6 28 09 Going Grace Series Part 1 – Accepting Gods Grace
Going Grace Series Part 1
Accepting Gods Grace
6 28 09 HT AM
Ephesians 2:1-10 NKJV
This morning I want to share with you about one of my favorite subjects in the Christian life. It’s a favorite because its something that I need lots of you, God has an unlimited supply for you and me both! His unlimited supply is often challenged by the guilt/flesh nature that reduces our understanding and acceptance of his Grace!
Today’s message is only for those who have ever slumped their head in shame, felt the pain of a wrong choice, hid something in their life, avoided a conversation or committed any form of sin – small or great! Perfect people may tune out now – the rest of us including yours truly, today is for US!
In environmental realm the slogan going green has picked up some speed in the current culture, as we all work toward being better stewards of earth. Today I introduce to you the slogan Going Grace, this campaign is geared toward your life, its something you live by every day, something you lean on and commit to you as you journey daily. A slogan of strength as you balance your relationship with God and the reality of your human nature. The first step in Going Grace is to Accept Gods Grace for your life!
Ephesians 2:1-10 (NKJV)
1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Our natural challenge with Grace is that we see things through the “works” lens. Your employer pays you for what you do, relationships all have a invest and return component, our commerce culture is based on something in exchange for something else. Then you come to a stark contrast that God makes Grace available to us completely free from our works. Our good works can flow out from Grace but the do NOT take us to grace!
Consider the following statements about Grace!
Statements about Grace –
1. Grace is based on Jesus work – not ours.
Ephesians 2:4-6 NKJV But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
What about works? What about em, works can flow out of Gods Grace but they will never make us more worthy of Grace. Grace is Gods unmerited/ unearned gift to us!
2. God sent His Son because of His love not our labors. (Salvation is NOT a manipulation)
John 3:16 NKJV For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
God did not save you because of what you can do for Him! I know he created us for some things (praise etc) but nothing more than or less than Gods pure love for you moved Him to send His only begotten Son to die for you!
3. Our relationship with God is not based on the law rather faith.
Galatians 2:16 NASB nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of 1the Law; since by the works of 1the Law no flesh will be justified.
Remove from you mind the though that you can earn this gift, you can buy it – you cannot its totally free, no strings, it’s His choice to give to you!
The Parable of the vineyard in Matthew 20 Jesus reminds his disciples that He can simply do what he wants with what’s His! Grace is His to give!
Matthew 20:15 NKJV
Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’
4. Grace accepts us as we are, then elevates us.
Ephesians 2:5-6 NKJV even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Yes, God wants your life to get better, Yes, He wants you to increase, and remove sin, Yes He wants you to walk in righteousness and truth – a better you is only possible through Grace its not your ticket to Grace!
5. Serving God under grace is motivated by gratitude and not guilt.
John 14:15 NASB
If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.
Knowing Gods love for you and you seeking to love Him is the path to obedience and adherence. Driven by fear will only lead you to more sin – God does not love us for what we do, but for who we are!
· Adherence out of fear = frustration
· Adherence out of love = fulfillment
6. All we need for grace is humility to ask and receive.
Proverbs 3:34 NKJV Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.
The same pride nature that limits us from telling our earthly relationships “ I was wrong” or “I am sorry” or “I need your help” also limits our willingness to ask for and accept Gods grace!
7. Grace is not an unlimited sin card
Romans 6:1-2, 12-13 NKJV What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?
Romans 6:2
Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
Romans 6:12
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.
Romans 6:13
And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
Having heard these statements about Grace; today is your day to start Going Grace, by taking the first step and accept Gods grace for your life.
3 Keys to Accepting Gods Grace
1. Accept - that Gods Grace and your weakness can coexist.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2. Believe Gods promises
Numbers 23:19 NKJV “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent.
Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken
and will He not make it good?
3. Challenge yourself to always see Gods desire to forgive you and love you, never let
Do not allow yourself to factor Gods grace out of your life and or the world because of evil, failures,
1 John 1:9 NKJV
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Are you ready to GO GRACE for your life? Are you ready to fully receive the GRACE OF GOD FOR YOUR LIFE?
Great message this morning! Looking forward to next week. Love the message of God’s grace!