Grace

Grace - what a broad topic. I think a lot of time we tend to box grace in - in a nice tidy little package that we think about here and there, sing about here and there.  But grace is so much more than that guys.

It’s by grace that we are alive today. It’s by grace that each one of us are able to walk through these doors tonight and worship God.  If we look at grace in this way - that in all things we are doing by the grace of God, that alone is a huge burden off of us - when Jesus stated:

Matthew 11:29-30 (New International Version)

²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I firmly believe that part of this light burden is entering into that grace mentality, where we are covered in the grace of Jesus.

With that foundation, let’s look at two aspects of grace tonight - we could be hear all week looking at grace, so by God’s grace I’m going to just take a few moments to look at these two aspects:

1.) Grace: unmerited favor of God

This aspect of grace, the unmerited favor of God applies to the ultimate gift of grace - the blood of Jesus. And that’s exactly what it is - a gift!

Romans 5:15 (New International Version)

 ¹⁵But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!

Again, grace is a gift from God, that came through Jesus Christ.  This is the amazing grace we sing about. Amazing grace! how sweet the sound. I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see!  The unmerited, undeserved grace of God - to enter into salvation and the family of God as His children - oh how we are found by this!!!

This perspective of grace brings about many things:

-redemption through Jesus’ blood, forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7)

-made alive (Ephesians 2:5)

-salvation (Titus2:11)

-freedom (John 8:36)

This work of grace alone is so significant, it transforms our lives.

2. Grace = Joy?

Let’s look at the perspective of grace as a gift again - If we were given a gift from someone, we would open it and look inside…to find out what it’s all about, right?! Then we should be so thrilled with this gift that we unwrap it to understand truly what it is.  I think sometimes we receive gifts from God and just leave it wrapped and admire it from afar, instead of opening it and diving into what it really is and the power it holds. Let’s get into some of the meanings of this.

The Greek word used many times in the New Testament for grace is charis. This Greek word actually means “that which affords joy, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness.  The word also shares the same root chairo which means to rejoice and be glad - to have joy and thanksgiving.

This is incredible! This is the attitude that should be in us as we live our lives, under the saving grace of Jesus.  Our right response is to bring joy and thanksgiving to our God .

This is grace that we can maintain in the midst of grieving, difficulty, desert season - maintaining a joyful, thankful countenance - that is fully receiving the gift of grace. 

Paul in nearly every letter to the church in closing or opening states “Grace and Peace be to you” - peace is an emotion, a fruit of the Spirit. In this context, the term for grace is that idea of affording joy - thankfulness, looking deeper -  joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. So this idea of grace is planted in us and grown through living according the Holy Spirit.

So in all of this - grace is so much more than something we sing about. From the work of the cross to an attitude of thanks and praise, given the grace to live each day - let us celebrate this amazing gift of God - indeed, it is amazing grace! Let us daily accept the grace God is giving.