Scripture Reading: John 1:14-18
The Grace of Christ
Things Concerning Christ (#5)
Intro.
1. Jesus Christ is “full of grace and truth”, Jno. 1:14.
a. Cannot separate grace from truth, vice versa, 1:17.
b. Abundant grace in Christ, Jno. 1:16 (cf. Rom. 5:20-21); Eph. 1:7-8.
2. To be “strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” we must know it, trust it and be thankful for it, 2 Tim. 2:1; 2 Pet. 3:18.
I. DEFINING GRACE: WHAT IT IS.
A. Divine Favor, Unmerited by Man, yet Freely Offered by God.
1. God’s plan of redemption is His great expression of grace, Eph. 1:4-7.
2. Offered to all, Titus 2:11 (1 Tim. 2:4); Heb. 2:9
B. Sinners Access God’s Grace by Faith, Rom. 5:1-2; Eph. 2:8.
1. The gospel gives access to salvation by grace, through faith, Rom. 1:16-17. Example: Acts 15:8-11
a. The “gospel of the grace of God”, Acts 20:24 (32).
b. The gospel calls sinners into grace, Gal. 1:6; cf. Act 13:38.
C. By Definition, God’s Grace is not Earned.
1. Grace cannot coexist with works to merit salvation, Rom. 11:5-6; 4:1-5.
2. But, grace and works of faith do coexist, Gal. 5:4-7; 1 Cor. 15:10.
II. THE GRACE OF GOD...
A. Saves Sinners, Eph. 2:4-9.
1. By grace: the source, the gift of mercy and love.
2. Through faith: the sinner’s faith, produced by the gospel.
3. Not of yourselves; Salvation is God’s gift (charis, cf. 1 Cor. 16:3).
B. Justifies the Guilty, Rom. 3:23-24 (Tit. 3:7).
1. Condition: Through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
2. Access into grace through faith (not the law of Moses), Rom. 5:2.
C. Makes Us Accepted in the Beloved (the Son), Eph. 1:6.
1. Only in Christ is grace bestowed; by God’s grace we are made gracious!
a. Accepted (charitoo): To make graceful, agreeable, lovely; to honor with blessings.
b. By Christ (grace) we are encompassed with favor (1:3).
2. Conversion: Grace applied and blessings bestowed, Tit. 3:4-7.
III. WHAT THE GRACE OF GOD DOES NOT DO.
A. Grace does not make it Impossible for Christians to Sin and Fall Away (to be lost), Gal. 5:3-7 (1:6-9).
1. Grace is greater than sin, yet it does not prevent Christians from choosing to sin and losing their souls, Jas. 5:19-20.
2. Trusting in God’s grace means keeping oneself from sin.
3. Trusting God’s grace is not ignoring sin, as if sin has no power to cause you to be lost, 1 Cor. 10:11-13.
B. Grace does not Turn Sin into Righteousness, Rom. 6:1-2.
1. Trusting in God’s grace means you make a choice that sin will not reign over you, Rom. 6:12-14; Gal. 2:18.
2. Grace does not...
a. Turn vain worship into true worship (as if how we worship does not matter), cf. Lev. 10:1-2 (Jno. 4:24).
b. Turn immorality into purity (as long as we are sincere), cf. Unscriptural divorce and remarriage without repentance and ceasing the sins, 2 Cor. 12:20-21.
c. Turn error into truth (word of His grace is true, Acts 20:32); Gal. 2:20-21.
C. Grace does not Sanction Fellowship with Sin or with those who Condone the Practitioners of Sin.
1. The heart is established (founded upon) grace; not upon false doctrines that bind where the Lord has not bound, Heb. 13:9.
2. Nor is grace extended to those who loose where the Lord has not loosed (going beyond the doctrine of Christ forfeits God’s grace), 2 Jno. 9.
3. Those who stand in the grace of God will not have fellowship with those who go beyond the doctrine of Christ, 2 Jno. 10-11.
Conclusion
1. God’s grace does not and will not save you in spite of your sins.
2. God’s grace has appeared and offers salvation to every sinner.
3. The gospel of grace calls the lost to be saved by grace through faith. Obey the Master and be saved, Heb. 5:8-9.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: September 5, 2014