Sermon Tone Analysis

Title: By God’s Grace Go We

Theme: Living By Grace

Series: Living in the Aroma of God’s Grace

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect.

No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)

This powerful truth was written by the Apostle Paul.

Before his conversion this great laborer for the Lord was named Saul.

He persecuted the church and oversaw the killing of Christians.

(Acts 7:58; 9:1) He achieved a high position, had good personal morality and a righteousness that had the approval of the church of his day.

(2 Corinthians 11:22; Philippians 3:4-6) Paul called himself the chief of sinners.

(1 Timothy 1:15)

Out of love for Jesus and after considering all that Christ had done for him, Paul was driven to work hard for the church.

The word “work” (kopiao) means to labor to the point of being weary and exhausted.

It is not uncommon to see mankind put in many hours of labor for the gods of this world.

Working from early in the morning to late at night, to exhaustion to see their dreams come true or enjoy what motivates their hearts.

Men of this world think nothing of staying up late at night making the proper preparations for something they enjoying doing.

It does not bother them to get up before daylight so they can get an early start on their day of enjoying some hobby, working in their careers and jobs, or just enjoying the pleasures of this world.

A child of God who is illuminated with the truth of Christ’s sacrificial love for him works late into the night to make the proper preparations to get done what God has called him to do.

He is up early so that he can get the most out of his day in his labors for the Lord.

Working to exhaustion and being weary seems like only a small cost compared to the price Jesus paid on the Cross of Calvary to cover his many sins.

I would propose to you that our labors for the Lord are not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58) and we do not have to do our work for the Lord in our own strength.

There is a grace available that will see us through victoriously in every work the Lord gives us, and that work will not be without an effect of some kind.

Holy Spirit led Christians will face many battles for the Lord just as the Apostle Paul did and they will be able to say as he did, “…we [faced] hardships… far beyond our ability to endure… But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God… On Him, we… set our hope…” (2 Corinthians 1:8-10)

Just what are some powerful truths to living by grace?

But by the grace of God

The first key to living by grace requires that Christians not forget that they secure God’s acceptance or do great things for the Lord not by their own efforts, but by the grace of God.

God does great things through common men who are sold out for the cause of Christ.

The Lord will always have a faithful church serving Him.

Romans 11:5-6 says, “So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.

And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.”

(Romans 11:6)

In the passages of Scripture just before Romans 11:5 and 6, Paul gives proof of God’s faithfulness to reserve for Himself a faithful church who has not surrendered their hearts to the gods of this world.

Paul writes, “God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew.

Don't you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah--how he appealed to God against Israel: ‘Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me?’

And what was God's answer to him?

‘I have reserved for Myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.’" (Romans 11:2-4)

The worship of Baal all through Israel’s history was a major sin problem for the Israelites.

Baal was the name given to many different gods that drew people away from the true worship of the one true God.

The name Baal almost always represents that which pulls faith and worship toward anything that draws attention away from God, Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.

When we see people who live in this world worship their manmade gods, we begin to question, “Lord are we the only ones who hunger for your righteousness, who hunger for your Word and desire to see Your will done?”

Despite the fact that many in this country are rejecting the fear of the Lord, that fear reflected in the founding fathers of this nation.

God has the same promise and hope for us as he did Elijah and the Apostle Paul.

The Lord by His grace will reserve for Himself a chosen people.

These Christians are saved and empowered by His grace.

Who they are now has nothing to do to with their own merits or works.

It is only a matter of surrender to the Lordship of Christ that enables the children of God to live by His grace.

A man is not saved from the effects of sin because he lives in a nation that says “In God We Trust.”

He is not saved because his dad is a preacher or because he has a long family history of professing Christians.

He is saved because God on the account of the sacrificial love of Christ sent the Holy Spirit to draw his heart to Christ.

Jesus said, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…” (John 6:44) In regard to the amount of the people who will respond to that call Jesus said, "…But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

(Matthew 7:13-14)

Just as in Elijah’s and the Apostle Paul’s day there will only be a remnant who will truly surrender to the call of God, enjoy the love of Christ and walk in the step with the Holy Spirit.

The Lord will reserve for Himself a people who will love and obey Jesus Christ and enjoy His grace that is given freely.

This “grace” (charis) mentioned in Romans 11:6 causes an unspeakable joy, brings pleasure and gratification.

It allows the repentant sinner to find favor and acceptance and enjoy the abundant life in Christ.

This grace literally transforms the repentant sinner and causes him to be hungry for the righteousness of God, thus the Lord is able to keep a chosen people for Himself and His work.

This grace from God is constant, brings strength and guidance throughout the lifetime of the believer while he lives on this earth.

Faith as Abraham expressed

Christians who live by grace are a chosen people for the Lord and they express the same faith as Abraham expressed.

Romans 4:16 says, “Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring--not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham… (Romans 4:16)

Abraham is the example of a man justified by faith alone.

Paul writes, “What then shall we say [about] Abraham…?”

The Holy Spirit moved the Apostle Paul to say much about Abraham’s faith.

“…Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’

Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead.

Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.

This is why ‘it was credited to him as righteousness.’

The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness--for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.”

(Romans 4:18-24)

The whole of Scripture presents Abraham’s readiness to venture out on the mere Word of God.

Faith is not a leap in the dark, but an obedient response when God has clearly spoken to you.

God speaks to us today through the written Word of God and everything must be brought in line with it.

The Christian life is based on the same three parameters as were set forth to Abraham; obeying the Word of God, returning to the Word of God and waiting upon the Word of God to be fulfilled in our lives.

Christians who live by grace have faith in the God who created all things by the word of His power, as in the beginning.

(Genesis 1:3) Christians have the whole of God’s written Word to establish all the faith they need to see them through every situation in life here and for eternity.

Holy Spirit illuminated children of God are fully persuaded that God will not leave nor forsake them.

(Hebrews 13:5)

As long as they seek first His kingdom and righteousness, He will provide for all their needs.

(Matthew 6:33) His Holy Spirit will be within them for empowerment as long as they are obedient in their callings.

(Matthew 28:18-20) There labors are not in vain.

(1 Corinthians 15:58) If they do not grow weary in doing good they will reap a harvest.

(Galatians 6:9)

Work diligently

Christians who live by grace walk in the confidence and power that the Lord gave Abraham.

They also work diligently at what God calls them to do because they know He saves sinners who call out to Him in Christ’s name.

Romans 10:13 says, “Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved."

(Romans 10:12-13)

Christians who live by grace have a longing for the gospel to get pot where people can hear it.

They long to know all that God’s Word says about the life of the Lord Jesus.

They constantly pray, “Lord, how can lost sinners call on the name of the Lord unless they have heard the message about Christ?

How can people hear unless there is someone to preach to them? (Romans 10:14-15)

To “preach” (kerusso) means to publicly herald or proclaim, announce or publish Christian truths with the attendant privileges and obligations along with an urging for a reception of His gospel.

Christians who are living by grace have a heart cry that urges them to become involved in some way of getting the Word of God out to the public.

They are not satisfied with the teaching of God only being taught within the church walls.

The Bible says “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

I thank the Lord for every Christian who lived out their faith in Christ before my life.

I thank the Lord for those who shared God’s Word with me and expressed a faith in prayer for my soul and relationship with Christ.

They are the most beautiful people in the world to me.

God’s Divine power to live

Christians who live by God’s grace are actively involved in getting the gospel of Christ out and they enjoy God’s Divine power to live a life that brings glory to God and Christ.