I.        Introduction

A.      Amazing Grace, Oh how sweet the sound...
It is generally accepted that John 3:16 is the most familiar verse in the Bible, and a strong argument could be made that "Amazing Grace" is the most widely known hymn, at least in the English speaking world. Several years ago, Public Television produced and hour long show devoted  to this most famous of hymns. This song, has you are probably aware, is sung by many people outside of the church. People, who otherwise reveal no evidence of the saving grace of Jesus Christ, sing this song with emotion, folk singers to rock stars.  To me this widespread popularity is confounding, if not contradictory.

B.      The questions we musk ask ourselves in the pursuit of God's grace include:

1.         What is grace?

2.         What is the purpose of grace?

3.         What are the consequences of disregarding grace?

4.         How does grace act as a motivator?

C.      Romans 5:15-21 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 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.) 18 Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (NKJV)

D.      The conflicts of every age since the beginning:
    Adam's offense and God's gift.
    One man's offense resulting in judgment and condemnation countered by one Man's righteous act bringing the free gift resulting in justification of life.
    The widespread sin of man and the abundant grace of God.

E.      One could draw the conclusion that the supply of grace is a variable, dispensed according to the need.  I find it encouraging that God supplies grace in generous supply according to the need.

F.      The epitome of a life dramatically saved by grace could quite possibly that of the man who that most famous of hymns, John Newton.

G.      In the corner of the churchyard of Olney Parish Church, of fourteenth century architecture, there is a large tombstone on which the inscription is as follows:
    'John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ preserved, restored and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy.'
    John Newton was the son of a sea captain engaged in Mediterranean trade.  His mother died when he was six, and after two years of school he joined his father's ship at the age of eleven.   Immorality, indulgence and failure followed. Rejected by his father and finally jailed and degraded, he went on to serve on slave ships where he so incurred the hatred of his employer's black wife that he became a 'slave of slaves'.
    He was brought to his senses by reading the Imitation of Christ by Thomas á Kempis.  His conversion was due in part to a violent storm in which he almost lost his life. At the age of thirty-nine he became a minister of the Gospel and was a Pastor at Olney for fifteen years.

H.      This is a great and inspiring example of a dramatic work of God's grace in a person's life, but it is not alone and some of the greatest demonstrations of God's grace may surprise you.

II.       Application

A.      What is grace?

1.         In general terms, grace is undeserved blessing freely bestowed on humanity by God.  This concept is at the very heart of our Christian belief and experience.  In defining grace it is important to make the distinction between common universal grace and saving regenerating grace.  Common grace is defined as the grace that benefits the whole human race, for example the scripture tells us and we know from experience that God allows the rain to fall on the just and the unjust.  Special grace on the other hand is the grace by which God redeems, makes holy and glorifies His people.  Unlike common grace, which is given universally, special grace is given only to those to whom God gives eternal through belief in Christ Jesus.

B.      What is the purpose of grace?

1.         We have come to know and understand that we could never earn the grace or salvation of God.  We do not possess the goodness or virtue to qualify for or to earn special grace from God.  However, the impact of God's grace goes far beyond just removing the penalty and consequence of sin.  What then is the purpose of grace? Is anything expected from those upon whom the grace of God is bestowed? This is the crux of an age old conflict within Christendom,  what one person believes is a proper response of a heart touched by grace, another will protest that indicates salvation by works.  How then shall we respond.  With the Word of course

2.         Titus 2:11-15     For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. 15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you. (NKJV)

3.         Grace does not equate to spiritual welfare.  Grace is not to be viewed as a spiritual handout.  Welfare recipients by common perception generally have low self esteem and motivation.  It is true, that before our lives were touched by the grace of God we were dead in sin, we were without hope or direction.  The grace and power of God changes all that in the life of the redeemed.  Listen again as Paul writes to Titus:

4.         Titus 3:4-8 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. (NKJV)

!! C.      What are the consequences of disregarding grace?

1.         Anytime something as marvelous and wonderful as the grace of God is offered there will be consequences to those who do not avail themselves of God's gift.

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

3.         The word of God is being preached to you right now.  This is a message proclaiming the grace of God.  Our worship service proclaimed the grace and goodness of God. Everyone of us will be held accountable for our response not only for what we have heard today, but for every opportunity and occasion when grace has touched our heart.  This is a very serious matter:

4.         Hebrews 10:26-29     For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? (NKJV)

D.      Grace as a motivator.

1.         Grace should be a motivator in our lives.  As we take into account all that grace has done for us we should be motivated to respond with gratitude, not a response of obligation but rather of love.  Let us take inventory of our hearts that we may account for all that God has done for us.  Make a list and check it twice.

2.         Luke 7:47 "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." (NKJV)

3.         Let me say it again, respond according to the measure of grace given to you.

4.         I Timothy 1:14-16 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. (NKJV)

! III.      Conclusion

A.      Grace's greatest triumph

1.         The dramatic stories of grace thrill our hearts when we hear the accounts of those who were redeemed from lives of depravation and despair,  but we will conclude by illustrating another aspect of God's grace.

2.         In heaven there was once a great debate as to who was the greatest monument of God's grace.  All souls were bared and all secrets were told as the redeemed sought to pay tribute to the grace of God.  One after another related the sin or transgression out of which Christ had delivered him.  As the debate progressed the consensus choice appeared to be settling down upon one man who had apparently committed all sins.  Sin after sin he related as he turned  over the ghastly pages of his autobiography.  And then he related how on his deathbed Christ came and saved him as He had saved the thief on the cross.
          But just before the vote was taken another of the redeemed and asked to tell his story.  It was this: He had come to know and love Christ as a child and had followed Him all the days of his life.  And by His grace he had been kept from the sins and transgressions of which the others had spoken.
          Then the vote was taken; and it was not the drunkard, the thief, the adulterer, the liar, the murderer or the blasphemer, but instead it was the man who had followed Christ all of his life and had been kept by His grace who was selected as the greatest monument to the grace of God.

B.      In our Christian tradition we hold the belief that salvation comes to us by faith, though grace and that there is nothing that we can do to earn salvation.  It is not heresy, however, to consider very carefully how much the grace of God means to us.  In fact it is important that often we consider the immense value of the grace God has given us.

1.         Romans 5:1-2     Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 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. (NKJV)

C.      Growing in grace!

1.         Finally a word of warning and encouragement. A warning that we exercise care in our spiritual journey and encouragement that there is room to grow in the grace of God.

2.         II Peter 3:17-18 You therefore, beloved, since you know [this] beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;  18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  (NKJV)