BECAUSE OF GRACE
(Unmerited Favor of God)
ROMANS 15:13-17
If there is one trait or characteristic of God that I absolutely stand in awe over it has to be His grace. It amazes me how a Soverign God could give his only begotten Son to a sinful world and then give his unmerited favor to those who use to be wretched sinners.
I. Because of Grace : (I Cor 15:10) I am what I am; and his grace which was bestowed on me was not in vain but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me (example of HUMILITY)
Paul had been an enemy to the church before his conversion. But because of the work Christ performed in Paul he did not feel worthy to be called an apostle. Paul was humble, but instead of trying to convince himself and others of how unworthy he was Paul told people his testimony. True humility is not convincing yourself that you are worthless but recognizing God’s work in your life.
II. Because of Grace: (Romans 11:6) My works are insufficient. Mankind cannot depend on their works to get them anywhere Paul said “And if by grace, then is it no more of works, otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works then is it no more grace; otherwise work is no more work”
III. Because of Grace: (Titus 2:11) I can live right in a wrong world
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men (2) Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.”
Never will my little girl ever have to see her Daddy come in drunk.
Never will my wife and baby have to do without because I have spent my check on riotous living
Never will they have to see me laying in the gutter from an all night drug spree
Never will there be a time when my little girl has to run and hide because I come home to beat my wife
IV. Because of Grace: (Eph 2:8) I once was lost but now I’m found. For by grace are ye saved through faith and not of myself it is the gift of God (9) Not of works lest any man should boast
A. (Titus 3:5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
B. (2 Timothy 1:9) Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
When someone gives you a gift do you say “That’s nice how much do I owe you?” No you say “THANK YOU!” It amazes me even after people get saved they try to work their way to God.
V. Because of Grace: (Heb 7:11-12) We are no longer bound by the
law “Cancellation of the Levitical Priesthood” The law brought about more transgression (Rom 3:20) Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin (4:15) Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is , there is no transgression (5:20) Moreover the law entered that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded grace did much more abound.
Where the craving for alcohol abound, now grace abounds
Where fornication, adultery, lying, stealing use to lay in my heart now grace abounds
Galatians 2:21 For I frustrate not the grace of God; for is righteousness comes by the law then Christ died in vain
No man could be justified by a law that condemned him. The law condemned man. Jesus said John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but
that the world through him might be saved.
VI. Because of Grace: (Titus 3:7) I have been justified and
made an heir “That being justified by his grace we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
