By grace
Speaker: Dr/Pastor Gordon Lee (Hillsong elder/Chinese Extension Services pastor/Principal of Dr Gordon Lee Surgery and full time General Practitioner)
Sermon
recording:
http://www.1503.org.au/download_files/sermons/SS_N_2016_03_06.m4a
Introduction:
Unmerited favour from God.
Grace is being blessed when we don’t
deserve it and Mercy is doing away the punishment we deserve.
Grace
vs works
“And if by grace, then it
cannot be based on works; if
it were, grace would no longer be grace.”
Romans 11:6 NIV
I was a blasphemer, immoral; arrogant; nasty
and definitely not because of all these I was saved.
“For it is by grace you
have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift
of God—”
Ephesians 2:8 NIV
Without this gift of Jesus, I probably
wrecked my marriage, business, relationship with my children and friends. All I
did when I was 25 was saying a prayer if Jesus were God, I will commit my life
to Him. Immediately, Jesus opened a new way of life- peace and joy in the Holy
Spirit, not giving me immediately what I was looking for at the time-purpose of
life, but the immense presence and love of Jesus and then His purpose for me
started to unfold. Faith in Jesus is not a magic wand to get what we want but the
personal relationship with Jesus that surpass anything else.
Source
of grace: Only Jesus
“But 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!”
Romans 5:15 NIV
“and all are justified
freely by his grace through the redemption
that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:24 NIV
Mercy of God demonstrated. The guilty
became not guilty.
Rich
inheritance
1.
“so that,
having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:7 NIV
Heirs- God’s sons and
daughters; inherit everything that God has; royal family. Give us identity when
we have no identity-my inferiority. Give me a status when I had none. That’s
why apostle Paul was so confident to say I am what I am….
2.
“But by the grace of
God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of
them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”
1
Corinthians 15:10 NIV
Empowering, persevere,
patience-all the fruits of the Spirit at work. Because Jesus said when I go
back to the Father, I will give you a helper, the Holy Spirit.
3.
“Out of his fullness we have all
received grace in place of grace already given.” John 1:16 NIV
Unlimited resources and
grace. Run the race God wants you to and the back up is unlimited.
I started with leading a cell group, then Asian ministry,
then Chinese service. As you step up, another level of grace is available to
you.
4.
“With great power the apostles
continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was
so powerfully at work in them all” Acts 4:33
Supernatural operates
through us.
5.
“We have different
gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is
prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;” Romans 12:6 NIV
You are gifted, don’t tell
me you are not gifted.
You may not have discovered it yet, but as you
take the first step, God is right there to show you your gift. We are saved and
called to serve. God does not call us to intellectual exercise over His Word,
but to serve others with our gifts.
6.
“He has saved
us and called us to a holy life—not
because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This
grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,”2 Timothy 1:9
When we know we are so
loved by God, we will naturally start to do things that please Him.
Holy life is not a perfect
life, but a life lean on God, and a teachable heart.
7.
“But he said
to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast
all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on
me.”2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
So often we think we are no
good-this verse is for you so that no one can boast-His power will be
outstanding in your weakness.
Who
can receive this grace?
“Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be
by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who
are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the
father of us all.”
Romans 4:16 NIV
Our
response to this grace
1.
Surely you
have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for
you, Ephesians 3:2 NIV
Administration for others
2.
“For sin
shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but
under grace.” Romans 6:14 NIV
The most powerful force is
love. Because we love someone, we will do everything for the person. How much
you do for a person depends on how much you love that person. The more I love
Jesus, the less I will sin.
3.
“Let your conversation
be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer
everyone.” Colossians 4:6 NIV
Out of the heart the mouth
speaks. When I heart is melted by grace, our words will be full of
grace-compassion, empathy; forgiveness; encouragement, trust; patience;
4.
“Let us then approach
God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and
find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Pray big prayers.
5.
“From Attalia
they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace
of God for the work they had now completed.” Acts 14:26 NIV
Whatever we do, we committed
our work to the grace of God.
6.
“Each of you
should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful
stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”1 Peter 4:10 NIV
Are you gifted? Use it for
others.
You think you are not
gifted? Still serve others, then your gift will surface.
7.
“But grow
in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory
both now and forever! Amen.”2 Peter 3:18 NIV
Need to grow in grace, trust
God for more and more things and expand your territory and influence.
3
Questions for discussion in cell group:
1.
Share 1 example of your
experience of grace in your Christian walk.
2.
What is 1 thing you are
planning to do that is out of your own depth?
3.
What is your practical response
to the grace of God from this day onward?
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