What is Grace

God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense … GRACE. These are simply inadequate, and thus we must devote this entire message to a more precise definition of grace. We will attempt to accomplish this by a series of statements or propositions which will be explained in some detail

 ‘(God) hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him’ (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Grace means God’s love in action towards men who merited the opposite of love. Grace means God moving heaven and earth to save sinners who could not lift a finger to save themselves. Grace means God sending His only Son to descend into hell on the cross so that we guilty ones might be reconciled to God and received into heaven

PROBLEM: In a fallen world, populated by selfish, lost, fearful, and rebellious people, it’s the one thing that everyone needs.

WHO NEED IT: You need it. You can’t live without it, but you can’t purchase it and you can’t earn it. It only ever comes by means of a gift, and when you receive it,

You see, God’s grace is the most powerful force in the universe,

 It has the power to do something that nothing else can do: transform you at the causal core of who you are as a human being - your heart.

A Few of the Different Types of Grace

To help us process the magnitude of His grace, I want to point out the varying kinds of grace He pours out on us daily.

1.  Common Grace: God loves everyone.  So, there is a common grace that He gives all people whether they acknowledge Him or not.  Matthew 5:45 tells us, “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

2.  Saving Grace: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Eph 2:8)  By His saving grace, God has paid the ransom for everyone who will receive His gift of salvation.  This alone is overwhelming. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men (Titus 2:11).  But to forgive and to save (John 3:16-17; 8:10-11).

3.  Sanctifying Grace: There is power in God’s grace and immediately after we are saved, it goes to work to purify or sanctify us.  You play a part in your purification through obedience, but ultimately you have to count on His sanctifying grace and know that “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6).

4.  Provisional Grace: Through His provisional grace, God provides for all our needs.  As James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.”  When you get a better job or an unexpected gift, count it as grace from God.

5.  Miraculous Grace: Look at what was happening in the early church.  “Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8).  Through His grace, God still does miraculous things every day.  He doesn’t have to do this.  He does it because He is full of grace.

6.  Serving Grace: Every believer is freely given spiritual gifts to serve others and bolster their faith.  1 Peter 4:10 tells us, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”  We each receive serving grace.

7.  Sustaining Grace: Finally, in those times of trial and suffering, Jesus says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9).  And the Bible says, “Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16).  God sustains us.

God’s Grace Abounds in Many Different Ways (Ephesians 1:5-12; 2:1-10)

1. FORGIVENESS; 1 John1; 8-9 2. ACCEPTANCE: John 1:12

3. PRESENCE Like acceptance, the grace of God's presence means that our Father is not distant. In fact, God is present with us wherever we are, whomever we're with, and whatever we're doing.

4. ENABLEMENT: to become more like His Son and work for the furtherance of His Kingdom right here, right now.

5. FREEDOM: Grace gives us the power to say “No!” and turn in a much better direction.

The gospel is the “gospel of grace” Acts 20:24; the Scriptures are the “word of His grace” Acts 14:3; 20:32.

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me 2 Corinthians 12:9.

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