1. WHAT IS GRACE?
a) Strongs ~Favour, Thanks, Pleasure~
b) Many Christian’s define Gods grace as unmerited or undeserved favour.
c) We often think of the cross and salvation when talking about grace, but there’s more….
d) Receiving grace should initiate a response of grace/thanks – 2Cor 4:14-15
e) When you receive a gift someone has shown you grace, you respond with “thank you”
2. WHAT HAS GOD GIVEN?
1) Life – Gen 1:26-27, 2:7, Job 33:4.
2) Food to sustain life – Gen 1:29, 2:15-16, 9:1-3, 1Tim 4:1-4. This is why we say a blessing/thanks before our meal.
3) His Words – Deut 8:1-3, John 17:4, Col 1:25. 2Tim 3:16-17 – We live and grow by the word of God which is a gift that he has given.
4) The Spirit – Rom 5:8, 2Cor 1:22, 5:5, 1Thess 4:8…. Acts 2:4, Matt 10:19, (Exo 4:12), 1John 3:24, 4:13.
5) Pleasures and necessities from your labour – Ecc 2:24, 3:12-13, 5:18-20….. not teaching we should try and get rich…. 1Tim 6:10,17-19, (cf Ecc 3:22) 2Cor 4:17-18.
6) Dispensation of Grace – Rom 12:3,15:15, 1Cor 3:10, Gal 2:9, Eph 3:2,7-8.
7) Resurrection – Rom 6:5-8, 1Cor 15:19-23. Resurrection is necessary for eternal life but is not the same – John 11:43-45, 12:19, 1Cor 15:20,23.
8) Eternal life – Rom 6:23, Tit 1:2,3:7.
9) Salvation – Eph 2:5,8-9, 2Tim 1:9, Rom 3:24-26.
10) This is not an exhaustive list. Promised positions north to Israel and the Body of Christ, forgiveness, righteousness, love, hope, etc…
3. OUR RESPONSE TO GODS GRACE
a) Our response is simple…. Thank you – 1Cor 15:57. This is the will of God – 1Thess 5:18
b) Rejoicing – Rom 4:2,11, Phil 4:4, 1Thess 5:16.
c) A desire to serve or show our gratitude for the grace received – 2Cor 5:14-15.