Practice Grace

Practice Grace

March 9, 2008 Evening Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: We have been forgiven much; forgive others as well.

Focus Passage: Luke 7:36-47

Supplemental Passage: (John 1:17) For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

Introduction: A couple married for 15 years began having more than usual disagreements. They wanted to make their marriage work and agreed on an idea the wife had. For one month they planned to drop a slip in a "Fault" box. The boxes would provide a place to let the other know about daily irritations. The wife was diligent in her efforts and approach: "leaving the jelly top off the jar," "wet towels on the shower floor," "dirty socks not in hamper," on and on until the end of the month. After dinner, at the end of the month, they exchanged boxes. The husband reflected on what he had done wrong. Then the wife opened her box and began reading. They were all the same, the message on each slip was, "I love you!"

I. Holiness vs. Respectfulness

a. Holiness. We can spot her easily. She has the character of Christ.

Respectability is hard in her judgments. Always selfish. Always thinking of how a thing will look. Always conscious of what is becoming or proper and always ready with razor sharp claws to protect it…preserve it.

II. Pre-Christ, Pre-atonement, Pre-grace

Invitation:

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator; If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist; If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist; If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer; But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.