Title: Wonderful Grace

Text: Jn 1:14-17

Date: 3-26-06.am

What is Grace? - Grace means God deals with people on the basis of His goodness not on the basis of merit or worthiness. Grace is part of God’s nature because it is an aspect of His divine love.

Two types of grace

         Common Grace - given to all humanity which makes living in this world possible.

         Imagine for a moment the worst things you can think of in society. We constantly read in newspapers, magazines and books of the problem of our growing prison population throughout the United States it is continually climbing. It’s been a major issue here in Nebraska for several years. But imagine if there were no prisons, all of the prison population turned loose in society and no law enforcement to keep things in check and imagine that as the norm of society. No restraints, no morality, sin and misery abounding. That’s what this world would be without the common grace of God. If you want to further see what that would be like look at the book of revelation beginning in chapter 4 when God’s grace is replaced by God’s wrath and judgement.

         Special Grace -

                  a. Saving grace - through Jesus Christ

Jn 1:14-17

Eph 1:7-8

Eph 2:5, 8-9

Faith is the leaning of your entire human personality on Jesus Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, His wisdom, and His goodness, then acting accordingly.

Rom 3:24-26

Rom 5:15-17

When we say grace is an attribute of God it is also important to understand saving grace is not something but someone. The Bible says God is Love and grace is part of love and the love of God is manifest in the person of Jesus Christ.

                  b. Sanctifying grace - through the Holy Spirit

SANCTIFICATION - The process of God's grace by which the believer is separated from sin and becomes dedicated to God's righteousness.

Spirit of holiness Rom 1:5

Spirit of Life Rom 8:2, 11; 2 Cor 3:6

Spirit of Grace Heb 10:29

The Spirit is the agent of salvation Jn 16:8

His Love is poured out Rom 5:5

God provides us with Gal 3:5 @ salvation

Seals us with Eph 4:30; 2 Cor 1:22, 5:5

Walk (live)by the Spirit Gal 5:16

Spirit indwells and empowers us John 14:17; 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19

Spirit teaches and guides John 14:26, 16:13

Spirit intercedes in prayer Rom 8:26-27

Spirit gives for service for building up the body of Christ 1 Cor 12:4