Reigning with Grace

INTRODUCTION

ILLUSTRATION OF GRACE - A certain poor man spent many years saving money to realize his dream of going on a cruise. When he finally saved the required sum, he bought a ticket. Knowing he could not afford the extravagant food on board, he took what he could afford—crackers and peanut butter.

After a few days of observing the other passengers eating luxurious meals, his peanut butter crackers became stale and tasteless. Desperately hungry, he begged a porter to allow him to work for food.

“Why, sir, didn’t you realize meals are included with your ticket? You may eat as much as you like!”

Lots of Christians live like that man. Not realizing the unlimited provisions that are theirs in Christ, they munch on stale scraps. There’s no need to live like that! Everything we could ever want or need is included in the cost of admission—and the Savior has already paid it for us!

WHAT GRACE IS

Believers are to pray for grace

Hebrews 4:16 NKJV

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

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DEFINITION TIME

MERCY MEANS THANKING GOD FOR HOLDING BACK ON WHAT I DID DESERVE

GRACE MEANS THANKING GOD FOR GIVING OUT THAT WHICH I DON’T DESERVE

mercy - is God witholding what we do deserve

God giving us what we don't deserve and not just one time but over and over

Grace is unmerited

Ephesians 2:8–9 NKJV

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

- 'unmerited' = God's grace being based on nothing THAT You did but everything He did

God’s grace is undeserved

Romans 3:24 NKJV

being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

God’s grace is unearned

Romans 11:6 NKJV

And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

WHAT GRACE DOES

Allows us to rest in God

Allows us to be righteous before God

Allows us to Reign with God

Allows us to rest in God -

God’s grace compensates for human weaknesses

God’s grace compensates for human weaknesses (in other words, I don’t have to rely on my strength)

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2 Corinthians 12:8–9 NKJV

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

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Allows us to be righteous before God (it is by the Grace of God that I am what I am)

Hebrews 4:16 NKJV

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Christian experience may be summed up in terms of grace

See also ; ; ;

DEFINITION TIME

MERCY MEANS THANKING GOD FOR HOLDING BACK ON WHAT I DID DESERVE

GRACE MEANS THANKING GOD FOR GIVING OUT THAT WHICH I DON’T DESERVE

mercy - is God witholding what we do deserve

God giving us what we don't deserve and not just one time but over and over

Grace is unmerited

Ephesians 2:8–9 NKJV

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

- 'unmerited' = God's grace being based on nothing THAT You did but everything He did

God’s grace is undeserved

Romans 3:24 NKJV

being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

God’s grace is unearned

Romans 11:6 NKJV

And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

Christian experience may be summed up in terms of grace

1 Corinthians 15:10 NKJV

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

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Romans 5:2 NKJV

through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Philippians 1:7 NKJV

just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.

Allows us to Reign with God

Romans 5:17 NKJV

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

Point - the moment you receive grace, you will start to reign in your life.

God blesses you not because you are good but because He is good

(undeserved favor)

ONE MORE QUESTION: WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

John 1:17 NKJV

For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Grace is not a topic, it is not a subject; it is the essence of Jesus Himself!!

Grace is that fearsome force flowing from God’s heart to deliver unmerited favor to train wrecks like me.

The more you begin to fall in love with grace and truth the more sin will lose its appeal and power over your life

conclusion

when we understand that grace and truth came through Jesus then we can begin to understand why, if He is K of K and L of L then we reign with Him! And reign means right now! Not just in eternity but right here on earth we can reign as kings with the King!

And because we are His children, we MUST UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS GOD’S GOOD PLEASURE TO SEE FAMILIES BLESSED,

STOREHOUSES OVERFLOWING

YOUR BODY FULL OF THE RESURRECTION LIFE OF JESUS

AND YOUR MIND FULL OF FAITH IN EVERY PROMISE MADE IN HIS WORD

That’s why I can speak His word to my problems and know that by grace they shall be removed.

when your sick

Isaiah 53:5 NKJV

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

When your broke

Philippians 4:19 NKJV

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

When your crying

Psalm 30:5 NKJV

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.

When your weak

Philippians 4:13 NKJV

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

We REIGN

WE REIGN

WE REIGN!!!

Believers should go on to experience more of God’s grace

Acts 20:32 NKJV

“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.

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Believers are enabled to serve Jesus Christ by his grace

1 Peter 4:10 NKJV

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

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God’s grace is seen in Christian character, especially in generosity

Referring to a collection being taken up for the poor Christians in Jerusalem.

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2 Corinthians 6:1 NKJV

We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

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