Grace

Define GRACE

Church Answer: The unmerited favor of God.

Simple Answer: Getting what you are not worthy of.

What does Grace DEMAND?

Grace demands a RESPONSE.

John 3:1–7 NASB95

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

Grace OFFERED but not RECEIVED does not affect any change on the life of the one who rejects it.

Grace offered but not received does not affect any change on the life of the one who rejects it.

Secondly, Grace demands to be RELIED upon for Eternal life.

What does grace PRODUCE?

Grace received in the life of the believer produces SALVATION.

Grace produces a NEW CREATURE!

2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB95

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Grace produces the fruits of the spirit in the life of the believer that enable them to produce the GOOD WORKS that we are CREATED for.

Galatians 5:22–23 NASB95

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Those good works are primarily the works of bringing the message of His reconciliation to the world around us.

2 Corinthians 5:18–20 NASB95

Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

What does grace REVEAL about the GOSPEL?

Grace reveals that salvation has come for ALL people who will receive it!

John 1:12–13 NASB95

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

In the lyrics of a popular Christian song from recently: “You cannot earn it. You don’t deserve it.”

Your only contribution to your salvation is your sin!

Romans 10:8-

Romans 10:8–13 NASB95

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Grace reveals that God has made it possible for man to be FORGIVEN, RECONCILED, and ADOPTED.