Growing in Grace – Part 6 Grace: charis khar'-ece From G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude): - acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

John 8:32,36 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

John 8:32,36 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

Grace = Relationship Rules and regulations automatically make someone want to rebel against the standards, but a relationship, a true relationship, that of a servants, causes the individual to submit and surrender to another’s will versus their own

Grace = Relationship It is the freedom that Jesus Christ brings into one’s life through relationship; and that relationship brings us into the “Grace of God” which produces the blessings of God in every area of our lives.

Grace = Relationship A relationship matures and grows stronger over a period of time with the right nourishment!

Grace = Relationship As we walk with Jesus Christ, “wave after glorious wave” continues to come into our life. We never earn grace, but if we respond in the right way we can enjoy more grace and partake of it, especially during times of need

5 Ways to Receive More Grace Faith Romans 5:1–2 (NKJV) (1) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (2) through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

According to the passage, Paul is instructing the church at Rome that we have peace with God = this means no more separation. Being reconnected to the source of our strength and the source of our supply, because of Jesus Christ, I have peace with God.

Now being justified by faith through Jesus Christ, this now gives me access into the “Grace” of God. This is the reason why I stand through every trial, every heartache, and every disappointment

The Greek word for “devil” is “diablo” which means to repeatedly assault you over and over again until the person gives up and God’s grace repeatedly keeps filling us, overshadowing us, strengthening us, causes us to have an abundance of spiritual and material things

Romans 5:20 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,

It has been said that grace is God’s hand extended to us, and faith is our trusting hand put into His. His grace offers us Himself and His blessings while our faith accepts, receives, and lays hold of that He is freely offering

IN'TIMACY, n. [from intimate IN'TIMACY, n. [from intimate.] Close familiarity or fellowship; nearness in friendship.   The closer we are with God’s Grace, the stronger we become in Faith to act on God’s word. This then begins to produce “Kingdom Results.”

2. The Knowledge of God 2 Peter 1:2 (NKJV) (2)   Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

God continues to reveal Himself and to impart His grace to us through His Word and the Holy Spirit God’s Word Brings Peace! eirēnē i-rah'-nay : primary verb (to join); by implication prosperity: - one, quietness, rest.

Acts 20:24,32 (NKJV) 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Whenever we get into God’s Word and spend time in His presence, we are partaking of His grace. This implies in a corporate setting as well as spending time with Him on a one-on-one with God in His word.

3. Humility James 4:6–8 (NKJV) 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  

1 Peter 5:5–6 (NKJV) 5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

When James said God resists the proud, the word he used for “resists” is a Greek military term that means “to battle against.” God wants nothing more than to bless us, but when we are proud, arrogant, and independent, we have declared war on Him!!

Boldness  Arrogance is the opposite of humility and a perversion of boldness. Arrogance is pride based on self; boldness is confidence based on God.

Hebrews 4:14–16 (NKJV) 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

All of us faces challenges in life that will make us realize our complete dependence upon God. During those times, He invites us to partake of, draw from, experience, and enjoy the mercy and grace He has for us

Your boldness is the grace of God, the promises of God and the blessings of God gets attention. It gives you a platform to testify of the goodness that God has toward you.

Acts 4:13 (NLT) 13 The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:31,33 (NLT) 31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.

This same throne of Grace that the early Christians accessed is open to us now and we have been invited to come boldly before God.

5. Undying Love  Ephesians 6:24 (NKJV) 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.   1 John 4:10,19 (NKJV) 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.

Our ability to love God came from him Our ability to love God came from him. God’s wonderful love and grace were imparted to us when we were born again, and John indicates that the grace we walk in grows as we love Jesus in sincerity, without corruption, and with an undying love.