### Introduction
Video Ill.: Thank You Jesus — Freebridge Media
Transcript: Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your mercy. Thank you for your Son. Thank you, my Redeemer. Thank you, my Great King. Thank you, Holy Savior. Thank you for everything. Today, I worship you with a grateful heart. Thank you, Jesus.
Michelangelo Discovers Salvation by Grace Through Faith
Source: Simonetta Carr, “Michelangelo And His Struggles Of Faith,” Place For Truth (6-6-17)
https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2020/july/michelangelo-discovers-salvation-by-grace-through-faith.html
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Michelangelo, the great Renaissance artist, is known for his statue of David and the incredible Sistine Chapel. But what many don’t know is that Michelangelo lived as the Reformation was sweeping through Europe and was influenced himself by Reformation ideas about justification by grace through faith.
Michelangelo was plagued throughout his life to live up to his own and others’ high demands for his artwork. But as he approached his death, a spiritual rebirth began to occur. One of his final works, intended to be his gravestone, was a statue of himself, in the guise of Nicodemus—the one who was “born again” (John 4)—holding the dead body of Jesus, which you can see there on the screen. You can see the statue at the Duomo Museum in Florence, Italy, where a poem by Michelangelo is printed on the opposite wall. In the poem, Michelangelo describes coming to the end of his life and seeing that his artwork was actually harmful to his soul because it became “my idol and my King.”
At the end of the day, his only hope was not in being a great artist or receiving acclaim from others, but rather, the “divine Love, who to embrace us, opened his arms upon the cross.”
He was talking about grace.
Grace. If there is anything for which we should be grateful, it is the grace that God has shown and given to us.
It is grace that frees our soul. It is grace that brings us salvation. It is grace that brought God’s love to us.
Grace changed this world. Grace continues to change this world. God’s amazing grace changes us in ways that cause us to overflow with gratitude.
A life overflowing with gratitude begins by understanding and accepting grace.
This morning, we are continuing our study, learning how to live a life overflowing with gratitude.
A couple of weeks ago, we began our study by being challenged to move beyond occasional thankfulness and embrace gratitude as a daily decision. We were reminded that gratitude is more than a reaction to blessings—it's a way of life that shapes our hearts, perspectives, and relationships. By living gratefully, we not only grow closer to God, but we also become a powerful witness of His goodness to the world around us.
Last week, we focused on how recognizing God's faithfulness in providing for us—physically, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally—cultivates a heart of contentment. Gratitude isn’t just about material blessings but also about seeing God’s hand in every part of our lives. We’re called to respond with generosity, sharing the blessings we’ve received with others.
Today, let’s examine together how grace is the foundation of a life overflowing with gratitude.
### 1. **Grace is an Unmerited Gift.**
Paul writes in Ephesians 2:
1 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 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 work, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2, NIV1984)
God’s did His part by giving us the free gift of grace. Our part of grace is simply to accept it. We cannot earn salvation. We cannot earn grace.
Barclay, William. The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians (The New Daily Study Bible) (p. 121). Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Kindle Edition.
William Barclay, in his commentary on Ephesians, mentions that since God is love, when we sin, we are not breaking the law. We are sinning against the love that God has for us. We are breaking God’s heart. We can make amends and recompense to the law when we break the law. However, we cannot make atonement for a broken heart. Healing for a broken heart only comes through forgiveness and grace.
We cannot earn God’s gift, but we must show God how much we love Him by doing as much good in the world that we can do.
Barclay writes:
“There is nothing mysterious about this. It is simply an inevitable law of love. If some fine person loves us, we know that we do not and cannot deserve that love. At the same time, we know with utter conviction that we must spend our lives trying to be worthy of it.
“That is our relationship to God. Good works can never earn salvation; but there is something radically wrong if salvation does not produce good actions. It is not that our good deeds put God in our debt; rather that God’s love lays on us the obligation to try throughout our lives to be worthy of it.”
**Key Point**: The foundation of a grateful life comes in our understanding that we did not deserve God’s grace. Grace is a gift, and this recognition leads to a deep sense of thankfulness.
It reminds me of the story of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15.
Jesus tells the story that a man had two sons. The younger son asked for his share of the inheritance. He went to a distant country, and he squandered his wealth in wild living. When a famine hit, he found himself hungry and working with pigs, wishing he could eat their food. Realizing his mistake, he decided to return to his father and ask for forgiveness, hoping to be treated as one of his hired servants.
As he approached home, the boy expected nothing but consequences and punishment. Instead, he was met with grace. His father saw him from a distance, ran to him, and embraced him with compassion. His father welcomes him with open arms, forgiving him, and quickly called for a celebration, saying, in Luke 15:
24 “… [T]his son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” (Luke 15, NIV1984)
Jesus gave us the perfect illustration of His Father and His grace. God has already paid the price. God has already purchased the gift. God has prepared the celebration. He’s just waiting for us to come back home. God gives us the gift of His grace, even when we’ve gone astray.
**Key Point**: Just like the son, we are unworthy of grace, but God freely gives it. The father's love demonstrates the extent of God’s grace toward us.
### 2. **How does Living in Response to Grace look?**
Paul writes in Romans 12:
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act worship. (Romans 12, NIV1984)
God’s mercy and grace calls us to live lives of worship, obedience, and service.
Our gratitude for grace isn’t passive; it compels us to act in gratitude.
A living sacrifice is a life that is full of good works because of the grace God has shown to us. There are countless ways our lives can demonstrate this gratitude, but here are just a few:
Acts of Kindness to Others:
Serving those in need: Whether it’s volunteering at a food bank, helping a neighbor with groceries, or offering your time to a cause, serving others demonstrates God’s love in action.
Forgiveness: Extending forgiveness to others, especially when it’s difficult, reflects God’s grace in forgiving us. It's a powerful, tangible response to grace.
Generosity:
Financial Giving: Offering your financial resources—whether through tithing, supporting missions, or contributing to the needs of others—is a direct response to God’s provision and grace.
Giving of Time and Talents: Volunteering your skills and time to help others in church, community service, or family life is a way to live out the generosity God shows us.
Living Out God’s Word:
Obeying God’s Commandments: Living with integrity, honesty, and a commitment to God's commands is a response of obedience that reflects our gratitude for His grace.
Sharing the Gospel: Telling others about the hope and grace we’ve received through Christ is a tangible way to share the gift of grace with the world around us.
Prayer and Worship:
Personal Devotion: Regular times of prayer, Bible reading, and reflection on God’s grace deepen your relationship with Him and honor His love and mercy.
Corporate Worship: Participating in church worship services, singing praises, and offering thanks collectively is a way to publicly acknowledge God's grace.
Loving Relationships:
Showing Patience and Grace in Relationships: Practicing grace in your family, friendships, and work relationships by being patient, compassionate, and understanding is a reflection of how God has been gracious with us.
Serving Your Family: Acts of kindness and service within your home—helping with chores, loving your spouse, and caring for your children—are tangible expressions of God’s love and grace in action.
Humility:
Living Humbly: Acknowledging that everything we have is a gift from God and living with humility is a powerful response to the grace we’ve received.
Sacrificial Living:
Making Personal Sacrifices: Giving up personal comfort or resources to benefit others or to serve God shows the depth of our response to the grace we’ve received.
**Key Point**: A life of gratitude is one of action and service. We must live differently because of the grace we’ve received. Gratitude must move us to worship and serve, living for God each day.
### 3. **We receive Grace Upon Grace**
In John 1, we read:
16 From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. (John 1, NLT)
We need grace and mercy each and every day.
Even Jeremiah understood that, writing in Lamentations 3:
22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!? His mercies never cease.
23 Great is His faithfulness;? His mercies begin afresh each morning.
(Lamentations 3, NLT)
God’s grace is not a one-time event. It continues to flow in our lives, providing daily strength, guidance, and wisdom.
Illustration: "The Stream of Grace"
ChatGPT
Imagine standing by a river, watching the water flow steadily, unceasingly. Every second, countless droplets flow past you, and no matter how long you stand there, the stream doesn’t stop. The river doesn’t pause or run dry. Each moment, a fresh wave of water comes, providing what the riverbank needs to thrive.
This is how God’s grace works in our lives—like a never-ending stream. Grace upon grace flows continuously, never running out. It’s not just a one-time gift but an ongoing source of strength, forgiveness, and love that sustains us each day.
If we pause and reflect on our daily lives, we’ll notice that God’s grace is present in every moment. Just as the river never stops flowing, His grace never stops meeting our needs. From the small blessings of a peaceful morning to the big moments of healing or breakthrough, God’s grace is there, constantly refreshing us, even when we don't realize it.
Just like a river, we can’t always see from where the next drop of water is coming or when it will arrive, but we trust that the stream will continue to flow. In the same way, we trust that God’s grace will continue to flow into our lives, meeting us right where we are and giving us exactly what we need in every moment.
Key Point: God’s grace is not a one-time event but a daily provision, always available to help us navigate life’s challenges and to strengthen us for the journey ahead. Grace upon grace, moment by moment, God’s love and mercy flow into our lives.
**Key Point**: God’s grace is abundant and never-ending. Just as we were saved by grace, we are sustained by grace each day. This continuous grace should fuel our ongoing gratitude.
### 4. **Grace Leads Us to Extend Grace to Others**
Jesus tells the following story in Matthew 18:
21 … Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, when my fellow believer sins against me, how many times must I forgive him? Should I forgive him as many as seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, you must forgive him more than seven times. You must forgive him even if he wrongs you seventy times seven.
23 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who || decided to collect the money his servants owed him. 24 When the king began to collect his money, a servant who owed him several million dollars was brought to him. 25 But the servant did not have enough money to pay his master, the king. So the master ordered that everything the servant owned should be sold, even the servant’s wife and children. Then the money would be used to pay the || king what the servant owed.
26 “But the servant fell on his knees and begged, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you everything I owe.’ 27 The master felt sorry for his servant and told him he did not have to pay it back. Then he let the servant go free.
28 “Later, that same servant found another servant who owed him a few dollars. The || servant grabbed him around the neck and said, ‘Pay me the money you owe me!’
29 “The other servant fell on his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you everything I owe.’
30 “But the first servant refused to be patient. He threw the other servant into prison until he could pay everything he owed. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they || were very sorry. So they went and told their master all that had happened.
32 “Then the master called his servant in and said, ‘You evil servant! Because you begged me to forget what you owed, I told you that you did not have to pay anything. 33 You should have showed mercy to that other servant, just as I showed mercy to you.’ 34 The master was very angry and put the servant in prison to be || punished until he could pay everything he owed.
35 “This king did what my heavenly Father will do to you if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” (Matthew 18, NCV)
God’s grace calls us to extend the same grace to others that we’ve received from Him. When we truly understand the magnitude of God's grace toward us, we are compelled to forgive and show grace to those around us.
**Key Point**: True gratitude for God’s grace is reflected in how we treat others. We are called to forgive as we have been forgiven and extend grace to others in their shortcomings and failures.
Bereaved Family Extends Grace to Physician
Source: Cameron Lee, Unexpected Blessing (Intervarsity, 2004) pp.130-132
https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2005/april/15862.html
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In his book Unexpected Blessings, Cameron Lee includes a story related to him by a friend, involving the death of the friend's baby sister.
During the third month of my sister's life, she became very ill with pneumonia…. My parents took her to the hospital and had her placed inside an incubator. The doctor who was in charge monitored my sister for several hours and then sent her home with a prescription…. The next morning my father was suddenly awakened by the uncomfortable realization that he had slept through the entire night without any interruptions from my sister. He jumped out of the bed and ran to check on the baby. The only thing he could remember of that horrific morning was lifting the tiny, limp body and shaking it in order to feel it move. But it laid in his arms, motionless and dead….
The medication prescribed to my sister was too strong for her, which caused her to lose all control of her muscles…. Several of our relatives suggested that my parents sue the doctor. However, after much consideration, prayer, and advice from my grandparents, they decided not to take legal action. Rather, they received the conviction from God that they needed to forgive the doctor and express that to her in letter form. According to my mother, this was the most difficult thing for her to do, yet after obeying the Lord she felt an overwhelming sense of freedom and peace within her heart.
Four months following the death of my sister, I became incredibly ill with pneumonia.… The doctor who had been in charge of my sister…asked my father if he would allow her to take on my case. Everyone was completely flabbergasted. He said he needed some time to think it over. As my parents went to the Lord in prayer, they were convicted that this was an ultimate test of their forgiveness. They felt an overwhelming sense of peace that God was in control and that this would eventually become a powerful testimony. They agreed to let the doctor take on my case.
The next few days were incredibly tense and filled with many moments of uncertainty. However, by the fifth day, I had come out of intensive care and was on my way to a full recovery. On the day of my discharge, the doctor pulled my father and mother aside, and with tears running down her face, she expressed sincere gratitude for the forgiveness and grace they had extended to her.
God’s grace should flow through us to others. The Parable that Jesus told that we read earlier serves as a reminder that God has forgiven us so much, and we are to do the same for others.
### Conclusion
Uniqueness of Grace
Source: Philip Yancey, What's So Amazing about Grace? (Zondervan, 1997), p.11
https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2000/february/12302.html
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This morning, in his book What's So Amazing about Grace, Philip Yancey recounts this story about C.S. Lewis:
During a British conference on comparative religions, experts from around the world debated what, if any, belief was unique to the Christian faith.
They began eliminating possibilities. Incarnation? Other religions had different versions of gods appearing in human form. Resurrection? Again, other religions had accounts of return from death.
The debate went on for some time until C.S. Lewis wandered into the room. "What's the rumpus about?" he asked, and heard in reply that his colleagues were discussing Christianity's unique contribution among world religions. Lewis responded, "Oh, that's easy. It's grace." After some discussion, the conferees had to agree.
The notion of God's love coming to us free of charge, no strings attached, seems to go against every instinct of humanity. The Buddhist eight-fold path, the Hindu doctrine of Karma, the Jewish covenant, and Muslim code of law—each of these offer a way to earn approval. Only Christianity dares to make God's love unconditional.
This morning, I want you to know that God loves you and me. Because of that great love He has for us, He has shown us great grace: an unearned gift of freedom, forgiveness, and transformation. This grace is not just for a moment, but it is available to us every single day—grace that meets us where we are, sustains us in our struggles, and empowers us to live lives that reflect His love.
God’s grace has the power to heal, restore, and equip us to live for Him. No matter where we’ve been or what we’ve done, His grace is sufficient, and it’s always available.
Today, let’s respond to this amazing grace by living a life overflowing with gratitude, offering our hearts, our lives, and our worship in return for the unmerited gift we’ve been given. May we always be overflowing with thankfulness for how God has loved us, blessed us, and for all that God has given to and done for us.
