St Marks Congregational Church
Words have meaning: Pt1 - Grace
Bridging the gap between what God has said and what you think He said.
Locations & Times
St Marks Church PE
447 Cape Rd, Westering, Port Elizabeth, 6025, South Africa
Sunday 7:00 AM
GOD'S WORD
Spoken word – creation “Then God said…” Genesis 1
Written word – law, prophets, apostles
Living Word – Lord Jesus Christ “…the Word became flesh…” John 1
Spoken word – creation “Then God said…” Genesis 1
Written word – law, prophets, apostles
Living Word – Lord Jesus Christ “…the Word became flesh…” John 1
LANGUAGE
Requires context, greater understanding to determine intended meaning.
Requires context, greater understanding to determine intended meaning.
TRANSLATIONS
Bible written in Hebrew / Aramaic (OT) and Ancient Greek (NT).
Attempt to balance ACCURACY (closest to original meaning) vs. READABILITY (closest to modern understanding).
Seems obvious that readability is vital. Why would you read something if you can’t understand it?
Why is accuracy important? Hinges on the phrasing of this question:
“What do YOU think it means?”
Believe it or not, that is a subtly dangerous question. Root of why we have so many different interpretations of the same passages!
The right question:
“What does it mean?” Better yet, “What did the Author mean?”
Bible written in Hebrew / Aramaic (OT) and Ancient Greek (NT).
Attempt to balance ACCURACY (closest to original meaning) vs. READABILITY (closest to modern understanding).
Seems obvious that readability is vital. Why would you read something if you can’t understand it?
Why is accuracy important? Hinges on the phrasing of this question:
“What do YOU think it means?”
Believe it or not, that is a subtly dangerous question. Root of why we have so many different interpretations of the same passages!
The right question:
“What does it mean?” Better yet, “What did the Author mean?”
STUDY FRAMEWORK
Observation | Interpretation | Application
Observation:
Big picture context.
Cultural setting.
Historical setting.
Interpretation:
Author’s original meaning.
Literal meaning unless OBVIOUSLY figurative.
Exegesis NOT Eisegesis! Get message OUT of text, don’t read INTO text.
Application:
Personal.
“How does this meaning apply to YOUR life?”
“What are you going to DO with what you now know?”
Observation | Interpretation | Application
Observation:
Big picture context.
Cultural setting.
Historical setting.
Interpretation:
Author’s original meaning.
Literal meaning unless OBVIOUSLY figurative.
Exegesis NOT Eisegesis! Get message OUT of text, don’t read INTO text.
Application:
Personal.
“How does this meaning apply to YOUR life?”
“What are you going to DO with what you now know?”
WORD: GRACE
Modern English understanding:
Latin: gratis (free, “gift”)
Graceful: Poise, elegance
Gracious: generous, kind
Meal-time prayer
Grace period: extension… AND THEN.
Hebrew OT: KHEN
-Favour, grace.
Genesis 6:8 “… Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”
-Delight in giving a gift / showing favour.
Greek NT: CHARIS
Modern English understanding:
Latin: gratis (free, “gift”)
Graceful: Poise, elegance
Gracious: generous, kind
Meal-time prayer
Grace period: extension… AND THEN.
Hebrew OT: KHEN
-Favour, grace.
Genesis 6:8 “… Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”
-Delight in giving a gift / showing favour.
Greek NT: CHARIS
GRACE - DELIGHT OR GIFT?
Charisma – gifted (charismatics).
“…spiritual gifts…” “…spiritual charisma…”
There is another word in the Greek that is used for “gift”. 19 uses, 18 “gift” – 1 “offering”
Doron - That is the gift – the thing, the object.
The emphasis is not on what is received (the thing - doron) the emphasis of CHARIS is the delight of the One giving.
Does God’s grace {delight} result in a gift {doron}? Yes.
Charisma – gifted (charismatics).
“…spiritual gifts…” “…spiritual charisma…”
There is another word in the Greek that is used for “gift”. 19 uses, 18 “gift” – 1 “offering”
Doron - That is the gift – the thing, the object.
The emphasis is not on what is received (the thing - doron) the emphasis of CHARIS is the delight of the One giving.
Does God’s grace {delight} result in a gift {doron}? Yes.
1 Corinthians 12
The gift of Speaking.
The gift of Healing.
The gift of Prophecy.
The gift of Tongues.
Ephesians 2:4-9
The gift of Salvation.
Ephesians 1:7
The gift of Forgiveness.
2 Corinthians 12:9
The gift of Strength in adversity.
2 Corinthians 15:10
The gift of working for God.
The gift of Speaking.
The gift of Healing.
The gift of Prophecy.
The gift of Tongues.
Ephesians 2:4-9
The gift of Salvation.
Ephesians 1:7
The gift of Forgiveness.
2 Corinthians 12:9
The gift of Strength in adversity.
2 Corinthians 15:10
The gift of working for God.
He delights in giving favour, freely, undeservedly.
When we claim it for ourselves, we steal His delight.
When we question it, doubt it, don’t believe it and don’t use it… we steal His delight.
God’s grace is a gift. Underserved. Freely given.
For His delight.
When we claim it for ourselves, we steal His delight.
When we question it, doubt it, don’t believe it and don’t use it… we steal His delight.
God’s grace is a gift. Underserved. Freely given.
For His delight.