Grace Does It All

Introduction – Grace Does It All

Title today: Grace Does It All.

Think about that—grace saves, grace sustains, grace shapes, and grace secures. From beginning to end, grace does it all.

Have you ever seen someone rescued who had no power to rescue themselves?

A kayaker trapped in the surf, struggling against the current, until a lifeguard dives in and pulls him out. That’s what grace looks like in action.

Luke 7 tells us of a woman known for her sin who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears.

People muttered, “If Jesus were a prophet, He’d know what kind of woman this is.” But Jesus defended her: “She loved much because she was forgiven much.” Grace did it all in her life.

Paul admitted the same in 1 Timothy 1:15: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” He never forgot that he was saved, sustained, shaped, and secured by grace alone.

And here we are, with our own regrets, failures, and shame. But hear this: “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” That’s why we can boldly say today: Grace does it all.

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1. Grace Saves

Romans 5 tells us: “While we were still helpless, Christ died for the ungodly… while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Notice the timing. Not after we cleaned up. Not after we promised to do better. While we were still drowning in sin, grace dove in.

Ephesians 2 declares, “By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

If salvation were wages, we could brag. But because it’s grace, all we can do is give thanks.

Paul reminded the Corinthians of this truth: “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (1 Cor. 6:11). No one is too far gone.

And maybe that’s you. Maybe you carry a label that whispers disqualification. But friend, grace has already written “washed, sanctified, justified” across your life.

That’s why we can say with joy:

> “God didn’t throw us a rope and shout, ‘Swim harder.’ He dove in Himself.”

Grace does it all—it saves.

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2. Grace Sustains

Paul also speaks of grace that carries us through. In 2 Corinthians 12, he describes his thorn in the flesh.

Three times he begged God to take it away, but the Lord replied: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”

Sometimes grace delivers us from the storm. Other times it delivers us through the storm.

1 Corinthians 10:13 promises that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. Hebrews 4:16 invites us to come boldly to the throne of grace for help in time of need.

Grace doesn’t just save us at the start. Grace walks beside us every mile.

It’s like a runner near the end of a marathon. Her strength is gone, but a teammate comes alongside, matching her stride, whispering encouragement, even steadying her when her knees give way. That’s grace—it sustains.

And maybe that’s where you are. A weakness you can’t shake. A grief you can’t bury. A temptation that won’t leave. You’ve prayed, and it hasn’t lifted. Friend, the very place you feel weakest may be the very place Christ rests His power.

So don’t despise your weakness—offer it. Because grace doesn’t just save you from the penalty of sin; grace sustains you in the pressure of life.

That’s why we remind ourselves:

> “Grace isn’t only the ticket to heaven; it’s the strength to walk today.”

Grace does it all—it sustains.

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3. Grace Shapes

Grace not only forgives your past; it transforms your present.

Titus 2:11–12 says, “The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.”

Grace teaches. Grace shapes. It is not a soft blanket over sin but a chisel carving Christ’s likeness into us.

Paul testifies in 1 Corinthians 15:10: “By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain. I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

Grace doesn’t erase effort; it empowers effort.

Picture a sculptor with marble. The hammer blows look violent. Chips fly. Dust covers the ground. But slowly, a masterpiece emerges. That’s what God is doing in you through grace.

Maybe you feel those hammer blows now—in your speech, your patience, your generosity, your humility. It hurts. But it’s grace. Because one day, the world will look and say, “That looks like Jesus.”