Failing The Grace of God

Temple Baptist Church - 8-5-2020

Hebrews 12:14-15

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Verse 15 is an interesting verse when it is interpreted within its context.

 

1.  Verses 1-3 – Our Witnesses, those who have maintained their Christian character in adverse circumstances; Our Race, particular to each individual; Our example, the Lord Jesus Christ’s suffering.

 

2.  Verses 4-14 – Our Chastening when we fail; Our Restoration when we repent; Our Shame when we become castaway.

 

3.  Our context is about Faith and Following!  Hebrews, chapter 11, is about Faith while chapter 12 is about Following that same Faith.

 

B.  Verse 15 looks at our Potential Failure and gives an Old Testament example: Esau.

 

C.  I want to look at the phrase “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God.”

 

D.  First, I want to look at this phrase in the reverse, then we will look at it the way that it is written. 

 

“God of grace … fail man” 

 

1.  Can the God of grace fail man?  The biblical answer is “no.”  Did God fail Esau?  No, God did not fail Esau, Esau failed God!

 

a.  He has never failed an individual.  Deuteronomy 31:6  Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

 

b.  He has never lost a battle.  Psalms 24:8  Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

 

c.  He has never forsaken His own.  Hebrews 13:5-6  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  (6)  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

 

2.  Can the grace of God fail man?  Again, the biblical answer is “no.”  Did the grace of God fail Esau?  No!  Esau failed the grace of God.

 

a.  God’s grace is always available.  1 Corinthians 10:12-13  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  (13)  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

b.  God’s grace is always sufficient.  2 Corinthians 12:7-10  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  (8)  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  (9)  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  (10)  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

 

c.  God’s grace is always abounding.  Romans 5:20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

 

d.  God’s grace is always manifold.  1 Peter 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

 

“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God.”

 

1.  Can man fail of the grace of God?  The biblical answer is “yes.”  Thus, Esau!  I do not want to deal with Esau tonight, but he is the “sterling” example used by God. 

 

a.  Men can fail of the grace of God through Discouragement. 

 

Numbers 21:4  And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.  (Doubting what God can do.)

 

b.  Men can fail of the grace of God through Deception.

 

Deuteronomy 11:16  Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;  (Deceived about who God is.)

 

c.  Men can fail of the grace of God through Doubt.

 

Hebrews 3:17-19  But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?  (18)  And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?  (19)  So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.  (Doubting what God promised.)

 

d.  Men can fail of the grace of God through Disobedience.

 

1 Samuel 12:15  But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers.  (Disobedient to what God said.  Men are so quick to blame God for their personal failures and quit.)

 

Now, how not to fail of the grace of God.

 

1.  Be Watchful – “Looking diligently”  Keep a spiritual temperature check on self.

 

2.  Be Careful – “lest any man fail”  Yes, it could happen to you or me.

 

3.  Be Content – “the grace of God”  God’s grace is available and sufficient  for every trial.