"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE CONCERNING GOD'S GRACE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE CONCERNING GOD'S GRACE"

Acts 20:32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Heb 10:29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

1 Peter 5:10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

Some explanatory thoughts and application:

1.  Grace of course means, God's unmerited favor. It is as pastor/author Warren Wiersbe said, "God's grace is God's provision for our every need. God's grace is not a mystical substance, that God pours into us when we have a need. Grace, is God's bountiful supply for our every need. Law means that I must do something for God, but grace means, that God does something for me. Grace cannot be deserved. Grace cannot be earned. Grace can only be given"

2. There are several things said here about grace, that is, about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All for our benefit and help.

3.  Jesus is called the Word of His grace. See Acts 20:32 above. And, Paul was commending, or encouraging the Ephesian elders, to be committed to or presented to or set before Jesus, the Word of His grace. He also tells us what the Word of His grace,  "Jesus" is able to do. He is able to build us up, and to give us an inheritance among all those who are sanctified, or set apart to God,  by faith in Jesus Christ. 

4. The Holy Spirit is spoken of in Heb 10:29, and called, "The Spirit of grace" This third person of the Trinity then, is given this wonderful name, "The Spirit of Grace" He is also called the Helper.

5. Notice the wonderful truth and invitation, and promise given to us in Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

6. Finally, we have a beautiful name given to us about God. In 1st Peter 5:10, He is called the God of all grace. And, this name is given in connection with His calling in our lives, He has called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, ( that is, by our faith in Christ for salvation ) Then, the subject of suffering is brought up. That God in His grace, will do a number of things in your life. He will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.
7. Here's how the above verse from 1st Peter 5:10 reads in the NLT.  In his kindness God called you to his eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ. After you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

8. So, then, to round it all off, God is indeed the God of grace, the Son is gracious, the Spirit is gracious, and our Father is also.

A prayer:

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we are the blessed recipients of Your favor. We do not deserve the grace you give. We did not earn it, nor could we ever. You have not given us justice, which we deserve, but, You have given us mercy and grace. Thank You.
We will for all eternity be glorifying You for what you do, and what You have done. Thank You.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia