SUB: THE GRACE OF GOD
Intro :1) Grace: its simple definition is unmerited favor.
2) We are about to enter into the various aspects of grace.
1.THE REIGN OF GRACE. ROM 5:21. Note that sin leads to death and grace leads to eternal life.
A. Grace is more powerful than sin. The natural man is captive to the devil 2 Tim 2:26, his only hope is the Lord but he cannot rescue himself from sin. Jer 13:23. He may reform himself but reformation is not regeneration. He may rehabilitate himself but rehabilitation is not regeneration.
B.Grace reigns lawfully because it does not frustrate the law but instead fulfilled the law in Christ Jesus, Who bacame our satisfactory substitute. 1John 2:2.
C. Grace reigns by Jesus Christ our Lord. Christ is not the source but the medium of grace. His power is never ending . Grace is through God's power and since He is omnipotent, his power never never ends and so too, grace never ends.
D. Grace reigns in every phase and step of salvation. Salvation of the believer is an instantaneous act, but God's work of salvation is a process beginning with..
i) His foreknowledge of His people.. remember foreknowledge as an act means " to bestow with favor". and it is all because of Grace
ii) Grace reigns in election. Rom 11:15. Note carefully 2 Thess 2:13. Note Rom 11:5,6.
iii) Grace reigns in predestination. predestination means simply to decree or plan out destiny beforehand. ( Explain the error of double predestination). Note Rom 8:29.
Eph 1:3-6.
iv) Grace reigns in our calling. Rom 8:30. In every scripture the "called" is referred to, it speaks of only believers. It is an effectual call or inward call. (Explain the outward call). Note 2 Tim 1:9 Gal 1:15.
v) Grace reigns in justification. Rom 3:24. In justification, God judicially declares the sinner"Not guilty".
vi) Grace reigns in conversion. 1Pet 2:9,10. 1 Cor 15:10.
vii) Grace reigns in glorification. Rom 8:30. 1 Pet 1:13. 1 John 3:2.
11.THE PROVISIONS OF GRACE. Grace is not only a present provision but also a future. It also reaches far beyond the future into a glorious eternity . It manifests itself to the most filthy and wretched sinner by Christ's acceptance of those who come to Him by Him saving them and also giving them the assurance of eternal life in heaven. Note John 6:37. 1 Tim 1:15.
111. GOD'S GRACE IS MANIFOLD. There is no limit to the grae of God.
i) Sustaining grace for sorrow.
ii) Triumphing grace for temptations.
iii)Persevering grace for discouragements.
iv) Teaching grace for spiritual instructions.
v) Living grace for endurance.
vi) Dying grace for courage and comfort for when death calls.
vii) Prevenient grace, grace of protection and providence even before salvation.
Concl: Whenever preachers teaches salvation by works, they seek to frustrate the grace of God. There's nothing a person can do by themselve to be saved. Repentance and faith are gifts from God. However, everyone has a responsibility to call upon the name of the Lord to be saved.
For those who believe because you are saved by grace you have a liscensce to sin, they perhaps have never been saved. The grace of God encourages to holiness and sanctified living rather than sinfulness and depravity. Be conscious though that there will be times when you do fall into sin. Note Rom 7:15. 1 John 1:9.
