Do You See God's Grace?
Notes
Transcript
I want you to do something. Circle that question on your note sheet, if you have a pen. Or if you write in your bible, write this question down next to this passage. Or find some way to remind yourself of this question: “Do you see God’s grace??” Over the course of our time today, I want to persuade you that God’s grace is all over our lives whether we realize it or not. And only once you are convinced that God is always gracious to you will you be able to see His heart for you. Until then, you will not see the outpouring of grace in your life, ignorant of God’s providence.
So again, Christian, I ask you, “Do you see God’s grace?” If you don’t, what you learn today has the power to change your very outlook on life. You will go from a daily defeat to never-ending victory. Even in suffering, you will be able to find joy and comfort. If you don’t, there is no other antidote to the dismal outlook of fear and worry that a graceless life delivers. The only thing that can counter a lack of grace is an abundance of grace. And if your eyes aren’t open to this reality, you will never see it.
So I want us today to look for grace in one of the most overlooked places in all the Bible: The Old Testament. I can’t help but think that perhaps if I show you God’s grace in the Old Testament, you’ll be a little more inclined to see God’s grace in your own life.
God’s Grace in All Things
God’s Grace in All Things
Nehemiah 9:1-38
When we speak of Old Testament or Old Covenant, we tend to think primarily in terms of the Law and God’s judgment. We fail to see what is clearly laid out for us over and over in the Old Testament. This is something the Scribes and Pharisees missed too, so no big deal. That’s what we’ll be looking at today, but listen: This isn’t something that is super-imposed back over the Old Testament. This isn’t just a Christian reading of what’s happening here. This is the Chronicler’s own understanding of the events taking place!
Before we continue further, let’s define grace: “Unearned favor of God.” Unearned, because you cannot do anything to deserve God’s grace. It’s a free, unconditional gift that we receive. Favor, because it is God’s good will toward us.
LAY OUT 4 ACTIONS FROM UNDERLINES
Over and over again, we see God’s gracious hand over Israel. Israel did not deserve how God treated them with His love. These were fully acts of God’s grace.
Are we aware of how much grace is in the Old Testament? We assume the Old Testament has no grace because the word is not found there.
Are we aware of how much grace is shown in our own lives? We assume that God has no grace for us because the word grace isn’t found there.
I think this is a perfect example of the fact that God is always lavishing His grace upon us. Everything we have is grace, and the sooner we see that, the sooner we will be at peace with the turmoil that plagues our lives. Only grace makes sense of suffering in our lives. God has a purpose for all of it. There is nothing that goes by God’s sight for which he does not have a purpose and a plan.
Philosophers call it the butterfly effect: The idea that the flaps of a butterfly’s wings have reverberating effects throughout the course of history. One small change can affect outcomes for hundreds and hundreds of years. We call it God’s plan.
If we can look at Israel’s history and see grace all over it, we ought to be able to look at our own lives and see nothing but grace, too.
Consider these scriptures:
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,
God’s grace strengthens us.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
By grace, we are His workmanship.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Grace in which we stand.
And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.
God’s grace enabled Stephen to perform signs and wonders.
Finally,
And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
God’s grace was on Jesus.
God’s grace is everywhere. Will you simply open your eyes to see it? When you do, you can see even the chaos as an instrument for God to get you where He wants you to be.
God’s Grace is Free
God’s Grace is Free
Nehemiah 9:16-23
In this telling, it is interesting that the Chronicler omits the repentance of Israel in the wilderness. Perhaps it was assumed. Or perhaps this is a point that the Chronicler is making about God’s favor on Israel: That his grace would never run out for them. There would be times where they would abandon God and He would allow them their consequences, but we see over and over again, the unending grace of God toward His people.
God’s grace is not earned, it is freely given. earlier I read Ephesians 2:8-10. Let’s focus in on vv. 8 and 9.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
The truth is, God loves to give grace!!! He is pained when we disobey, but He is overjoyed to grant you grace because He knows its result. It’s not free to God to give grace- He must give of Himself to show grace. But His stores of grace are infinite and unending.
God loves to forgive even more than you love to sin.
-C.H. Spurgeon
Trust in God’s Grace
Trust in God’s Grace
Nehemiah 9:1-4, 32-38
I mentioned earlier that God’s grace is in everything. Do you believe that? If you do… Do you trust it, live it, breathe it? No matter what comes your way, are you anxious to see God’s grace in the midst of suffering or trial?
I want to introduce you to a man named “Tad.” Tad is a cancer survivor, and in a moment I’m going to share with you a video of his story. The cancer he was diagnosed with was pancreatic cancer. If you know anything about Pancreatic cancer, it’s one of the most serious forms of cancer you can be diagnosed with. Most of the time, it is a death sentence. It’s very rare, but it’s very serious. When they went in to do his surgery, they found that between the time they scanned him and the time they went into surgery, the cancer had already metastasized to his liver.
There’s a whole lot more to his story, but I want you to hear his words of how God used this situation in his life to show His grace.
VIDEO
This only comes about by trusting that God’s grace is in everything. Even sickness. Did you hear the scripture he rattled off? ALL things work to good… Tad chose to believe that. And he was the better for it.
Or maybe your situation is different. Maybe you’re not struggling with an ailment, but you live trapped in fear of God’s judgment.
Too many times we worry about God’s judgment without trusting in His grace. We live in an Old Covenant relationship with God when He has called us into New Covenant living.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;