The Character of Comforting Grace
Acts 9:3-6, 26:13-15
Introduction
1.) The Description of Grace
*Grace is God’s divine intervention into the affairs of mankind.
*Grace is unmerited favor.
*Grace is God’s free action for the benefit of His people.
*Grace is different than Justice and Mercy. Justice is getting what we deserve. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Grace is getting what we do not deserve.
*In grace we get eternal life, something that, quite obviously, we do not deserve. But because of God’s love and kindness manifested in Jesus on the Cross, we receive the great blessing of redemption.
2.) The Deception about Grace
In theology, the favor of God to humanity, or the compassion of God despite God’s anger over iniquity. The Hebrew Bible contains many instances when God gives grace to people, and the sacrificial institution is a symbol of God’s grace and forgiveness. In the New Testament, grace has been contrasted with works. It is important to emphasize, that in the New Testament, the apostle Paul did not consider Judaism to be a religion without God’s grace, in contrast to the new era of grace through Christ. In addition to meaning the simple gift of acceptance by God apart from any merit, grace can also mean the continuous divine assistance and love given to sustain the world and, specifically, believers. It can be stated no simpler than: the unmerited goodness and love of God for those who have forfeited it. (Rom. 3:24-31; 5:15, 17)
The Grace of God is the meat of the message for the New Testament Preacher. If he preaches any other message, he perverts the office to which the Father has called Preachers. I desire to magnify that message in the ears of the hearers as I preach any sermon. We can talk of the grand themes of the modern pulpit if
you like; but there is none that is as grand as Grace. I am willing to allow all other subjects to falter in order to raise Grace to the top of the list of my focused visions. There can be no better phrase to describe God’s care for the race than “Grand Grace.”
Grace that goes to the root of the need of fallen man and provides the need there. (Ex. 36:26). Grace that is only by Faith. (Eph. 2:8-9). Grace that requires nothing from the sinner.
(Rom. 5:6).
3.) The Deliverance of Grace.
*The Grace of God is the prime element of Bible Salvation. There is no other salvation taught in the Bible. Men, women, boys and girls are all saved by Grace through Faith and not of works.
*If works were effective to save, men could boast of redemption. Redemption is only for the Glory and Honor of God and if He can not have the Glory, I say, He is not involved in that experience. The temporal religions of our day are depots of profane, perishable, temporal “salvation” (The counterfeit is so close).
*Grace offers a salvation that is Eternal. Hebrews. 9:12 “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
*Grace says, the sweetest truth of Hebrews. 13:5 “...for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Our SAVIOR is the KEEPER of the Sheep Fold. He will keep those saved by the Grace of God. “As Eve fell while her Adam was not by her side, our `LAST ADAM’ will never leave HIS BRIDE’S side.” Matthew Henry has said, “Had she kept close to the side out of which she was lately taken she had not been so exposed.” So the saint will be kept by the perpetual presents of the LORD -our “LAST ADAM,”
out of whose side flowed the blood that bought our redemption. There can be no sweeter truth than the Doctrines of the Grace of God. These Doctrines will free the believer to serve the MASTER in the life that Grace has provided.
[I.] Grace is the limitless love of God expressed in measureless and inexhaustible kindness.
Grace is the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man “...not by works of righteousness which we have done...” Titus 3:4-5.
(A.) In Grace is found the “Goodness of God.”
(B.) Without Grace we are hopeless. No preaching can offer mankind any solace in the miry clay of darkness.
(C.) Within Grace we find God’s loving-kindness.
“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah. 31:3
“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Romans 2:4
[II.] Grace is the immutable purpose of God to save His people for His name’s sake.
Grace has always been God’s plan. It was Grace that fixed the salvation of the first two and Grace that forged the salvation
of Noah and his family and it was Grave that favored all of any past day.
(A.)The dispensation of grace began with Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection (Rom. 3:24-26; 4:24-25), and will continue until He comes again, during which time salvation is solely dependent upon the believer’s trusting of Christ as Saviour (John 1:12-13; 3:16; 1 John 5:10-12).
(B.) The dealings of Grace manifests itself through the redemption that is in Christ, and also in the daily life of the believer. “What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” Romans 6:15
[III.] Grace is the simple gift of acceptance by God apart from any merit.
Grace can also mean the continuous divine assistance and love given to sustain the world and, specifically, believers. It can be stated no simpler than: the unmerited goodness and love of God for those who have forfeited it. (Rom. 3:24-31; 5:15, 17). God’s forgiving mercy, as gratuitous (a gift) and opposed to merit.
(Rom. 6:6; Eph. 2:5; Col. 1:6). The gospel generally, as opposed to law. (John 1:17; Rom. 6:14; 1 Peter 5:12). Certain gifts of God, freely bestowed. (Rom. 15:15; 1 Cor. 15:10; Eph. 3:8). Besides the meanings given above there are other significant statements that can be rendered in behalf of the meaning of Grace:
(A.) Spiritual edification of others is called Grace. It displays the favor of God, and conveys his gracious influences to men (Eph. 4:29).
(B.) Speech is, with Grace, seasoned with salt, when it is concerning the favor or truths of God, and tends to promote the edification and holiness of such as hear it (Col. 4:6).
(C.) To be called to the Grace of Christ is to have HIS gospel published to us; and to be invited to the
enjoyment of the fullness of God (Gal. 1:6). No doubt, the measure of Grace is, as the song writer has said; “Amazing Grace...”
[IV] Grace is “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.”
(A.) Grace rules out all human merit.
(B.) It is the product of God, that is given by God, because of who He is and not because of who we are. It is the only means of our salvation (Eph. 2:8-9).
(C.) We are no longer under the Law, but under Grace (Rom. 6:14). (See also Acts15:11; Rom. 5:2, 15-20; 2 Cor. 12:9; and 2 Cor. 9:8).
Conclusion to the Matter
(Amazing Grace)
Grace!! What a glorious and humbling word. It is a word that encompasses all of the magnificent attributes of a Holy God. Grace is to be the anchor of the soul and the satisfier of our heart.
