The Grace Of The Lord Jesus Series

Sermon Outline: The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ

Text: 2 Corinthians 13:14 "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all."

Introduction

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is a divine gift that empowers, sustains, and transforms believers.

I. What is Grace?

* Dictionary Definition: Unmerited favor or kindness.

* Hebrew Word: hen (???) - meaning "favor," "grace," "kindness."

* Greek Word: charis (?????) - meaning "grace," "favor," "gift."

* Biblical Understanding: Grace is the unmerited favor of God bestowed upon undeserving sinners.

Supporting Texts:

* Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

* Titus 2:11-14: "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, righteous, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people, his own, eager to do good works."

II. Why Do We Need Grace?

* Human Sinfulness: We are inherently flawed and incapable of earning God's favor on our own.

* Divine Justice: God's justice demands punishment for sin, but His grace offers forgiveness.

* Spiritual Growth: Grace is necessary for spiritual growth and transformation.

Supporting Texts:

* Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

* Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

* 1 Corinthians 15:10: "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. Rather, I worked harder than all of them—not I, but the grace of God that was with me."

III. When Do We Need Grace?

* Times of Trial: Grace provides comfort and strength during difficult times.

* Moments of Weakness: Grace empowers us to overcome our shortcomings.

* Every Day: Grace is a daily necessity for living a godly life.

Supporting Texts:

* 2 Corinthians 12:9: "And he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

* Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

* Hebrews 4:16: "Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

IV. Who is the Donor (Source) of Grace?

* The Lord Jesus Christ: According to the text, the source of grace is the Lord Jesus Christ.

* His Sacrifice: Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross made grace available to all.

* His Resurrection: His resurrection demonstrated God's acceptance of His sacrifice and His authority to grant grace.

Supporting Texts:

* John 1:16: "And from his fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace."

* 1 Peter 1:2: "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification by the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling with his blood: Grace and peace be multiplied to you."

* Romans 5:15: "But the free gift of God is not like the trespass that came through one man. For the judgment following one man's trespass resulted in condemnation, but the free gift from God's grace resulting from the trespass of the one man resulted in justification for all."

V. Benefits of Grace

* Forgiveness: Grace forgives our sins and reconciles us to God.

* Empowerment: Grace empowers us to live a holy and righteous life.

* Adoption: Grace adopts us into God's family as His children.

* Eternal Life: Grace grants us eternal life and a heavenly inheritance.

* Transformation: Grace transforms us into the image of Christ.

Supporting Texts:

* Ephesians 1:7: "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."

* Philippians 2:13: "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

* Romans 8:15-17: "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fear again, but you received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him."