The Presence of God's Grace

Introduction

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

A good way for us to understand grace is to compare grace and mercy. Grace and mercy are often confused because the two often appear in the same Bible passages, and many think they are synonyms. However, they are not. Let’s look at how they are different.

Mercy is God withholding from us what we truly deserve - (judgment).

Grace is God giving to us what we don’t deserve - (forgiveness).

Grace has a Melody - John Newton wrote the most famous hymn about God’s grace and we all know it by heart. However, before John pinned the words to “Amazing Grace” the sweet Psalmist David wrote these beautiful words about God’s grace.

1 Chronicles 17:16–17 “And David the king came and sat before the Lord, and said, Who am I, O Lord God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant’s house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O Lord God.”

2. Grace has a Man - John the Baptist introduced this man to the as “the lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world.” Jesus is the Man of Grace!

1 Timothy 2:5–6 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

3. Grace has a Message - This message concerns a gift. It’s a gift that God has offered to “Whosoever.” The message of grace is the unsought, undeserved, unconditional love of God. Grace is God pursuing us until He finds us and then preserving us forever.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

1 Peter 5:10 “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

Conclusion

Will you receive God’s grace today?