God's Amazing Grace

Intro to righteousness

God is righteous and just, and He has made us in his image

So we have a strong sense of righteousness and justice: Good is to be rewarded, and evil is to be punished

when someone does wrong and is NOT punished we are filled with righteous indignation . . . we see a video of someone breaking a law and we say, “I hope the police caught them” . . . .”they need to be put under the jail for that”

Old childhood saying when someone did something wrong and got in trouble, “that’s what you get!”

So when we do bad, make bad decisions, wrong choices, are lazy, lie or cheat, and we suffer for it . . . then there is an understanding of “That’s what you get”

You made your bed so lie in it

That’s the price you pay

You did the crime, so you do the time

society tells us this, the devil tells us this, we tell ourselves this because we have an innate, built in sense of righteousness

Thus, we don’t have a lot of sympathy for: the drinker with liver problems, the overweight with high blood pressure or diabetes, smoker fighting cancer, the school room troublemaker who doesn’t graduate, the drug user who loses their job, or the drug dealer who gets sent to jail

because we have a strong, God-given sense of righteousness/justice

but God is also gracious, He is righteous and gracious, gracious and righteous

Psalm 116:5 NASB95

5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate.

His graciousness and righteousness comes through his compassion for us

God is both, but he sent me to remind you about his gracious side

You made the bed, but you don’t have to lie in it

you did the crime , but don’t have to pay the time

you got caught but they set you free

Example of the woman caught in adultery – she was caught and should have been stoned, but because of Jesus she was set free . . . that’s grace

Yet many times, Grace is available but we’re not accepting it

it’s like if the woman caught in adultery had insisted on staying and being toned

Intro to Grace

to discuss grace, let’s look at two words: merit and favor

Merit is when you earn or deserve something

You get a high grade on a test because you studied

You get a paycheck because you worked

Favor - When someone does something good for you; positive action in your life

Will you do me a favor? – Will you do something good for me, a positive action

People understand merited favor

I do something good for you, and you do something good for me

we call that returning the favor, that is merited favor

Scratch my back and I will scratch your back

Babysit my kids because I babysat your kids

Parents expect their kids to do favors for them, because it’s merited

How many young people have heard, “After all I have done for you, you could at least . . . .”

I have earned some favors from this child . . . true!

But grace is unmerited favor

I receive something good that I have not earned

I get a positive/benefit that I do not deserve

you scratched my back, but I’ve never scratched yours

you do everything for my kids, I never helped you with your kids

I got a 100 on the test, thought I only got half of the problems right

I got a benefit that I did not earn

that’s unmerited favor . . . . . that’s grace

so we have righteousness and grace . . . and God is both, gracious and righteous

Psalm 116:5 NASB95

5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate.

the Lord is gracious and righteous . . . . but He exhibits these traits through compassion

but were are here today to focus on God’s Amazing Grace

Well how do we get this available grace? Let’s look at salvation

Ephesians 28For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.

How do we get saving grace? Through faith!

Not of works, not merit, but by faith

Faith in the person of Jesus Christ and what he did for us

Well how do we get faith?

Romans 1017 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

faith comes from hearing the word of God

Last week we learned that the Word is so important, and this is a major reason why

The word leads to faith and faith leads to grace in our lives!

More word, more faith, more grace

So let’s get some more word, to get to faith, to get to grace

Let me build a case through the word and work on our faith

Again, some don’t have faith for grace because we are thrown off by our sense of justice, right

We know that stuff just ain’t free

we know that at the dinner table of life, that somebody has to foot the bill, somebody has to pay

First realize that somebody did pay, Jesus paid it all

You did the crime – he did the time

You made the bed – he slept in it

Isaiah 53 4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows . . . 5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

When Jesus suffered, bled, and died

he took the griefs we should have experienced

he took the sorrows we should have suffered

the wounds we should have had

the bruises that belonged to us

the stripes that were our punishment

Jesus did the work!

in other words, Jesus earned your blessing!

He took the bad we deserved, so we could get the good he deserved

He did the job, and gave you his paycheck . . .grace!

He did the job, and gave you his reward

His blessing, His healing, his enjoy

Sometimes when I go to the store, I am spending money I earned, sometimes it is money Sherry earned.

I’ve learned that Wal-mart doesn’t care if the money I am spending came from my wife’s paycheck. All that matters is that I have access to enough funds to pay. So I pull out the debit card to our account.

When you need a blessing, breakthrough, healing, deliverance, a miracle.

It doesn’t matter that you did not earn it, Jesus did!

It doesn’t matter that you didn’t work for it, Jesus did!

And you have enough in your account because Jesus put it there!

If we have the faith to receive the grace that is offered. It should be like going to a blessing store . . .you can get anything in there

Don’t even have to look at the prices, you have enough in the account

You can get some make a way

You can get some present help

“have mercy on my family”, Healing for my body

Miracle just in the nick of time, Whatever you need!

When it’s time to pray, just pull out debit card to your account with Jesus. (that he filled up) 5 digit pin . . . .FAITH

Of course doubt rises, “Could it be that simple?”

Let’s do some simple math (justice of God with Adam and 2nd Adam)

Kids resent Adam when I first teach the garden of Eden story

Romans 5: 18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

One man messed it up for us all….that’s not fair, so easy to become a sinner

Adam made it easy for us to choose sin ourselves

the consequences of sin were released into the world

But…one man fixed it for us all, made it easy to become a saint!

Jesus made it easy for us to choose righteousness

The rewards for righteousness released into our lives

I wasn’t the one who put this sin into motion, but I suffer

I wasn’t the one who put this grace into motion, but I have victory

Just as easy as being born

Born into sin

Born again by just believing, faith

It is that easy and simpl, put your faith in Christ and receive grace for salvation and grace for so much more

Look at the thief on the cross (example of grace)

Luke 23:39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[d]” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

This criminal admitted his sin and knew his punishment was fair

But somehow he recognized Jesus offers grace

Remember me w hen you come into your kingdom

Then he is bold enough (has faith) to ask for grace

Remember me means do something for me

Remember me means do me a favor

I know I am a criminal but remember me

I’ve done wrong but remember me, I messed up but remember me

I know I deserve to be punished but remember me

I know I deserved to be forgotten but remember me

Because grace is not based on who you are and what you’ve done, grace is based upon who Jesus is and what he’s done

So no matter what you’ve done, you can say this same prayer

I messed up in my teenage years, I deserve all of the consequences, but Jesus, remember me

I acted a fool at the job

I didn’t do right in my marriage

I didn’t do right by my child

I did those drugs

I’ve made unhealthy choices

I went places I should not have gone to

Jesus didn’t hesitate or ponder his request

He didn’t say, “it’s too late”

“you’re just asking ‘cause you’re in trouble”

You don’t deserve it

He said, “this day”

Grace becomes effective immediately!

Even while you are being punished, a blessing is on the way

Many of us are suffering, and we are suffering justly

But if we can have faith to ask for what we don’t deserve, a blessing will be on the way

Start expecting unmerited favor

stop underestimating God’s love and grace!

depend on God’s grace and not in what we deserve . . .your mercies are new every morning

Don’t look for what you deserve, Look for what Christ deserves

Ask for some favors, believe that God is that good

Take advantage of the grace that is freely available th rough faith

Waiter says that the meal is free, but you are insisting that you pay, Check is in your hand but you won’t cash it

Too many of us are getting saved by grace, but not living by grace

have faith I will expect and receive every benefit in the Bible

Hebrews 4: 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Does this mean that you can act as crazy as you want?

And still get what you want? The bible says, God forbid.

God knows your heart, whether you are for real or not

Hard for us to tell, but not for him

Story of wheat and the tares

There’ will be some people who led more impressive lives than you, and they will be going to hell

Live right because its advantageous

Live right because it affords status

But don’t shortchange the goodness of God in your prayers and expectations.

Altar call

Think of some things you don’t deserve right now

Health, good family, good job, home, car, another chance

Now think about how jesus earned them for you

But your mind is rebelling even now, nah, nah, nah….because that’s not fair, let me show you how it is fair –God said appeal to their sense of justice

First realize that somebody did pay, Jesus paid it all

That’s what you get – he got it

You did the crime – he did the time

You made the bed – he slept in it

Isaiah 53 4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Second look at the some math (justice of God with Adam and 2nd Adam)

Kids thoughts when I first teach the garden of Eden story

Romans 5: 18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

One man messed it up for us all….that’s not fair, so easy to become a sinner

But…one man fixed it for us all, made it easy to become a saint!

Being born into sin, is just not fair, came into world messed up

Being born again, come into God’s family fully righteous

I wasn’t the one who put this sin into motion, but I suffer

I wasn’t the one who put this grace into motion, but I have victory

Understanding this word about God’s grace will increase your faith

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Faith will cause God to move

Some things you ask for but not really expecting a yes

Like a child asking to go somewhere

(I was wondering….maybe…..if you would think about taking)

Or mom will you take me to the sleep over I already packed

Some things you haven’t even considered asking for (or even thought to ask about)

Turning yourself down? – injured acting crazy so you won’t pray, I didn’t pay that bill so

Let us come boldly

Hebrews 4:16 - Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

About school, healing, family, finances

You messed up in school, but ask for grace and start studying now

Don’t apply general “life” to you – lots of people getting laid off, “all the kids failed Mrs. Jones test”, everybody got sick, everybody’s getting a smaller car now, cutting corners

As a parent somethings I am ready to give, but only if my kids ask for it (if they really want to go, really want it, they will ask)…I don’t want to be jumping through hoops for nothing

God is ready to give (if they really believe it)

Don’t you underestimate grace!

Ephesians 2: 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.

We will compare grace to a fancy car and the law to walking

Grace is so wonderful, we don’t want to believe it

Just press this pedal and it will go, mirror, warming seats, ect

You don’t have to understand how, just believe

Same with a microwave – took a long time before we trusted

Some of us are walking when we could be riding

For by grace are ye saved

Who saved you? God through Jesus What saved you? Grace

Definition of grace – unmerited favor of God

Merit

Merit is when you earn or deserve something

Unmerited to get something that you don’t deserve

100 on a test because you studied – merited

Teacher drops lowest two grades-unmerited

DeMarus Ware earned that contract-merited

Owner of cowboys gives me same contract-unmerited

Get a paycheck from working-merited

You share your check with me-unmerited

Going to hell-merited

Going to heaven-unmerited

Favor

When someone does something good for you and you don’t have to

Will you do me a favor?

When you ask this you know they don’t have to, going above and beyond

If I am in bed with blankets pulled up, “Baby, will do me a favor?”

But we are used to Merited Favor

My wife has earned the right to ask a favor, hence the baby

Good student will get favor from a teacher (make up grades), Diamond ex.

Good parents receive merited favor from their children

If parents ask for $25 and bottle of catsup in the midnight, I’m there

Good employee will expect favor from a boss

We’ve learned that when we haven’t earned something, ask for a favor

We will even get mad if we don’t receive merited favor

But you’re my brother, I’ve been a good employee, ect.

That’s why enemies don’t ask you for favors unless they are desperate

Because we use merited favor all the time

But God gives us Unmerited Favor – grace

I’m going to do something for you that I don’t have to do, and shouldn’t do

No good reason to like or love you, save you - but I do

You treat me like an enemy, but I treat you like a best friend

You haven’t earned anything, and I’m the last person who you should be asking for favors…but I’m still going to do a favor for you

Cowboy example – can you run?, throw?, experience?, know the plays?, I like football though – here’s a 10 million dollar contract, just cheer the team and help out on the sidelines

Are you really good?, basically good?, pretty good?, trying to be good?, I want to go to heaven though – here’s my son on the cross, just praise him and help out on the sidelines

You’ve got to be kidding me?!! No, that’s grace

Not only am I’m the last person who should be asking a favor of God, he comes to me And asks “do you want a favor?”

If you can’t wrap your mind around it, just remember the car, microwave

Through faith

I need some grace like that, so How do we get this amazing grace?

You got this great unmerited favor by believing, By believing that God will give it

Dallas cowboys – imagine the press conference

What qualifications do you have Mr.Caver?

None

Don’t you find it hard to believe that Mr. Jones would give you

I was very surprised, but Mr. Jones is a man of his word

you are going to take this money, though you don’t deserve it

my momma did raise any fools

What did you do to get this contract?

Signed it (Lord, save me)

Just signed it?

Yes

What will your responsibilities be?

Cheering and helping out on the sidelines, and I just want to thank Mr. Jones for his kindness…and I’m looking forward to my championship ring! (golden crown)

God – press conference with God

Not only are we saved by grace through faith, we live by it

Bible teaches that we walk by faith and not by sight

What will faith get us? . . . .GRACE

We live, depend on, trust in God’s grace and not in what we deserve

I’m not expecting what I deserve…….Looking for some favors

I’m not expecting regular results

We are going to make it because God is going to do us some favors

You are looking at a man who is living off of undeserved favor

We need to Change, I probably won’t get . . . to looking for a favor

Change, most people in my situation . . . to expecting a favor

Change, when I was young I messed up . . . to I’m looking for a miracle!

Too many of us are getting saved by grace, but not living by grace

If I signed Dallas Cowboy contract, I’m going to be in the paycheck line right behind Romo, where’s my locker, cafeteria, hot tub, free tickets for family

If I have faith I will expect and receive every benefit in the contract

The Bible is our signed contract

And it says to bodly approach the throne of grace

Hebrews 4: 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

That’s why Jesus told Peter, “I prayed that your faith fail not”

If your faith is ok, then you’re ok

You are not in trouble, until your faith is in trouble

If your faith doesn’t fail, you don’t fail

Because your Faith allows the grace door to stay open

Key that unlocks the grace door-grace can take care of healing, deliverance, finances, relationships, depression

and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.

and even the faith was a gift

remember no bragging when you get that favor

No one gets bragging or glory but God

Altar call – basically do you believe that God is that good, believe that grace such as this actually exists?