Sermon: Grace Teaches us?
Opening Illustration: Definitions of Grace from sermoncentral.com
Scripture Text: Titus 2:11-3:11:
11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 15These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. 3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. 9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Thesis: Grace teaches us to do what is good for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. We must devote ourselves to doing the good because of grace- doing good is all rooted in grace. It’s because of God’s kindness love and mercy that we even get the privilege to serve the Kingdom of Heaven and in return get grace and eternal blessings.
Introduction:
The Apostle Paul’s favorite subject was Grace, he in most cases opened his greetings in His letters in the Bible referring to grace and in the closing of His letters reminding the readers of grace.
The book of Titus was written by Paul to Titus to instruct him on what should be completed in the area of Crete. He was to straighten out a few loose ends. One appoint elders, these elders needed to be appointed in each town and needed to meet certain biblical expectations. In a sense they were to be teaching elders, or pastors over each town and they needed to be committed to teaching sound doctrine. In 2:11 Paul makes a point to Titus that the elders need emphasize grace because grace teaches us many valuable lessons of life. Grace also reveals to us what are good works for the Kingdom of God.
Charles Swindoll has this to say about this gift called grace that came from Jesus:
To show grace is to extend favor or kindness to one who doesn’t deserve it and can never earn it. Receiving God’s acceptance by grace always stands in sharp contrast to earning it on the basis of works. Every time the thought of grace appears, there is the idea of its being undeserved. In no way is the recipient getting what he or she deserves. Favor is being extended simply out of the goodness of the heart of the giver (9).
He also notes:
But when “grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ,” a long-awaited revolution of the heart began to set religious captives free. Fear-full bondage motivated by guilt was replaced with a fresh motivation to follow Him in truth simply out of deep devotion and delight. Rather than focusing on the accomplishments of the flesh, He spoke of the heart. Instead of demanding that the sinner fulfill a long list of requirements, he emphasized faith, if only the size of a mustard seed. The change spelled freedom, as the Lord himself taught, “…you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Rigid, barren religion was, at last, replaced by a grace-orientated, relationship-liberating grace. His followers loved it. His enemies hated it… and Him. Without a doubt, the earliest grace killers were the Pharisees (10).
Many people in our world today do not understand or know the meaning of the word grace. In a video clip I watched people thought grace was what was said at meal time.
Joke on saying grace:
Walking through the forest, an atheist hears a rustling in the bushes. Turning, he sees a massive grizzly charging towards him! He runs as fast as he can but trips over a stump and falls. As the bear raises a huge paw to strike, the atheist screams: "God! Help me!"
Time freezes. The bear becomes immobile, the forest is silent, and the river stops running. Then the atheist hears a powerful voice: "You have denied my existence for years, taught others I don’t exist and credited my creation to a cosmic accident. Why should I help you?"
"It would be hypocritical to ask you to show mercy on me," the atheist agrees. "But perhaps you could make the bear a Christian?"
At that, the noise of the forest resumes, the river runs, and the bear drops to its knees, brings its paws together, and says, "Lord, for this food which I am about to receive, I am truly thankful."
Grace came as a result of Jesus. Once again Grace is defined as receiving a gift that we do not deserve - that gift is salvation - right standing in the presence of God - even though our sinful lives do not deserve that position of honor.
Grace needs to be emphasized in our teaching because it is the key that places everything in our Christian walk into perspective. Our good works which we do for the Kingdom of God are not done to win God’s favor but to reflect back on how we do not deserve what God has given us which is grace-the gift of eternal life through Jesus.
T.S. - Grace teaches us to do what is good and here is what doing the good looks like according to the Bible and Paul’s teaching to Titus.
1. Grace teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness, and worldly passions
a. The life stages or priorities of the world are usually somewhat as follows:
i. Leaving home, getting through school and choosing the right career.
1. This means being independent of parents.
2. Choosing a school that gives you your dream job.
3. This means choosing a career that pays well and offers opportunity for advancement, yet his job must always be fun and exciting.
ii. Working up the ladder in your dream career.
1. This means earning a good income and accumulating wealth and property and things.
2. This is what we are here for--it's the good ol' Protestant work ethic for many people in America.
3. This means building up assets (not just savings for emergencies or vacations).
4. This prosperity is considered a fundamental American right, as stated in such expressions as "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
iii. Meeting and choosing the right marriage partner.
1. These days this is done by dating and often sleeping with a variety of partners until the right one comes along or is selected by a trial and error process.
2. A wide range of sexual expression before marriage is taken as normal and even desirable by many.
iv. Raising the children and launching them into the world for success is the next step.
1. This becomes an increasingly important priority while moving along a career path as well.
v. Going to church and/or community and civic involvement is a lower priority goal.
1. This may be postponed until the children leave home or if there is spare time for hobbies and such.
2. Religion, if any, is supposed to be an aid in achieving one's life goals through self-improvement.
3. Some will join churches to meet people or for enhanced social status of because it's seen as noble and exemplary.
vi. Retirement, old age
1. Living the good life of retirement
2. Financially secure
vii. Dying---and presumably ceasing to exist forever follow.
1. It is assumed in the world that nothing is really known about an afterlife, and certainly in today's society very little sense that we are accountable to God and must face judgment one day.
2. It is best not to think much about such inevitabilities in an existential, hedonistic society where short term goals are preferred in an uncertain and confusing world.
b. But grace when experienced by the Born Again believer enters into your life you understand that these priorities get rearranged and some even get tossed out completely. Grace opens our eyes to what is to be most important in life.
i. Grace reminds us that we get the blessings of Heaven not because of our works but because of Jesus sacrifice.
ii. Grace reminds us that we can never do enough to be righteous to earn our salvation all of us fall short of this holy goal but grace shows us through Jesus that His sacrifice opened the door with God for us to receive His pardon, His forgiveness and his mercy even though we never earned it.
2. Grace teaches us to live self-controlled lives that are upright and godly.
a. In Contrast, the Christian's life stages or priorities should be somewhat as follows and notice how they defer from worldly goals or priorities:
i. The Christian’s primary goal is to know God better every day through personal time with Him in the Word and in prayer.
1. We cannot serve God very well if we don't know what He is like and what He is doing in the world. "To whom much is given, much is expected."
2. This includes knowing one's spiritual gifts and determining the ministry God has called each one of us to do.
a. Christians should take their spiritual gifts seriously and find ministries where they can serve God by exercising their gifts with full heart, soul, energy and faithfulness.
3. Developing a good prayer life is essential for growth and for tuning in to what God is doing in the world.
a. Walking with God is our daily responsibility, otherwise He can't use us and we do not become whole persons as He intends for us.
b. Prayer is God's way of drawing us into what He is doing in the world. If we are not available, or head in the wrong direction, God will use someone else to get his work done---and we will lose all the credit.
4. Rewards are given only to those who have risked themselves, (Taken steps of faith) seized God-given opportunities and denied themselves in order to advance the Kingdom:
a. For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.' And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.' He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.' (Mt. 25:15-30)
b. The Christian understand that we need to live life with faith in the Lord and take the risks that he wants us to take for the Kingdom.
ii. As responsible Christians we will need to get a job to support ourselves and an education to get that good job.
1. If possible the Christian's job should provide needed financial support to allow maximum time for ministry.
iii. If married, we have a responsibility to our families that is always high on the list of priorities.
1. I was taught in Bible college the following:
a. God
b. Family
c. Ministry
iv. As followers of Jesus, we are to be available to God for the work of His Kingdom we should tithe a portion of our time and our money to the work of the Lord.
1. Therefore the primary work of the Christian is to pour himself or herself out for others, using his or her spiritual gifts to build up the Body of Christ and to win people to Jesus.
2. This requires daily dying to self and setting aside worldly goals and pursuits. If we line up with what God is doing we have little time for worldly pursuits.
a. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me, the Father will honor him. (John 12:24-26)
v. The Christians needs to maintain good fellowship with other believers as he raises his children.
1. "Do not neglect the assembling of yourselves together, as is the habit of some, and all the more as you see the age drawing to a close."
2. We all need one another because we are "members one of another."
3. Being in the Body of Christ implies family membership in the household of faith, and also intimate spiritual connectedness with our fellow believers. "If one member suffers, all suffer. If one rejoices, all rejoice."
4. We are to act as salt and light in the present evil age. This is automatic as we are filled with the Spirit and stay involved out in the marketplace and in the church.
a. "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16)
b. "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word; but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ." (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)
vi. We are to love God with all our hearts and minds and souls and strength, and our neighbors as himself. As we raise our families and launch them we should still be connected to God and our neighbors.
1. "Love covers a multitude of sins." "Love is the fulfilling of the love." "The whole law is fulfilled in this one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
vii. The Christian's life is a spiritual one filled with spiritual battles. The follower of Jesus needs to discern between flesh and spirit and forsake worldly ways of dealing with evil in ourselves and in society throughout our life. We need to teach our children to do the same.
1. Everything that has been done in the flesh, that is, by self effort, will be burned up. Only those things that we have allowed Jesus to do through us will endure.
a. "... be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:10-12)
viii. We release our children to continue God’s work.
ix. We never really retire but do the work of the Lord until the day we die.
x. Death then leads us to the afterlife which is a place of beauty and filled with eternal expectations.
3. Grace teaches us to wait for the blessed hope to come which is Jesus glorious return.
a. Grace helps us to be patient but yet alert to the fact that Jesus is coming back.
b. Grace helps us to stay focused on His return and not on the ways of this world.
c. The idea that grace instills in us is staying ready – being alert that Jesus could come back at any moment during my life.
d. Swindoll states: But when “grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ,” a long-awaited revolution of the heart began to set religious captives free. Fear-full bondage motivated by guilt was replaced with a fresh motivation to follow Him in truth simply out of deep devotion and delight. Rather than focusing on the accomplishments of the flesh, He spoke of the heart. Instead of demanding that the sinner fulfill a long list of requirements, he emphasized faith, if only the size of a mustard seed. The change spelled freedom, as the Lord himself taught, “…you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Rigid, barren religion was, at last, replaced by a grace-orientated, relationship-liberating grace. His followers loved it. His enemies hated it… and Him. Without a doubt, the earliest grace killers were the Pharisees (Grace Awakening, page 10).
e. Grace helps us to stay free and stay focused on the right thing in a world trying to get us to focus on the wrong things!
4. Grace teaches us to encourage others
a. Grace helps us to see the importance of encouragement which is so needed in today’s circle of disappointment and with harsh trials in life.
b. Quotes on the power of building up others with encouragement:
i. “One of the highest of human duties is the duty of encouragement… It is easy to pour cold water on their enthusiasm; it is easy to discourage others. The world is full of discouragers. We have a Christian duty to encourage one another. Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet.”- Donald Bubna
ii. "There are high spots in all of our lives and most of them have come through encouragement from someone else. I don’t care how great, how famous or how successful a man or woman may be, each hungers for applause."– George M. Adams
iii. "One compliment can keep me going for a whole month."
- Mark Twain
c. The concept of grace can be the most encouraging lesson we can ever learn. There is a great article that illustrates the concept of grace written by Charles Stanley he notes:
i. “One of my more memorable seminary professors had a practical way of illustrating to his students the concept of grace. At the end of his evangelism course he would distribute the exam with the caution to read it all the way through before beginning to answer it. This caution was written on the exam as well. As we read the test, it became unquestionably clear to each of us that we had not studied nearly enough. The further we read, the worse it became. About halfway through, audible groans could be heard throughout the lecture hall. On the last page, however, was a note that read, "You have a choice. You can either complete the exam as given or sign your name at the bottom and in so doing receive an A for this assignment." Wow? We sat there stunned. "Was he serious? Just sign it and get an A?" Slowly, the point dawned on us, and one by one we turned in our tests and silently filed out of the room. When I talked with the professor about it afterward, he shared some of the reactions he had received through the years. Some students began to take the exam without reading it all the way through, and they would sweat it out for the entire two hours of class time before reaching the last page. Others read the first two pages, became angry, turned the test in blank, and stormed out of the room without signing it. They never realized what was available, and as a result, they lost out totally. One fellow, however, read the entire test, including the note at the end, but decided to take the exam anyway. He did not want any gifts; he wanted to earn his grade. And he did. He made a C+, but he could easily have had an A. This story illustrates many people’s reaction to God’s solution to sin. Some people look at God’s standard--moral and ethical perfection--and throw their hands up in surrender. Why even try? They tell themselves. I could never live up to all that stuff. Others are like the student who read the test through and was aware of the professor’s offer but took the test anyway. Unwilling to simply receive God’s gift of forgiveness, they set about to rack up enough points with God to earn it. But God’s grace truly is like the professor’s offer. It may seem unbelievable, but if we accept it, then, like the stunned students who accepted the professor’s offer, we, too, will discover that, Yes, God’s grace truly is free. All we have to do is accept it.
d. Grace teaches us to give graceful encouragement to others like the Lord gave to us when we experienced His grace.
5. Grace teaches us to warn those who are divisive in hope they will change their ways.
a. What a comparison to encourage yet also rebuke – how is rebuking a good thing?
i. When it is tapered with God’s love it opens up a person’s eyes to see the error of their ways.
ii. When they are encouraged to ask forgiveness for their sins and to receive the greatest gift --unearned gift-- in the world it changes their hearts.
iii. 2 Timothy 3:16-17: 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1. We are to rebuke or warn a divisive person 2x times then have nothing to do with them upon strike 3.
2. In other words the Lord says don’t keep wasting your time focus on those who are teachable.
6. Grace teaches us to be submissive to rulers, and authorities as long as they do not go against God’s Word.
a. We are to submit as in accordance with various Bible references to civil authority and spiritual authority.
i. Romans 13:1-7: These few verses tell us to submit to the governing authorities because these authorities have been established by God.
ii. Hebrews 13:17: 17Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
b. In Acts 4 it reveals that as Peter and John followed the Grace of God and spoke of it they were obligated to God to do His will over the objection of the current authorities.
i. Acts 4:19-20: 19But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. 20For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
c. Again in Acts 5: 17-42 we see Peter and the apostles disobeying the command of the High priest to stop what they were doing which was preaching about Jesus and telling the truth about grace.
i. Acts 5:29: 29Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!
d. Authority and Submission are so key in doing a good thing or good works for the Kingdom of Heaven.
7. Grace teaches us to be obedient to the teaching and practice of grace which is revealed in the teaching of Jesus and His command to live holy lives.
a. Obedience to grace is better than sacrifice. Being obedient to God’s message of grace is all about doing good works.
i. Quote: "We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly crossing our paths and cancelling our plans by sending us people with claims and petitions. We may pass them by, preoccupied with our more important tasks, as the priest passed by the man who had fallen among thieves, perhaps -- reading the Bible. . . it is part of the discipline of humility that we must not spare our hand where it can perform a service and we do not assume that our schedule is our own to manage, but allow it to be arranged by God." --Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together
b. A counselor, David Seamands, summed up his career this way:
i. Many years ago I was driven to the conclusion that the two major causes of most emotional problems among evangelical Christians are these: the failure to understand, receive, and live out God’s unconditional grace and forgiveness; and the failure to give out that unconditional love, forgiveness, and grace to other people…We read, we hear, we believe a good theology of grace. But that’s not the way we live. The good news of the Gospel of grace has not penetrated the level of our emotions (What’s So Amazing About Grace? By Philip Yancey page 15).
ii. Philip Yancey adds, “The world can do almost anything as well as or better than the church,’ says Gordon MacDonald. ‘You need not be a Christian to build houses, feed the hungry, or heal the sick. There is only one thing the world cannot do. It cannot offer grace.’ MacDonald has put his finger on the church’s single most important contribution. Where else can the world go to find grace? (page, 15).
c. When you choose to forsake the teaching of Jesus you forsake grace.
8. Grace teaches us to do good because this is profitable to us and to others.
a. Being good by the power of grace is very profitable – it brings great rewards to the person doing the good.
b. Max Lucado explains grace this way in his book In The Grip of Grace pages xii-xiii:
i. Surely God is impressed with my garments, I often thought. Occasionally I strutted into his presence so he could compliment the self-tailored wear. He never spoke. His silence must mean admiration, I convinced myself. But then my wardrobe began to suffer. The fabric of my trousers grew thin. My best works started coming unstitched. I began leaving more undone than done, and what little I did was nothing to boast about. No problem, I thought. I'll work harder. But working harder was a problem. There was a hole in my coat of convictions. My resolve was threadbare. A cold wind cut into my chest. I reached up to pull my hat down firmly, and the brim ripped off in my hands. Over a period of a few months, my wardrobe of self-righteousness completely unraveled. I went from tailored gentlemen's apparel to beggar's rags. Fearful that God might be angry at my tattered suit, I did my best to stitch it together and cover my mistakes. But the cloth was so worn. And the wind was so icy. I gave up. I went back to God. (Where else could I go?) On a wintry Thursday afternoon, I stepped into his presence, not for applause, but for warmth. My prayer was feeble. "I feel naked." "You are. And you have been for a long time." What he did next I’ll never forget. "I have something to give you," he said. He gently removed the remaining threads and then picked up a robe, a regal robe, the clothing of his goodness. He wrapped it around my shoulders. His words to me were tender. "My son, you are now clothed with Christ" (See Gal. 3:27).
c. Grace living it, sharing it is the most profitable way to live!
i. It will save you, forgive you, encourage you, uplift you and remind you of how awesome and amazing Jesus was.
9. Grace teaches us to slander no one because when you do you slander grace.
a. We are not allowed according to the Bible to slander anyone especially rulers, or those in authority or even spiritual leaders.
i. Paul associates those who slander others as in the same vein as sexually immoral, greedy and idolaters.
1. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11: 9I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—10not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
a. Paul says don’t even associate with a Christian who slanders others!
b. No slander allowed if you want to do the good and follow the path of God’s grace.
c. Remember the next time you desire to gossip or slander someone that in essence you are trashing God’s grace.
i. You are trashing the work of Jesus on the cross, you are rejecting the gift from God to you.
10. Grace teaches us to be peaceable with those who are argumentative over non-issues.
a. We are to be peaceable which means avoiding foolish arguments over some teachings in the Bible or involved in controversies or arguments which have no eternal value.
b. Doing the good is linked with being peaceable and this tells us not to get involved in theological debates over teachings in the Word which are non-issues.
c. Story: At a comparative religions conference, the wise and the scholarly were in a spirited debate about what is unique about Christianity. The following is from sermoncentral.com:
i. Someone suggested what set Christianity apart from other religions was the concept of incarnation, the idea that God took human form in Jesus. But someone quickly said, “Well, actually, other faiths believe that God appears in human form.” Another suggestion was offered: what about resurrection? The belief that death is not the final word. That the tomb was found empty. Someone slowly shook his head. Other religions have accounts of people returning from the dead.
Then, as the story is told, C.S. Lewis walked into the room, tweed jacket, pipe, arm full of papers, a little early for his presentation. He sat down and took in the conversation, which had by now evolved into a fierce debate. Finally during a lull, he spoke saying, “What’s all this rumpus about?” Everyone turned in his direction. Trying to explain themselves they said, “We’re debating what’s unique about Christianity.” “Oh, that’s easy,” answered Lewis. “It’s grace.” The room fell silent. Lewis continued that Christianity uniquely claims God’s love comes free of charge, no strings attached. No other religion makes that claim. After a moment someone commented that Lewis had a point, Buddhists, for example, follow an eight-fold path to enlightenment. It’s not a free ride. Hindus believe in karma, that your actions continually affect the way the world will treat you; that there is nothing that comes to you not set in motion by your actions. Someone else observed the Jewish code of the law implies God has requirements for people to be acceptable to him and in Islam God is a God of Judgment not a God of love. You live to appease him. At the end of the discussion everyone concluded Lewis had a point. Only Christianity dares to proclaim God’s love is unconditional. An unconditional love that we call grace. Christians boldly proclaim that grace really has precious little to do with us, our inner resolve, or our lack of inner resolve. Rather, grace is all about God and God freely giving to us the gifts of forgiveness, mercy, and love.
11. Grace teaches us to be considerate of others.
a. To be considerate – is defined – as thoughtful of the rights and feelings of others.
i. How do you do with this?
ii. Do you care about others feelings?
b. A story of grace and its willingness to be considerate of another person --- Contributed by James Westervelt to sermoncentral.com:
i. His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is intelligent. Kind of esoteric and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college. Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students, but are not sure how to go about it.
One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started, so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat. The church is completely packed and he can’t find a seat. By now people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet. (Although perfectly acceptable behavior at a college fellowship, this had never happened in this church before!) By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick. About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this young man, everyone is saying to themselves that you can’t blame him for what he’s going to do.
How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor? It takes a long time for the deacon to reach the young man. The church is utterly silent, except for the clicking of the man’s cane. All eyes are focused on him. The minister can’t even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he
has to do. And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won’t feel alone. Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister gains control, he says, "What I’m about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget.
c. Grace is always considerate of others, it deeply cares about their feelings and their thoughts.
12. Grace teaches us to show true humility to others.
a. Humility is defined as the modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, to others.
i. Theologian Charles Hodge explained the relationship between divine grace and the human heart. “The doctrines of grace humble a man without degrading him and exalt him without inflating him.”
b. This means your thinking is not selfishly motivated or even prideful.
i. So how do you act? With humility or with pride?
ii. Winston Churchill was once asked, "Doesn’t it thrill you to know that every time you make a speech, the hall is packed to overflowing?" "It’s quite flattering," replied Sir Winston. "But whenever I feel that way, I always remember that if instead of making a political speech I was being hanged, the crowd would be twice as big." Norman McGowan, My Years With Winston Churchill, Souvenir Press, London
Conclusion:
Why should we say no and live by the power of grace?
This Video Clip from Grace Card the movie answers that question: Grace Card clip called the power of Grace
Grace is a force a power that we all need to experience and to tap because it has the power to help us live good lives and to do good things for the Kingdom of Heaven:
Grace has the power to transform a life filled with sorrow to a life filled with joy.
Grace has the power to deliver one from ourselves.
Grace has the power to bring love into a loveless life.
Grace has the power to bring forgiveness into a life that is filled with hatred and bitterness.
Grace has the power to bring hope to the hopeless.
Grace has the power to bring light into a life trapped in darkness.
Grace has power to find the lost and bring them home again.
Grace has the power to heal the hurting and bring them health and wholeness.
Grace has the power to bring meaning to a meaningless life.
Grace has the power to bring revival to a place filled with death.
Grace has the power to open the eyes of the blind and to see the world as God sees it.
Grace has the power and the strength to break down the barrier between us and God.
This power is only available by 1 source, by one person, by 1 life. That person is Jesus. Paul understood this truth and this truth is what set him free.
This truth on grace today can also set you free!
Listen to this whisper of truth from the Gospel’s and understand what makes it the “Good news,” I hear the whisper of God say, “I did not get what I deserved. I really deserved punishment and instead received forgiveness. I deserved the wrath of God and instead received His unconditional love. I deserved a sentence which included Hell but instead received a mansion in Heaven. I deserved to hear, “Away from me doer of evil” and instead, “I will hear well done good and faithful servant!” It’s saying you deserve this but my grace will give you eternal blessings forever so understand this and go do good for the good you received from me should motivate you to do this! To pass it on!
