Lord – Page 4 – Ministry of Grace Church

Tag: Lord

Ephesians 1:2 – Grace and Peace

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Will

Ephesians 1:2 – Grace and Peace

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Truth to Learn

Paul prays for God to show His grace to us and grant us peace.

Behind the Words

The word translated “Grace” is charis, which is derived from the verb chairō, meaning “to rejoice.” Charis refers to “favor, good will, or kindness, especially that which causes joy and gratification.”

“Peace” is translated from eirēnē, which means “peace or tranquility.” It is a state in which there is no perceived threat or cause for worry present.

“Lord” is from the Greek word kurios, which is derived from the noun kuron, meaning “might” or “power.” Thus, kurios refers to the one possessing might or power; that is, it refers to “one who is supreme in authority” or “one’s owner.”

Meaning Explained

This verse, which expresses the Apostle Paul’s natural tenderness toward those whom he loves, is sort of like the calm before the storm. Whereas the first two or three verses in this chapter seem like drinking from a peaceful babbling brook, what comes after these verses may seem like trying to drink from a fire hose.

Though part of the salutation of the letter, this verse actually expresses a prayer from the apostle. Since Paul spent three years with the Christians in Ephesus, he developed a close relationship with, and fondness for, them. His first expression of fondness is that he prays for grace for them. Christians often think of grace as “unmerited favor,” which it surely is when used in reference to the grace that God has shown to us in granting us the righteousness of Christ and eternal life through Him. But, since Paul is addressing this letter to Christians who already know the grace of God with regard to salvation, this is a different flavor of grace. This is living grace, the favor and good will from God that brings gratification and joy to the everyday lives of Christians.

In addition to grace, Paul prays for peace to be bestowed on all who read this letter. Throughout the years, from the first century until now, faithful Christians have enjoyed periods of peace as well as periods of persecution. Paul is well aware of the trials and troubles that we will encounter throughout our journey on this earth and expresses this prayer for peace even when we are in the midst of such troubles.

He recognizes and tells us not only the source of grace and peace, but the mediator through whom these are passed on to us. Though there are three persons in the Godhead who are each one completely God, there is a hierarchy that the three persons have agreed on. The Father is the first person of the three. The Son (the Lord Jesus Christ) is the second person of the three and is voluntarily submitted to the authority of the Father. And, the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead who is voluntarily submitted to the authority of both the Father and the Son. Paul tells us here that grace and peace are from our Father and from (or through) our Lord Jesus Christ.

Application

Do you know the peace of God that surpasses all our understanding (Philippians 4:7)? Are you experiencing His grace in your life? Are you fully submitted to His will?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, send an e-mail to:

Romans 16:24 – Precious, Sacred, and True

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Will

Romans 16:24– Precious, Sacred, and True

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Truth to Learn

We have the genuine Word of God.

Behind the Words

“Grace” is translated from charis. This is the noun form of the verb chairō, meaning “to be full of cheer” or “to rejoice.” The noun form, charis, means “joy, pleasure, or gratification as a result of an undeserved kindness granted.” In other words, it refers to “an undeserved or unmerited favor done without expectation of anything done in return.” It is sometimes described as “unmerited favor.”

The word “Lord” is from the Greek noun kurios, which is derived from the noun kuron, meaning “might” or “power.” Thus, kurios refers to the one possessing might or power; that is, it refers to “a master or owner.”

“Jesus” is transliterated (spelling a word of one language with the letters of another language) from the Greek Iēsous, which is in turn transliterated from the Hebrew Yēshū’a, or Joshua, meaning “Jehovah is help” or “Jehovah saves.”

“Christ” is the transliteration of the Greek word christos, which is derived from the verb chriō, meaning “to anoint.” Therefore, christos means “anointed one.” This is the equivalent of the Hebrew word Māshīach, or Messiah.

The word “amen” is transliterated from the Greek word amēn, which in turn is transliterated from the Hebrew ‘āmēn. It literally means “to be firm, steady, or trustworthy.” The Greek word is sometimes translated as “verily” or “truly.” Because we almost always end a prayer with amen, we tend to think of it as meaning “the end” but this is not the proper meaning of the word. At the end of a prayer, it is more appropriately equated to “it is truth” or “it is so.”

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse is almost exactly the same as the second half of verse twenty, except that the word “all” has been inserted. Some of the major Greek manuscripts do not include this verse, so it is omitted in some translations. However, it is included in this translation so let’s look at it briefly.

According to his second letter to the Thessalonians, this is an expression that Paul uses to mark the genuineness of his letter:

The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (2Thssalonians 3:17-18)

In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul alludes to a forged letter from him (2Thessalonians 2:2), so he may have used this valediction to assure them that it was truly from him. Thus, we see this expression in various forms in 1Corinthians 16:23, 2Corinthians 8:9, Galatians 6:18, Philippians 4:23, 1Thessalonians 5:28, 2Thessalonians 3:18, 1Timothy 1:14, and Philemon 1:25.

As to why it is included in both verses twenty and twenty-four we can only speculate. Perhaps the first was written by his penman and this one was written by Paul himself.

Application

We are so privileged to have God’s truth presented to us in a single book, a book that we know to be genuine. We should treat it as precious, honor it as sacred, and follow it as God’s Holy Word. Amen.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, send an e-mail to:

Romans 10:9 – Resurrected Lord

Posted on October 4, 2010 by Will

Romans 10:9 – Resurrected Lord

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Truth to Learn

Christ must be both your Master and your risen Savior.

Behind the Words

“Confess” is translated from the Greek word homologeo, which is a compound word made up of homos, meaning “together or the same” and a form of logos, meaning “something said.” Actually it is more appropriately the thoughts or ideas behind what is said. Hence, homologeo means “to agree with, or to have the same thoughts as someone else.”

The word “Lord” is the Greek word kurios, which means “one who is supreme in authority.”

“Saved” is from the Greek verb sōdzō, meaning “to save or to deliver and protect from harm.” It is expressed here in the future tense. In other words, it does not mean “you are saved” but “you will be saved.”

Meaning Explained

This verse and the next comprise another of the pinnacles of the book of Romans. This may, in fact, be the highest of the peaks. Paul proclaims here how the righteousness of faith is obtained. Remember, Paul has told us that all of us are sinners.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23)

And that the result of sin is death, that is, separation from God.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Now, Paul tells us that the way to gain the righteousness of God, that is, the way to be saved from the death that sin has caused, is to confess and believe. We are told that we must agree with God that Jesus is our Lord.

Putting this all together we see that Paul is telling us that we need to agree with God that Jesus is the supreme authority over us. That is, He is our Lord, which requires submission on our part. We also need to believe that God has raised Jesus from the dead, which is proof that He is the sinless Son of God, and that His death was sufficient payment for our sins. If we do these things Paul says that we will be saved.

If we do not do both of these things, that is if we do not submit to Jesus’ supreme authority or if we don’t believe that He is risen from the dead, then we will not be saved. All those people who believe that Jesus was a good man, perhaps even a prophet but who is now dead, will not be saved. Those who believe that Jesus was raised from the dead but have not submitted to His lordship over their lives will not be saved.

Application

Have you confessed that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Master? Do you believe that God has raised Him from the dead? Those may be the two most important questions you will ever answer!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, send an e-mail to:

Romans 7:25 – He is Lord!

Posted on May 17, 2010 by Will

Romans 7:25

I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Truth to Learn

Submitting to the lordship of Jesus Christ is the only way to win the battle against our sin nature.

Behind the Words

“Thank” is translated from the Greek word eucharisteō, which means “to express gratitude” or “to give thanks.”

The word translated “through” is dia, which can imply “motion through something” or “through the instrumentality, or by means of someone or something.” The latter is the meaning as it is used here.

“Mind” is from the Greek word nous, which refers to “intellect or mental perception.”

The word translated “flesh” is sarx, which refers to the flesh of an animal, but it is used metaphorically to refer to our physical being.

Meaning Explained

Paul’s initial conclusion now, of this entire battle between his desire to obey God and his tendency to commit sin, is expressed in the current verse. His conclusion is that with his mind, that is, his intellect, Paul serves the Law of God. As he said back in verse 22, he (his “new man’) delights in obeying the Law of God. The regenerated part of him wants to do God’s will. But with his flesh, that is his “old man” or his sin nature, Paul says he serves the law of sin.

Paul recognizes that the part of him that he has control over is focused on serving God, but the part of himself that he cannot control is a captive slave to sin. Again, let me point out that this does not absolve Paul of the responsibility for his sin. He is still guilty of violating God’s Law and of sinning against God. The difference, as we will see in the next chapter of this epistle to the Romans, is that God has provided a way for him (and us) to be free from the condemnation of sin.

That’s why he opens this verse with, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” You will notice that it is not Jesus to whom he is thankful, but to God (the Father) and his thanks is through, or by means of, Jesus Christ. Paul recognizes that it is because of what Jesus did for him on the Cross and by his resurrection from the dead that he is able to be freed from the dominion of his sin nature. By God’s grace the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us of all unrighteousness. Hence, he thanks God through Jesus Christ. But he doesn’t stop there. You will notice that he says “through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Paul recognizes that it is through the lordship of Jesus that he is able to overcome the lordship of sin that he is battling. In other words, he recognizes that it is only through submitting his will to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Master that he finally overcomes his slavery to his own sin nature.

Application

Too often we hear of people who have “accepted” the gift of salvation, the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross to pay for their sins, but they have never really submitted themselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. If you have never submitted to Him as Lord and Master of your life, you have not been saved.

Are you submitted to His will? Is He truly your Lord and Master?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, send an e-mail to:

Romans 5:21 – Eternal – Death or Life

Posted on February 24, 2010 by Will

Romans 5:21

so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Truth to Learn

Even though we were ruled over by sin in the past, God’s grace will reign over us because of the righteousness that He imputes to us when we submit to Him as our Lord.

Behind the Words

The words “reigned” and “might reign” are translated from basileuō, meaning “to reign” or “to be king” as we saw back in verse fourteen. The verb forms in this verse are very telling. “Reigned” is in the aorist, active, indicative indicating a past action occurring at a point in time. Hence, it could be translated as “began to reign” or “reigned” as we have it in this translation. However, “might reign” is an aorist, active, subjunctive, which implies something that is not necessarily occurring at the moment but that might occur in the future.

“Eternal” is translated from the Greek word aiōnios, which is from aiōn, meaning “an age” or “a long period of time.” Hence, aiōnios means “perpetual, everlasting, or eternal.

The word translated “Lord” is kurios, which comes from the noun kuros, meaning “might or power.” The word kurios means “one who is supreme in authority or power, a master, or an owner.” When we refer to Jesus Christ as our Lord we are saying that he is our owner, the one who has supreme authority over all that we do and that we have submitted our will to His.

Meaning Explained

Paul now ties-up the entire chapter in this one verse. Previously Paul taught us that the Law came in to make the presence of sin much more evident. It was the spotlight that made sin undeniable. And he said that where sin was more apparent, grace was even more so. That is, as the knowledge of sin became greater, the recognition of the immenseness of the grace became even greater. To use a military analogy, the greater and more powerful the enemy, the greater is the reputation of the army that conquers that enemy.

Paul now makes the final comparison. On the one hand, sin has reigned unbeatable in the past, producing death. From 2Thessalonians we know that this death is everlasting:

… and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)

But in the final showdown, grace will defeat the enemy. It will reign over death and through righteousness (imputed by that grace) it will produce in us eternal life. This grace which allows righteousness to be imputed to us is only made possible through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Application

Thank you, Heavenly Father for helping me see my sinfulness and for your gracious gift, the blood of your only begotten son that paid for my sins. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the promise of eternal life rather than the eternal punishment that I deserve. Truly, you are worthy of my worship and my praise! You are my Owner, my Master, and my Lord, and I willingly submit my will to yours. Amen.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, you can call the church phone (618) 614-3070 and leave a message telling us your name and e-mail address or you can send an e-mail to:

Romans 5:1 – Peace Through Faith

Posted on January 27, 2010 by Will

Romans 5:1

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Truth to Learn

Salvation by faith produces peace with God.

Behind the Words

“We have” is from the Greek verb echō, meaning “to hold” or “to possess.” However, there is a variation in the form of this verb depending on which Greek manuscripts are used. Some texts have this in the indicative mood indicating it as a present fact (“we have” as it is translated here). Other texts have this verb expressed in either the subjunctive mood (“we may have” or “we should have”) or the imperative mood (“let us have” as a command). The difference in the readings is only the difference between an omicron (short o) and an omega (long ō). In spite of these differences, the reading of “we have peace” is justified by the fact that the parallel verbs (“we have” and “we rejoice”) in the following verse are both in the indicative mood.

The word translated “peace” is eirēnē, which does, in fact, mean “peace.” However, this is not so much an expression of contentment, satisfaction, and quiet, as it is “a state of reconciliation with God.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous chapters the Apostle Paul has shown:

1) That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;

2) That this applies to both Jews and Gentiles;

3) That there was no way to obtain righteousness (become justified) but by pardon, not by personal merit, but by grace, through faith;

4) That this was also the manner in which Abraham and David were accepted before God.

He will now show us a couple of the effects, or fruits, of this justification that we have. The first is, because we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God. About this peace, Matthew Henry in his Commentary on the Whole Bible said,

It is sin that breeds the quarrel between us and God, creates not only a strangeness, but an enmity; the holy righteous God cannot in honour be at peace with a sinner while he continues under the guilt of sin. Justification takes away the guilt, and so makes way for peace. And such are the benignity and good-will of God to man that, immediately upon the removing of that obstacle, the peace is made. By faith we lay hold of God’s arm and of his strength, and so are at peace …

Those who try to work for their salvation can never have peace because they never know whether they have done enough (which they never can) and so are always worried about it. In contrast to that, Paul says that because our salvation is given to us as a result of our faith by a loving God who will never take it away, we have peace and assurance.

Next, Paul will show us what else we have as a result of our justification by grace.

Application

Do you have peace with God? Can you stand in His presence assured that He is at peace with you? You can have this peace through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Romans 4:24 – Imputed Permanently

Posted on January 25, 2010 by Will

Romans 4:24

but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,

Truth to Learn

Righteousness is imputed to everyone who believes in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Behind the Words

“From” is the translation of ek, which means “out” or “out of.”

The word translated “the dead” is nekros, which is derived from nekus, meaning “a corpse.” Hence, nekros means “a dead one.” It is expressed here in the plural. Therefore Paul is saying that Jesus was raised out of (from) the dead ones.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul told us that Moses’ writing about Abraham’s believing faith, and his subsequently being declared righteous by God, was not done for Abraham’s sake alone. It was also written for those of us who have also believed God’s promise and have been declared righteous because of our faith.

Having taken each of these verses and having slowly dissected them one at a time as we have, we may also have lost a little of the impact that this verse would have had on the predominantly Jewish Christians in Rome. You see, Paul has been very carefully showing these believers in the Law that it is not obedience to the Law or their being Jewish that has saved them. Rather, it is their faith. He has just proved to them that they did not earn their salvation in any way. Instead, he has shown them that their salvation, that is, their righteousness, came about only because God chose to declare them righteous when they believed in the resurrection of Jesus. This verse and the following verse are the ones that complete the irrefutable argument that Paul has been delivering. This salvation is completely God’s doing!

Also, according to Ephesians 1:13,14 Paul told the believers at Ephesus that upon believing (and being declared righteous by God) we were sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our salvation. Here’s what it says:

“… hearing the Word of Truth, the gospel of our salvation, in whom also believing, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the earnest of our inheritance …”

This is a significant point. Think about it. If God is the one who declared us righteous and as a result sealed us with the Holy Spirit who has been given to us as an earnest (a guarantee), then we can never lose our salvation because He can never take the Holy Spirit back from us. It’s like earnest money you put down when you offer to purchase a house; if you decide to remove your purchase offer, you don’t get your earnest money back because that was your guarantee. The Holy Spirit is our guarantee that God will complete our salvation as He promised. Even if He were to take back your righteousness (which He won’t), He couldn’t take back His Holy Spirit; that’s your guarantee! This means no matter what you do you can’t lose your salvation.

Application

If you are a born again Christian then you have been declared righteous by God. You didn’t do anything to earn it in the first place, and you can’t lose it no matter what you do!

That’s security! And it’s eternal!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

2 Peter 2:20 – Knowing Entanglement

Posted on June 2, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 2:20

If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.

Truth to Learn

True salvation can’t be lost, but mere intellectual salvation can.

Behind the Words

The word translated “corruption” is the Greek word miasmata. According to Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, “The word was anciently used…to express those noxious particles of effluvia proceeding from persons infected with contagious and dangerous diseases.”

“Knowing” is translated from epignōsis, made up of epi, meaning “above or over” and ginōskō, meaning “to have intellectual knowledge.”

The word translated “entangled” is emplekō from which we get our English word implicate. This particular Greek word originally meant “to braid in or to interweave.” It later came to mean “to be involved in or to become entangled in.”

Meaning Explained

This is one of those verses that, on the surface, appears to imply that it is possible to lose one’s salvation, so let’s look closely at it. Remember that Peter is talking about those people “who are just escaping from those who live in error,” and these false teachers were “promising them freedom,” but instead what these false teachers did was: “by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.”

He now says, “If they have escaped the corruption of the world …” What is this corruption that Peter is talking about? It is all the contagious, putrefied slop that is created by sin. Peter does not say that these people had escaped from sin but from the effects of sin in the world. And, he says that these have escaped “by knowing the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” It was through intellectual knowledge that these people were able to escape the pollution of the world; it was not by experiencing faith in the Savior. It was head knowledge, not heart knowledge. And through this great knowledge that they had acquired, they were able, in their own strength, to temporarily get away from the corruption and purification of the world system.

But, because they had knowledge instead of faith, they “are again entangled in it and overcome.” And Peter says that their state is now worse than it was before they had escaped. They have now been convinced that their sins are okay and that there is no need for repentance. Even their great intellectual knowledge is not able to save them now (and, in fact, it wasn’t able to save them in the first place). These people have not just returned to their former sins in a casual manner, they are now totally entangled in them.

The point is not that one can lose one’s salvation; rather, it is that salvation through human efforts is not salvation at all.

Application

No matter how much you know about the Bible and no matter how much you deny your own desires and sinfulness, you cannot be saved apart from submission to God Almighty, confessing (agreeing with God regarding) your sinfulness and accepting the blood of Christ to cleanse you from your sins.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

2 Peter 2:9 – Lord and Master?

Posted on May 14, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 2:9

if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.

Truth to Learn

If you’re a Christian, God is your master and you are his servant.

Behind the Words

The word translated “Lord” in verse one is despotes, from which we get our English word “despot.” It means “one who possesses supreme authority.”

“Temptation” in this verse is from peirasmos, which means “a putting to the test.” This word is only used of people.

The word “judgment” is from the Greek word, krisis, which means “a tribunal.”

Meaning Explained

Peter now returns to his message about false teachers. In the preceding few verses he gave us examples of how God dealt with people who rejected His lordship just as the false teachers have. Now he makes a summary statement about this notion.

Before we look at it, though, let’s spend a minute talking about what it is that the false teachers have done wrong. The answer is back in verse one, “denying the Lord who bought them.” The root of their problem, Peter says, is that they refused to submit to the Lordship of the One who paid for their sins. Rather than believing that God is all powerful and able to do as He pleases, these teachers tried to bring God down to their own level.

This is nothing more than “big man, little god” theology that has been espoused by churches throughout the ages. It has been expressed in many ways, most of which sound reasonable, some of which are well intentioned, and some are out and out heresies. Whatever the case, the ultimate result is to draw people away from the type of relationship that God wants into the type of relationship that man thinks he wants.

One of the subtle points that Peter is making is that God is the one in control, not man. We are not able to control these false teachers, but God is able. That’s what these examples which Peter has just given us are all about. He now makes the summary statement that not only does God know how to deliver the godly out of temptation, but He also knows how to keep the ungodly from escaping. They will be judged and they will be punished!

It’s interesting that this verse does not say that God will keep us from being tested; it says that when we are tested God will deliver us out of it. He will deliver the Godly out of their time of testing, but He will not allow the unjust ones, those who deny His lordship, to escape the Day of Judgment. That is, the Great White Throne Judgment at the end of days where all the ungodly will be cast into the lake of fire.

The point is that these false teachers, who are teaching a theology laden with humanistic ideas and subtly denying who is really in supreme control, will eventually be judged by the Master himself.

Application

God is not looking for eloquent leaders; He is looking for submitted and committed followers. He is the Lord and Master and He wants His followers to recognize Him as their Master and to proclaim this truth. Is that what you do?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –