Introduction

Good morning, dear friends. It is a privilege to stand before you today, to share in the warmth of our fellowship, to bask in the light of God's love that shines so brightly in each of your faces. Today, we gather here to ponder over a truth so profound, so powerful, yet so tender, it has the power to transform our lives, to turn our hearts towards our Creator, to lead us to the path of redemption. We gather to reflect upon the Grace of God.

Grace. A small word, but one that carries the weight of God's infinite love, His boundless mercy, His unfathomable generosity. It is a word that echoes through the ages, a word that resonates in the hearts of the faithful, a word that has the power to heal, to uplift, and to save. Grace is not a mere concept, it is a divine reality, a heavenly gift, a manifestation of God's love for us.

In the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon, "Grace is the first and last moving cause of salvation; and faith, essential as it is, is only an important part of the machinery which grace employs. We are saved 'through faith,' but salvation is 'by grace'." These words remind us that grace is not something we earn, it is something we receive. It is not a reward for our good deeds, but a gift, freely given, from a God who loves us more than we can comprehend.

Let us turn our hearts and minds to the Scriptures, to Ephesians 2:8-9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." And Romans 2:4, "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?" And Romans 5:20, "The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more." And Psalms 145:8, "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love."

Grace: God's Gift

Grace: Given Freely, Not Earned

As we continue to reflect on the divine reality of grace, we again find ourselves drawn to the truth that grace is given freely, not earned. This is a truth that resonates deeply within the pages of Scripture, a truth that is woven into the very fabric of our faith. Consider again Ephesians 2:8-9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

This is a radical and transformative truth. It challenges our human tendency to rely on our own strength, our own wisdom, our own righteousness. It reminds us that our salvation is entirely dependent on the grace of God, a grace that is given freely, without condition or reservation.

Romans 4:16. This understanding of grace and faith is echoed in Romans 4:16, "Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all." Here, Paul reinforces the idea that grace is given freely, not earned, and that it is received through faith.

Greek word study. The word for grace in the original Greek text of the New Testament is "charis". This word carries a range of meanings, including favor, blessing, and kindness. It is used throughout the New Testament to describe the unmerited favor of God towards humanity.

Two examples. For instance, in 2 Corinthians 9:8, Paul uses the word "charis" to describe the abundant grace of God: "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." Here, the grace of God is portrayed as a blessing that enables us to do good works, not as a reward for them. Similarly, in Romans 5:15, Paul uses "charis" to contrast the free gift of grace with the consequence of sin: "But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!" Here, grace is presented as a gift that overflows to us, despite our sin.

Word study conclusion. As we reflect on these passages, we begin to see a fuller picture of grace. Grace is not a transaction, but a gift. It is not a wage earned by our good works, but a blessing bestowed by God's love. This understanding of grace as a gift, not a reward, has profound implications for our lives.

The gift of grace frees us from the burden of trying to earn God's favor, and invites us to rest in His unconditional love. It challenges us to live not out of obligation, but out of gratitude for the grace we have received. And as we receive this grace, we are called to extend it to others. For just as we have received grace freely, so we are to give it freely. As Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:8, "Freely you have received; freely give." This is the heart of the Christian life: to receive God's grace, and to share it with the world.

Grace: Gateway to Redemption

As we delve deeper into the understanding of grace, we find ourselves standing at the threshold of redemption ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO