The summer of GOD’S GRACE
Gen. 3:1-24
Intro: The Creation and the fall of man. In that fall, the entire human race was
plunged into darkness, sin and death. In that terrible instant when man sinned
against God, man died and became spiritually separated from Almighty God. Man
also became helpless in his ability to get back in a right relationship with a God.
From the moment mankind fell into sin and ruin, God has made it His business to
seek fallen man and attempt to establish a relationship with him. This truth is clearly
presented in the story of the fall of Adam and the immediate aftermath. I would like to preach on the thought, God’s Grace In The Fall.
I. HE CAME TO THEM - v. 8
A. Man had transgressed the commandment of God and had sinned. Now,
there was great gulf between God and man – Isa. 59:2 "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." (It was God’s custom to join Adam in the cool of the day for fellowship and communion. Now, man had sinned and God had every right to stay away, but He came anyway! That is grace!
B. He is still doing that today! When the sinner’s heart is stirred and he is
made aware of the great love of God. That is just the Lord walking in the cool
of the day seeking fellowship! (Jesus – Luke 19:10 " For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.")
C. It is grace and grace alone that allows a Holy God to come to us! Thank God for Grace!
II. HE CALLED THEM - v.9-10
A. He didn’t just come to look upon their misery., He called out to Adam in an effort to reach him.
B. Man is dead in sin, until God awakens him to that fact. Eph. 2:1 "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins,"
C. It is only at the call of God that the sinner can be saved – John 6:44
"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
D. It is pure grace that a Holy God would call any one into a love relationship with Himself.
III. HE CONFRONTED THEM - v. 11
A. God challenged man on the basis of His sin. God wasn’t fishing for
information, He knew what Adam and Eve had done. He was looking for a confession. What He got was accusation, Ill. V.12.
B. This is what God does for the sinner. He reveals to us the sinfulness of our lives and calls upon us to repent. (John the Baptist – “Repent”
C. It is pure grace that shows the sinner the error of his lifestyle. Without His revelation, we would continue into Hell – Ill. Pro. 16:25. It may be painful to see yourself as you really are, but until you do, you will never see there is a need to be different! (It is grace that challenges us in our lifestyle!
D. Thank God He doesn’t just let us go!)
IV. HE CHASTISED THEM - v. 12-20
A. The various punishments meted out on the sinners. This too was the grace of God. Ill. He would have been within His rights to have killed them outright – Gen. 2:17.
B. God’s chastening and restraining hand stands as a reminder that there is a price for sin. Imagine for a moment that God just allowed us to go on as we pleased without any checks. We would all sin our way into Hell, or into deep trouble.
He chastens us to call our attention away from the pleasure of sin so that we
might see the reality of sin. That it is brutal, ugly and defiling!
C. Nobody likes chastisement, but it too is a product of God’s grace
V. HE COVERED THEM - v. 21
A. Their sin became real when that animal died to cover their nakedness. They instantly realized that they were responsible. It was the grace of God that accepted the sacrifice of an innocent party to atone for the sins of the guilty.
B. Our salvation is the same way. It is pure grace that saves the sinner., cleanses him and clothes him with the righteousness of Jesus Christ
C. Salvation is free, but it is anything but cheap! Ill. The cross and the awful death Jesus faced there for sinners. It was pure grace in action!)
D. Grace is the sinner’s only hope. Pure grace and nothing they can ever do can atone for sin. It is through grace that we enter salvation.
