The Grace of God

Fear of God

During the late 1800s English evangelist Henry Moorhouse made several trips to America to preach. On one of these occasions, he was taking a walk through a poor section of the city when he noticed a small boy coming out of a store with a pitcher of milk. Just then, the boy slipped and fell, breaking the pitcher and spilling the milk all over the sidewalk. Moorhouse rushed to the youngster’s side and found him unhurt but terrified. “My mamma’ll whip me!” he cried. The preacher suggested that they try to put the pitcher back together, but the pieces of glass would not stay together. The boy kept crying. Finally Moorhouse picked up the youngster and carried him to a nearby store where the preacher purchased a new pitcher. Then he returned to the dairy store and had the pitcher washed and filled with milk. With that done, he carried both the boy and the pitcher home. Putting the youngster down on his front porch, Moorhouse handed him the pitcher and asked, “Now will your mama whip you?”

A wide smile spread upon his tear-stained face, “Aw, no sir, ‘cause it’s lot better pitcher than we had before.”

That’s how God is.

He is not looking

to whip you!

Takes you in your mess

cleans you up

give you an upgrade.

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Christianity Takes Faith!

For many Christians

the hard part is not

faith in Higher Power.

See our weaknesses

its easy to believe

something greater

in the universe.

For most,

faith issue comes

in believing

saving grace!!!

Appeasing an Angry God

We can’t believe

a being in universe

with that kind of love

for a sinner!

Remember God’s word:

Romans 5:8 ESV

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

So often,

we feel we have to

get life right,

then come to God.

God is clear!

He loved us.

He pursued us.

He died for us.

He saved us.

In our filth!

That takes faith

to believe

that love like that

exists in the universe!

Self-Hatred

Why is it hard to believe?

because we don’t

value ourselves!

Desire of Ages Chapter 73—“Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled”

The Lord is disappointed when His people place a low estimate upon themselves. He desires His chosen heritage to value themselves according to the price He has placed upon them. God wanted them, else He would not have sent His Son on such an expensive errand to redeem them.

The sin problem

has our head

all messed up.

This world is filled:

resentment

animosity

and grudges

We rarely see

true love

selfless services

complete forgiveness.

I heard the story of two friends who were talking to each other. One remarked to his friend and said, “Man, you look so depressed. Whatever could you be thinking about to depress you so?” His friend quickly replied, “My future.” “Your future?” his friend said. Whatever in the world would make it so hopeless?” to which his miserable friend sighed and unhappily said “My past.” (Source unknown).

In this world

peace

grace

forgiveness

and love

is elusive

True Peace

That is where

God comes in:

Romans 5:1–2 (NIV)

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

Today,

we celebrate

grace

hope

justification.

God offers peace

in a world without peace!

The cleansing of God’s grace

is overwhelming

and mysteriously joyful.

Justification

Many tell me

“I can’t be forgiven.”

“I’ve gone too far.”

We often feel

we have gone too far

we cannot be forgiven...

Remember the passage:

Romans 5:20 (NIV)

… where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

You can’t compete

with God’s grace.

The load of our sin,

is small compared

mountain of grace!

In a certain city it was noticed that the people spent time by a favorite well in one of the parks. A visitor asked: “Does the well never run dry?”

The man was drinking of the water out of the well; and as he stopped drinking, he smacked his lips, and said: “They have never been able to pump it dry yet. They tried it a few years ago. They put the fire-engines to work, and tried all they could to pump the well dry; but they found there was a river flowing right under the city.”

So it is

with the well of

God’s grace!

It never runs dry.

There is only

one condition

Repentance

Sincerity

in seeking forgiveness.

We should not fear

to come to God’s

throne of grace.

The Conditions

Desire of Ages (Chapter 62—The Feast at Simon’s House)

Jesus knows the circumstances of every soul. You may say, I am sinful, very sinful. You may be; but the worse you are, the more you need Jesus.

--

He turns no weeping, contrite one away. He does not tell to any all that He might reveal, but He bids every trembling soul take courage. Freely will He pardon all who come to Him for forgiveness and restoration.

Grace is simple:

If we are sorry

if we are regretful

if we want a new life

we will not be

turned away!

Those seeking

mercy

grace

forgiveness

contrite

repentant

sincere

Always forgiven!!!

James 4:6 NIV

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Humility

is all that is asked.

So long as,

not make mockery

of God’s grace

it is freely given.

Desire of Ages Chapter 31—The Sermon on the Mount

The proud heart strives to earn salvation; but both our title to heaven and our fitness for it are found in the righteousness of Christ. The Lord can do nothing toward the recovery of man until, convinced of his own weakness, and stripped of all self-sufficiency, he yields himself to the control of God.

I don’t know what

it is but many Americans,

taught as young kids,

don’t take handouts.

Must earn it!

Doesn’t work with God.

Why?

Can never earn it!!!!

Never be:

good enough

righteous enough

nice enough

you can’t buy God!

The Invitation

The irony

once you are humbled

you can come boldly!

Hebrews 4:16 ESV

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Do you believe

God loves you?

Then don’t fear

to come to Him!

Desire of Ages Chapter 31—The Sermon on the Mount

From the soul that feels his need, nothing is withheld. He has unrestricted access to Him in whom all fullness dwells.

Come

Come to God’s

fountain of grace

have a drink.

Sir Edwin Landseer was one of the most famous painters of the Victorian era. His talent developed early, and he had the first showing of his work at the Royal Academy when he was just thirteen years old. He was commissioned to do a number of official portraits of the royal family, and even gave private drawing lessons to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. But he was best known for his depictions of the natural settings and life in the Scottish highlands.

One day as he was visiting a family in an old mansion in Scotland, one of the servants spilled a pitcher of soda water, leaving a large stain on the wall. While the family was out for the day, Landseer remained behind. Using charcoal, he incorporated the stain into a beautiful drawing. When the family returned they found a picture of a waterfall surrounded by trees and animals. He used his skill to make something beautiful out of what had been an unsightly mess.

God works in much the same way in our lives. The things that we think of as weaknesses and handicaps can, through His grace, become our greatest strengths—and the very things He uses the most to bring glory to Himself. God’s grace provides the strength to meet every challenge and overcome every weakness.

Appeal

Trust God’s Grace.

Believe His Love.

Receive His Forgiveness!