What makes Christianity different? Years ago that question was being discussed at a conference. Some argued that Christianity is unique in teaching that God became man. No, some argued, other religions teach similar doctrines. What about the resurrection? No, other faiths believe that the dead rise again. The discussion grew heated.
C. S. Lewis, that strong defender of Christianity, came in late and asked what the discussion was about. When he learned that it was a debate about how Christianity was unique from other religions, he immediately commented, “:Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.”
This morning, we are celebrating what is being called across the land – Amazing Grace Sunday.
EPHESIANS 2:1-10 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
It was approximately 200 years ago that John Newton passed away. Newton had been a slave trader, a rough and ungodly man – selling and delivering human beings as slaves, much like we would trade in puppies or cattle. But John Newton was gloriously saved, he left the slave trade, and became a minister of the gospel. Years later, as part of a sermon called ‘Faith’s Review and Expectation’ he penned a poem that would later be set to a traditional tune, and renamed ‘Amazing Grace’. It is hard to argue that this is not the most beloved song ever sung.
Wikipedia lists 80 popular artists who have recorded Amazing Grace, including Elvis, Johnny Cash, Woody Guthrie, Willie Nelson, Christina Aguilerra, Ruben Studdard, and many Christian artists.
Amazing Grace can be heard in Star Trek 2, Meryl Streep sang it in Silkwood, it is heard in the remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers and other movies.
The tune can be played at funerals, on various instruments, in new ways, and it always reminds us of the great truth of Newton’s words: God’s grace is amazing!
Would you agree this morning that Grace is Amazing? I know I would. To think that God would look upon me with favor, and bestow grace upon me, is truly and stunningly and wonderfully amazing!
Grace is mainly a NT word – only appears approx. 8 times in OT. It appears in the NT approx. 115 times.
Grace defined:
George Sweeting - Grace is free sovereign favor to the ill deserving.
Grace is complete undeserved and unmerited favor.
Grace is God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.
“Grace is everything for nothing to those who don’t deserve anything.”
Grace is what is given the poor ‘wretch like me’, who turns to Christ, and bows to Him as Lord and Savior. Grace like rain comes down, bestowing on us what we do not deserve – right standing with God.
A preacher had a dream that he died and went to heaven. St. Peter met him at the Pearly Gates and said he needs 100 pts. to get into heaven. “Well, I’ve pastured for 45 years.” Peter says – that’s 1 point. “I taught Sunday School many years.” Peter says – that’s 1 point. “I worked at a soup kitchen every Thanksgiving.” “1 Point.” Starting to sweat, the old preacher says “At this point the only way I will enter heaven is by the grace of God.” Peter says “Grace of God – 97 points.”
As we look at our scripture this morning, I want us to see 3 things about God’s Amazing Grace.
1. It is a Saving Grace
EPHESIANS 2:1-10 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.
Without the grace of God, we are dead. Walking dead people. We may be breathing, we may be going through the motions of life, we may even think we have a pretty good life, but deep down we know, there is sin to account for. The difference between the saved sinner and the lost sinner is God’s grace, His saving grace. The lost one, dead in sin, has never felt the grace of God and His forgiveness. The one who has never by faith received Christ has a payday someday, a day of reckoning, a day that will come when he will stand before God, knowing that grace has never been applied. V.2 tells us that there was a day that the believer was dead in sin. We followed the ways of the world, we were bound to the evil one, we were a part of the ways of a wicked world. V.3 – we gratified the cravings of sin. We followed sinful desires and thoughts. We were ‘objects of wrath.’ Not a very fun place to be, not a very peaceful place.
But then, one day, every true Christian can testify, one day Grace Came! We came to faith in Christ, we accepted Him as Lord and Savior, and down came Grace!
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.
God loves us! God poured out mercy (not giving us what we deserve) and grace (giving us what we do not deserve) on you and me! He made us Alive! No longer dead in sin! How? Why? because of His Grace!
Peter, before the other apostles, making the case that all men may be saved, not just Jews, said:
…We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." (Acts 15:11)
It is a saving grace
2. It is a Superior Grace
v. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
God’s grace is shown to be Superior – expressed in his kindness to us in Christ (v.7). This grace is superior, it is amazing, because through it God does for us what we could never do for ourselves.
v.6 – raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms
We have an amazing standing, and amazing position, an amazing future in God’s kingdom. Do we deserve to be seated with Christ? In the same room? In the same heaven? No, we don’t deserve it – but by the Grace of God, he raises us up and seats us there!
v.7 this is to show the incomparable riches, the extravagant superiority of God’s grace. Can you fathom, can you understand how deep and full are the riches of God’s grace? It is mind-boggling, it is too much for this boy’s intellect to grasp! But even though I can’t grasp it, I can believe it! His grace allows me to stand – His grace gives me hope! It gives me peace!
His grace is a saving grace, it’s superior to anything I can imagine!
3. It is a Sufficient Grace
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day’s pay for his time, that is a wage. When a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for his performance, that is a prize. When a person receives appropriate recognition for his long service or high achievements, that is an award. But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award--yet receives such a gift anyway--that is a good picture of God’s unmerited favor. This is what we mean when we talk about the grace of God.
For he richly blesses us with what we need and does not give us as we deserve. This is grace.
It is sufficient – it is enough – God’s grace will save you and give you a home in heaven – eternal life! Everyone who has ever become a believer has been saved by grace through faith. The greatest preacher, saint, teacher, missionary, martyr – all were saved by grace. God’s sufficient grace – it is sufficient to save – sufficient to save the vilest sinner or slave trader, sufficient to save you and me.
This grace is sufficient to save you! God doesn’t need any help! He’s got it covered. Your good works could never buy you one minute in heaven. You’re just not able, you’re not capable of being good enough. But God says in v.8-9, He doesn’t need your help! His grace will save.
(yes, v.10 tells us that when we are saved, we are called to good works – to serve God and shun sin – to be transformed into the likeness of Christ. His grace does not nullify this – the believer who truly experiences grace will become a far better producer of works that the one who tries to earn his favor with God)
Verse 8 tells us that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ.
Notice - It is a gift of God. But like any gift, it must be received. When you are presented with a free gift, you still must choose – accept it or reject it. So it is with the gift of God – eternal life. Many want it, but many have never accepted it. Many think it’s a good gift, that it would be nice to have, that eternal matters should be settled, that there’s something missing in their life, that guilt for their sins still hangs over their head, that God wants to forgive them, but they have never accepted this gift from God.
How do we accept this gift?
John 1:12 says ‘receive Him, believe in His name, and you will become a child of God.’
This Bible word believe means much more than head knowledge, much more than agreement, it means to believe with your all – mind, will, emotions. Everything you’ve got – believe in Jesus. Lay your life at His feet, receive Him as Lord and Savior, by faith. Not half-hearted, not playing games, but by faith. Realize, as v.5 says, that you are dead in your transgressions (sins). Place your faith in Christ as your only hope.
And the grace of God will rain down on you – flooding you with forgiveness, giving you what you do not deserve – God’s riches at Christ’s expense.
