Amazing Grace how sweet that sound that saved a wretch like me. In school we learned in music appreciation that many songs that are written are inspired by GOD, a series of events, how someone feels at that appointed time, or a combination of all. It is obvious that the songwriter of Amazing Grace was inspired by a combination of all. In stanza 1 ¡V 2 the writer had to be inspired by GOD, when he recognize GOD¡¦s amazing grace by explaining how sweet that sound to him to know that GOD is a forgiving GOD and he mercy endure forever. In addition, this same GOD sends Christ to die on the cross to save his sinful soul. On stanza 3 ¡V 4 the writer had to be inspired by a series of events when he explains how he was lost and blind in a world of sin, yet it was GOD¡¦s amazing grace that found him and allowed him to see his purpose in life. Does that sound familiar? We go and become mix up in the sinful life and after awhile it become obvious that you are in a situation where only GOD can make a change. In stanza 5 ¡V 8 He explains how he felt at the appointed time when GOD¡¦s amazing graze taught him how to reverence GOD; relieve him of his worries in life; and how important and how much he valued GOD¡¦s relationship with him since the hour he first believe in GOD¡¦s saving power. Over the years, the song Amazing Grace has inspired many and brought many to GOD. Why is this? Because it is truly a song, that one cannot sing unless:
1. You are acknowledge God and how he has bless you all your life
2. Wanting to know GOD in a better way
3. Loving GOD for who he is
Understand, many ex-slaves sung amazing graze because they believe that GOD has lead them to freedom. In the 1950¡¦s and 1960¡¦s many African-Americans sung amazing grace since they believe that GOD would inspire the hearts of congressmen to create laws that would grant them their civil rights; and during the 1970¡¦s many African-Americans sung amazing grace to give thanks to GOD for granting there freedom. However, today, unfortunately, the song Amazing Grace, for many has lost its true power and meaning. Today for many Amazing Grace is that long, dull, sermonic hymn that you sing before the preacher delivers the word of GOD. Why? We do not understand the title of the song. The title itself, Amazing Grace, should be enough to get you out of your sit; make those who are going to shout, shout; make you thank GOD for all of his wonderful works; and make you say Amen. Amazing Grace has slowly become a church tradition that you sing before the preacher get up, but not a way of life. If Amazing Grace is truly apart of your life you would not have so strive in the church; so many marriages would not end in divorce when you run into hard times; you would not have an attitude with every one you meet; you would not have power struggles with people in the church or outside the church; and you would be able to live in peace with your enemies.
Now, this leads us to the subtitle of the message: What makes GOD¡¦s grace so amazing? Before we can understand what makes GOD¡¦s grace so amazing we must understand the word grace. The word Grace that we use in our English language is deriving from the Greek word Charis (Khar ¡V ece) which means: Gratitude; benefit given. In Hebrew the word is Chen (khane) meaning: Graciousness; beauty. The American Heritage College Dictionary defines Grace as the following:
1. A characteristic or quality pleasing for its charm or refinement
2. A disposition to be generous or helpful; goodwill
3. Mercy, clemency
4. A favor rendered by one who need not to do so
5. A temporary immunity or exemption; a reprieve
6. Divine love and protection bestowed freely on people
7. The state of being protected or sanctified by the favor of GOD
8. An excellence or a power granted by GOD
Now that we understand what grace is, what makes GOD¡¦s grace so amazing?
1. His love for us
Biblical Proof: 1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us
Did you know that it is humanly impossible to love GOD or anybody else exactly like GOD?
Biblical Proof 1: Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
This demonstrates his total knowledge of us.
Biblical Proof 2: Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
This enlightens us to his ultimate will for our lives and how he is continual present with us through out our life.
Biblical Proof 3: Psalms 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
The more you know and understand GOD and your brethren, the more you come to love them.
Biblical Proof: Hosea 4:6 My People are destroyed for a lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy GOD, I will also forget thy children.
2. The opportunity to live a prosper life.
Biblical Proof: John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I am come that they might have it more abundantly.
You cannot live an abundant life without peace, and you cannot have peace without GOD.
Biblical Proof 1: Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Biblical Proof 2: Psalms 1:1 ¡V 3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (2) But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
3. His amazing grace save our soul from a burning hell
Biblical Proof: John 3:17 for GOD sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
We did not deserve to be saved
Biblical Proof 1: Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Biblical Proof 2: Romans 3:23 ¡V 24 For all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of GOD; (24) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.
Full of sin, yet he loves us enough to send Jesus Christ to save us from a burning hell. Who can you tell GOD grace is not amazing.
Now if you still do not understand what makes GOD¡¦s grace amazing understand:
ľ Sin made weeping endure for a night but it was Amazing Grace that brought joy in the morning
ľ Sin made us fall short of the Glory of GOD but it is Amazing Grace that is able to keep us from falling
ľ Sin made us accumulate a lot of debt but it is Amazing Grace that allow you to paid it in full
ľ Sin made gotten us in much trouble, but it is Amazing Grace that said not guilty
Lets go back to the text: John 3:16 ¡V 17 for GOD so love the world that he gave his Amazing Grace to walk on this earth for 33 years.
ľ Sin put whips on his back but Amazing Grace allow us to be heal
ľ Sin took him from judgment hall to judgment hall all batter and bruise, but Amazing Grace blot out our iniquity
ľ Sin said crucify him and Amazing grace did not say a mumbling word
ľ Sin thought he was dead all day Friday, all day Saturday, but early one Sunday morning Amazing Grace rose with all power in his hand.
I can hear Amazing Grace saying, ¡§O death where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory. Thank you, GOD for your Amazing Grace. For it is Grace that brought me this far and it is Grace that will bring me home. :P
