The Evidence Of Grace - Psalm 23.6a
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Introduction
Introduction
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;”
Today we want to talk about the evidence of God’s grace.
In this picture the shepherd is carrying the sheep.
We are sheep and our good shepherd carries us through the darkest and most difficult times of life.
That is grace.
Grace
God’s
Riches
At
Christ’s
Expense
Grace. Getting what we do not deserve.
Jesus is the good shepherd.
The good shepherd gave His life for the sheep.
Not because the sheep deserved it, but because the shepherd loved the sheep.
Everyone here today needs to claim this as an identity.
I am loved by God.
Here in Psalm 23 we have learned that the good Shepherd supplies all our needs.
The good Shepherd brings us safely to abundance, He leads us in peace, He brings restoration to our weary souls!
For the sake of His name He leads us in right paths.
Even in the darkest valley, even in the shadow of death, we fear no evil because He is with us!
His rod and staff bring us comfort.
In the presence of our enemies He sovereignly provides, and His provision is abundant.
All of this He does because He is a gracious God.
He does not deal with us as our sin deserves (Ps. 103:10).
Principle:
God’s abundant grace is sufficient for our every need.
Guidance:
Because God’s grace is sufficient, we take three actions.
Outcome:
Dependence on the grace of God gives freedom to boldly serve Jesus Christ.
Because of God’s grace we take three actions.
Action #1…
1. Be Confident in God’s Grace
1. Be Confident in God’s Grace
Two words I want us to focus on here. Surely. Shall.
The statement David makes is one of confidence.
David is absolutely confident of this reality.
God is going to show goodness and mercy.
How can David be confident in this?
Deuteronomy 7:9
9 “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;
God has a track record.
In His Word we can look back and see how He has faithfully shown His goodness and His mercy over and over again!
We can talk to our brothers and sisters in Christ and learn how God has been at work in their lives.
We can look back over our own lives and see His faithfulness!
He has been good.
He has shown mercy.
We can say with David in absolute confidence that our God WILL be good to us and show us mercy.
Are we confident in God’s grace?
Why do I call His goodness and mercy an evidence of grace?
Because of what we deserve.
We do not deserve His goodness.
We do not deserve His mercy.
What do we deserve?
Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The penalty for sin is death.
What if I’m not a sinner?
Romans 3:23
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:10-12
10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;
11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.
12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.”
We are all sinners. We all deserve death.
“But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
That is grace!
We deserve death and eternal punishment separated from God!
That is what we deserve.
Instead, we get eternal life through Jesus Christ!
The good shepherd gave His life for the sheep.
Now the sheep are eternally secure.
To become one of His sheep, you must believe in Jesus.
When we have placed our faith in Him, we can be absolutely confident in His grace.
God’s grace never fails.
REPEAT 2X
He is not going to fail you!
No matter where life takes us or how we fail, His grace will always be there.
Why? Because Jesus loves us.
Sing with me
“Jesus Loves Me”
Jesus loves you.
Be confident in His grace.
Because of God’s grace we take three actions.
Action #1: Be Confident In God’s Grace
Action #2…
2. Be Receptive Of God’s Grace
2. Be Receptive Of God’s Grace
God's grace is sufficient, however, we must receive it.
It is difficult to accept the grace of God because we know it's not what we deserve.
Scripture is clear on what we deserve, and sometimes we get stuck there.
It is easier for us to acknowledge that we are sinners than it is to admit that Christ can save us!
God has poured out His grace. Receive it.
After receiving God's grace we must acknowledge that grace doesn't mean everything will go well.
This is not a promise that all will go well.
It is a promise that no matter what we face God's goodness will shine through.
Goodness and mercy will follow us!
He will be merciful.
When we fall He will lift us up.
When we sin He will lovingly correct and restore.
He will do this for all the days of our lives.
How do we know that God will be merciful?
Psalm 100:5; 103:17
5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children,
His mercy is everlasting.
When we fear Him, He is merciful.
How do we know he will lift us up when we fall?
Psalm 27:14; 37:5
14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!
5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
When we wait on the Lord, He strengthens us.
When we commit our way to Him, when we trust in He, He acts on our behalf!
Proverbs 20:22
22 Do not say, “I will recompense evil”; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.
God rescues, saves, and delivers.
That is who He is!
How do we know that He will correct and restore?
Proverbs 3:11-12
11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction;
12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
This passage is what the author of Hebrews quotes.
Turn to Hebrews 12:5-11.
Hebrews 12:5-11
He corrects for our profit!
All of this He has promised to do all the days of our lives.
That is who our God is.
He is merciful, loving, gracious, and forgiving.
His grace must be received.
God's grace is not forced on us.
He WILL pour out His grace.
Are we willing to receive it?
Will we see his grace in His correction?
Sing with me
“Amazing Grace”
His grace is amazing!
It makes such a difference in our lives.
We must receive it.
Because of God’s grace we take three actions.
Action #1: Be Confident In God’s Grace
Action #2: Be Receptive Of God’s Grace
Action #3…
3. Be Steadfast In God’s Grace
3. Be Steadfast In God’s Grace
“All the days of my life”
There is no end to the goodness and grace of God.
Repeat
We must continually return to the well of God's grace.
It is not enough to drink of His grace once.
We must drink of His grace whenever we are in need!
I don't know about you, but I am in need daily.
Oh, beloved, we need His grace.
Why?
Because the trials will not crease this side of heaven.
We need Him in the valley because we have to go through it!
We need His rod and His staff.
James gives us a very interesting perspective on suffering.
James 1:2-4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
How can we do this?
How is it possible to count suffering as joy?
How can we know that testing produces patience?
How can we know that the trial we endure will result in maturity?
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Paul's ability to rejoice in trials is directly tied to the grace of God!
That is when the power of Christ rests upon us!
It is in our weakness that the power of Christ is made known!
It is possible to find joy in trials because God’s grace is sufficient.
Maturity comes as we endure each test by the grace of God.
Be steadfast in His grace.
Lean into it.
Use His grace to get you through.
No matter the trial, no matter the difficulty, we can take refuge in this powerful truth.
God's grace will sustain us.
If we are not resting in His grace, how can it sustain us?
We depend on the Lord.
He died for us, He lives for us, we are redeemed.
Sing with me
“And Can It Be”
Amazing love, how can it be? That thou my God should’st die for me.
Turn with me to 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
This is a time for believers to remember the price that was paid. To be reminded of the penalty of sin. Taking part of communion does not save you. This is simply a way for us to be reminded of what Christ has done. If you know the Lord as savior this morning, please join us in bread and juice as we remember Jesus Christ. These are only symbols, they represent the body and blood of our Savior. Examination – verses 26-32
OBSERVANCE OF COMMUNION
OBSERVANCE OF COMMUNION
1 Corinthians 11:23-32
The Bread (His Body) vv. 23-24 “The Love Of God” (chorus only)
O love of God how rich and pure
How measureless and strong
It shall forevermore endure
The saints and angels song
The Cup (His Blood) v. 25 “'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus” (chorus only)
Jesus Jesus how I trust Him
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er
Jesus Jesus precious Jesus
O for grace to trust Him more
Conclusion
Conclusion
We need the grace of God.
We have the grace of God.
We must learn to rest in the grace of God.
I want all of us to commit to the same thing today.
Commitment:
I will rest in the grace of God.
Say that with me
3 challenges and a thought
Believe that God's grace never fails.
This is extremely difficult when we are in the middle of a trial.
We need to remember God’s track record.
He has never let us down and He never will.
Accept the grace God offers.
Paul was told that God’s grace was sufficient.
Paul then had to make the choice to receive God’s grace.
Rest in the never-failing grace of God.
Paul could glory in trials because he was resting in God’s grace.
If we are not depending on God’s grace, we cannot serve Him effectively.
When we depend on god's grace, we can endure the trials of life with joy.