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Grace
Salvation
by Grace
An
Indian and a white man were deeply moved by the same sermon. That very night
the Indian received the Savior
but for days the white man refused to accept
Christ. At last he too repented and
enjoyed the sweet peace of having his sins forgiven. Later he asked the Indian
"Why did
it take me so long
while you responded right away?" "My brother
" he replied
"I can best explain it by this little story: At one time a rich prince wished to give
each of us a new coat. You shook
your head and replied
'I don't think so; mine looks good enough.' When he made the same offer to me
I
looked at my old blanket and said
'This is good for nothing
' and I gratefully
accepted the beautiful garment. You
wouldn't give up your own righteousness.
But knowing I had no goodness of my own
I immediately received the Lord
Jesus Christ and His righteousness." ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Salvation
by Grace
It's
Maundy Thursday
1990 and thousands of Philippinos are re-enacting the last
agony of Jesus. Barefoot
over the
hot stone streets in scorching sun
they are dragging heavy wooden crosses
flogging their bare backs bloody with glass-studded whips
grizzly Lenten
rituals in which at least a dozen people will be nailed to crosses
seeking
through pain and suffering
redemption.
It is tradition
so in a Moslem shrine in Bangledesh
a woman worshipper
offering prayers extended her arms toward one of the crocodiles which live
there; it bit off her hand and swallowed it.
People continue to do so many odd
self-humiliating acts
not understanding how to just receive the free gift of
eternal life. Praise God
Jesus paid it all! -- Associated Press
Grace
The believers who seeks to live the
Christian life through self-effort is like the man who
in attempting to sail
across the Atlantic Ocean
found his boat becalmed for days. Finally
frustrated by his lack of progress
he tried to make his stalled boat move by
pushing against the mast. Through strenuous efforts
he succeeded in making the
boat rock and so created a few small waves on the otherwise smooth sea. Seeing
the waves and feeling the rocking of the boat
he assumed that he was making
progress and so continued his efforts. Of course
although he exerted himself a
great deal
he actually got nowhere.
So it is in the Christian life. The
source of the Christian’s strength lies in God’s grace
not in exertions of
will-power
or in efforts of discipline
or any other self-effort. ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Common Grace
If you offered to give one dollar to a
man whom you knew needed one hundred dollars and if he rejected your one dollar
gift
you would doubtless consider his refusal sufficient grounds for declining
to give him further assistance. If
on the other hand
the needy man accepted
the one dollar gift gratefully
you might try to give him more. The dollar
would be insufficient to meet his need
but if refused it would be sufficient
to condemn him. That dollar is like common grace which is not able to save but
which is able to condemn
if rejected.— Charles C. Ryrie
Example of Grace
An old Indian
after living many years
in sin
was led to Christ by a missionary. Friends asked him to explain the
change in his life. Reaching down
he picked up a little worm and placed it on
a pile of leaves. Then
touching a match to the leaves
he watched them smolder
and burst into flames. As the flames worked their way up to the center where
the worm lay
the old chief suddenly plunged his hand into the center of the
burning pile and snatched out the worm. Holding the worm gently in his hand
he
gave this testimony to the grace of God: “Me…that worm!” ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Example of Grace
During the Spanish-American War
Theodore Roosevelt came to Clara Barton of the Red Cross to buy some supplies
for his sick and wounded men. His request was refused.
“Just ask for them
Colonel
” said
Barton.
“Oh
” said Roosevelt
“then I do ask
for them.” He got them at once through grace
not through purchase. ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Example of Grace
Dr. H. A. Ironside in his book 《In the Heavenlies》tells the story of an
attempted assassination of the first Queen Elizabeth of
The would-be assassin realized that
her case
humanly speaking
was hopeless. She threw herself down on her knees
and pleaded and begged the queen as a woman to have compassion on her
a woman
and to show her grace. Queen Elizabeth looked at her coldly and quietly said
“If I show you grace
what promise will you make for the future?” The woman
looked up and said
“Grace that hath conditions
grace that is fettered by
precautions
is not grace at all.” Queen Elizabeth caught the idea in a moment
and said
“You are right; I pardon you of my grace.” And they led her away
a
free woman.
History tells us that from that moment
Queen Elizabeth had no more faithful
devoted servant than that woman who had
intended to take her life. That is exactly the way the grace of God works in
the life of an individual—he or she becomes a faithful servant of God. ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
False Grace
An elderly woman was standing in the
checkout line ready to pay for her merchandise: a quart of milk and a loaf of
bread. She opened her purse. No money was there
neither was her checkbook. As
she was about ask the clerk to put her things back
suddenly a gentle voice
said
“It looks like that is your lunch.” A gentleman was standing right behind
her
smiling. “Don’t worry
” he continued. “Today I want to treat you. Take
your things with you.” Then the man paid for her merchandise and his own. A
week passed by
and the woman came back to the store. The checker knew about
the incident and recognized her. She approached the woman and whispered
“Ma’am
maybe you’d be interested to know. That gentleman’s check—it bounced!” ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Grace vs. Justice and Mercy
Grace is getting what we do
not deserve.
Justice
is getting what we do deserve.
Mercy
is not getting what we do deserve.
──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Grace and Law
An Indian pastor in
Oklahoma was going to a pastors’ conference. He went to the train station and
caught a train to a mansion where the conference was being held. The theme of
the conference was “Law and Grace.” The Indian pastor listened intently to the
lengthy theological discussions and arguments presented by each seminar leader.
Finally
in a group-discussion period
he said
“It seems to me the train
station we all came in at demonstrates law
and this house we are meeting in
grace. At the station was a sign ‘Do not spit
’ yet the men there did. Here
there is no sign
yet no one spits. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Grace and Law
The Law says
“Do this and
live.” It commands but gives us neither feet nor hands.
Grace bids us to fly and
gives us wings. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
While attending Wheaton
College
one of my roommates
Kimberly Long (Wyckoff)
and I would sing
"His Loving Kindness" while we walked the six blocks to campus in the
morning. In the evenings when we walked home
we sang heartily
"Great Is
Thy Faithfulness." The idea came to us from Psalm 92:2: "To show
forth thy loving kindness in the morning
and thy faithfulness every
night."
Ruth Bell Graham
Prodigals
and Those Who Love Them
1991
Focus on the Family Publishing
p. 104.
During the building of the
Golden Gate Bridge over San Francisco Bay
construction fell badly behind
schedule because several workers had accidentally fallen from the scaffolding
to their deaths. Engineers and administrators could find no solution to the
costly delays. Finally
someone suggested a gigantic net be hung under the
bridge to catch any who fell. Finally in spite of the enormous cost
the
engineers opted for the net. After it was installed
progress was hardly
interrupted. A worker or two fell into the net but were saved. Ultimately
all
the time lost to fear was regained by replacing fear with faith in the net. As
we paid nothing for God's eternal love and nothing for the Son of His love
and
nothing for His Spirit and our grace and faith
and nothing for our eternal
rest...What an astonishing thought it will be to think of the unmeasurable
difference between our deservings and our receivings. O
how free was all this
love
and how free is this enjoyed glory...So then let "Deserved" be
written on the floor of hell but on the door of heaven and life.
Richard Baxter
The Free
Gift.
You're worried about
permissiveness--about the way the preaching of grace seems to say it's okay to
do all kinds of terrible things as long as you just walk in afterward and take
the free gift of God's forgiveness. . .While you and I may be worried about
seeming to give permission
Jesus apparently wasn't. He wasn't afraid of giving
the prodigal son a kiss instead of a lecture
a party instead of probation; and
he proved that by bringing in the elder brother at the end of the story and
having him raise pretty much the same objections you do. He's angry about the
party. He complains that his father is lowering standards and ignoring
virtue--that music
dancing
and a fatted calf are
in effect
just so many
permissions to break the law. And to that
Jesus has the father say only one
thing: "Cut that out! We're not playing good boys and bad boys any more.
Your brother was dead and he's alive again. The name of the game from now on is
resurrection
not bookkeeping.
Robert Farrar Capon
Between
Noon and Three.
When a person works an
eight-hour day and receives a fair day's pay for his time
that is a wage. When
a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for his performance
that is a prize. When a person receives appropriate recognition for his long
service or high achievements
that is an award. But when a person is not
capable of earning a wage
can win no prize
and deserves no award--yet
receives such a gift anyway--that is a good picture of God's unmerited favor.
This is what we mean when we talk about the grace of God.
G.W. Knight
Clip-Art
Features for Church Newsletters
p. 53.
ALL
GRACE.
Ⅰ. God is able
to make all Saving Grace to abound toward us
in its sufficiency to deliver us
at all points. “ God is able to make all grace abound towards you “ (2 Cor.9:8).
Ⅱ. All
Sanctifying Grace in its hallowing all our being. “Seen the grace of God ……exhorted them all
that with purpose of heart” ( Acts 11:23).
Ⅲ. All
strengthening Grace in its empowering us to delight in suffering. “ My grace is
sufficient for thee……I glory in mine infirmities
” (2 Cor.12:9).
Ⅳ. All
Sustaining Grace to uphold us at all times. “ God is able to make all frace
abound…always” (2 Cor.98).
Ⅴ. All
Stablishing Grace in making us steadfast. “ It is a good thing that the heart
be established with grace ” ( Heb.13:9).
Ⅵ. All Serving
Grace to enable us to minister. “ And His grace which was bestowed upon me was
not in vain; but I laboured ” (1.Cor.15:10).
Ⅶ. All
Supplying Grace to meet every need. “ And of His fullness have all we received
and grace for grace” (John 1:16).
──
F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
GRACE.
Ⅰ. The grace that is in
Christ Jesus is a saving grace. “ By grace ye are saved” (Eph.2:5).
Ⅱ. The grace that is in
Christ Jesus is a sufficient grace. “ My grace is sufficient for thee” (11.
Cor.12:9).
Ⅲ. The grace that is in
Christ Jesus is a stimulating grace. “ By the grace of God I am what I am” (1.
Cor.15:10).
Ⅳ. The grace that is in
Christ Jesus is a serving grace. “Let us have grace whereby we may serve God
acceptably” (Heb.12:28).
Ⅴ. The grace that is in
Christ Jesus is a stablishing grace. “ It is a good thing that the heart be
established with grace” (Hebrews 13:9).
Ⅵ. The grace that is in
Christ Jesus is a sacrificing grace. “ Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ
that
though He was rich
yet for your sakes He because poor” (11.
Cor.8:9)
Ⅶ. The grace that is in
Christ Jesus is a supplying grace. “ Of His fullness have all we received
and
grace for grace” (John 1:16).
──
F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
GRACE.
Ⅰ. Justified grace. “ Justified freely by His grace” (Rom.3:24).
Ⅱ. Standing in grace. “ This grace wherein we stand” (Rom.5:2).
Ⅲ. Saved by grace. “ By grace ye are saved” (Eph.2:5).
Ⅳ. Elected by grace. “ A remnant according to the election of grace”
(Rom.11:5).
Ⅴ. Strengthened by grace. “ My grace is sufficient……My strength is
made perfect” (11. Cor.12:9).
Ⅵ. Working by grace. “ I laboured……yet not I
but the grace of God”
(1. Cor.15:10).
Ⅶ. Growing in grace. “ Grow in grace” (11. Peter 3:18).
──
F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
“ I WILLS” OF GRACE.
God’s
action is grace is seen in the Gospel. Under the law it was “ Thou shalt
” but
under grace it is “ I WILL.” The following seven “ I wills” of the New
Testament illustrate the action of grace:--
Ⅰ. The “ I will” of forgiveness
(Heb.10:17).
Ⅱ. The “ I will” of cleansing (Mark
1:41).
Ⅲ. The “ I will” of rest (Matt.11:28).
Ⅳ. The “ I will” of security
(John11:37).
Ⅴ. The “ I will” of impression
(Heb.10:16).
Ⅵ. The “ I will” of service
(Matt.4:19).
Ⅶ. The “ I will” of indwelling （11.Cor.6:16）.
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
"GRACE AND THE CHRISTIAN"
INTRODUCTION
1. There is a word that conveys wonderful hope and comfort to the Christian... a. The word is "grace" b. It is a word that Paul loved to use 1) Every epistle that he wrote (with the possible exception of Hebrews)
begins and ends with mention of this word 2) E.g.
1 Th 1:1; 5:28 2. What does this word actually mean? a. How is it used in the N. T. scriptures? b. What important things should we keep in mind concerning "grace"? [In this study
we shall spend a few moments focusing our attention onthis wonderful word
and its relationship to the Christian. Let's begin by noticing..] I. THE DEFINITION OF "GRACE"
A. THAT WHICH GIVES JOY
PLEASURE
DELIGHT... 1. This is the original idea of the Greek word "charis" 2. It is used in the N.T. in this way in reference to SPEECH... a. The words of Jesus were spoken with grace - Lk 4:22 b. The words of the Christian are to impart grace to the hearers - Ep 4::29; Co 4:6 B. GOOD-WILL
LOVINGKINDNESS
FAVOR... 1. In this way
it is used ... a. Of the kindness of a master towards his inferiors or servants b. And especially of God towards men 2. THAYER points out that: a. "CHARIS contains the idea of kindness which bestows upon one what he has not deserved."
b. "The NT writers use CHARIS preeminently of that kindness by which God bestows favors even upon the ill-deserving
and grants to sinners the pardon of their offenses
and bids them accept of eternal salvation through Christ." - e.g.
Ep 2:5
3. It is this particular definition of grace that prompts us to think of it most often as "unmerited favor" C. A SPIRITUAL STATE 1. When one accepts God's grace
they are in a "state of grace" 2. Cf. Ro 5:1-2; 1 Pe 5:12 D. AN EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE FOR FAVOR BESTOWED... 1. E.g.
1 Ti 1:12 where the English word is "thank" ("I thank Jesus Christ...")
2. This is what is meant when people ask someone to "say grace" before eating a meal [Such are the main ways the word GRACE is used in the NT. In connectionwith this word
there are some things that Christians should always keep in mind...] II. GRACE AND THE CHRISTIAN
A. WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE! 1. Salvation is first
foremost
and always a matter of grace! - Ep 2:5-8 a. God doesn't owe us anything b. What we deserve is eternal damnation
because all are sinners - Ro 3:23; 6:23a c. Salvation is a gift
which God in lovingkindness offers to man - Ro 6:23b; Ti 3:3-7 2. No matter what God may call upon us to do in order to receive His grace
when we do those things (cf. believe
repent
confess Jesus
be baptized)... a. In no way can we ever say that we earn or merit salvation b. We are still "unworthy servants" - cf. Lk 17:10 3. We must forever remember that only by God's grace is salvation possible! B. GOD'S GRACE REQUIRES HOLY LIVING! 1. Some people reason that since we are saved by grace
we are free to do whatever we wish 2. Yet Paul wrote that the "grace of God...teaches us" to: a. Deny ungodliness and worldly lusts b. Live soberly
righteously and godly c. Look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of Jesus Christ - cf. Ti 2:11-13 3. As he continues
Paul explain why Jesus in grace gave Himself for us... a. That He might redeem us from every lawless deed b. That He might purify for Himself His own special people
zealous for good works - cf. Ti 2:14 4. The unmerited favor of God is no excuse to go on sinning! C. HOLY LIVING REQUIRES GOD'S GRACE! 1. To live "soberly
righteously and godly" requires the grace of God 2. We cannot do it on our own
but with God's help we can! a. He works in us to do His good will - Ph 2:12-13 b. By His strength we can do all the things He desires of us - Ph 4:13 D. WE MUST GROW IN GRACE! 1. This is especially true if we are going to live holy lives 2. Peter commands us to grow in grace - cf. 2 Pe 3:18 3. Dear brother or sister
it is not enough just to experience God's grace in forgiving our sins a. God has so much more to share with us
both in this life and the life to come - Ep 2:7 b. This explains Paul's salutations and benedictions - cf. 1 Th 1:1; 5:28 4. We can grow in grace through: a. Heeding the Word of God - Ac 20:32 b. Drawing near to God in prayer - He 4:16 E. WE CAN RECEIVE GOD'S GRACE IN VAIN! 1. Paul pleaded with the Corinthians that they might not receive God's grace in vain - 2 Co 6:1 2. Having received God's grace
it is possible for it to have been in vain! a. By seeking justification for sin elsewhere - Ga 5:4 1) In the immediate context
Paul has reference to the Law of Moses 2) But if we seek to be justified by any system of salvation by works alone
we will fall from grace! b. By using God's grace as an excuse for licentiousness - Ju 4 1) Some were using grace as an excuse for shameless behavior 2) And yet we have seen that God's grace requires holy living - 2 Ti 2:11-14 c. By willful and impenitent sinning
thereby despising the Spirit of grace - cf. He 10:26-31 1) For such a person there no longer remains a sacrifice of sin! 2) Only a fearful expectation of judgment 3) Why? Because through such willful and impenitent sin one... a) Tramples the Son of God underfoot b) Counts the blood of the covenant (i.e.
Jesus' blood) by which he was sanctified (i.e.
saved) a common thing c) Insults the Spirit of grace CONCLUSION
1. What a terrible thing it would be
to have received God's grace in vain! a. To have received God's grace at one point b. But then to make it all vain (useless) 2. But it is just as terrible... a. Not to receive it all! b. Or having received it
not to grow in it! 3. So I encourage you all
in the words of the writer of Hebrews: "look(ing) diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace ofGod." - He 12:15
"let us have grace
by which we may serve God acceptably withreverence and godly fear." - He 12:28
"For it is good that the heart be established by grace..." - He 13:9
"Grace be with you all. Amen" - He 13:25 Have you received the wonderful grace of God in your life?
－－《Executable
Outlines》