Encountering Jesus: Grace

Introduction:

Grace is not God pretending we are fine, grace is not God lowering the standard, and grace is not a spiritual pat on the head. Grace is God’s favor toward the undeserving, brought to us through Jesus Christ, so we can be forgiven, restored, and transformed. If we encounter Jesus, we will encounter grace and if we encounter grace, we ill not stay the same.

Transition: Grace is only found in one.

I. Grace has a face: Jesus Christ

A. Grace is not first a concept, grace is a person.

a. John 1:14–17 “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has been ahead of me, for He existed before me.’” For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

b. Through Christ came grace and truth.

B. When Jesus walks into the story, grace becomes visible:

a. He touches lepers

b. He eats with tax collectors

c. He welcomes children

d. He speaks hope to the broken

e. He calls sinners to repentance and offers cleansing

C. The world offers two common counterfeits:

a. Truth without grace: harsh, cold, condemning, proud.

b. Grace without truth: sentimental, permissive, excusing sin.

D. Jesus is full of grace and truth, not half of each — full of both.

Transition: Even at our worst, grace is shown.

II. Grace meets us at our worst: The woman who wept at his feet.

A. The woman was shown grace that day.

a. Luke 7:44–50 “And turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. “You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. “You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” And those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.””

b. Simon’s reaction is revealing: If Jesus were truly a prophet, he would know what kind of woman this is.

B. Self-righteous

a. This is how the self-righteous mind works, it thinks holiness means distance from dirty people.

b. The parable of the two debtors: One owed 500, the other 50.

c. Both would be forgiven, so who would love him more?

C. Jesus turns toward the woman and exposes the issue:

a. Simon offered no water for his feet

b. No greeting kiss

c. No oil

d. But this woman’s affection poured out because she knew what she had been given.

D. Jesus’ conclusion is not that she earned forgiveness by loving; it is that her love proves what happened to her heart.

Transition: It does not excuse sin.

III. Grace refuses to stone the Guilty — But it also refuses to excuse sin.

A. The woman caught in adultery.

a. John 8:7–11 “But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go, and from now on sin no more.”]”

b. The religious leaders drag her in, using her as a weapon to trap Jesus.

B. Hypocrisy exposed.

a. Jesus says, He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone first.

b. One by one they leave.

c. Jesus looked at the lady saying, woman where are they? Has no one condemned you? No one Lord.

d. Jesus replies, neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.

C. Notice the shape of grace:

a. Mercy: Neither do I condemn you.

b. Transformation: Go… sin no more.

D. Grace is not permission to continue in sin, grace is power and mercy that calls you out of sin.

Transition: We should let it train us.

IV. Grace trains us: It doesn’t just pardon — it produces Holiness.

A. Grace trains us.

a. Titus 2:11–14 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all lawlessness, and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good works.”

b. Grace has appeared… bringing salvation.

B. It also instructs us:

a. to deny ungodliness and worldly desires.

b. to sensibly, righteously, and godly in this present age.

c. Looking for the blessed hope.

d. Jesus gave himself to redeem us and purify a people for his own possession.

C. True grace produces:

a. Humility instead of pride.

b. Gratitude instead of entitlement.

c. Repentance instead of excuses.

d. Holiness instead of compromise.

e. A new direction, not merely a new label.

Transition: Do you want to encounter this grace today?

Conclusion:

How can I experience that grace? The New testament consistently connects receiving grace through faith with an obedient response to the gospel — never as a work of merit, but as trust submitted to Christ.