Amazing Grace

Does God really have a better plan for our lives than what we think? Too often we think that our plans are better than God’s plans.

The Word of God tells us in Jeremiah 29 that God does have a better plan for our lives.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

What an awesome promise that is! God has a plan for each and every person in this community.

I like the sound of that, don’t you? Plans to prosper, to have a hope and to have a future, those things can be ours. And there is even more.

“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and I will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:12-14

It doesn’t get any better than that! That’s good stuff right there, I don’t care who you are!

These things are gifts to you and I from a loving God.

How many of you like to get gifts? (Pull out a card (Thinking of You) with $20 in it)

I have a gift right here. It is a card with something in it. It has some money in it. $20.

It is a gift that I want to give to someone with no strings attached. I have even written a nice little note in it too. I spent some time picking out the card and thinking about what to write. I spent time working so I could make the extra money to put in the card.

I wrote this card on July 18, 2007. It was a Wednesday afternoon; it was cloudy and hot outside. I was listening to my Ipod. I was listening to Casting Crowns. The song I was listening to was If we are the Body.

I didn’t know then to whom I was going to give this card to. Some faces popped in my mind but I didn’t know for sure.

Ask some people, What would you do with this gift if I gave it to you? Would you keep the card? Would you spend the money? Would you tithe?

GIVE SOMEONE THE GIFT

Most everyone likes receiving gifts. Today, each of you has been offered a gift. It is not a card from me with $20 in it. It is a gift that is much greater than that $20.

The gift that we have all been offered is God’s gift of grace. And the potential benefits of God’s grace are unlimited.

READ Ephesians 2:4-10

I found and an acronym about God’s grace the other day that I really liked.

G - Gift

Grace is a Gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

Jesus – the Gift of Grace. Romans 5:15, 17

It was Granted to Us because God loves us. John 3:16

The neatest thing about grace is that it was given free, with no strings attached. I don’t have to pay for it. I don’t owe anything for it. It is free. All I have to do is accept it.

R - Receive

It was given for us to Receive it. John 3:16 John 1:12

It was given to Renew us. Romans 6:4

It was given so we can walk in the newness of life.

For this we can truly Rejoice.

A – Accept and Act

We must Acknowledge God’s gift. It is real.

We must Accept God’s gift because with out it we have no hope.

We must Act on it. We must make a decision to accept Christ so we can experience this gift. John 14:6, John 3:3

And when we accept this gift we have unlimited Access to God. 24/7 access to the Creator of the Universe.

C – Cleansed and Created anew.

We need to Confess the gift of grace.

We need to Call out to God.

It is a gift that Cancels our Debt

It is a gift that Creates a new creature. 2 Corinthians 5:17

It is a gift that Cleanses us from all Unrighteousness.

It is a gift that Commands us to Change our ways. Luke 9:23

It is a gift that we can Confess to others so that they can accept. Matthew 10:32, Luke 12:8

We need to Celebrate God’s amazing grace.

E – Erased and Enriched

God’s grace Erases our Sin.

God’s grace Enriches our lives with a greater power to live for Him.

God’s grace allows us to Enjoy His freedom and His forgiveness.

Our sins are forgiven. Doesn’t that mean anything to you? Doesn’t that touch your heart today? Listen to what the Word of God says in 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”