The Amazing Grace Of God ä In teaching what was necessary to be pleasing to the Lord, Paul would always return his readers minds back to certain basics of the gospel. In 1 Cor 15:1-10, he refers to some of these again, but also makes reference to the post-resurrection appearances of Christ, including the appearance to himself. He refers to this appearance "as one born out of due time," then says that God's Grace is that which has made him what he is. 1

The Amazing Grace Of God ä By the same token, it is God’s grace that allows me to be what I am and you are what you are. God has favored us exceedingly, allowing us to learn, to love and to obey the truth. How determined we ought to be to spread this favor. 2

The Amazing Grace Of God ä The Word Itself ä Greek for grace = "charis” ä Always has the idea of "favor;" even of "unmerited favor" - Lk 2:52; 2 Cor 8:1- 4 3

The Amazing Grace Of God 4 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 2 Cor 8:1-4 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Lk 2:52

The Amazing Grace Of God ä The Word Itself ä Greek for grace = "charis” ä Always has the idea of "favor;" even of "unmerited favor" - Lk 2:52; 2 Cor 8:1- 4 ä Akin to our English word “charity” ä Generally, word "grace" refers to love of God as it relates to man's salvation through Christ. 5

The Amazing Grace Of God ä Basis Of Grace - Gen 1-3 ä God prepared Eden for man's dwelling ä Gave Adam and Eve privileges...and restrictions ä They violated God's Law, broke the contract, and thus God no longer obligated to man. ä But God loved man and Grace was provided for redemption. ä Salvation by Grace is the plan God provided, even though not obligated in the least. 6

The Amazing Grace Of God ä Source Of Grace ä God is the source of Grace ä Bible speaks often of the "grace of God" - 23 times phrase is found ä He is source of every good gift - Jas 1:17 ä God made man that He might love man - Jn 3:16; Rom 5:8; 8: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Jas 1:17

The Amazing Grace Of God 8 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Jn 3:16 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5:8 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:35-39

The Amazing Grace Of God ä Source Of Grace ä God is the source of Grace ä Bible speaks often of the "grace of God" - 23 times phrase is found ä He is source of every good gift - Jas 1:17 ä God made man that He might love man - Jn 3:16; Rom 5:8; 8:35-39 ä Poem: F.M. Lehman "The Love of God" #608 ä Magnificent love God grants us grace 9

The Amazing Grace Of God ä Need For Grace ä Need expressed clearly - Rom 5:12 ä Bible is addressed to those accountable; those capable of understanding its words of Truth. ä When an accountable person violates just one of God's laws, he becomes a sinner - 1 Jn 3:4 ä All accountable people do - Rom 3:23; 1 Jn 1: Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned Rom 5:12 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 1 Jn 3:4

The Amazing Grace Of God 11 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Rom 3:23 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 Jn 1:8-10

The Amazing Grace Of God ä Need For Grace ä Need expressed clearly - Rom 5:12 ä Bible is addressed to those accountable; those capable of understanding its words of Truth. ä When an accountable person violates just one of God's laws, he becomes a sinner - 1 Jn 3:4 ä All accountable people do - Rom 3:23; 1 Jn 1:8- 10 ä Because men are lost in sin, God extended His wonderful Grace. 12

The Amazing Grace Of God ä The Medium ä The medium through whom God extends His grace is Jesus Christ - Jn 1:17; 2 Cor 8:9; Rom 5:15 13

The Amazing Grace Of God ä What God's Grace Does ä Provides salvation - Rom 3:21-24; Tit 2:11 ä No way we can be saved without grace 14 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Rom 3:21-24 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, Tit 2:11

The Amazing Grace Of God ä What God's Grace Does ä Provides His Word - Act 20:32 ä God's grace has allowed the Bible to be written and preserved 15 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. Acts 20:32

The Amazing Grace Of God ä What God's Grace Does ä Demands a life of service - 1 Cor 15:10; Gal 2:20-21; Tit 2:11-12; Eph 2:8-10 ä When we realize the extent of His grace ä Could we really offer Him anything less? 16 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Cor 15:10 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain. Gal 2:20-21 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, Tit 2:11-12 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Eph 2:8-10

The Amazing Grace Of God ä What God's Grace Does ä Is completely sufficient - Rom 5:15 17 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. Rom 5:15

The Amazing Grace Of God ä Grace Does Not Mean ä All will be saved. ä Bible teaches some (most) will be lost - Matt 7:13-14 ä God's grace only provides salvation for all, not saves all ä That one can be saved without obedience - Heb 5:8-9; 2 Thess 1: Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matt 7:13-14

The Amazing Grace Of God 19 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who “OBEY” Him, Heb 5:8-9 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 2 Thess 1:7-9

The Amazing Grace Of God ä God's grace does not mean God was obligated to man. But God still loves us even though we sin, and has provided a way to be freed from that sin and saved. ä Can you say that God's Amazing Grace was not given you in vain? 20