Desert Church of Christ Pahrump, NV We welcome you to our assembly! Our assemblies: Sunday morning Bible study: 10:00 AM Sunday morning worship: 11:00 AM Sunday evening Bible study: 5:00 PM Wednesday Bible Study: 6:00 PM Evangelist: David F. Sims

God’s Abundant Grace “abundant grace was upon them all” Acts 4:33

Grace is a word we sometimes use… – Saying “grace” over a meal (thanksgiving) – Observing a “graceful” ice skater (elegance) – Commenting on a “gracious” host (charm) – Of a person who “graces” us with his presence – In reference to royal person as “Your Grace” – Even use “Grace” as a child’s name – Ancient Greeks used it as a legal term in reference to a judge’s authority to choose how to dispose of a case How does the Bible define and use the word? God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

Shades of Grace Definitions and Demonstrations Please open your Bible & follow along as we explore the meaning of God’s abundant grace! God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

Outline: Shades of Grace – Grace in the Old Testament Definition Uses in the O.T. Examples – Grace in the New Testament Epistles Definition Uses in the N.T. Epistles Examples (Don’t worry…we’ll examine grace in the Gospels in a future lesson!) God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

Hebrew: ḥēn (pronounced: khain) – Kittel’s Theological Dictionary: “the kind turning of one person to another as expressed in an act of assistance” “Does not just denote the kind disposition and then the outer act as something detached from the inner mood. It rather means the attitude of a person in its direction to another in a specific gracious action” – Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies: “A free and spontaneous willingness to bestow good on him that is destitute of it, either in a way of kindness or in a way of compassion; hence, to show favor, mercy, pity, as the act of previous goodwill” – New Bible Dictionary: “It is used of the action of a superior, human or divine, to an inferior. It speaks of undeserved favor….” God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33 Kindness expressed in action The action reveals the specific attitude…a thoughtful gift!

Uses in the Old Testament – Describes both the kind action of God and the divine motive behind each action…the motive and action are inseparable (Ex. 33:18) – In God’s grace, it is God’s kind motive that kindly acts. Motive precedes action, and is not predicated on the receiver’s merit. – Usually translated “favor” or “grace” in the OT “Noah found favor in the eyes of the L ORD ” (Gen. 6:8; NASB) “grace has been shown from the L ORD ” (Ezra 9:8; NASB) Hebrew: ḥānan (pronounced: khaw-nan) – Gracious: a generous response to a need or request – Descriptive of God’s benevolent and condescending nature – “God has dealt graciously with me” (Gen. 33:11) – “Be gracious to us, O L ORD, be gracious to us” (Ps. 123:3) God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

Old Testament Examples of Favor – Favor between men Joseph found favor with Potiphar (Gen. 39:4) – promotion! Ruth found favor from Boaz (Ruth 2:8-13) – benevolence! Esther found favor from the king (Est. 5:2) – mercy! – Favor from God to men Abraham found favor in God’s sight (Gen. 18:1-3) – a child! Lot found favor in God’s sight (Gen. 19:18-22) – spared his life! Moses found favor in God’s sight (Ex. 33:13-17) – appearance! – Notice that the gifts of favor were freely given, not because of compulsion, obligation, or the merit of the receiver. – The O.T. prophets inquired of the coming grace (1 Pet. 1:10) God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

Greek: charis (pronounced khar-iss) – Kittel’s Theological Dictionary: favor, goodpleasure; demonstration of a ruler’s favor – Strong’s Dictionary: the state of kindness and favor toward someone, often with a focus on a benefit given to the object – B.,A.,&G.’s Greek-English Lexicon: the gracious intention of God; practical application of goodwill, a sign of favor – Common definition: “unmerited favor” Greek: charisma (a gift freely given) God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

“Grace” is used in several ways in the N.T.: – It is given to each Christian (Eph. 4:7) – Its presence (fruit, effect) can be observed (Acts 11:23) – It is a state in which one should continue (Acts 13:43; Heb. 12:15) – It is revealed in the Gospel (Acts 20:24,32) – We are saved by God’s grace (Acts 15:11) – We are justified by God’s grace (Rom. 3:24) – It is free gift through Jesus’ sacrifice (Rom. 5:15) – It requires our faith (Rom. 4:16; 5:1-2; Eph. 2:8 ) – Key to forgiveness of sin (Eph. 1:7) – Of roles in the church (Eph. 4:7,11-12) – Our conduct & speech (2 Cor. 1:12; Eph. 4:29) – In benevolence (2 Cor. 8:1-4,7) – Of miraculous powers/non-miraculous talents (Rom. 12:6-8) God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

Examples of grace in the N.T. Epistles – Stephen “full of grace” (Acts 6:8) – “By the grace of God, I am what I am” (1 Cor. 15:10) – “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Cor. 12:9) – Grace given to Paul (Gal. 2:9) – Some believers had fallen from grace (Gal. 5:4) – Grace brings salvation to all of us (Tit. 3:11) God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

The meaning of grace: God’s unmerited favor 1.Unmerited: we don’t deserve it, can’t earn it…He chooses to give it by His Own kind motive and intention. 2.Favor: God’s regard for us, demonstrated in His kind actions toward us, particularly for our salvation For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age (Titus 2:11-12) God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

Summary – Grace in the Old Testament Definition: God’s kindness expressed in kind actions to men Uses: God’s many gracious dealings with mankind Examples: Noah, Abraham, Moses, many more – Grace in the New Testament Epistles Definition: God’s favor, which we do not deserve, manifested primarily in the sacrifice of Jesus, and in other gifts Uses: salvation, spiritual blessings, roles, gospel, et al. Examples: Stephen, Paul, churches…even us today! God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

Would you like to receive God’s grace today? Believe His Word…that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for our sins and was raised up. Repent of your sins…commit yourself to holiness. Confess Jesus as your Savior. Be baptized into Jesus for forgiveness of your sins. Continue in the blessed relationship of His favor by remaining faithful in holy conduct. God’s abundant grace can be upon you today! God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

God’s Abundant Grace “abundant grace was upon them all” Acts 4:33