Introduction

A.   NOW WE HAVE COME ACROSS THESE SIAMESE TWINS.

Many times in the New Testament Paul opens his epistle so often with this “grace to you and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”.

B.   THE LORD IS NOT HIS NAME, IT IS HIS TITLE

—           We are talking of a relationship when we say the Lord.

—           Jesus is His name or in the Hebrew, Joshua.

—           But Lord is His title and if we use the title of Lord then that does signify that we take the position with Paul as a bondslave.

I.               Grace to you and peace.

A.   PAUL BEGINS HERE, THE SALUTATION TO THE CHURCH

1.     Verse one is like addressing the envelope.

a.       Up in the left hand corner he puts his name and title.

b.      The envelope is addressed to “the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the Bishops and Deacons.”

2.     He now begins his letter with a common salutation (greeting) at least among the apostles.

a.       Paul begins all of his letters with this salutation. There is only a slight variation and that is in his letters to Timothy and Titus, where he adds mercy.

b.      Peter uses it in his letters.

c.       John uses it in his third letter.

B.   THE SIAMESE TWINS OF THE N.T. OFTEN COUPLED TOGETHER

1.     They are a combination of the Greek and Hebrew common greetings.

a.       The Greek Charis was used much like the Hawaiian word aloha, that is, it was used when meeting or departing.

1.      The word means rejoice, or that which causes joy or pleasure; sweetness, charm, loveliness

2.      When used in a greeting it had the idea of every kind of favor, blessing, good.

b.      The Hebrews to the present day use the word shalom, in the same fashion. The word of course means peace.

2.     The word grace always precedes the word peace. I believe that this is by design for you can never truly know the peace of God until you have known His grace.

ILLUS      

G od’s -- R iches -- A t -- C hrist’ -- E xpense:

Justice is getting what you deserve –an equal punishment for you crime

Never ask God to give you what you deserve because we all deserve eternal punishment in hell

Mercy is not getting what you do deserve

Thank God for His mercy, “His mercy endures forever”

Grace is getting what you don’t deserve

                                    I do not deserve all that I have

                                    Can you think of anything you don’t deserve?

Enough cannot be said about the Grace of God.  I don’t think we fully grasp how gracious God is, nor do I think we ever will, because He is not only gracious now but He is Eternally Gracious.

ILLUS    HE HAS PLUCKED US OUT OF THE ETERNAL FIRES OF HELL!

An old Indian, after living many years in sin, was led to Christ by a missionary. Friends asked him to explain the change in his life. Reaching down, he picked up a little worm and placed it on a pile of leaves. Then, touching a match to the leaves, he watched them smolder and burst into flames. As the flames worked their way up to the center where the worm lay, the old chief suddenly plunged his hand into the center of the burning pile and snatched out the worm. Holding the worm gently in his hand, he gave this testimony to the grace of God: “Me. . . that worm.”

MAN DESERVES NOTHING FROM GOD, EXCEPT:

            --Judgment—condemnation—and punishment eternally

WHY?  “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

Because Man has:

—              Sinned against a Holy God       

—              Rebelled against God

—              Cursed God                                 

—              Disobeyed God

BUT: God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (Ephesians 2:4-5 NKJV)

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV)

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7 NKJV)

      . . .that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7 NKJV)

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 NKJV)

And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 1:14 NKJV)

“Without grace, my relationship with God is never an established reality and it is impossible to enjoy peace.  If my relationship with God depended on how I felt or how I was living or on my own righteousness, I would not be able to relate to God most of the time.  When my relationship with God is predicated upon God’s grace toward me, however, the door of blessing is never closed.  God’s blessings are bestowed on the basis of His grace, His unmerited favor.  I never deserve or earn a blessing.  The blessings that come in my life are always predicated upon God’s unmerited favor to me. God loves me so much, He blesses me anyway.  God is so good!  The truest praise is that which rises spontaneously from our hearts as we recognize God’s marvelous grace toward us.”  Chuck Smith      

Smith, Chuck, Why Grace Changes Everything (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 1994), pg. 37.

God’s purpose in our redemption is not simply to rescue us from hell, as great a work as that is.  His ultimate purpose in our salvation is that for all eternity the church might glorify God’s grace (Eph. 1:6, 12, 14).  So if God has an eternal purpose for us to fulfill, He will keep us for all eternity!

A.   THERE ARE TWO WAYS BY WHICH MEN SEEK TO APPROACH GOD

—           WORKS

—           GRACE

1.     Grace and works as a means of approach to God are mutually exclusive.

2.     A true experience of the grace of God will produce fruit in a persons life, and a part of that fruit is peace.

3.     For years I sought by works to receive the grace of God.

a.       I wanted to earn His blessings and favor.

b.      I worked hard to develop my relationship with Him.

4.     As long as I was seeking to relate to God on the basis of my goodness and good works, my relationship was tenuous.

a.       There were times I felt very close to God because I had some commendable thing for Him.

b.      Most often I felt alienated because of some nagging sin in my life.

c.       If I had driven on the freeway without getting frustrated and angry. I hadn't honked my horn or shaken my fist at some stupid driver I felt free to commune with God and even ask a favor or blessing.

d.      But if I had lost my temper and laid on the horn, then I felt like turning around and going home, no sense even going to church tonight for God certainly will not want to speak to me much less bless me.

5.     I relate to God on the basis of His goodness, or my goodness.

a.       Note how broken that relationship often is if it is based on my goodness.

b.      Yet it is unbroken if I relate to Him on His goodness.

6.     Thus as I relate to God on the basis of His grace, the result in my own life is peace.

II.          From God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

A.   GOD’S NATURE IS THE NATURE OF GRACIOUSNESS

"For that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious. (Exodus 22:27 NKJV)

Then He said, "I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." (Exodus 33:19 NKJV)

But the LORD was gracious to them, had compassion on them, and regarded them, because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not yet destroy them or cast them from His presence. (2 Kings 13:23 NKJV)

They refused to obey, And they were not mindful of Your wonders That You did among them. But they hardened their necks, And in their rebellion They appointed a leader To return to their bondage. But You are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness, And did not forsake them. (Nehemiah 9:17 NKJV)

But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. (Psalms 86:15 NKJV)

B.   PAUL’S DESIRE IS THAT THEY BE THE BENEFICIARIES OF GOD GRACE

C.   SECONDLY, THAT THEY EXPERIENCE THE PEACE FROM GOD OUR FATHER AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

1.     Paul uses the phrase the God of peace, 4 times in his epistles, and if he is indeed the author of Hebrews, 5 times.

2.     Isaiah prophesied that the name of the Son that would be given would be Wonderful Counsellor, The Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

a.       Jesus said to His disciples,

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

b.      Paul writing to the Philippians said,

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

c.       A troubled heart and a fearful heart is not a heart of peace.

III.    Again I would like to point out that Lord Jesus Christ is not His first middle and last name.

A.   LORD IS NOT HIS NAME AT ALL, BUT HIS TITLE

—              It is much like and synonymous with the title of God. It is the one that rules over your life. The one that you chosen to serve.

—              Elijah cried to the people, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.

—              WHO ARE YOU FOLLING TODAY?

1.     The title Lord signifies relationship. If Jesus is my Lord, then I am His servant.

2.     It means that I am obedient to Him.

a.       He said that there were many who said Lord, Lord, that would never enter the kingdom of heaven.

b.      He questioned, “Why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and yet you do not the things that I command you?” LUKE 6:46  --   “A son honors his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, `In what way have we despised Your name?’ (Malachi 1:6 NKJV)

B.   JESUS IS HIS NAME

It is one of the compound names of Jehovah that declares what God has become to us.

1.     Jesus is Greek for the Hebrew name  Joshua which is a contraction of Jehoshua, which is the first name that Moses gave to his servant, it was later contracted to Joshua.

2.     The name describes His mission. He said that He had come to seek and to save those who were lost.

3.     The angel said to Joseph, “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21 NKJV)

C.   CHRIST IS THE GREEK TRANXLATION OF THE HEBREW WORD MASHIACH

1.     Machiach means ANOINTED and was used concerning the priest or king for they were anointed with oil when inaugurated into their office

2.     The English word is Messiah. PSA 2:2   The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, [saying],

1.      When Peter said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” he was saying you are the Messiah.

2.      The High Priest commanded Him, “Tell us plainly, are you the Christ the Son of God.” The question was are you the Messiah.

3.      Martha said to Him, “I believe that you are the Christ the Son of God.” She was saying you are the Messiah.

D.   GRACE AND PEACE COME TO US FROM THE FATHER AND HIS SON, OUR LORD JESUS, THE MESSIAH