By the Grace of God

Introduction

Grace: This is one of those special words that belongs to the child of God. God has given us some words that the world just doesn't know how to properly appreciate. For instance, there are words like glory, amen, hallelujah, faith, etc. Those are words that should never fall out of the vocabulary of the believer.

The dictionary defines grace as, "unmerited help given to people by God." However, grace is much more than that! Listen to this definition, "the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues." That, my friends, is grace!

I know something about GRACE...

In these verses, the great apostle was defending the resurrection of the Lord Jesus against the doubts of unbelievers. He mentions the fact that the resurrected Christ was seen by Peter, the 12, 500 brethren, His earthly brother James and then last of all Paul. Paul proceeds to tell his readers that because of his sins and attacks against the church, that he was the least of the apostles and is not even worthy to be named among them. However, Paul goes on to say that he knows God has used him and that anything he has, is, or ever will be, is because of the precious grace of God.

I would like to remind each of you today that the same is true for you and me. Because of our sinfulness we deserve nothing... However, because His grace...

I. I AM SAVED BY GRACE , "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"

*We are save individually by the GRACE of God.

*The question today is "are u a child of God?"

If you're not saved by GRACE you are a creation of God not a child of God...because God has only children and you only get in the family by GRACE!

II. I AM SURE BY GRACE

I'm not guessing I'm sure that I am saved!

I don't always look saved, don't always act saved, sound saved...my salvation is based on the fact.

Fact about it my salvation is not based on how I look, act, or sound!

, "By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God

*access-I am sure I can come into his presence, because I am sure I am saved!

(Exspound)

Jesus helps us to gain access!

III. I AM SECURE BY GRACE Eternally secure- God's riches at Christ expenses.

*You can't loose what you had no hand in procuring.

*Christ death on the cross was enough

IV. I AM STRENGTHENED BY GRACE , "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."

Expound

Some ppl are so holy...

*you can hang around church so long u sound like you belong (expound) that has nothing to do with salvation.

I need a God who can put me back together when my life falls apart...

You need grace:

At church

At work

W/ children

V. I AM SURPRISED BY GRACE

There are some surprises waiting on us in heaven

Will be be honest.... All of us got some stuff we ashamed to talk about.... But Grace!

*What surprises me most about grace is that God loves me with all the evidence, and you dislike me on pure speculation.

The Tonya Tucker story- if the ppl she killed didn't know Jesus their in hell while the killer is in heaven. That's called grace

Nobody is beyond the reach of God's grace.

VII. I AM SATISFIED BY GRACE

I did all my sinning in church

Just like I enjoyed myself in my sin, I will not let u dictate how I alt to praise the Lord!

Dead spot church....

Conc: Many things in life will fail us. Friendships will blossom and then die. Health can be an elusive thing. Riches and wealth will often remain just beyond the reach of your finger tips. Those we love will pass from the scene leaving a void in our hearts hard to be filled. However, there is one thing that every child of God possesses that can never fail, never end, never run out, never run dry and that will never be found to be insufficient, and that is the grace of God! Yes, the road may be long and dreary, the days may be filled with difficulties and struggles, but rest assured that there will be grace sufficient for every need and ever trial. That is the promise of God and that is the hope of the saints!