God's Grace
Sermon Notes
Sermon Title: God's Grace
The Meaning of Grace-
Unmerited favor received from God expressly presented in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
The Barriers of Grace-
- Pride expressed in self-sufficiency
- Pride expressed in entitlement
The Source of Grace-
Ephesians 2:1-9 "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast."
God’s great love for us is the source of Grace. The agent of God’s grace is His Son Jesus Christ. The gift of grace is salvation through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
The Picture of Grace-
"in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus."
When we receive God’s grace we become the picture of God’s grace.
Face to Face Grace-
#1 Jesus Himself:
John 1:14"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
Jesus showed up in the flesh to teach us about grace.
#2 The Woman - John 8:
We get one specific thing wrong in our culture about sin, all sin is against God – this is why He gets to pass judgment not me and you. And because He took on our guilty sentence – HE is also the one who gets to give grace in all circumstances even when we wouldn’t extend grace.
#3 Zacchaus:
Luke 19:1-10 “Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Grace trumps political maneuvering – Grace transforms lost lives & grace completely alters family trees.
#4 Me:
God’s love, favor and power follow His people. God’s favor blesses us God’s power secures us through hardship.
2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladlyabout my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reston me."