Sermon Tone Analysis

The New Administration of Grace

Pastor E. Keith Hassell

 

John 1:1-18

 

I.

Jesus is the Word

A.               He existed in the beginning

B.                He was with God

C.               He was God

D.               He was in the beginning with God

E.                All things were made through Him

F.                Without Him nothing was made that was made

G.

In Him was life; that life was the light of men

H.

The darkness could not overcome His light

I.

He was in the world that He made, but the world did not know Him

J.

He came to His own (Jew), and His own did not receive Him

K.               The Word became flesh

L.                The Word dwelt among us

M.              He had the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth

N.

He was before John the Baptist although He was born six months after John

 

II.

Of His fullness we have all received, grace for grace

A.               One expression of God’s favor and blessing after another

 

III.

Christ ushered in a new administration

A.               The Law was given through Moses

B.                Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ

C.               Hebrews 8:6-13 A New Covenant and Mediator

D.               2 Corinthians 3:2-18 Comparison of the two administrations

1.          Letter (legalism)

2.          Spirit of grace (life)

 

IV.

What is grace?

A.               Law the legal expression of the righteous requirement of God.

Law is required when we do not act righteously from the heart.

1.          1 Timothy 1:9-11 /“knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.”/

2.          Law establishes the standard for righteousness

B.                Grace (Greek: /charis/; Strong’s #G5484) means “graciousness” as in “gratifying.”

It is the divine influence upon the heart and its resulting reflection in our life.

It comes from the same root as “chara” (joy) and “chaira” (to rejoice).

“Charis” causes rejoicing.

C.               Grace does not do away with the righteous standard.

It is a better way of keeping the standard.

D.               Law works from the outside to establish righteousness.

Grace works from the inside.

E.                Grace is “God working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13)

F.                Grace is evidenced by “joy” which is our strength

 

V.

Grace is given to the weak

A.               2 Corinthians 12:7-10 /“//And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.

8Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

9And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake.

For when I am weak, then I am strong.”/

VI.

Grace is given to the humble

A.               James 4:6 /“But He gives more grace.

Therefore He says: //‘//God resists the proud, b//ut gives grace to the humble.’”/

B.                1 Peter 5:5 /“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders.

Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for //‘//God resists the proud, b//ut gives grace to the humble.’”/

VII.

Grace is given by faith

A.               Romans 5:2 /“through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”/

B.                Ephesians 2:8/ “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,”/

 

VIII.

Grace edifies

A.               Acts 20:32 /“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”/

IX.

We are to have grace in our hearts

A.               Colossians 3:16 /“//Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”/

X.

We are to have grace upon our lips

A.               Colossians 4:6 /“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”/

XI.

We are to grow in grace

A.               2 Peter 3:18 /“//but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”/

XII.

Abuses of God’s grace

A.               Using God’s grace as an excuse to live in sin

1.          Romans 6:1-2 /“//What shall we say then?

Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?

Certainly not!

How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”/

B.                Receiving the grace of God in vain

1.          2 Corinthians 6:1-2 /“//We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

For He says: ‘//In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’

//Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”/

2.          We receive the grace of God in vain by not responding to God’s grace at the moment it is given to us.

C.               Setting aside (“frustrating”) the grace of God

1.          Galatians 2:21 /“I do not set aside /[KJV-“frustrate” meaning to make of no effect, nullify]/ the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”/

2.          We frustrate the grace of God by returning to the law as the way to keep the standard of righteousness

 

XIII.

Do you have a need?

Run to the throne of grace!

A.               Hebrews 4:16 /“//Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”/