Grace Glory

I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart. I will show forth all Thy marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in Thee. I will sing praise to Thy name, O Most High. (Psalm 9:1-2)

As a new year opens, two callings define the church: enjoy His grace, and extend His glory.

A Prophecy Update for 2012

As I've thought about this Sunday and the new year, my heart has been filled with growing anticipation for what God desires to do in and through His body here in Escondido. Of course, 2012 has been anticipated for various reasons—this is the year the Mayan calendar runs out on December 21st, and some have convinced themselves it is the end of the world. It reminds me of Y2K twelve years ago. A lot of people were fearful, and we're still here. I have a feeling that next January 1st we'll still be here.

So let me give my own brief prophecy update. The Bible says that one day Jesus will return to the earth in the same manner He ascended, and He will establish His kingdom here. Until that time, Jesus tells His church in Luke 19 to occupy until He comes. How many of you are sick of that word after the last four months? Jesus said it first; they commandeered it. "Occupy" means to reside in, to have one's place of business in, to take control. We are to have our place of business here—business for the kingdom—until He comes.

Here's my prophecy update: Jesus said He would come. He has not come yet, so we have a lot of work to do. When Jesus spoke about His second coming in Matthew 24 and 25, He summed it up with three parables, and the point of each was that we must be waiting, watching, and working until He comes. That's what we'll endeavor to do in 2012. I don't think it's the end of the world—but it may be the year some among us see the Lord of glory. Whether He comes for a few of us or returns for His whole church, my prayer is that we would hear Him say, "Well done, my good and faithful servants."

A Vision Built Over the Years

I'm anticipating 2012 because I believe God has great things planned for His church here. Part of my calling as a pastor is to seek God for vision and direction for His body. He is our head; He directs our endeavors. We believe our God is a personal God and Savior who desires interactive fellowship with His people, and that stirs us to seek Him for His word for us.

Over the last several years I've shared what I believe the Lord has been speaking. In 2009, the call was to simplify and focus—how many of you remember the dumpster? We purged so that we could focus. In 2010, the word was to arise and go, for this is not our place of rest, not our eternal home. The men and women of faith in Hebrews 11 had this mindset—they were sojourners. It says of Abraham and Sarah that they looked for a city which has foundations whose builder and maker is God, and therefore God was not ashamed to be called their God.

In 2011, we shared a vision of recognizing the communion we have with God. The bread and the cup are not in themselves communion; they direct us to the communion we have with God through the broken body and shed blood of Jesus. He brought us into communion with Him and community with one another, giving us the greatest command: love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.

It is our prayer that these things—simplifying and focusing, arising and going on mission, loving God and one another—would not be passing fads, as if we have spiritual ADD. We want them to become part of the DNA of who we are. And back in November of 2009, the Lord impressed another word upon my heart, which I believe is His word for us in 2012: enjoy His grace and extend His glory. Our seven-week series on joy fit this perfectly. The question immediately arises: how do I enjoy His grace? How do I extend His glory? My hope is that as we live in community this year, we'll answer that together.

Enjoying the Grace of God Through Salvation

Like Jesus often did, let me answer a question with a question: Have you enjoyed the grace of God through salvation? Speaking of the incarnation—God becoming a man, which we just celebrated at Christmas—John 1:14 says, "The word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

I love that He came full of grace and truth, not merely truth—because truth can be incredibly condemning. And I'm thankful it says grace first. So many attributes could have been named: God is full of justice, perfectly just; full of holiness, perfectly holy. Yet the Spirit directed John to say He came full of grace and truth. A few verses later we read that in Him we received grace upon grace—grace in overabundance. And verse 17: "The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."

Why do we need a personal God who bestows abundant grace? Because humanity is dead in trespasses and sins. Isaiah 53:6, "All we like sheep have gone astray." Isaiah 64:6, all our righteousness is as filthy rags. Paul in Romans 7:18 confesses what should be the cry of every soul: "I know that in me, that is in my flesh, dwells no good thing." You will not come to Christ as Savior until you recognize this, because until then you won't think you need a Savior.

In Mark 7:21, Jesus brings the laser into focus: "From within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts," and from these proceed adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these wicked things rampant in our day proceed from the evil heart of man. Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart of man is desperately wicked; who can know it?" Ephesians 2 says we walk according to the course of this world, fulfilling the lusts of our flesh, and are by nature children of wrath—abiding under the wrath of God because He is holy and just, and we are not.

The Law Is Unmerciful—But God Is Rich in Mercy

We need a personal, loving God who is full of grace, because the law given by Moses is holy, just, and good—and it is unmerciful. Hebrews 10:28 says he who despises the law of Moses dies without mercy. Hebrews 9:27 says there is a day appointed for all men to die and then face judgment. We all have a day when we will come before God to be judged. Romans 3:20 says, "By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified... for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

We need the law, because so many believe we are not lost. Just within the last 24 hours I spoke with someone who believes man is intrinsically good. They haven't had kids yet—they're about to—and I expect a recognition is coming. God's word says the heart of man is desperately wicked, but it also reveals His glorious grace. Galatians 2:16, "By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." Galatians 3:11, no man is justified by the law in the sight of God.

But because of His gracious coming, we can be brought near to God by justification—made righteous, just as if we'd never sinned, the punishment for our sin taken care of. How? "Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Acts 15:11 records the early church's faith: "We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved."

That brings us to Ephesians 2. I'd encourage you, make it a goal for 2012 to memorize verses 1-10.

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins... but God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved). (Ephesians 2:1-5)

Step back and consider: imagine if this verse read, "But God, who is rich in justice." That would be a problem—we were just revealed dead in trespasses and sins. "But God, who is rich in holiness." All true—and yet God chose to exalt His mercy. Paul can't even contain himself; before he formally explains salvation by grace, he inserts, "by grace ye are saved." You didn't do anything to get this.

And not only has He made us alive, He has raised us up to sit together in heavenly places, that "in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace." It will take eternity for God to reveal the greatness of His grace. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Notice that word should—circle it. There it is: enjoying His grace and extending His glory, all in one passage.

Saved by Grace, Standing in Grace

As a result of His gracious coming we are brought near by justification, saved by grace, and given continual access to His throne of grace. Romans 5:2, "By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." We've been given access into an abundance of grace, and we should take advantage of it—coming boldly before His throne to obtain mercy and grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

So by the authority of the Scriptures, I call you into the enjoyment of the grace of Jesus Christ. If you have not experienced His grace in salvation, you need to do that today, because you are dead in trespasses and sins and abide under the wrath of God. He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might receive His righteousness. Right now, in your heart, acknowledge that He died for your sins and rose for your righteousness, and put your confident trust in Him.

I generally come to this pulpit assuming I'm speaking to saints—sinners saved by grace—for their equipping, so we can go do the work of ministry outside these doors. So if you have received His grace, I give you Peter's exhortation in 2 Peter 3:18: "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever." We're to grow in the riches of His grace from here on into eternity.

A Calling to Extend His Grace

I'm blessed that God has given me a call to testify of the good news of His grace—but it's not for me alone. In Acts 20:24 Paul says, "None of these things move me... so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." God has called us into the enjoyment of His grace so we can extend it to the world. Romans 1:5: "By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name." We've been sent on a mission—to extend His grace for His glory.

So how do we extend His grace? Are we an extension of His glory in our homes, our workplaces, our schools, where we recreate and relax? We are to be the incarnation of God's glory in every aspect of life. Over the past year, something has weighed heavily on me. I love the ministry of Calvary Chapel—I grew up in it. But by what we do as a church, we've come to equate the Christian life with Bible study.

Bible study is good and essential—this is where God reveals Himself and His mission. But the problem is, if there's no Bible study, we don't know how to be Christians. This was driven home recently when we stopped our Wednesday night service and several people asked, "What am I going to do now?" Our whole Christian life has become synonymous with attending a study. But God desires His life to be lived out through us—in our homes, workplaces, and among unbelievers—even when there is no study. God needs to break us out of this.

A Chosen People to Show His Praises

In 1 Peter 2:9, Peter speaks to us, the church:

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

There's that word should again—circle it. Every worldview with any merit is trying to answer four questions: origin (where did we come from?), purpose (why are we here?), destiny (where do we go?), and identity (who am I?). The Bible answers them all. Why are we here? To show forth His praises and extend His glory. Where did we come from? God created us. Where do we go? He will return and take us to be with Him, but until then we occupy. Who are we? A chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.

Our nation has no grasp of these answers. Ask people growing up: Where did you come from? "I think I evolved from the goo to the zoo to here." Why are you here? "I don't know, to continue the gene pool"—a lousy purpose. Where do you go? "Into the dirt." Who are you? "I'm trying to find myself." But the gospel tells us: you're created by God with a purpose, to extend His glory until He calls you home, a chosen generation and royal priesthood. Our culture needs to hear this.

Arise and Shine

We are called to incarnate God in our society—to extend His glory to Escondido, Valley Center, San Marcos, Southern California, our nation, and the uttermost parts. That's why He hasn't taken us home. In John 17 Jesus prayed, "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world," because He wants us to incarnate His glory in it. Isaiah 60:1 says, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth... but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light."

Is our world filled with darkness, uncertainty, and confusion? God's light has risen upon us, and He says, "Arise and shine." We extend His glory by carrying the joy of His grace to those who are joylessly living a graceless existence. There are people all around us—in your neighborhood, at your school, in your workplace, at the grocery store—living without grace. We do this by manifesting the fruit of the Spirit wherever we are: love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, self-control. We love the unlovely, stay joyful in trials, have peace when everything is shaking, and exercise self-control when everyone else would fly off the handle.

So how well are we doing manifesting those attributes in our workplaces and homes? I've come to a heavy realization through my own internal dialogue. If Christianity is just Bible study, then success is measured by how many people know the Bible—which is good. But Christianity is more than that. So I realized I have failed if those under my oversight are not manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in daily life. That's why James says, "Let not many of you become teachers, for you shall receive a stricter judgment."

What It Looks Like in Practice

What does it look like to be the incarnation of God in a graceless world? Here are a few ways. Ask your elderly neighbor if you can bring up their trash cans; when they ask why, tell them it's the least you can do in thanks for the God who dealt with your trash. Join the convalescent care teams serving in nursing homes, extending the love of God to people who feel unloved and set away from family.

Our friend Jeff Jackson—who comes every six to nine months to shake us up—challenged us to consider ESL training for the immigrants and refugees in our community. Whether they are legal or illegal, ultimately we want them to become citizens of heaven. Our sister Corrie, who just retired after 35 years as a public school teacher, has a passion for this. She found that Rose Elementary wants to offer an adult ESL class but couldn't afford the Rosetta Stone software or staff it. From our missions budget we bought the software, but we need people who will sit down and help, perhaps finding opportunities to share the gospel along the way. It's the same thing Shane has been doing in China—teaching English to the Chinese. Picture the six-foot-five American among four-foot-tall Chinese: "You're going to teach me to say hello." It's so cool.

You could travel with Dave Bossy's team to Rancho San Juan Bosco, the orphanage we've worked with for nearly 20 years in Tecate, extending God's love to the boys there and to Miss Isle and Yolanda. You could partner to go to China, Africa, or wherever the Lord opens a door. Or you could ask your employer to start a chaplaincy program for the spiritual care of employees. My friend Mickey Stonier at the Rock Church told me they've raised up chaplains who serve at companies like Sony, Qualcomm, and Motorola—so when an employee faces the death of a loved one, the boss can say, "This person can pray with you." That may not be a Bible study, but it extends the glory of God.

The reality is, if we took a poll, only a small percentage of you feel equipped to teach a Bible study—the thought of speaking in front of people makes you want to hurl. We hope to equip you for that. But if we simply ask you to be loving, merciful, kind, and joyful, you may find that hard too.

You Already Have the Power—Now Resolve to Use It

According to 2 Peter 1:3, God's divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness—everything we need to live this life in a godly way. Ephesians 1:3 says we've been given every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. Luke 19:13 says, "Occupy till I come," with all He's given us.

Now return to Psalm 9:1: "I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High." Notice the resolution. David determines: I will do this. We've been given the power; now we must decide to do it. I'm convinced we need a determined decision of the will to exercise the power God has already given.

This is where God's sovereignty and man's responsibility come together in concert—not mutually exclusive. People split these verses. The Arminian camp points to Philippians 2:12, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." The Reformed camp points to verse 13, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." But they go together. He has done His part—given us everything for life and godliness and ordained good works that we should walk in them. So do it. You have the power.

In 2012 we will be a bright light, a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden—only so much as we are determined to be so. Remember the song: "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine." Where did the light come from? He ignited us; He enlightened us. And we have a choice. When we see someone struggling with their trash cans, or facing a trial without hope, we can stay silent out of embarrassment—or we can "let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Whatever you do—work, rest, recreation, playing ball—do it all for His glory. When people ask why you live this way, tell them, "Because God saved me; I'm a fool for Christ." So would to God that we would simplify, focus on the Lord, arise and go on mission—loving Him, loving one another, loving the lost—enjoying His grace and extending His glory in Escondido and to the uttermost parts. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your word. We pray that You would solidify these things in our hearts, and that as we seek You this year, You would unfold to us just what it means to be on mission and to extend Your glory. We thank You that You have given us everything we need to do so—You've empowered us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. So Lord, stir us with a passion to do the work. For Your name's sake, for Your glory, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.