THE GOD OF ALL GRACE 1 Peter 5:10 (RSV) And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you. INTRODUCTION: Many people today dont have a right perception of God. Some believe that God is unreachable, He is far from us, He is unloving and never cares for His people. But the truth shows that He is unchangeable, He is with us, loving, caring and full of grace. I. A CLOSER LOOK TO GOD’S GRACE A. Grace can be defined as Gods undeserved, unearned favour, goodness, kindness, and love toward us. B. Grace is a free gift that cannot be earned. Rom. 11:6 (RSV) But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. C. Gods grace is mentioned 150 times in the New Testament. 1. Paul opened and closed his letters by mentioning it. 2. This means the Lords unmerited favour is at the heart of Christianity. D. G-R-A-C-E is Gods Riches At Christs Expense. 1. Our sin-debt was paid in full through Jesus death on the cross. 2. We have the privilege of coming to His throne with all our requests. E. The difference between Grace and Mercy. 1. Mercy and grace are often confused. While the terms have similar meanings, grace and mercy are not the same. Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 2. To summarize the difference: a. Mercy is God not punishing us as our sins deserve, and grace is God blessing us despite the fact that we do not deserve it. b. Mercy is deliverance from judgment. Grace is extending kindness to the unworthy. c. According to the Bible, we have all sinned (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8). As a result of that sin, we all deserve death (Romans 6:23) and eternal judgment in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:12-15). With that in mind, every day we live is an act of Gods mercy. If God gave us all what we deserve, we would all be, right now, condemned for eternity. In Psalm 51:1-2, David cries out, Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. A plea to God for mercy is asking Him to withhold the judgment we deserve and instead grant to us the forgiveness we in no way have earned. II. THE BENEFITS OF THE GOD OF ALL GRACE. A. He saved us through His grace. Eph. 2:5,8-9 (NKJV) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), v. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, v. 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. B. He justified us through His grace. Rom. 3:23-26 (NKJV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, v. 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, v. 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, v. 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. C. He has given us an eternal position in heaven through His grace. Eph. 2:4-7 (RSV) But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, v. 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), v. 6 and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, v. 7 that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. D. He empowers us to overcome trials through His grace. 2 Cor. 12:8-9 (RSV) Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; v. 9 but he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. E. He called us to serve through His grace. Gal.1:15-16 (GNB) But God in his grace chose me even before I was born, and called me to serve him. And when he decided v. 16 to reveal his Son to me, so that I might preach the Good News about him to the Gentiles, I did not go to anyone for advice, F. We have to use our spiritual gifts through His grace. Romans 12:6-8 (GNB) So we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given us. If our gift is to speak Gods message, we should do it according to the faith that we have; v. 7 if it is to serve, we should serve; if it is to teach, we should teach; v. 8 if it is to encourage others, we should do so. Whoever shares with others should do it generously; whoever has authority should work hard; whoever shows kindness to others should do it cheerfully. H. He provides for all our needs. 2 Cor. 9:8 (NASB) And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; CONCLUSION: Gods grace is a gift offered to all humanity. However, each person must be willing to receive the gift before he or she can enjoy its benefits. This grace is always available for all us. Come to Him and receive His amazing grace.
Posted on: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 03:06:57 +0000
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