International Gospel Hour

Guest (Male): Let's talk about the God who grants. Now, is that not a wonderful thought? And its content to study is wonderful as well. And that's just ahead from the International Gospel Hour.

On Jordan's stormy banks I stand and cast a wishful eye to Canaan's fair and happy land where my possessions lie. Hi, this is J. Webb for International Gospel Hour. Welcome to our broadcast today. For over 90 years, Churches of Christ have proclaimed God's word through our broadcasts. Just ahead is another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archey of International Gospel Hour. Let's begin.

Jeff Archey: Well, thank you always to our J. Webb and greetings and hello everyone. Great having you with us today for our studies here at the International Gospel Hour. Let's begin with a wonderful text, one of my favorite texts, Titus 2:11 through 14.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Now friends, when I look at the grace of God, it has appeared to all men. Everybody needs to be grateful for the grace of God that's been granted to all men. Now, it doesn't say the grace of God saves all men. Watch it now. The grace of God teaches us, and then we have a choice. We can deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and live soberly, righteously, and godly, or we may not accept it and continue to live an ungodly life and a life that is not sober or righteous or godly.

Now, when you think about that, that tells me that the grace of God is a teaching grace and that we must learn. When I'm taught of the importance and the necessity of faith, Hebrews 11:6, Jesus said so to believe that He is, John 8:24. And so, I understand faith is necessary. Jesus taught the necessity of repentance in Luke 13:3 and 5 and said that it should be preached among all nations beginning at Jerusalem, Luke 24:44 through 47.

Repentance is proclaimed throughout the rest of scripture. Acts 2:38, Peter again in 2 Peter 3:9, even Paul on Mars Hill in Acts 17:30 and 31. What about confession? Jesus commanded that in Matthew 10:32 and 33, and every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father, Philippians 2:11. How the eunuch made the confession, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God," Acts 8:37. So yes, friends, confession is necessary. This is all taught through the grace of God.

What about baptism? Yes, friends, water baptism is of necessity. They did so in Acts 2:38. One can only be added to Christ to His body through baptism, Galatians 3:27, Romans 6:3 through 6. And for the forgiveness of our sins, Acts 2:38, and of course we understand from Mark 16:16, he that believes and is baptized shall be saved.

So friends, when we see this and how the grace of God teaches us, we are to be walking faithfully, Revelation 2:10. To be individuals, as we note from 1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." So friends, the grace of God has come to all men. And what a blessing to be the people of God who are saved by His grace, obedient to His will, and walking in His way. Is that not needed for everyone?

In an unstable world, there is no uncertainty in the Heavenly Father. We know He is the God that will grant. In a matter of seconds, we're going to spend time in that delightful book of assurance for the Christian, 1 John. But let's pause just a moment for our brief break. So hold on, we'll be right back.

Guest (Male): Please visit our fellow servants and friends at housetohouse.com. Take time to peruse and research your favorite Bible topic at housetohouse.com. And while there, please ask for a free copy of their publication, House to House Heart to Heart. It's there at housetohouse.com.

Jeff Archey: And friends, be sure that you get your free copy of House to House Heart to Heart, and it'll be sent to you right away.

Now, the book of 1 John, a book for the Christian that grants confidence and strength, assurance and peace. To the Christian, the one obedient unto God, that's why John would say in 1 John 5:13 and 14, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."

Notice there the phrase, "confidence that we have in Him." The Christian has confidence in their obedience through God's grace of forgiveness. There is a confidence that continues, and one can see the power of prayer. He hears. That word petitions, which means when one petitions God, there is a desire, a craving. But I want you to notice it has to be according to His will. Ask according to His will.

Once again, verse 14, "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." Well now, friends, we obeyed the gospel according to His will that He made known to us through His grace that has appeared to all men, that taught us to deny and how to live, how to look, how to walk in life, again referring back to as we opened with Titus 2:11 through 14.

So according to His will, we need to ask. Once that are Christians ask, now let's learn from this. What is this for the Christian? If an individual is not a Christian, they can ask of God all they want, but the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, His ears are open unto their prayers, but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. So friends, let's make certain that we're in Christ. And when one is in Christ, watch according to His will.

That is no different than Christ in the garden as He prayed, "Not my will, but Thy will be done," Matthew 26:39, 42, and 44. Jesus prayed the cup of suffering would be passed from Him, but He said, "Father, not my will, but Thy will be done." According to His will, one must not only be in Christ but remain in Christ. John 15:7, "If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it shall be done unto you."

We mentioned moments ago 1 Peter 3:12, "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, His ears are open unto their prayers, but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." And in this same book of 1 John earlier in chapter 3 verse 22, "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him because we keep His commandments." You see, we continue to deny ungodliness and to live godly.

"Whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." You see, it's not only important to be added to Christ but to remain in Christ, walking faithful. And just think of the confidence that one has in Him. When we think about that, listen to Mark 11:24, "Therefore I say unto you, what things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them and you shall have them."

Somebody says, "Well, I desired or I prayed for something and the answer did not come." Well friends, sometimes we simply do not get the answers that we may desire, but we believe that we will receive them and we'll receive what we need. Let's think about Paul for a moment. A few moments ago, let me bring this back, a few moments ago I mentioned Christ in the garden as He prayed, "Not my will, but Thy will be done." Jesus did not have the cup pass from Him; He had to bear it.

What about Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:7 through 10? "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, to affect me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.' "

And then in the writing there, it's like Paul's attitude totally changed when he said, "Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake, for when I am weak, then I am strong." Again, that's 2 Corinthians 12:7 through 10.

Friends, let's think about that for a moment. Sometimes we as Christians, Satan can buffet us, if you will. He can put things in the way of the Christian. But how we are reminded through this wonderful book of 1 John that we need to make certain we continue faithfully in Him. If one has not obeyed the gospel of Christ, has not been added to His church, then a lot of the things I've said today, one needs to take care of that first. But oh, the blessing therein.

With that being said, friends, I'm going to pause here soon to wrap up our broadcast, but we have a free gift to you, one of our newer offers here from International Gospel Hour.

Guest (Male): Our free gift today is From My Heart to Yours, a wonderful booklet that speaks of such topics as God, Christ, sin, salvation, and the church we read of in scripture. You may call 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say "heart book". You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the contact tab, and leave us the same information: name, address, and type "heart book" in the message box. Reach out for your free study booklet today.

Jeff Archey: And friends, we'll send that material to you right away. And what a joy to study today about the God who grants. We'll continue these studies together at another time. But for now, thanks for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour. I'm Jeff Archey, and keep listening.

Guest (Male): God be with you till we meet again. By His counsels guide, uphold you. With His sheep securely fold you. God be with you till we meet again. Thank you for listening to our broadcast today, and we hope you continue onward with your search and study of God's word. Please join us next time and visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com. God be with you till we meet again.