Grace and Peace

In this part of the sermon: Martin begins by setting the historical context of 1 Thessalonians, highlighting Paul's persecution and concern for the infant church. He then introduces the focus on the…

Martin contrasts Paul's experience of persecution and jail keys with modern evangelists receiving keys to the city, highlighting the difference in methodology and effect of ministry.

Just briefly to remind you of the setting of this letter, which in many ways is the key which opens its meaning to us, the Apostle Paul had been the instrument under God along with several of his companions in founding this assembly of believers at Thessalonica, and having had to leave on the heels of a riot and great pressure from the civil authorities, it's always amazed me how modern evangelists who claim to be Pauline in doctrine are so different in the Pauline methodology and the effect of their ministry. It's considered quite a compliment now when the evangelist comes to town if the mini...

0:29 - 1:08 Read in full sermon

Driving home: But in its richest meaning, and this is the way it's used most often in the New Testament, it means the undeserved kindness of God to those who deserve just the opposite.

This extended analogy illustrates the difference between mere kindness and grace, showing how a loyal subject receiving a gift is not grace, but a rebellious subject receiving a gift is true grace, as it's given to one deserving the opposite.

It's the undeserved kindness of God to those who deserve just the opposite. Let me illustrate. Suppose there was a certain kingdom, and in that kingdom, we had two types of individuals, and let's focus them upon two given men. One man loves the king.

10:03 - 10:20 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Peace is a fruit that only grows where the tree of grace is rooted in the heart and in the life.

Peace is likened to a fruit that only grows where the tree of grace is rooted, emphasizing that peace cannot exist without grace, just as fruit cannot grow without its tree.

the folly of the world's present dilemma its whole cry is peace you know what the headline story was two nights ago the Pope's prayer at Fatima for the peace of the world the world wants peace all in a quest for peace but do you see the order in which these are pronounced what does Paul say grace to you and peace peace is a fruit grace is the tree and you don't have the fruit without the tree you don't grow the fruit like the tree like Spanish moss that sort of feeds on the air it's a parasite you just don't hang it over a limb of a tree and have it grow of itself no

32:44 - 33:28 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Peace is a fruit that only grows where the tree of grace is rooted in the heart and in the life.

The world's pursuit of peace is compared to greyhounds chasing a rabbit they can never quite catch, illustrating the futility of seeking peace without grace.

the folly of the world's present dilemma its whole cry is peace you know what the headline story was two nights ago the Pope's prayer at Fatima for the peace of the world the world wants peace all in a quest for peace but do you see the order in which these are pronounced what does Paul say grace to you and peace peace is a fruit grace is the tree and you don't have the fruit without the tree you don't grow the fruit like the tree like Spanish moss that sort of feeds on the air it's a parasite you just don't hang it over a limb of a tree and have it grow of itself no

32:44 - 33:28 Read in full sermon

Driving home: No man ever receives grace until by the grace of God he's humbled to be prepared to receive.

The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector is used to demonstrate how pride prevents the reception of grace, while humility opens the heart to it.

you see that Pharisee went up to the temple and looked up into the face of what he thought was God and said I thank thee I'm not as other men he received no grace because he didn't see himself needing grace he thought there was a lot in him that would sort of draw forth some benevolent feelings from God he said now God in case you've forgotten here's what I've done here's what I am now God those things ought to draw forth corresponding reactions reactions of favor from you but there was another man who stood afar off and he beat his breast and he said God be merciful to me sinner God there's n...

34:56 - 35:41 Read in full sermon

Driving home: No man ever receives grace until by the grace of God he's humbled to be prepared to receive.

Martin uses a hypothetical scenario of President Johnson acknowledging national sin and need for Christ to illustrate the kind of radical humility required for true peace, contrasting it with superficial references to God.

by practice I'm a sinner in my attitudes my thoughts but oh God have mercy I plead your grace it says that man went down to his house with something he went down justified God's grace conferred upon the humble that God resisted the proud that's the world's dilemma can you imagine President Johnson making a pronouncement over a national hookup saying I acknowledge as the President of the United States that I have a blinded mind and a corrupt and a depraved heart I'm nothing but a guilty hell deserving sinner but I confess my only hope is in Jesus Christ and I say to this nation with all our abi...

35:41 - 36:26 Read in full sermon

The point: Expect grace daily, no matter the circumstances, and ask God to strengthen your hands to be 'great takers of grace.'

Believers are compared to the man with the withered hand, suggesting that some struggle to reach out and take the abundant supply of grace available to them.

the first word that should reach you grace what have you got to face that day there's grace available unmerited favor and then as the result of it peace no matter what the circumstances as we walk in that grace that he gives to us may we learn to be great takers of grace I think some of us are like that man with the withered hand here's this great supply of grace and we just can't reach out and take let's ask God to strengthen our hands to be great takers the great saints have been great takers great receivers great appropriate and may we be that by the grace of God even today let us pray I am

43:05 - 43:46 Read in full sermon