God of All Grace

God of All Grace 1 Peter 5:10

Billy Graham the well known evangelist was driving thru a small town in the south. A policeman pulled him over for exceeding the speed limit. Graham admitted his guilt and had to appear in court. When Billy Graham pleaded guilty in court a fine was given, ten dollars, a dollar for every mile over. Suddenly the judge recognized the evangelist and said, “You have violated the law the fine must be paid—but I am going to pay it for you” He took out a ten dollar bill attached it to the ticket and then took Graham out for a steak dinner! “That,” said Billy Graham, “Is how God treats repentant sinners!”

Grace, “The divine influence upon the heart, benefit, favor, gift,” Put simply “The unmerited favor of God. Something we do not deserve yet is given, not because we deserve it but because God loves us so much he looks beyond what we have done and still forgives.

The famous acronym puts it this way God's Redemption At Christ's Expense.

Our Scripture this morning deals with the God of all Grace – Grace is an attribute, a gift, an act of God bestowed upon fallen humanity because of Christ. The closest word for grace in the Old testament which appears 36 times meant kindness or well favored. In the New Testament “Charis” or grace is found 127 times all giving us a glimpse at the vast love of God on his fallen creation.

Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Some attributes of grace –

1. Limitless –

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

· 2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

· 1Ti 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

· 1Ti 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

· 1Ti 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

2. Rich –

· Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

3. Sufficient –

· 2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

· 2Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

· 2Co 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.

· 2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Lord, with Glowing Heart I'll Praise Thee

Lord, with glowing heart I’ll praise Thee For the bliss Thy love bestows. For the pardoning grace that saves me, And the peace that from it flows.

Help, O God, my weak endeavors, This dull soul to rapture raise; Thou must light the flame, or never Can my love be warmed to praise.

Praise, my soul, the God that sought thee, Wretched wanderer far astray; Found thee lost, and kindly brought thee, From the paths of death away.

Praise, with love’s devoutest feeling, Him who saw thy guilt-born fear, And, the light of hope revealing, Bade the blood-stained Cross appear.

- Francis Scott Key

I’m glad it found me. Vocabulary fails, emotions cannot contain, songs cannot express, the wonders of God’s grace. I’m glad it’s real.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, Freely bestowed on all who believe! You who are longing to see His face, Will you this moment His grace receive'

—Julia H. Johnston