WHAT IS GRACE?

GRACE:

* As defined in Websters-a manifestation of favor, esp. by a superior; the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.

* As defined in Hebrew-subjective (kindness, favor) or objective beauty:-favor, gracious, pleasant, precious, well-favored.

* As defined in the Greek-graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.

GRACE IS!

1. Grace is Desperately Needed!

Think about it: WITHOUT GRACE

A. We are under the weight of the whole law for any infraction of the law.

Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

B. Even if we could live perfect from this moment forward, our past sin calls for judgment.

C. The penalty of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)


2. Grace is Absolutely Necessary!

Think about it:

A. We cannot save ourselves.

B. We cannot save anyone else.

C. We cannot purchase, bargain, earn, or merit salvation.

Romans 4:4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

3. Grace is Abundantly Available!

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

Think about it:

A. Where sin abounds grace much more abounds.

Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,

Romans 5:17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

B. Grace saves us when we trust in Jesus and what He has done for us. (Eph.2:8-10)

Acts 15:11 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

C. Grace enables us to do good works.

Acts 20:32 "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.

D. Grace enables us to break sin's power
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

4. Grace is Totally Free!

Think about it:

A. Grace is a gift that is given by God.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Romans 5:15 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.

B. Grace is a gift received by man through Christ.

John 1:16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.
Romans 3:24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

C. Grace is greater than all our sin.

5. Grace is God's Power Given to live Christ's Life.

Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

1 Corinthians 15:10 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.