True Grace

John 1:14,17

¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth… ¹⁶ And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

I.                   GRACE OR RELIGION.

1.   The tree was the knowledge of good and evil – brings death.

Genesis 2:17

2.   They tried to fix it without God.

Genesis 3:7

3.   They avoided God.

Genesis 3:8

4.   God hooked them up without their help.

Genesis 3:21

²¹ Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

II.                 THE FLESH WAY.

1.   I’ll show them!

Romans 3:20

²⁰ Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 7:12

¹² Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good ¹³ Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

2.   All O.T. Sacrifices couldn’t get it.

Hebrews 10:9

¹¹ And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

3.   We Needed Something Different.

Galatians 3:24-25

²⁴ Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

III.              GO JESUS; GO JESUS; GO!!!!

1.   Jesus is full of Grace and truth.

John 1:14

¹⁴ And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

2.   Grace is given freely (gratis) as a gift.

Romans 3:24

²⁴ Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

3.   Works designed to earn grace actually cancel out grace when performed to earn salvation.

Romans 4:4-5

⁴ Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. ⁵ But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. We must accept grace by faith not work for it

               Romans 11:5-6

⁵ Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. ⁶ And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work

4.   Access into grace is always by faith alone.

Romans 5:2

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

IV.             THE WISDOM AND BEAUTY OF GRACE.

1.   It cancels out accusation.

Hebrews 10:19-23

¹⁹ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; ²¹ And having an high priest over the house of God; ²² Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

2.   It removes boasting.

Ephesians 2 :8-10

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

3.   It’s the best way for God to fix the mess Adam made while removing the possibility of it happening again all the while respecting free will.

i.              Justice satisfied.

Hebrews 10:14

¹⁴ For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

ii.            Guilty go free.

Romans 3:23-26

²³ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ²⁴ Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

iii.           Available to all.

Romans 3:22

²² Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

iv.           Still have to choose.

Romans 10:9-10

⁹ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

V.               TRUE FAITH HAS WORKS/EVIDENCE OR IT’S NOT FAITH.

1.   Grace works by Faith.

Romans 4:16

¹⁶ Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace…

Romans 5:2

² through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

2.   Faith without works/evidence is dead.

James 2:14,17-20

¹⁴ What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?... ¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. ¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! ²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

3.   True Grace is not by works but if it doesn’t produce works as evidence it’s not true Grace.

Titus 2:11-12

¹¹ For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, ¹² teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.