What is the grace of God? Simply put it is God's favor and kindness toward us. God rains down grace on all mankind. He gave us the beauty and wonders of nature that we see each and every day. He gives us near misses when accidents are heading our way. He often brings us the right thing just in time. And He also gave us an innate conscience to know right from wrong. All these things are common graces, and everyone born on the earth has the benefit of them because God so loved the world.

In today’s culture being “woke” is a popular expression, a way of telling people they need to be awakened to the social issues around them.

Just as well, sleeping Christians need to be “woke” to their spiritual relationship with God. Like the Apostle Paul urged, “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber because our Salvation is nearer now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11).

Say: Then Jesus foretold what Judas was about to do.

Jesus’ spirit was troubled. This is the testimony He gave. “What I’m about to tell you is true,” He said. “One of you is going to hand me over to my enemies.”

His disciples stared at one another. They had no idea which one of them He meant. - John 13:21b-22

One of the disciples leaned close to Jesus and asked which one of them would do this.

Jesus answered, “It is the one I will give this piece of bread to. I will give it to him after I have dipped it in the dish.”

He dipped the piece of bread. Then he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

“Do quickly what you are going to do,” Jesus told him. - John 13:26-27

Intro.:

A. Have you ever tried to use a knife or pair of scissors only to find that they wouldn’t cut?

It was probably frustrating – the problem: They needed to be Sharpened!

B. Our passage today has a Biblical principle that teaches us how to be Sharpened!

Read Proverbs 27: 17 – As Iron Sharpens Iron, so one man sharpens another.

C. Now Proverbs is a book about Wise sayings and how important it is to be Wise. It is written primarily as a way to guide, instruct and influence Solomon’s Sons, and yet all people to live fully in the Lord.

You will find general sayings of wisdom and truth to live with integrity, honesty, morally and in relationship with your spouse, children, friends, neighbors, your enemies, business associates – and of course the Lord!

In fact, Prov. 1:7; The Fear of the Lord is the beginning o knowledge… Prov. 9:10; The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

So these Wise sayings begin with us being in a relationship with the Lord.

D. So what do we learn about this Wise Saying and the Principle of how we can be Sharpened?

Body:

The Bible describes God as holy (Isaiah 6:3), righteous (Psalm 7:11), just (Deuteronomy 32:4), and sovereign (Daniel 4:17-25). These attributes tell us the following about God: (1) God is capable of preventing evil, and (2) God desires to rid the universe of evil. So, if both of these are true, why does God allow evil? If God has the power to prevent evil and desires to prevent evil, why does He still allow evil? Perhaps a practical way to look at this question would be to consider some alternative ways people might have God run the world.

Two years ago, I wrote a rather critical and sarcastic post about the Church, at a time when I felt particularly unloved and unappreciated in the churches I had attended over the previous few years. My attitude was actually defensive: I felt offended and disappointed. I was so concerned with how I felt that it didn’t occur to me that I was part of the problem.

Pastor Carlos A. Morales is the President of The Vine Ministries International

Our Vision and Mission

The Word of God is our true foundation. The Bible clearly states who you were created to be believing in Jesus, belonging to family, becoming a follower, and building God’s kingdom. Our mission is to help you fulfill this calling and live out the fullest life in Christ imaginable.

BELIEVE

Belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is a process that ultimately provides the bedrock for your faith. Our desire is to reveal the nature of God and who He created you to be in order to strengthen your faith and surrender to His grace.