Bognor Site Launch

Faith 360°

Steve Petch Sunday 22 nd September 2013 Part 2: Amazing Grace … unexpected good news

Amazing Grace … unexpected good news Have you ever received unexpected good news?

Amazing Grace … unexpected good news Grace: A name? A little prayer to say thanks before a meal? An elegance of movement? A temporary immunity?

Amazing Grace … unexpected good news Grace is when God freely gives us what we do not deserve and could not earn G od’s R iches A t C hrist’s E xpense

Amazing Grace … unexpected good news My testimony … “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast” Ephesians 2 v 8 - 9

Amazing Grace … unexpected good news A picture of grace in the Old Testament

Amazing Grace … unexpected good news Grace: A name? A little prayer to say thanks before a meal? An elegance of movement? A temporary immunity?

Amazing Grace … unexpected good news Grace: when God freely gives us what we do not deserve and could not earn “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast” Ephesians 2 v 8 - 9

What sort of church community should we be? 1. A community of JOY “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” John 15 v 11 “Even though you do not see Jesus now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls” 1 Peter 1 v 8-9

What sort of church community should we be? 2. A community of ACCEPTANCE “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God” Romans 15 v 7 “Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you”

What sort of church community should we be? 2. A community of ACCEPTANCE

What sort of church community should we be? 2. A community of ACCEPTANCE They are all made in the image of God They are all loved by Jesus They could all come to faith in Jesus and be saved by his grace “No Perfect People Allowed!”

What sort of church community should we be? 3. A community of FORGIVENESS Matthew 18 v 21 – 35: The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant “Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” Ephesians 4 v 32 “No Perfect People Allowed!”

What sort of church community should we be? 4. A community of HOLINESS “The grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” Titus 2 v 11 – 12

What sort of church community should we be? 4. A community of HOLINESS Being HOLY means LIVING LIKE JESUS DID “Come as you are … … you won’t stay as you are”

What sort of church community should we be? 5. A community of ACTION Ephesians 2 v 8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast” Ephesians 2 v 10: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” “Workmanship” … “Masterpiece”

What sort of church community should we be? 5. A community of ACTION “We should continue to remember the poor” Galatians 2v10 “Look after orphans and widows” James 1 v 17 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” Mark 16 v 15

Amazing Grace … unexpected good news Have you ever received unexpected good news? God’s grace is good news!

Amazing Grace … unexpected good news God’s church is good news! A community of … … JOY … ACCEPTANCE … FORGIVENESS … HOLINESS … ACTION