2.) By grace – POWER OVER SIN = GIVEN (any/all sin) (Romans 6:12-22).
         3.) By grace – PUNISHMENT OF SIN = DELIVERED (any/all sin) (Romans 6:23; 
              8:1-2)
 
 For questions for class discussion please refer to “Amazing Grace God’s Pwoer To Be” Workbook (e-Book) Lesson Four

(For personal study – ‘Grace in the Parables’ – Study Matthew 20:1-16)
Introduction to class material:  
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God (CHOSE) created…”   
(cf. John 1:1-5; Colossians 1:16-17)
Genesis 3 In the beginning Man (CHOSE) to sin…  
What Grace means to me = (Class Discussion)
2 Timothy 1:9”…This grace was planned/purposed in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.” 
Titus 1:2 “in the hope of eternal life, which God… promised before the beginning of time.” 

(CHART FROM “REDEEMED”)

God’s plan to save man … ALL BEFORE TIME BEGAN!
Paul was absolutely ‘flabbergasted’ – “I am amazed” “WOW! You broke the record!” Galatians 1:6-7
(cf. Jude 4; Ephesians 3:5-11).
First prophecy – Genesis 3:15
Noah – Genesis 6:5-8 “The LORD saw…how great the wickedness…” “The LORD regretted that he had made human beings …His heart was deeply troubled.” “So the LORD said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race…for I regret that I have made them.” “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. (cf. Hebrews 11:7). (NOAH FOUND GRACE – BUILT AN ARK)
Abraham – Genesis 12:1-3 (7 Promises); Hebrews 11:8-9 By faith … obeyed…went…made his home..”  (ABRAHAM FOUND GRACE – OBEYED).
1. Abraham – Grace – Credit  (Galatians)
    A. Galatians 3:6-9
    B. Galatians 3:13-29
2. Abraham – Grace – Credit (Romans)
    A. Part of the ‘Roman Road’ (Four Chairs)
         1.) Gentiles LOST (under Moral law) (Romans 1)
         2.) Jews LOST (under Mosaical Law) (Romans 2) (Chair #1)
         3.) Conclussion – ALL ARE LOST UNDER LAW (Romans 3) (cf. 3:20, 23, 24-30)
         4.) (Chair #2) Justified (Even though Christians still sin periodically and have
               find themselves unable to stop sinning on a permanent basis, GOD HAS
               DECLARED US RIGHTEOUS because of the blood of Christ…
               a.) Go through Romans 4 (ABRAHAM – Merit vs. Credit) Summary verse = 16
               b.) Children of LAW or PROMISE??? “Amazing law, how sweet the sound?”
               c.) Galatians 3:19 “Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because 
                    of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come…”
               d.) From the beginning…. Grace (Ephesians 2:8-10)
         5.)  “Let it be known to everyone. Wake up the neighbors, send it in a letter by
                mail, broadcast it over the airwaves, carry the message to the far corners of
                the earth. Go ‘tell it on the mountains’, in the valleys, and even to the small
                islands of the sea: GOD HAS A PLAN TO SAVE MAN BY HIS GRACE. It is
                not a formula man has concocted – it is not a scheme that man has devised.
                It is TOTALLY OF GOD, and if affected, will be done so BY HIS GRACE, not
                by law, not by works. This is the gracious God of the Old Testament. This is
                the God of Adam, Noah, Abraham, David and Jonah. This is the plan of
                salvation for man – the one that was in the beginning in the mind of God, and
                has not changed through the ages of time.”             
3. Paul is amazed!!! “Another Gospel”? (R U Crazy?!!)  (Class Discussion)
    A. Galatians 1:8
         1.) What is the Gospel of grace?  
         2.) What is meant by “contend earnestly for the faith…” Jude 4
         3.) What is the difference (if any) between “the gospel” and “the faith”? 
         4.) How can it (Gospel of grace) be changed? (Improved on?) 
         5.) What is the problem with adding to GRACE… things from the Law? 
         6.) What does it mean “accursed” “condemned”?
4. “From the beginning it has not been this way…”
     A. In the beginning (there was) Grace…
         1.) Just ask Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses…Israel during period
              of the Judges…
         2.) Grace during the time of the prophets (Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, 
              Daniel….)
     B. “And the Word became flesh…” “Full of grace and truth…”
     C. Ask Paul about grace… I Timothy 1:12-17 I AM THE WORST OF SINNERS.
         1.) Thought question:  How does Paul’s statement help you? How big was God’s 
              grace to Paul?  
         2.) How big is grace to you?
        

The Holy Spirit actually dwells in the Christian! This in itself is amazing! The Old Testament shows us God’s presence is seen everywhere… especially at Mt. Sinai (Exo. 24:15-17). Moses covers his face … Tabernacle is built… (Exo. 25:8; 29:42-43). The Glory of God, the “Shekinah” is seen. When Solomon builds the Temple, the Shekinah appears (I Kgs. 8-6-12)… When Ezra and Nehemiah lead in re-building the temple, and it is re-dedicated… no “Shekinah“ (glory) appears. Israel waits for “glory” to return w/ Messiah, but = disappointed in Jesus! (Jno. 1:14) NOT WHAT THEY EXPECTED… The church is promised, established and the HOLY SPIRIT (“Shekinah” “glory”) – is “poured out” – The GIFT of the Spirit is given… Christians are the TEMPLE. I Cor. 3:16; 6:19; Eph. 2:21-22…
Read Holy Spirit and Revolutionary Grace by Jay Guinn pg. 26-27
Question: “How do your friends know that God’s seal is on you?”
Read pg. 34 (ibid) “Many struggle w/ understanding ….”  HOW CAN WE KNOW???
Now let’s consider several things which will help us grow.

1. How the Holy Spirit actually changes and empowers us
    A. We are weak and imperfect people… we sin! Right?
    B. Read 2 Peter 1:4
    C. When we receive the Spirit, He gives us His Divine nature.
         a.) This means real change from what we were before, to spiritually alive
              and  He strengthens us to better obey His will.
     D. God helps us…. He wants us to make it to the end, thus all tools available  
          are given.
2. How is our nature changed by the Holy Spirit? (this is hard to explain)
    A. READ: Jno. 3:6-8
         1.) What does it mean, “Spirit gives birth to spirit”?
               a.) Seems to say, when we are saved, that we become spiritualized
                     beings. (No longer just flesh, blood and soul)
               b.) So God gives us ‘a piece’ of Himself, His Spirit implanted within us.
         2.) Verse 8 leads me to believe we cannot feel, see or touch it…. can only see  
               the RESULTS..
     B. READ: Romans 8:5-6,9 (note the phrases “after the Spirit” and “in the Spirit”         
         1.) He is in us, and WE ARE IN HIM, and “after” (according to) the Spirit…
         2.) Paul does his best to explain that we are INTIMATELY CONNECTED TO
              THE SPIRIT IN A WAY STHAT AFFECTS HOW WE THINK AND LIVE..
     C. Can good (non-Christian) people do good things?  – Yes.
          Can Christian people do bad things? Yes – FREE WILL
          1.) But the good done by good people does not please God, they are not good
               enough… can’t be good enough. (outside Christ).
          2.) The good done by Christians is the product of the Spirit dwelling in 
               and working in them.
          3.) When Christians do good, it is coming from a better source… from faith
               in God, and love prompted by the Spirit. We are better because of His Spirit.
          4.) Christians are temples of God, I Corinthians 6:19 (a place where God’s Spirit
                has a special dwelling place and is worshipped there). The “temple” is
                made holy, cleansed by the blood, and changed from mortal to immortal, from
                profane to holy. He has made us a suitable place where God can dwell
                through His Spirit.
          5.) Local congregation is also a temple for the Spirit, I Cor. 3:16-17; Eph. 2:21-22
               a.) Flawed, sinful people living in a far from perfect community become a holy.
                    sacred place for God’s Spirit.
               b.) Because we stand forgiven
               c.) In preparation for what is coming. (Jesus is coming to take home His Bride)
               d.) Look at John 4:24 “God is Spirit….” our worship must be in
                    spirit…” 
                    i.) This is God’s nature and it is our new nature, from which we worship.
                    ii.) We are so remade with the same substance as God.
                   iii.) Eve came from Adams rib… we are remade from God’s by His 
                        Spirit        
               e.) All this supports what Paul says in Ephesians 1:19b-21, 22-23; 2:6-7 
                     i.) We are already “seated” with Him in heaven, on the throne… we are
                         His body.
3. The Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts 
    A. READ: Hebrews 8:10-12
    B. The Spirit changes our lives by CHANGING OUR HEARTS, Heb. 8:10;
         Phil. 2:12-13
         1.) by helping us know an unknowable love, Eph. 3:16-19
         2.) by helping us understand a peace beyond understanding, Phil. 4:7
         3.) by helping us with knowledge, I Cor. 2:14-16; Eph. 3:16-19; I Jno. 2:20-27
         4.) by helping us do through passionate faith what seems impossible, Heb.11
         5.) by making us holy, and keeps us… Romans 15:16; I Cor. 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:12
         6.) by empowering our life.2 Cor. 4:6-7
         7.) by helping us in prayer Romans 8:26-28

Conclussions:
What we have not said…..
1. that the Spirit takes away free will….
2. that the Spirit gives extra revelation equal to scripture,
3. that there are modern day “prophets” that can add to or take from scripture
4. that the Spirit only works through the Bible… the Bible is not a Holy Relic
    in which the Spirit is trapped.

1.The Spirit is given to every Christian, whether or not they recognize it, to reinforce and strengthen our hearts and minds to obey and follow His will.
2.The Spirit empowers us to do what God wants done in the world. (We aren’t told to do something and not given the power to do it.) Therefore, the power to love, serve, speak (testify), etc… is ours through the Holy Spirit.
3. The Spirit works where He lives…. in His temple…. the hearts and lives of Christians.

(Thank you Jay Guinn for your helpful study on this subject… www.oneinjesus.info)

 I  want to use this lesson to introduce the adjoining study on the Holy Spirit. This is an important and foundational part of our class on Grace, since Grace cannot operate apart from the Spirit any more than the Spirit can operate separate from Grace.
Get your Bibles and follow along as we have to get to the TRUTH in this matter!
Many DO NOT BELIEVE in personal, life changing, indwelling of the Spirit! They believe the Spirit only dwells in a representative way through God’s Word.
Many DO BELIEVE that the  Holy Spirit has special, personal, effective relationship with all Christians by dwelling personally within them. This is a relationship which non-Christians do not have. The relationship is realized in the mind and felt in the heart and thus is internal, intimate, life changing relationship.
Question: Does the Spirit dwell IN THE CHRISTIAN? What does this have to do with GRACE?
If the Spirit DOES INDWELL – What = VISIBLE EFFECTS/RESULTS?
Let’s consider and study a few scriptures…

1. John 14:16-17 – Another Comforter Promised
    A. Acts 2:38-39 (Another Comforter given)
2. John 3 – New Birth
    A. John 3:1-8
        1.) Nicodemus/Jesus – two elements –water & Spirit
        2.) Water = Immersion (Romans 6:3-5) & Spirit = Holy Spirit (Jno. 7:37-39)
        3.) Jesus is teaching- Those born of the flesh have the nature of flesh
              (controlled by flesh). Those born of Spirit, have the nature of the Spirit.
        4. Born again = born of Spirit = Spiritual being. Spirit affects your nature,
            just like being born in flesh defines your nature as a fleshly being.
2. II Corinthians 3 –  Spirit gives life!
    A. Vs 3 Read – If Spirit = only through the Word, why Paul say WITH THE SPIRIT –
        “not with ink”?
    B. Vs 6 Read “letter (law) kills”(Romans 7), but “the Spirit gives life”.
    C. New Covenant/Relationship = results of the Spirit in/on the heart!
3. John 4 – Samaritan Woman – Helps us understand Paul
    A.  verses 5-14
    B. Jesus says living water has four characteristics:
        1.) JESUS GIVES IT
        2.) ONCE YOU RECEIVE THIS, YOU NEVER THIRST AGAIN
        3.) IT CREATES A “SPRING” WITHIN THE RECIPIENT
        4.) THIS SPRING PRODUCES ETERNAL LIFE
    C. Not discussing salvation BUT THAT WHICH PRODUCES/SECURES SALVATION
         in the Christian
    D. John 7:37-39  “… Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty
         come to me and drink. Whoever believes  in me, as Scripture has said,  rivers of
         living water  will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those
         who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been
         given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.”
         NOTE: Jesus is not speaking about the Word producing “springs of living water”
         but the SPIRIT, which gives eternal life. This is what Paul means in 2 Corinthians
         3 “the Spirit gives life”.
4. Romans 7 and 8
    A. Read Romans 7:4-8
        1.) Before Saved = CONTROLLED BY SINFUL NATURE
        2.) We ‘tried’ but failed.
        3.) Prohibitions of law – made sin more tempting.
        4.) We sinned all the more!
        5.) Vs. 6 “But now, by dying (Vs. 1-3) to what once bound us, we have been
             released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in
             the old way of the written code.”
     B. SOLUTION: NOT A BETTER LAW- BUT THE SPIRIT!!! NOT RULES – BUT
         RELATIONSHIP (Luke 15:11fff)!!!
     C. Romans 8
         1.) Vs.1-2 Read
              a.) Paul is drawing a contrast bet. OLD AND NEW Covenants. (OLD=SIN AND
                   DEATH)(NEW=SPIRIT OF LIFE/NO CONDEMNATION!!!)
         2.) Vs. 3-4 Read
              a.) If we live “according to the Spirit” the REQUIREMENTS OF LAW are fully
                   met in us.
              b.) How do we live this way?
         3.) Vs. 5 Read
              a.) Living by the Spirit = determined NOT so much by actions as by
                   MOTIVATIONS!
              b.) The test is… whether or not you DESIRE the things of the Spirit in your
                    heart.
              c.) Obviously we frequently FAIL… but YOU WILL SUFFER NO
                   CONDEMNATION FOR SUCH FAILURES.
         4.) Vs 6-7 Read
              a.) Spiritual mind is at peace because it is submissive to God… not because of
                   PERFECT OBEDIENCE!!!
         5.) Vs 9a Read
              a.) IF THE SPIRIT LIVES WITHIN YOU… YOU ARE CONTROLLED by the
                   Spirit. If you are not controlled by the Spirit, He does not live in you.
         6.) Vs. 9b. Read
              a.) Either the Spirit lives within you or not (no middle ground).
              b.) There are NO CHRISTIANS WHO DON’T HAVE THE SPIRIT/ NO ONE
                   WHO HAS THE SPIRIT IS LOST!!!
         7.) Vs. 10-11 Read
              a.) If the Spirit lives in you = RAISED FROM THE DEAD AS JESUS WAS!
         8.) Vs. 12-14 Read
              a.) Being controlled/lead by Spirit = “putting to death the misdeeds of the
                   body”. (What does this mean to you!)
              b.) This means continuing in the repentance that allowed you to be saved in
                    the first place!
              c.) This means growing in Christ. “Filled with the Spirit”
              d.) Does not mean LOSS OF FREE WILL/CHOICE!
              e.) Putting to death = an conscious act of the Spirit controlled mind… ie
                   refusing to do something.
              f.) The Spirit encourages/empowers… but ultimately we CHOOSE whether to
                   follow the Spirit or not.
         9.)  Vs. 15 Read
               a.) Christians need not be afraid of CONDEMNATION.
               b.) Condemnation = a possibility of course. BUT for the repenting, growing,
                    teachable Christian, there is a constant, confident relationship with God.
        10.) Vs. 16 Read
               a.) THE SPIRIT’S TESTIMONY IS NOT THROUGH MIRACULOUS SIGNS
                    AND WONDERS, BUT THROUGH THE MIND OF THE SAVED. THE
                    FACT THAT A CHRISTIAN’S MIND IS LED BY THE SPIRIT WILL BE
                    EVIDENT FROM HIS/HER THOUGHTS, MOTIVATIONS, WORDS,
                    DEEDS. SALVATION IS ASSURED AND JOY (Phil. 4) CONSTANT.
         11.) Vs. 26 Read
                 a.) The Spirit not only gives life, but it makes up any deficiencies in our
                       prayer life.
5. The Down Payment
     A. Three times Paul describes the indwelling as a – SEAL/GUARANTY/DOWN
         PAYMENT.
         1.) 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
         2.) 2 Corinthians 5:5
         3.) Ephesians 1:13
     B. “Deposite” = Commercial term – “down payment” (earnest money)
         1.) Buy a car, furniture, house, etc… MONEY DOWN!
         2.) Nonsense to sign a note for a down  payment!
         3.) Down payment = REAL / NOW
         4.) God says, HEAVEN IS OURS (God’s ‘note’). Holy Spirit = God’s REAL,
              PRESENT ‘DOWN PAYMENT’ for OUR ETERNAL HOME LATER!
                (Ie “cash in hand”)(We find His promise in His Word!)
     C. “Seal” = Commercial/legal term.
           1.) Important original documents have a SEAL (Notary etc..)
           2.) Document is totally enforceable in court. (Same as guaranty).
           3.) “Seal” in ancient times = authority/ quality approval of products/ and
                OWNERSHIP

This re-enforces – God’s Spirit is VERY IMPORTANT TO THE CHRISTIAN… & PERSONALLY dwells within. No Christian is without the Spirit. All Christians are
saved (maybe not growing as much as others). All Christians can rest secure in their salvation – and should strive to grow. Sign of Spirit’s indwelling = NOT MIRACLES but LIFE AND WORDS AND ACTIONS.

Welcome; Study of: Grace and the Holy Spirit.
My Prayer: “Dear Father,  help us never be ashamed, afraid,
or refuse to teach the truth and ramifications of your amazing grace”.
Introduce the study – Parables – Luke 15  “Things Lost and Found” (May see King David/Apostle Peter)(May see SELF)(Will definitely see God and His grace)
This world is full of “lost things”… ‘lost’ people… Luke 15 is a 3 parable chapter
which introduces us to ATTITUDES/ Law, Prejudice, (Big) GRACE – and
CONFLICT!
(Note: Some of the material contained in this series is from Jay Guinn’s study on Amazing Grace (oneinjesus.info) although I will be putting some of my own thoughts in the lesson as well. Jay’s book, “The Holy spirit and Revolutionary Grace” has been very helpful as well. Most of this material will be coming from dad’s workbook “Amazing Grace – God’s power to be”… it will be expanded here, and my own thoughts included. The purpose of this study is to help Christians better understand God’s grace, and how it is applied in the Christian life.)

1. THE SETTING
    A. Luke 14:25-34 Count the cost! (Things dear: vs25-27),
         1.) Build tower – COUNT THE COST!
         2.) King goes to war – COUNT THE COST!
         3.) Salt – (MANY BEGIN… LOSE DESIRE TO FINISH)
    B. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (REALLY LISTEN).
    C. Luke 15:1-2)Tax collectors( Luke 18:914) /sinners GATHERING TO LISTEN.
         (S/thg missing -“fill my cup”)
         1.) Pay attention!!! ATTITUDES/ EXAMINE YOURSELF…
    D. “Sinners” – Pharisees classified those who’s lifestyle was not in keeping with
         the law.. “People of  the Land”. Pharisaic regulations = “When a man is one
         of the people of the land, entrust no money to him, take no testimony from him,
         trust him with no secret, do not appoint him guardian of an orphan, do not
         make him the custodian of charitable funds, do not accompany him on a journey.”
         1.) Pharisees = forbidden to be guest of SINNERS or to have SINNERS as a
              guest. i.e. avoid any and all contact!
         2.) These were the people who did not observe the petty details of the law.
         3.) They looked forward to the destruction of the sinner not their salvation –
              (beyond hope!)
    E. “Tax Collectors” – Cf. Luke 19:1-10 Zacchaeus  (What = Jesus’ ATTITUDE
          to the lost?!)
    F. Extra study: Some prejudices are hard to shake. Cf. Acts 10 (Cornelius
        and Peter) Galatians 2:11-21 (Paul vs Peter)(Law vs Grace).
2. THE LOST SHEEP / THE GOOD SHEPHERD: vss. 3-7
    A. Sheep are the PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SHEPHERD.
    B. Sheep get lost/wander/distracted/hurt themselves/ don’t hate the
         shepherd or other sheep.
    C. ATTITUDE/ACTION = LEAVE/GO/SEARCH UNTILL/FIND/REJOICE!
3. THE LOST COIN / THE DETERMINED WOMAN: vss 8-10
    A. Coin is PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WOMAN
    B. SHE lost it! (Carelessness/forgetfulness/preoccupied with other stuff)
         – How it was lost is not the focus… THE ATTITUDE OF CARING/ SEARCHING
            IS IMPORTANT WHEN COMPARED TO VS. 1-2.
    C. ATTITUDE/ACTION = SWEEP HOUSE/SEARCH UNTIL/FIND/REJOICE
4. THE LOST SON / THE LOVING GRACIOUS FATHER: vss 11-32
    A. 2 sons! vs. 11-12 (Eldest = 2/3 inheritance)(younger = 1/3) Deut. 21:17
    B. Younger son – Took his part and left. (Dust from far off country= on his
         heart long before it got on his feet!)
    C. Life of the party/ riotous living/ popular – paid the tab!/ S/thg happened…
         MONEY RAN OUT!
         1.) Hires self out/ Pig Pen/ ‘slop the pigs’. (FORBIDDEN TO JEWS).
         2.) STARVING/ “pig slop” looking better!!!/ CAME TO HIS SENCES!
              (Thinks of HOME/ and all he had given up.)
    D. Decision time! vs. 17-20 “I HAVE SINNED” “I AM NOT WORTHY”
         “MAKE ME A SERVANT” – ATTITUDE = HUMILITY!  ACTION =
          GO HOME!
    E. Vs. 21-24 The way back was hard but needed.
         1.) Recognized land marks passed on his journey away from home.
         2.) Attitude going back = different from attitude when he left!
    F. WELCOME HOME! Father (God) was looking/ ran/ embraced/ didn’t listen/
        GRACE!
        1.) Son tried to finish speech… Father “Be quiet my son… I LOVE YOU ANYWAY…
             WELCOME HOME.
        2.) No probation/ “You’ll have to work your way back”/ “You’ve done too much…
             shamed me too much… hurt me too much… to be called a ‘son’.”          
        3.) That night in his bed, what was the son thinking? “THE ROBE, THE RING, THE
             FATTED CALF… ALL FOR ME, AN UNWORTHY SON. WOW!!! What a Father
             (God)! I will never do that again!” “Today, I SAW MY DAD (GOD) RUN.”
  4. THE OLDER BROTHER vss. 25-32
       A. ATTITUDE/ ACTIONS – (Response to GRACE)
            1.) Angry!!! Why???
            2.) Refused to go in (join the celebration). Why???
            3.) I worked/ never disobeyed your commands
            4.) Jealous!!! Why???
       B. The Pleading Father (God)
            1.) You have everything!
            2.) YOUR BROTHER is home!
      

Corrie ten Boom, “Tramp For The Lord” pg. 28 “Only to those who have been in prison, does freedom have such great meaning.” (Prodigal Son Version: “ONLY TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN STARVING IN A STINKING PIG PEN, DOES HOME (my Father/ His grace and forgiveness) HAVE SUCH GREAT MEANING.”

“AMAZING GRACE…. How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me….