SWEETER AS THE YEARS GO BY

Jesus- [increased] i.e., drove forward, that is, to advance (in amount,
to grow;): - increase, proceed, profit, be far spent, wax.

MENTAL

* He "kept cutting his way forward as through a forest or jungle as pioneers did." In 4 areas of human growth. First: Jesus grew mentally (more than knowledge).

PHYSICAL

2. Jesus grew in stature, physical growth (strength, health)

SOCIAL

3. Jesus grew in favor with man, social

SPIRITUAL

4. Jesus grew in favor with God, spiritual. "At each stage he was perfect for that stage" (Plummer). Good outline for an educational program for any child.

LESSON SUBJECT

Jesus grew in favor. Our lesson has to do with growing in favor with God. God's favor! The word here is the same as translated "grace" elsewhere.

Meaning of "grace". Please bear with me on this statement: First, what it does not mean: "unmerited favor". I've heard repeated over and over again from the pulpit, thru the years that "grace" meant "unmerited favor". Although one can argue that God's grace is "unmerited" by men, this does not mean the word means that. And it doesn't mean "universal love" either. For then all men would be saved universally regardless of their attitude. The Bible would be unnecessary! Jesus grew in the grace of God and man. Does that mean that Jesus did not merit such from God or man? Obviously not. It means as is translated, He grew in their favor.

O.T. illustration of the use of "grace". Gen. 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 9 This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. Out of all mankind, Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Don't tell me that Noah's favor was unmerited. He "walked with God"; he was "perfect" in his generations. Was he sinless ? It doesn't say that. We know he offered sacrifices. But whatever he was doing, he found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

Exodus 34:9 Then he said, "If now I have found grace in Your sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray, go among us, even though we are a stiff-necked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your inheritance." What was Moses' request? "If I have found grace in Your sight". If the word meant "unmerited" why would He ask God to pardon the stiff-necked people and sinners in the congregation because of his having God's grace. Why even ask for forgiveness for the people if all it took was a "unmerited" favor of God. The word does not mean "unmerited", that's why. Moses had merited God's favor. And he mediated for the people.

Esther 2:17 [human illustration of the use of the word "grace"] The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 'The king loved Esther more than the other women", and she obtained grace in his sight. Does that mean that Esther looked just like the other women. Or even worse? Hence, the king would have "unmerited" favor with her? Obviously, no. She had qualities that in his eyes the others did not possess. She had his favor!

Proverbs 3:34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. 1Peter 5:5 '...be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."' Why doesn't God give grace to the scornful or the proud [i.e., IF the word means "unmerited favor". Certainly they deserve it less than the humble. THE WORD DOES NOT MEAN "UNMERITED FAVOR". And perhaps we have done some of our friends a disservice in the past to be misunderstood by suggesting such to them so that they have been open for this current "universal salvation" false doctrine.

Strong's Greek definition.

Vine's Greek definition.

Thayer's Greek definition.

Where is this "sweet" grace? Rom. 3:23, 24.
"justified"-(Strong's) to render (that is, show or regard as) just or innocent "freely"- gratuitously (literally or figuratively): - without a cause [not "unmerited"] "redemption" (salvation) that's located in Christ. Now His "grace" or favor is channeled or is "thru" this salvation. That's where the grace is and is accessed; i.e., in Christ.

How do we access grace? Rom. 5:2

Eph. 6:24 CONDITIONAL. What is the condition? Ans. If you love Jesus. Jesus: If you love me, keep my commandments.

Our lesson is for us to GROW IN THIS SWEET FAVOR. It should be "Sweeter As the Years Go By" for a Christian.

However, insight into this growth is in Titus 2:11-14 We want to have God's favor. This is how it's done.

verse 11 "the [sweet] grace of God has appeared"!

verse 12 This grace of God TEACHES. We are children by Faith in Christ Jesus (Gal 3: 26)

Basic curriculum "Grace 101" first requirement in this "sweet grace" IS NEGTIVE: SELF DENIAL…

1. "Deny ungodliness" How does one deny this and thereby "resist the devil"? Ungodliness in this context is referring to false doctrine. To follow false teaching is to practice ungodliness!

2. "Deny wordly lusts" - What did Joseph do per Potiphar's wife? How did he deny "wordly lusts": i.e., in his case, fornication?

Remember the curriculum for Jesus' growth? We can actually apply his four areas of growth to the grace training.

It can be considered "advanced curriculum" in positive "living."

LIVING SOBERLY. What does "soberly" mean? It has to do with mind skills.

LIVING righteously. What does "righteously" mean? It is involving social skills.

LIVING GODLY. What does "godly" mean"? Go back to the meaning of "ungodliness". It has to do with the opposite positive living in performing God's truth. True doctrine.

LIVING WITH PATIENCE (bearing under [e.g., burdens]). Learning to look for Jesus by "waiting" for Him. Hope is basic here. And the thread that puts purpose in the curriculum.

What type of person is expected from this training in grace (to be in God's favor)? Definition of the product from the School of Grace.

The graduate from the School should be ...
The graduate is in God's favor. Does that mean that those not trained are not in God's grace?

Mat. 5:16 A GRADUATE of light to others. "Good works" is the same expression in both passages. "Beautiful" good. "Beautiful" deeds and doings. This includes what one says as well as "does".

Our lesson: grow in the grace of God. Deny and resist ungodliness & wordly lust. Live godly, righteously, and godly, looking unto Jesus. Eph. 4:13-15 This the product that Jesus meant to have when He ascended up and left responsibility in the hands of his apostles, prophets, evangelists, elders and teachers!