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Matthew 5:44-45

Unrecognized Grace. Matthew 5:44-45. “The Lord is good.”. “The Lord is good all the time .”. Matthew 5:44-45.

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Matthew 5:44-45

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  1. Unrecognized Grace Matthew 5:44-45

  2. “The Lord is good.”

  3. “The Lord is goodall the time.”

  4. Matthew 5:44-45 “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” for

  5. Why Explain Things? “For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45b). An explanation. Why? • Provide a deeper understanding • Draw us closer The Lord really wants us to understand.

  6. God Causality “For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45b). sun to rise God-caused rain to fall A Link

  7. Grace Revealed “For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45b). God’s grace good wicked righteous unrighteous

  8. Grace Defined • Unearned, undeserved, and absolutely necessary favor from God, that can empower and motivate us to live a transformed life for God. - Hugo Cheng

  9. Three Elements “For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Mat 5:45b). • Exerts His sovereign power • Brings things people need and like • Delivers to everyone everywhere For

  10. Two Kinds of Grace • God’s common grace (a, b, c) • God’s special grace (a, b) • Exerts God’s sovereign powerBrings things people need and likeDelivers to everyone everywhere • Special grace brings favor to a targeted group of recipients.

  11. God’s Special Grace • Special grace brings favor to a targeted group of recipients. “‘Behold, days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah. ‘In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.” (Jer 33:14-15).

  12. God’s common grace God’s special grace Undeserving Grace Always undeserving

  13. Grace is Undeserved Kindness • Jesus does mention the evil and unrighteous (same) • But nullifies it by mentioning the righteous (whom we think deserve God’s favor) • But more significantly, we conclude that nobody deserves this kind treatment (has nothing to do with our character) “For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Mat 5:45b). righteous unrighteous

  14. Common Grace as a Filter of Love • God’s general love is seen in His common grace • We can systematically disperse our doubts by regularly observing His common grace • Learn from His favor that He cares for you

  15. What about God’s Judgment? God’s Judgment • God will judge • But His grace comes before judgment • To call us to seek Him God’s Grace us

  16. 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). “Not wishing for any to perish.” But this period is temporary.

  17. Misinterpretations of God’s Love • Possible that because of God’s patience, we think judgment is put off forever. • Or that we think there is no thing as God or judgment. • Or that we keep putting off repentance with hope His love overlooks our sin God’s common grace encourages us to come to Him, not to use Him.

  18. Summary of Good Works Befitting God • Never begrudge kind treatment to the wicked and not so wicked (God’s 24/7 example). • During time of common grace, it is urgent that we preach the gospel. Social works is not enough. • We must not treat evil as good. Evil is evil. We must hate evil but be gracious as our Father in heaven. • Better appreciate God’s common grace (see below).

  19. Examples of Common Grace • Consistency in physical properties of earth • Digging Deep into the Earth • Ability to replicate • Nutrition anyone? • Needed protection • Fathers, mothers, families God’s grace is seen in ways that go far beyond the sun and rain. Our hearts are to be deeply impacted by God’s measures of grace which are waiting to be discovered by you.

  20. God’s Common Grace Calls us to Come • Put your doubts about God’s care away • Like my Dad • God is coaxing us closer

  21. Dangers of Rejecting God’s Grace • Dulled to Him by not associating (linking) His common grace with the things that we enjoy in in nature or the hi-tech world. • We are apt to think this world can exist or be okay with God. Miss out double fold.

  22. Power of God’s Common Grace • Seek to unfold at least one mystery of God’s common grace each day. • Consistently treat people nicely, even the mean, stubborn people (parent? child? colleague? etc.). • Draw closer to God. • Delight in being more like God through imitating His ways.

  23. Common Grace Matthew 5:44-45

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