HOLD FAST! PREVAILING UNDER MIGHTY GRACE!

Corinthians 9:24-26

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

Fight, run, wrestle, and strive with all your might! What comes to mind when you hear these words? These are words used to describe the DAILY activity of the true child of God. Christians are in a great fight. A tremendous battle is raging inside and out!! If you profess to be a follower of Jesus, here is a stone-cold fact, you are in an intense battle for the eternal well-being of your never-dying soul!

The daily activities mentioned above are not the works of religious fanatics hoping to gain God’s heaven and smile by good works. These daily activities flow from an earnest heartfelt passion to live every breathing moment of our lives before the eye of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us, in adoration of His atoning sacrifice! In Romans chapter twelve the apostle Paul defined it as “our reasonable service.”

There are many topics that people, even Christians, disagree on. However, there are teachings in the scriptures that are clear as a crystal bell, and one of those teachings is the doctrine of HOLDING FAST. Theologians have called this “the perseverance of the saints.” One of the greatest things about the teaching of the Bible is that God requires us to be real. There is no way to be fake and have honest dealings with your Bible.

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus, time and time again pointed out Rank hypocrisy. In Matthew’s gospel Jesus said if you are not willing to leave father or mother to follow me you are not worthy of me. Also in John’s gospel Jesus said to the rich young ruler, if you are not willing to sell everything that you have in order to follow me you cannot be my disciple.

To be a Christian is to be real. That means that the crux of biblical Christianity is not based on what Jesus would do but what Jesus has done! This should be the philosophy of all Christians. We can do all things through Him who strengthens us! The cross has proved victorious, the grave has been overwhelmed, and Jesus is alive and seated at the right hand interceding for the ones for whom His blood was shed!

So, Christian, if God be for us, who can be against us? There are no excuses that we can offer to be lazy, cold or indifferent in our pursuit of Christ and His word. So, let us run, fight, wrestle and strive daily to lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. (Heb 12:1)

May these words of exhortation quicken our hearts to flee cold, dead religion!

1 Corinthians 15:1-2 “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you -- unless you believed in vain.”

Colossians 1:21-23 “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight - if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.”

Hebrews 3:14 "For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end."

Now is a good time to stop and consider the topic that is before us. Are we holding fast to Jesus Christ and His gospel? The question is not, “Do you have good thoughts about Jesus? or “Do you believe the Bible to be true?” The question that the scriptures set before us is, “Are we holding fast?”

The words hold fast means to prevail, so are you prevailing in your walk with Christ? Is sin being defeated? Are you growing in your love for holiness and righteousness? Is there a deep hunger to feed upon the word that is a light and lamp unto your feet? Can you say the following along with the Psalmist? Psalm 19:7-10 “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”

These words leave us with the question, “Who is sufficient for these things?” The answer is, “No one!” There is no Christian on the face of this earth who can, in and of his own strength, run, fight, wrestle or strive without falling flat upon his face. All of our success comes solely as we prevail under the mighty grace of God.

We are a people who, from the very beginning to the very end of our lives, are totally dependent upon grace. We are called to run, wrestle, fight and strive, but at the end of the day we must say along with Paul in Romans 9:16 "So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy."

The prince of preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon once said,
“Perseverance is the badge of true saints. The Christian life is not a beginning only in the ways of God, but also a continuance in the same as long as life lasts. It is with a Christian as it was with the great Napoleon: he said, “Conquest has made me what I am, and conquest must maintain me.” Today, let us plead for mercy, that we may be given feet to run, arms to wrestle, a willingness to fight, and a renewed mind to strive and seek first His kingdom.

HOLD FAST! There is coming a day when all running, fighting, wrestling and striving will be no more, but until that day comes let us continue to look unto Him who is the author and finisher of our faith!

Jeremy camp eloqeunty sings of this in his new song.

# 6 "JOY" THE RIPEST FRUIT OF GRACE!

Psalm 16:11

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

What do you find the most joy in? Our lips may quickly spout out one thing but would our hearts tell a different story? What proceeds from our lips is very important, but the real passion of our hearts is of monumental importance. Jesus made these two statements that should grab our attention. The first is, "There are people who draw near to me with their lips but their hearts are far from me (Matt 15:18)." And secondly, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matt 6:21)."

The bottom line is this. The grace of God makes all the difference in the heart and soul of the believer, even in their affections.This is especially seen in the Christian's life when the things he or she once sought after become as nothing and the seeking of Him and His righteousness becomes center stage. When this happens the Christian experiences true joy. It is then that the real meaning of life explodes, and our life's new disposition is dominated by joy in the Holy Ghost!

I agree with Mr. Spurgeon that joy is the ripest fruit of grace. Joy is the trademark of our Christian experience. It is etched in the heart of every true child of God. In Galatians chapter 5 Paul list certain marks that should be conspicuous and radiating from the believer. They are identified as the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT! The fruits are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

If someone were to ask you what it means to have biblical joy, how would you respond? Do we define Christian joy as someone just being excited or giddy?

Our text before us mentions that the joy that is alive and well, indwelling within the heart of the believer, is fullness of joy! It is a joy that is rooted and grounded in the awesome love of the Savior, a Savior who has broken into our lives, removed us from the path of eternal destruction, commanded light to shine out of darkness, and has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 4:6).

Christian joy springs from our new life in the risen, glorified lamb of God! The Psalmist notes that it is sweet communion with the Triune God of heaven that explodes the fullness of joy in the heart of the believer.

"In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

John Piper defines what the essence of Christian joy is.

"The Gospel is the good news of our final and full enjoyment of the glory of God in the face of Christ. That this enjoyment had to be purchased for sinners at the cost of Christ’s life makes his glory shine all the more brightly. And that this enjoyment is a free and unmerited gift makes it shine more brightly still. But the price Jesus paid for the gift and the unmerited freedom of the gift are not the gift. The gift is Christ himself as the glorious image of God - seen and savored with everlasting joy."

Christian joy arises from a heart that has found its supreme satisfaction in the living, dying and Resurrection of the God-man! My heart breaks when I see people trying to find joy in cars, houses, or anything that this passing world offers instead of seeking to find that supreme satisfaction that can only be found in Christ!

If our joy in Christ is going to burn white hot it must be cross centered, saturated and running over, with daily endeavors to know Him and the power of His resurrection. This sounds wonderful doesn't it? If this is what is promised to the believer, why don't we experience this at all times? For way too many of us our joy ebbs and flows with the ocean's tides, and time and time again we have cry out with the apostle Paul,

Romans 7:24

"O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?"

We must remember we have a great enemy! He is real and he is out to steal, kill and destroy everything, and that includes your joy in Christ! It would be naive to think that the enemy of our faith in Christ doesn't want to demolish every trace of joy in Jesus. If joy in Christ is to be our daily portion we must fight, run, and do whatever it takes to drink from its life-giving sustenance. We must keep these precious words of our Savior in front of us at all times.

John 10:10

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

What does it mean to have life more abundantly? The word in the Greek means to have something over and above, more than is necessary -to have something exceeding abundantly,something further, more, much more than all, more plainly more superior, more extraordinary, more surpassing, more uncommon, more eminent, more remarkable, more excellent, beyond measure.

Wow! That is what Jesus came to do and will do in a Christian's heart. To have life more abundantly is to have real solid joy in who Jesus is and what He has made us to be! Surly this is why Nehemiah exhorted the people with these words,

Nehimaih 8:10

"Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

To sustain a healthy joy in the God of our salvation we must cast ourselves upon the rock of ages,who is the fountain of all our joy! He is a anchor for our joy. He is the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. Joy is a gift just as grace is and we must seek Him daily to fill our hearts. Let us cry out with David,

Psalm 51:12

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit!

Dear brothers and sisters, it is only for now we see in a mirror dimly, but there is coming a day when we will see face to face. At this present, we only know in part; But one day when we ALL shall KNOW the JOY of knowing Him FULLY! OH! May God give us the grace to drink deeply upon the river of His pleasures!!

So much can can be said on this topic. One of my favorite books of all times is John Piper's book "How to fight for Joy, When I don't desire God". It's a must read and Lord willing in the future we may cover the themes of his book. It's my purpose in this blog entry to wet your appetite to ascertain real lasting joy in the one who loved us and purchased us with His own blood!