Living Deep in the Realm of Grace
Dr. Don preaching God's grace at Skyview Presbyterian Church in America. Skyview is located at 251 E. Sterne Blvd, Centennial, CO.
Skyview Presbyterian invited me to bring the message one beautiful Sunday. Keeping with the theme of God's grace that Pastor Vasquez and the assistant pastor presented the previous few Sundays, I gave an overview of how all of the Christian life is by and in God's grace through Jesus. The main text was from 1 Peter. Since this message was topical, there were many other passages touched upon.
To hear the message, click on the button below:
HERE ARE THE NOTES:
What is clear from the New Testament but not always understood, is that when you come to saving faith in Jesus Christ, you enter into his kingdom of grace. And God wants you to not live on the edge but live deep in the realm of his grace. - Dr. Don
Grace Comes from God
1. The blessed grace of God is demonstrated in 1 Peter 1:1-9.
Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. That’s grace.
2. While our God is a God of truth, justice and righteousness, He is also a God of grace:
- Psalm 84:11 – For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory…
- John 1:14 –and the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth…
3. How do we define grace? It is unmerited favor, giving you what you do not deserve.
1 Peter 1:3-9 tells us what we receive by grace.
Grace Comes to Sinners
1. Grace is apparent when we understand that we are sinners.
2. But GOD initiated His Grace toward you and me, first.
3. Grace came to believers through Jesus’ life, death, resurrection.
Did you know that grace is another word for being saved and living in Christ? Check out the book of Acts.
Do you know this Jesus? Have you received his saving, life-giving grace?
Grace Continues for Believers
1. This is what’s hard for Christians to grasp!
Jesus isn’t merely offering you some grace water. Jesus takes you and pulls you into his ocean of grace. He is leading you deeper into his realm of grace and intends for you to learn how to live there.
Check this out:
I Peter 1:1-2 demonstrates the grace of God to you who are in Jesus Christ. But Peter also gives to you the abundant, on-going blessing you need for life in Jesus Christ
"May grace and peace be yours in fullest measure-in great abundance."
John 1:14-16 In Jesus, there is grace upon grace.
Ephesians 1:4 ...just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. (ESV)
Ephesians 2:8-10 – For by grace are you saved through faith…
1 Peter 3:10 – Peter exhorts Christian husbands to honor their wives because they are heirs with you of the grace of life.
So, grace is the nature of our Christian life!
1. The humble Christian receives more grace.
1 Peter 5:5
2. Your means for the Christian life is by grace.
a. Through the preaching of God's Word
Acts 20:32 - And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are set apart.
2 Pet. 3:18 But grow inthe graceand knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.
b. Though baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
3. You are empowered for the Christian life by grace.
1 Peter answers how we are to live in the midst of suffering. The answer is living out of the overflow of God’s grace
Grace does not make your life easy, it makes it bearable so you can persevere. It also empowers you to live Jesus’ life in you.
Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me. For I do not nullify the grace of God…
1 Corinthians 3:10 – Paul did God's work by God’s grace.
1 Cor. 15:10 – But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.
Philippians 2:12-13 ...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Phil 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Note: This verse is talking about living deep in the realm of grace not about physical strength to play football.
2 Timothy 2:1– You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
4. Your sufficiency for the Christian life is through grace.
God’s Law is the model for the holy life. It is not the means.
God’s Law is the measure for living but not the method.
People’s laws for spirituality are personal preferences that have no demands on your or my life. Grace brings us liberty.
People’s laws push for uniformity. Grace gives us unity.
Here’s the rubric I use: Is it immoral, illegal, or sinful? If not, then I have the freedom to do whatever it is – and so do others.
His grace is sufficient for your needs -
Phil 4:19 – My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
His grace is sufficient for your strength -
Heb. 13:9 –Do not be carried away by various and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods…
2 Cor. 12:9 – And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.
His grace is sufficient for your endurance -
1 Timothy 1:12-14
1 Peter 5:10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
5. Your suffering in the Christian life comes with grace.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help when you need it.
6. Your perseverance in the Christian life comes from grace.
Philippians 1:6 – for I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.
7. You are immersed in the ocean of grace, so live deep in the realm of grace!
Conclusion
1 Peter 1:13 - Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Grace Comes from God
Grace Comes to Sinners
Grace Continues for Believers
1 Peter 5:12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
…and walk deeper into the realm of grace.