The Need Of Grace

Text: Matthew 15:10-20

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (09/29/02)

Introduction:   

Relate BACKGROUND of how I came to preach this message.

Fred Schindler preached on grace Mon. Sept 23 at Cornerstone (Oakville).   The Lord then constrained me to preach on grace, not the same message, but similar.

GRACE – (Strong’s) especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life;

Where do you see grace in Matt. 15:18-19?

What I see is the reason for grace and the need for grace!

Romans 5:20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Grace wouldn’t be what it is, if sin wasn’t what it was!!

Romans 7:13  Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

It is against the canvas of man’s exceeding sinfulness that the subject of God’s grace shines so brilliantly.

ILLUS: Billowing smokestacks of sin, one lonely wisp of white smoke curling skyward = Those seeking God’s grace in their lives.

The only thing that will change all that is wicked and vile and sinful in the world is Grace = God’s divine influence upon the heart reflected in the life.

NOW there is…

The Positional Truth

God’s Unmerited Favour in our Redemption.

We are talking about saving grace.

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace (alone) are ye saved through faith (alone); and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 3:24  Being justified (EXPLAIN) freely by his grace through the redemption (EXPLAIN) that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 11:6  And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Titus 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

SONG: Amazing Grace……that saved a wretch like me!!

The Practical Truth

Daily, living, sanctifying grace.

We have seen grace at work in Salvation. 

Now we will look at grace in our sanctification (Progressive),  and how that affects so many other practical areas of the life.

I. Grace in Sanctification

Carnal Christianity, marked by strife, bitterness, self interest, etc.

The only thing that will change all of that is God’s divine influence upon the heart reflected in the life.  That’s GRACE!!!

1 Corinthians 15:10  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

2 Peter 3:18  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:9  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

How Accomplished? 

Through Trials,

We are given a measure of faith, a measure of grace, and a measure of adversity.

Through Fellowship,

Through God’s Holy Spirit,

Hebrews 10:29  “…done despite unto the Spirit of Grace”

Through His Word.

Acts 20:32  And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

II. Grace in Service

Romans 12:6  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

Ephesians 3:7-8  Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

8  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Paul’s Greetings Marked by Grace

He begins and ends many of his epistles with exhortations of Grace.  For example …..

Galatians 1:3  Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

Galatians 6:18  Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

This is also true  in Ephesians, Phillipians Colossians etc…

EXAMPLES in our Ministry…

In Preaching, Witnessing, Ministering, Hospitality, Greeting

Every contact we have as a Christian.  It is an opportunity to minister grace!!!

With the Lost – Redemptive Purpose

With the Saved – Edificational Purpose

Even Singing is part of our service to the Lord…

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.

III. Grace in Speech

Colossians 4:6  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Ephesians 4:29  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

When we speak idle words, gossip, unkind, complaining, critical.

We have shut off (frustrated, failed of) the grace of God in our lives!!

What is closely related to our speech?  Attitudes

“Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh” Jesus in Matt 12:34

Now look at this verse relating Attitudes to the Need for Grace…

Hebrews 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

ILLUS:  Thistles in a Garden, they spread by the root.  They frustrate the Gardener’s purpose.

IV. Grace in Spousal Relationships

1 Peter 3:7  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

What allows God’s grace to flow freely in the home?

1). Begins with the man’s loving leadership.  Knowing his wife, honouring his wife.

2). Understanding of Roles Biblically -  The weaker vessels

3). Unhindered prayer lives - togetherness

V. Grace in Suffering

2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

SUFFICIENT – Def. – It is Enough, All That I Need!!!

EXAMPLE: Sickness

Enables us to be Strong

2 Timothy 2:1  Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

VI. Grace in Surrender

A. Of this life

LOOK UP & READ Romans 12:1-3 and Verse 6

B. Of Our Pride

James 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

C. Of Our Possessions

2 Corinthians 8:1  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

The GRACE of giving is mentioned several times in this chapter.

Conclusion:     (Review)

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

God has a limitless supply of Grace!!  All that we need!!!