Grace and Power

I. What is this Grace?

A. Grace best example…

John 1:14 (ESV)

John 1:14 ESV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

B. Grace available for you and me…

Romans 3:24 (ESV)

Romans 3:24 ESV

and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

C. Grace is not works…

Romans 11:5–6 (ESV)

Romans 11:5–6 ESV

So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

II. What is this Power?

A. Power’s best example

Romans 1:16 (ESV)

Romans 1:16 ESV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

B. Power available for you and me

1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV)

1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

C. Power is Christ

2 Peter 1:3 (ESV)

2 Peter 1:3 ESV

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

III. Why was Stephen full of God’s grace and power?

A. He was familiar with the righteous acts of Jesus

Acts 6:10 (ESV)

Acts 6:10 ESV

But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

B. He operated under the grace of Jesus

2 Timothy 1:9 (ESV)

2 Timothy 1:9 ESV

who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

C. Conviction and knowledge of Jesus showed Stephen and us how to live our life

Acts 6:15 (ESV)

Acts 6:15 ESV

And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

IV. Power builds Christian character

Romans 15:13 ESV

Romans 15:13 ESV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. See also 2 Ti 1:7

V. Power strengthens the church

Ephesians 3:16 ESV

Ephesians 3:16 ESV

that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, See also Ro 1:11; 1 Co 1:7–8