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Introduction: Grace is best understood when looking back on
what God has done. Grace is a gift from God and can only be described as
AMAZING. How can sinful man have a real relationship with Holy God? It is
only by his AMAZING GRACE. I.
THE GREAT 0FFER OF
GRACE (VV.1-5) What
motivated God to make this great offer?
A.
Man’s Condition (vv.1-3) The
Helpless and Hopeless condition of man - Dead
= Incapable of response. (Body Soul Spirit) (v.1) Because of this
condition notice lost man's position:
·
The un-saved are
Directed by the world. (2a) Described in three words: o
HUMANISM (Man is
sufficient in himself.) o
MATERIALISM
(Things sustain us.) o
SENSUALISM
(Sensuality satisfies us.)
·
The un-saved are
Dominated by Satan. (2b) His desire is to:
o
Blind you. (2
Cor 4:3-4) "But if our gospel
be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: {4} In whom the god of this world
hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the
glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto
them."
o
Deceive you. (Rev
12:9) "And the great dragon was
cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth
the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast
out with him." o Destroy you. (1 Pet 5:8) "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
·
The un-saved are
Dictated to by the flesh. (v.3) The flesh produces: o
Rebellion against
God. o
Hostility against
God. (Refusing God the rightful place in our lives. (Rom.8:7)
B.
God’s Compassion The
Abundant and Abounding mercy of God. (vv.4, 5a)
·
God's grace is
Initiated Independently. (v.4) o
He is the seeker.
(Lk.19:10) o
"What manner
of love". (1Jn.4:10)
·
God's grace is
Infused Immediately. (5a) o
"Even when
we were dead..." (dead cannot respond) o
He did not wait.
(Rom.5:8) While
Helpless and Hopeless, God who is rich in mercy turned the light on! The
condition of man and the mercy of God motivated this great offer.
II.
THE GREAT
God's
grace:
A.
Offers Salvation. (5b) (saved
by grace)
B.
Offers Security. (v.6) (seated
with Christ)
C.
Offers Satisfaction.
(v.7) God
takes great delight in pouring out the exceeding riches of his grace now
and forever. III.
OUR GREAT OBLIGATION
TO GRACE. (VV.8-10)
A.
To be Saved by Faith. (vv.8, 9)
·
Faith is a gift
from God.
·
When God calls
there can be but one obligation. Trust Jesus as Savior. "Ye must be
born again"
·
Deceived by the
world, Dominated by Satan, Directed by the flesh. To live this life
without God is to end up in hell. Surely you’re wiser than that.
B.
To Serve Him by
Faith. (v.10)
·
Not saved by
works. We work because we are saved!
·
It's a joy to
serve the Lord. Conclusion: There are but two choices;
receive Him when He calls, or to reject His great offer of grace. To
reject Jesus is to reject the Love, Mercy, and Grace of Almighty God!
God's un-merited favor is offered to you. You have opportunity. There is
certainly an obligation. This is the greatest offer ever given mankind. |
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