"Scandalous Grace"

Scandalous Grace

Illus.

ILL.- Preacher Charles Swindoll recalled his last spanking when he turned thirteen years old. Chuck said, “Having just broken into the sophisticated ranks of the teen world, I thought I was something on a stick. My father wasn’t nearly as impressed as I was with my great importance and new-found independence.

“I was lying on my bed. He was outside the window on a muggy October afternoon in Houston, TX, weeding the garden. He said, ‘Charles, come out and help me weed the garden.’ I said something like, ‘NO, IT’S MY BIRTHDAY, REMEMBER?’

“My tone was sassy and my deliberate lack of respect was eloquent. I knew better than to disobey my dad, but after all, I was the ripe old age of thirteen. Dad set a new 100-meter record that autumn afternoon. He was in the house in a flash and all over me like white on rice, spanking me all the way out to the garden. As I recall, I weeded until the moonlight was shining on the pansies.

“That same night he took me out to a surprise dinner. He gave me what I deserved earlier. LATER HE GAVE ME WHAT I DID NOT DESERVE. The birthday dinner was a matter of grace.”

Gods Grace...

It's been understated...

It's been overstated...

It's been abused some might say...

It's been underappreciated to say the least...

And yet it continues to give nonstop, to all who will accept it and believe

what it can do for them in their situation and life..

Grace what is it?

Something you say before meal time?

Something you do with your presence?

Something that other people want to stay on the good side of you, concerning your kindness towards them?

Grace: on the Internet there are many definitions, but the one I want to talk about this morning is the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.

G.R.A.C.E.

God's redemption at Christ's expense....

Mark 2:1-7 MSG

1-5 After a few days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word got around that he was back home. A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word. They brought a paraplegic to him, carried by four men. When they weren’t able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, “Son, I forgive your sins.”

6-7 Some religion scholars sitting there started whispering among themselves, “He can’t talk that way! That’s blasphemy! God and only God can forgive sins.”

From the moment Grace walked on the scene..for those who sought it

they thought it was nothing short of spectacular, miraculous,

more than amazing, more than wonderful!

The pharisee's from the church world felt threatened by it..

It was scandalous, it threatened the very existence

of the status quo...the way things had always been

It not only rocked the boat… But was capable of pushing the boat over...

And they knew it. Amen??

Mark 2:8-12 MSG

8-12 Jesus knew right away what they were thinking, and said, “Why are you so skeptical? Which is simpler: to say to the paraplegic, ‘I forgive your sins,’ or say, ‘Get up, take your stretcher, and start walking’? Well, just so it’s clear that I’m the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both . . .” (he looked now at the paraplegic), “Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home.” And the man did it—got up, grabbed his stretcher, and walked out, with everyone there watching him. They rubbed their eyes, incredulous—and then praised God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!”

And still to this day the whole world says the same thing

we have never seen anything like this...

What Jesus did was scandalous...

And still is..if you dare to believe...

He was on a mission...

He was taking care of his Fathers business...

He didn't care about how the way things had always been...

His Father...had sent Him to do a new thing

To introduce a new covenant to replace an old, worn out, impossible one....

Another thing that rocked the boat was the fact that

He shared it with anyone and everyone that would accept it...

He never had to force it on anyone...it was so incredible

that once a person realized what it was capable of…

They would go to great length's to seek it out and Jesus never turned

anyone who came looking for it...

He continually encouraged, and still does to this day encourage

everyone to come...all are welcome

Mark 2:13-17 MSG

13-14 Then Jesus went again to walk alongside the lake. Again a crowd came to him, and he taught them. Strolling along, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, at his work collecting taxes. Jesus said, “Come along with me.” He came.