Grace
Introduction:
Today’s sermon is about one of the most used and probably least understood words in the Christian faith today. GRACE. Greater men than myself have tried to fully explain grace and have failed. In a small way I only wish today to talk about grace and how it affects us and man kind.
One of the best-known definitions of grace is only three words: “God’s unmerited favor.”
There was a story I heard once several years ago, about a train drawbridge operator. His job was to raise and lower the bridge. Usually the bridge would remain up due to the heavy traffic on the seaway. On this day the young mans son came to work with his father. The father warned the son to stay close to the office and to stay away from the railroad tracks and bridge. When it was time for the train; the father looked around for his son and could not find him, Then he saw his son, stuck in the track. If he left the control room to rescue his son it would cost lives of hundreds of passengers on the train. If he lowered the bridge it would certainly kill his son. As the train approached, the whistles blowing, the man released the lever to lower the bridge, and turned his head away as the bridge lowered. The passengers not knowing what had just happened crossed the bridge safely while many of them waved to the man, not knowing that his son’s life was just given for theirs.
This is a very sad story, but it not only represents an act of grace. But the passengers represent the condition of the world today. You see many are going on their way not realizing the price that Jesus paid for our salvation and never accept his grace.
Scripture:
Ephesians 2:1-10
I. Conditions for Grace
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
1. Fall From Grace
· Adam and Eve in the Garden
2. All Have Sinned
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (For this reason Grace is given.)
II. Grace Given
(4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (7) That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
“Grace can neither be bought, earned, or won by the creature. If it could be, it would cease to be grace.” ~Arthur W. Pink
1. Thief On The Cross – expound
2. To All Man Kind
Romans 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
III. Freely given but not free
(8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
“Grace is free, but when once you take it you are bound forever to the Giver.” ~ E. Stanley Jones
1. Romans 6 – expound
· Sin more – so grace multiplies – God Forbid
· Dead – buried to sin –
· If dead to sin we are free from it
· If dead to sin we are alive with Christ
· Sin has no dominion over us
· Free from sin – we are servants of righteouness
2. To sum it up:
Romans 6:22-23 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
IV. Examples of Grace
1. The Russian Czar, Alexander, used to love to disguise himself and mingle with his people to hear what they have to say. One night he visited the army camp and listened to some soldiers. While passing a tent he saw a young soldier sitting at a table with his head on his arm, sound asleep. The Czar tiptoed to the back of the chair and looked over his shoulder. There on the table before him he saw a loaded revolver. Beside the revolver was a sheet of paper with a long list of gambling debts. After seeing the total the Czar noted a sentence below the figures saying, “who can pay so much?” Suddenly the czar understood the situation. The young officer had gambled away all he had and was about to take his own life for fear of not being able to meet his debts. Then the czar took up the pen and below the young soldiers question wrote the words “I, Alexander, Czar of Russia”. Quietly he turned away and went home. The next morning the young officer woke up and immediately took hold of the revolver when suddenly he saw writing on his letter that he had not put there. He read the words of the Czar and in amazement he dropped the revolver. At that moment a messenger came to his tent with a bag of money from the Czar. The young soldier’s debt was paid and his life was spared. (Illustration From sermon by Jaco Bester)
2. The Protocol Son - Expound
Luke 15:11-24
Conclusion:
This gives us some things to think about. How sin effects us and how grace through Jesus Christ has saved us. It shows that we all have sinned and we all are in need of salvation. This can only be attained by giving our life over to Jesus fully. Not one of us are without sin. But no one of can be saved without grace. Because of this grace we can live above sin and live a life pleasing to God. To be saved means to be a servant of God but Jesus said "my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
