GRACE IS...

Ephesians 2:8

Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV 1900

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

INTRODUCTION:

I’m sure that you have heard the phrase - “God helps those who help themselves.”

People who don’t know the bible may think that statement comes from the bible…but the truth is - that statement doesn’t come from the bible.

In fact, that statement isn’t even biblical.

The truth is - God helps those who can’t help themselves…but we live in a world where we’ve been taught you get what you earn in life.

In our world, we tell people - “You get what you deserve in life” and “If you want to make something of your life it’s up to you.”

And what we end up doing is we apply that same mentality in relating to God.

Iow’s, if God is going to accept me…I have to earn His approval.

If God is going to love me…I have to perform well & earn His love.

But that’s not what the bible says.

Psalm 145:8 CSB

8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithful love.

Psalm

Psalm 145:8 CSB

8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithful love.

God is a gracious God and He loves to bless people who don't deserve it.

And He loves to bless people who don't deserve it.

So, this morning I want to talk with you about saving grace…and I want to share with you what Grace Is…

1) GRACE IS - A GIFT

Ephesians 2:8 CSB

8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—

Eph 2:

Romans 3:24 NCV

24 and all need to be made right with God by his grace, which is a free gift. They need to be made free from sin through Jesus Christ.

Most people think they are saved b/c of what they do for God…Many believe that they go to heaven b/c they are good & have a lot of good works.

And if you conducted a survey that’s how the majority of people would respond.

But the bible is clear that none of us are saved by what we do.

Ephesians 2:9 CSB

9 not from works, so that no one can boast.

2 Timothy 1:9 CSB

9 He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.

2 Timothy 1:8–9 ESV

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 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,

2 Timothy 2:8–9 KJV 1900

8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: 9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

Titus 3:

Titus 3:4–5 CSB

4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 5 he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Grace & salvation is a free gift.

You don’t work for a gift.

You can’t earn a gift.

You can’t buy a gift.

You simply receive a gift.

NOTE: If you were to summarize Christianity in one word, it's the word "done."

It's already been done for you.

It was done on the cross by JC.

He paid for your salvation.

He paid for your sins.

It's already been done…and now it’s a free gift for you.

Therefore, you don’t have to try and earn what He has already FINISHED!

NOTE: We’re not going to heaven based on what we do…but on what Jesus did for us.

No matter how good you are…your goodness isn’t getting you into heaven.

You will get into heaven b/c of Jesus being good & you receiving His gift of salvation.

2) GRACE IS - RECEIVED BY FAITH

EPH. 2:8-

Ephesians 2:8–9 CSB

8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—9 not from works, so that no one can boast.

God's gift is received by faith.

It’s a gift & it’s free…but you have to receive it by faith.

Faith is the key that unlocks the door to heaven.

(ILLUS - If I have a gift for you and say, "Here's this gift for you. It's $20. Come and get it." It will just sit there unless you come and receive it by faith. You have to have faith that I'm going to give it to you.)

Paul goes on to say that b/c it’s a gift, we can’t boast & brag about it.

NOTE: No one will be able to boast about anything they did to get to heaven.

Romans 4:16 CSB

16 This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace, to guarantee it to all the descendants—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of Abraham’s faith. He is the father of us all.

The promise is referring to salvation…and Paul says it comes by faith.

NOTE: Salvation isn't based on our performance...It's based on God's promise…and we receive that promise by faith.

It's not based on our goodness...It's based on God's grace.

NOTE: You & I are getting to heaven not based on our merit but God's mercy.

That's why He gets all the credit & all the glory.

There's nothing we can do.

It's a free gift that's received by faith.

We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

Nothing more…Nothing less.

3) GRACE IS - AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE

Romans 4:16 HCSB

16 This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace, to guarantee it to all the descendants —not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of Abraham’s faith. He is the father of us all

Acts 10:34 CSB

34 Peter began to speak: “Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism,

Romans 14:16 KJV 1900

16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

Romans 10:13 CSB

13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

God doesn't play favorites or show partiality/favoritism…God doesn’t discriminate.

It doesn’t matter what your background, your status, or your sin is…God’s grace is available to you.

Anybody who calls on the name of the Lord & who has faith in the grace of God can be saved.

NOTE: There are going to be people who make it to heaven that if we knew what they did in this life…we would not want them in heaven.

But that’s what makes grace so amazing.

Grace gives us what we don’t deserve.

Grace is the undeserved, unmerited, unearned favor & kindness of God…and it is available to everyone who will call on Jesus.

4) GRACE IS- JESUS CHRIST

John 1:17 CSB

17 for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Grace comes through JC…but why Jesus?

Why is JC the only way to heaven? Why not Buddha? Why not somebody else?

B/C He paid the price of admission.

He’s already paid for your salvation…On the cross, He paid for your sins.

Jesus has already paid the way for us to go to heaven.

Romans 5:15 NIV

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!

He came & lived a perfect life & died in our place & made a way for imperfect people to go to heaven.

2 Corinthians 5:21 CSB

21 He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

NOTE: Jesus became sin that we might receive His righteousness…and how was that possible - Grace!

NOTE: Grace has a name & His name is Jesus.

Romans 5:15 ESV

15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.

When you encounter Jesus, you encounter grace.

And when you trust in Jesus…you are placed “in Christ...”

And “In Christ” all things become new...

2 Corinthians 5:17 CSB

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!

In Christ, all things become new.

NOTE: In Christ, your past is taken care of…and your future is secure…and it’s b/c of grace.

Romans 6:23 CSB

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Notice the words “eternal life.”

Rom/ 6:23

The results of God's grace are going to go on and on forever.

Eternal life is one of the benefits of grace.

You could say that grace is the gift that keeps on giving.

God saves the best for last and the best is yet to come.

With JC it keeps getting better and better.

The free gift of God is eternal life.

The moment you trust in JC you have eternal life…and one day you will live eternally in heaven…and it’s all b/c of grace.

NOTE: You can’t find a better deal than what we’ve talked about today.

CONCLUSION:

You may be here today & you don’t know yet have a relationship with God & you’re thinking..."If I come to God with all the ways I've messed up my life, God's going to give me some big lecture...I'm going to feel condemned…and I'm going to feel judged.”

And if you think that - you’re mistaken.

God longs to be gracious to you…and I believe He’s calling out to you to come to Him.

And when you do - He will give you grace in exchange for your guilt…He will give you forgiveness in exchange for all of your failures…He will give you His righteousness in exchange for all of your unrighteousness.

In , there is a story about a woman who was caught in the act of adultery.

The religious crowd brought her to Jesus & they wanted to stone her to death b/c that’s what the law said to do.

But they wanted to see how Jesus would respond.

John 8:7–11 CSB

7 When they persisted in questioning him, he stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Then he stooped down again and continued writing on the ground. 9 When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only he was left, with the woman in the center. 10 When Jesus stood up, he said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”]

John 8:7-

John 8:10–11 ESV

10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

John 8:

Jesus didn’t condemn this woman…and He’s not here to condemn you.

He’s not mad at you…He’s not out to get you or do you harm...He wants to be gracious to you.

He enjoys blessing those who don’t deserve it.

Isaiah 30:18 NLT

18 So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.

But you have to come to Him by faith…and accept His gift.

God’s grace is available today…God’s grace is available right now.

The question is - Will you receive it?

Let’s pray!!!