Grace

 

Define grace.  (unmerited favor)

OT—38, NT—125   Total—163       4 gospels – 4  Rom. 21    Gen. 11

                        G od’s

                        R iches

                        A t

                        C hrist’s

                        E xpense

 

What grace is not

            Grace is not license.  Jude 1:4 – “ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into “licentiousness”

            Grace is not irresistible.  Heb. 10:29 –“How much severer punishment do you think we will deserve who … has insulted the Spirit of grace?”

 

Believing in grace is one thing.  Living it is another.  —- Chuck Swindoll

 

1.)       Grace produced the incarnation – Jn. 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

            –Vs. 17 – “… grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.”

            –Everything about Jesus comes under grace and truth.

            –He had the perfect balance of grace and truth.

            –Grace at expense of truth—compromise.

            –Truth at expense of grace–negative spirit and pain.

Illustration—Phil Donahue TV Show—Bob Jones—Billy Graham

 

2.)       Grace produced the atonement – Heb. 2:9 – “by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone”

            –Grace sent Jesus to the cross.

 

3.)       Grace produces salvation – Eph. 1:7 – “In Him we have redemption…according to the riches of His grace – 8 – which He lavished on us…” Eph. 2:8-9.  “For by grace are ye saved through faith…”

 

4.)       Grace produces discipleship – I Tim. 1:12b, 14a – “…He considered me faithful, putting me into service… and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant…”

            –II Tim. 2:1 – “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (Paul to Timothy)

            –Grace in ministry means being “built up” – not “beat down”.

            –Eph. 4:12 – “building up the body of Christ…” vs. 15 –“speaking the truth in love”

            –Peter 4:10 – “… serving one another as good stewards of the manifold graceof God.”

 

5.)       Grace produces fellowship – Eph. 4:29 – “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification, according to the need, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”

            –Disagree without being disagreeable!

            –Be a “grace dispenser” – not a “grace killer”!

 

6.)       Grace produces freedom –Gal. 5:1 – “It was for freedom that Christ set us    free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”

            –Freedom from keeping the law to be saved – for salvation.

            –If you are seeking to be justified by law – “you have fallen from grace” —  vs. 4

            –Grace produces freedom to be a disciple.

            –Titus 2:11-12 – “…the grace of God…instructs us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires…”

 

7.)       Grace produces generosity – II Cor. 8:1-2 – “…we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia…that their deep poverty over flowed in the wealth of their liberality – vs. 3 – they gave beyond their ability…”

            –vs. 9 – “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”

            –Ch. 9:7—“…for God loves a cheerful giver.  8 – And God is able to make all grace abound to you…”

            –Tithing is beginning point – “grace giving” is goal

8.)       Grace produces strength and endurance – II Cor. 12:9 – “And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”

            –“Thorn in the flesh” – messenger of Satan “—I prayed 3 times for healing

            –Heb. 13:9 – “…it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace…”

 

9.)       Grace promotes humility – James 4:6 – “But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, God is opposed (or resists) the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

            –NT & OT – “Humble yourselves” –In humility, God gives grace.

 

10.)    Grace produces benevolent majesty – Heb. 4:16 – “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

            –Different from a dictator.

 

11.)    Grace provides Christ-likeness –Jn. 1:16 – “For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace…–vs. 17—“…grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.”

 

12.)    Grace provides eternal security – LK. 23:42-43 –“Jesus, (anything missing here)remember me…today you will be with me in Paradise.”

            –Hymn –

                               “Nothing in my hands I bring,

                                simply to thy cross I cling”

            –(anything missing here)“you must be an angel – or Moses, Elijah – or Simon Peter or Paul”

            –John Newton – “I am a great sinner – but Christ is a great Savior”

                        “Amazing Grace”