What is Grace?
Thesis: Grace is what we all need but some don’t even know what their missing because they don’t know or want this gift called grace.
Opening Illustration: Video clip on asking people on the street “What is Grace?”
Introduction:
We have just observed a man asking people on the street “What is Grace?”
The responses were very mixed a lot said “I don’t know!” some refused to answer they were in a big hurry to do something. Some immediately became defensive others tried to answer but could not. As I watched this clip I thought to myself many people have no clue to what Grace is or is about.
I then recalled Barna’s statistic that stated about 80% of the United States claims to be Christian.
I then asked myself the big question, “Can you be a Christian and not know about grace?” Other questions then started to flood into my mind:
Is grace that secretive?
Is grace not powerful enough to affect Christian lives?
Is grace a forgotten act of God?
Is grace confused with saying grace before a meal?
Is grace only related to my neighbor, whose name is grace?
Is grace real?
Is grace just someone who is eloquent?
Is grace recognizable?
Is grace being modeled or mishandled?
Has grace been aced from our minds?
Has grace been redefined?
Has grace lost its meaning?
Has grace been replaced?
Has grace been misplaced?
Has grace lost the race?
What ever happened to talking about grace?
What ever happened to knowing what grace is?
How did this Christian nation of ours misplace grace?
Who aced out grace from the human race?
The thoughts kept coming in like a flood and I have to admit I became worried that most people don’t know what grace looks like, acts like or even is. So today I would like to point us back to grace and remind us all what grace is. Let’s first read how grace came to the earth a few thousand years ago:
Scripture Texts:
John 1:6-17:
6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’” 16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.
In John’s text above we discovered that grace came to us by the life of Jesus - the Word. This grace is defined as one that gives unmerited favor to one who does not deserve it. It’s a gift given to the person who places their life in Christ - this gift is salvation – good standing with God - eternal life even though they don’t deserve it. It comes to them because Jesus paid their price for their sins on the cross. Grace is directly related to the cross. When you speak of the cross you speak and relate about grace. Grace came as a result of the cross, grace was birthed on the cross by Christ’s death. Prior to Jesus arrival to earth you never heard of the word grace. Jesus birthed the word and gave it meaning. He never used the word he just role modeled it to a fallen a world and this new word was created.
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).
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.
Since we have defined grace lets now reflect back to our video clip and our society. I have discovered there are 4 types of people in this society.
Max Lucado has made a similar observation in his book In the Grip of Grace on pages 8, 9.
Lets look at these 4 types of people found with in the church and outside the church. All four of these individuals have a different view of Grace. They either define grace differently or totally ignore it’s relevance to their life.
T.S. -These 4 types are referenced by the Apostle Paul in Romans 1:18-3:25.
I. The first type of person we meet on the streets is a person we will call Graceless.
a. This individual fits Paul’s description in Romans 1:18-32.
i. This person has a strategy for life that is revealed in this statement - “Self deserves the indulgent life! Give it what it wants!”
1. Their life focuses on this strategy for living. It’s all about me- myself and I.
ii. This person’s goal is to - “Fulfill all my wants!”
1. If I want sex get it! I deserve it! If it’s a car we buy it even though we may not have the money. I deserve it.
iii. This person could be described as - “A self-motivated thrill seeker!”
iv. This person has a personality that is - “Obsessed with I”
v. Their view of themselves is - “Who cares what God thinks! I am living it up!”
vi. Their theology? - “Does not exist- God does not matter in their world.”
vii. Their Bumper sticker on their car says - “Whoever has the most fun wins!”
viii. Their common complaint? - “I don’t have enough fun!”
ix. Their view of grace? - “NO way!”
x. Their view of sin? - “If it’s right for you go for it!”
xi. Boundaries - “If it feels good, do it!”
xii. Condition – Graceless
xiii. Bible’s warning “You have no excuse for the things you do!”
xiv. Key verse Romans 1:28, 29a Message “Since they didn’t bother to acknowledge God, God quit bothering them and let them run loose. And then all Hell broke loose…”
T.S. – We have learned to recognize the person named Grace -less now lets look at the person named Grace-robber.
II. The second type of person we meet on the streets and in the church is the Grace-robber.
a. This individual fits the person described in Romans 2:1-11
i. This person’s strategy in life is - to compare their life with others life.
1. They like to line up back to back to measure their spiritual height with others and say “I’m taller than you- I’m better than you!”
ii. This person’s goal in life is - to be better than others and to let others know they are better.
1. They love to watch their neighbors with a telescope and point out their shortcomings.
2. They love spying over the fence.
iii. This person is described as - the one with the finger.
1. Illustration - the finger of grandma in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
2. It points at others but it’s crooked and twisted itself.
iv. This person’s personality is - “I am better than you are!”
1. Lucado says they are, “stuck up.”
v. Their view of themselves is - “I may have problems but I am not as bad as them!”
vi. Their theology is - “Hey God look at how bad they are!”
1. They love being the snitch to God – the tattle tale!
vii. Their Bumper sticker says - “God is watching you and so am I” (Lucado).
viii. Their complaint to others is - “I wish I knew what happened behind their closed doors.”
ix. Their view of Grace? – “You are not saved you sinner!” “Yes you need Grace!” “Beg for mercy from me and Him!” They desire to stab grace in the back.
x. Their view of sin? - “Yes they are guilty- hammer down!”
xi. Boundaries - “If they look happy- make them feel guilty!”
xii. Condition – Grace robber or grace killer.
xiii. Bible’s warning - “Who gave you the authority to judge your brother?”
xiv. Key Verse Romans 2:1 Message “Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself.”
T.S. - We have learned how to recognize Grace - robber now lets learn how to recognize Guilty -Grace.
III. The third type of person you will meet on the street and in the church is called Guilty - grace.
a. This individual fits the person described in Romans 2:17-3:20.
i. This person’s strategy in life is - “I have to save myself!”
ii. Their goal is - to convince God that they are good enough.
iii. This person is described as - The one who is exhausted.
1. This person has a personality that is Type A -always working to be good enough.
2. Max says, “Stressed Out!”
iv. Their view of themselves - “If I do more God will accept me!”
v. Their theology is - “I owe God so I have pay the price!”
vi. Max Lucado states, “Their bumper sticker says, “I owe, I owe, it’s off to work I go” (9).
1. I say their bumper sticker says - “Work or burn!”
vii. There biggest complaint is - “I need more time!”
1. Lucado says, “I can’t work enough!”
viii. Their view of Grace –“I am not worthy!”
ix. Their view of sin - “I am a loser I have to work harder”
x. Boundaries - “If you like it – STOP! -- your sinning!”
xi. Condition - Guilty grace – full of guilt and fear
xii. Bible’s warning - “You cannot earn your way to heaven!”
xiii. Key Verses Romans 4:4, 5 Message “If you’re a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don’t call your wages a gift. But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it’s something only God can do, and you trust him to do it-you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked-well, that trusting –him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift.”
T.S. - The third person we learned about was Guilty - grace now lets discover the one we want to be like Grace-full.
IV. The fourth type of person you will meet on the street and in the church is Grace-full..
a. This individual fits the person described in Romans 3:21-25.
i. This person’s strategy for life is - “In Christ Alone I place my trust.”
ii. This person’s goal for life is - “To know Him better!”
iii. This person’s is described as one - “Who loves the Lord with his whole heart, mind and soul.”
iv. This person’s personality is - one of contentment, and calm-ness.
1. Max says “peaceful”
v. This person’s view of themselves is - “Saved by Grace”
vi. This person’s theology is - “God Chaser”
vii. This person’s Bumper sticker is - “I’m not perfect just forgiven.”
viii. Their biggest complaint is - “I can never thank him enough.”
ix. Their view of Grace? – “I’m saved by grace- thank you Lord!”
x. Their view of Sin? – “I was lost but now I am found!”
xi. Boundaries – God’s word
1. Max says “If it feels good, examine it.”
xii. Condition – Grace Full – Full of Grace
xiii. Bible’s promise - “You have no reason to be afraid-God said it will be so.”
xiv. Key verses Romans 1: 16, 17 Message “It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God’s way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: “The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives.”
Conclusion:
We have looked at the four types of people that we will find in the church and out of the church. They are individuals just like you an me.
The question we must ask ourselves today is, “Which one of these am I?” Think about that as I close with the story of the room.
The Room
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings.
As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "People I Have Liked". I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.
And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalogue system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn’t match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed".
The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read", "Lies I Have Told", "Comfort I Have Given", "Jokes I Have Laughed At". Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I’ve Yelled at My Brothers." Others I couldn’t laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents". I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected.
Sometimes fewer than I hoped.
I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To", I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn’t found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts", I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn’t matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With". The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.
But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn’t bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?
Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn’t anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn’t say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.
"No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn’t be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."
I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.
Joshua Harris-Contributed by: Ely Lambert sermoncentral.com
Communion!
