Saving Grace

MESSAGE TRANSCRIPTION: 

Well, I want you to complete these common phrases, American phrases, for me. If it sounds too good to be true. It is. We make money the old fashioned way. We earn it. There’s no such thing as a free lunch or pass. I’ll give you that. There’s no gain without pain. And God helps those who help themselves. Everything about the American Way teaches you and I that you get what you earn in life. There is no such thing as a free lunch. You make your bed, is that we value, effort and sweat. We tell people you get exactly what you deserve in life. If you want to make something out of your life, it is up to you. Now, folks, we would call this the American work ethic. But there’s a problem with the American work ethic. You know what the problem is? The problem is it is not God’s way. And sometimes we think that the way that America does things is God’s way. Folks can I tell you something. God’s ways is completely different than that of America’s way. See, here’s the thing. Psalm 145, verse 8 says this The Lord is What? What does it say? What does it say? Go now. You’ve got to participate. Wake up now. 

“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.”

Psalm 145:8 (NIV)

He is gracious all together. God is a gracious God. He loves to extend Grace to people who does not deserve it. It’s his nature. Aren’t you glad for that? And see, folks at the heart of Christianity. At the heart of God, at the heart of our faith is this concept that is called grace. And most of us, we don’t really understand grace. Now we think that we understand grace. But if I were to ask you to give me a definition of grace, you probably could not give me a definition of grace. And the reason why is there’s no real common definition of grace. Now, I’m not going to give you the definition because it’s multifaceted. What I’m going to do in a moment, I’m going to give you some expressions of grace. There we’re going to talk about in the sermon series. But most of us, we do not understand grace. And then if you don’t understand grace, then you cannot understand the love of God that Todd was talking about. You cannot draw near to God if you don’t understand Grace. And this is what Todd was saying, is that we do not trust God if we do not understand Grace. Grace is the most liberating concept that you and I could ever understand. 

Today, as we begin this new sermon series. Grace is Greater we going to be looking at the different expressions of grace. Now, most Christians here today, you would say, Well, Pastor, I know that I’m saved by grace, but the reality is most Christians that I know is like Todd, they’re working for their salvation. They believe that God is some unpleasing will parent who’s up in heaven. He’s got a clipboard, Andrew. He’s got a notepad, and he’s taking notes on everything that you’re doing. He goes, Oh, that’s good. Oh, no, Andrew, That’s bad. It’s like he’s keeping record. And the thing of it is, is that you are saved by grace, but you’re actually living as if it depended upon you. And if we understand grace is a game changer is something that will literally set us free. And here’s my goal for the sermon series. It’s not for you just to understand grace, but to enjoy grace, to live in grace, experience, grace to embrace grace. And as I said just a few moments ago, there’s different expressions of grace. Next week, we’ll look at guilt and grace, how God wipes out our guilt, and he restores our soul. And then the week after that, we will talk about sustaining grace, how God gives you and the power to keep on keeping on. And then in week four, we’re going to talk about restorative grace. How does God’s grace restore you once you blow it and once you’ve blown it, how does God restore us? And then we’re going to look at liberating grace. How does God set free from perfection? And then the last sermon in the sermon series is going to be offering grace. How do we extend grace to other people and I don’t know a more timely message in our culture then. How do we extend grace to people who’s completely different than we are? But today we’re going to talk about the foundational component of grace, and we’re going to talk about saving grace, and are going to talk about the five aspects or attributes of saving grace. And so if you have your notes or your outline and you start with the letter G. 

Five Aspects of Saving Grace:

G – GOD’S GIFT TO ME

R- RECEIVED BY FAITH

A – AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE

C – COMES THROUGH CHRIST

E – EXTENDED THROUGHOUT ETERNITY

Grace is God’s gift to me and to you. It is God’s gift to us. It’s a completely free gift. But because of the American work ethic we get things kind of scrambled up all together is that we talk about grace, but we actually live our lives by words, by earning our way, but being trying to be good enough to earn God’s love. And we believe that one day, as Todd was talking about, one day God’s going to look at the ledger and the good deeds are going to outweigh the bad deeds and God’s going to say, Come on in, you’ve earned your way. But look what it says in Romans 3:24. It says this. 

“All need to be made right with God by his grace, which is a free gift. They need to be made free from sin through Jesus Christ.”

Romans 3:24 (NCV)

They need to be made free from sin through Jesus Christ. Folks, Grace is a free gift. Now, Todd, here’s what I believe. I believe if we would go out today and we’d go to the Richmond Center, we go to the Richmond Mall or wherever, go to the mall, go to Hamburg, we interviewed 50 to 100 people on the street. You know what we would get? We would get basically the same thing that you said is that most people we would asking the question, how does a person get to heaven? They would say something to be a different variation, but it be something like this that you have to earn your way to heaven, you have to be good, you have to have good moral character. Somehow or another is that you have to be good and do your best. And if you do your best and if you’re good and have some character about you, then you can might make it into heaven. And basically most people believe that if they’re going to go to heaven, it’s based upon what they are going to do. And we do not understand that it’s an absolutely free gift from God. There’s nothing that you can do if you want to make it to heaven, folks. It is nothing that you do. It’s all based upon what God is going to do and done for you. Now, folks, this is a fundamental difference that differentiates Christianity from every other world religion, every belief system out there. There’s a distinctive difference between Christianity and Islam and that of Buddhism, that of Mormonism, all the other world religions. Their basic philosophical component of belief is that you have to do something in order to make it to heaven. And they never tell you how much that you have to do in order to make it to the other side. They just say that you have to do. 

Something. But here’s the thing. In Christianity, it says We don’t have to do anything. It’s already been done for us. It’s already been completed. Remember when Jesus was hanging on the cross? Remember when they stretched out his hands and knelt on to the cross and he was hanging there on the cross? Jesus had some famous last words, seven last sayings from the cross. And one of those sayings was this, It is finished now notice that Jesus didn’t say, I am finished. That’s not what he said. He says it is finish. Now the question is what is the it? And it is finished and the it is your salvation, your salvation is secured and the death and the burral and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And he says, here it is, it is a free gift. And folks, the only way that you’re going to get to heaven is based upon what Jesus Christ did for you at the cross is the greatest gift that you can accept is the greatest deal of the lifetime is for you to receive the free gift that God has given to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. But the letter R in the word grace. Has to be received by faith. It has to be received by faith. So grace is God’s gift to me. Then it has to be received by faith. Now Ephesians Chapter two Verses eight nine tells us this. 

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves. It is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) 

Faith is the key that unlocks your salvation, unlocks your relationship with God. Now, let me just tell you what I mean. You have to receive it by faith. Now, Andrew, I had to borrow. $100 this morning from somebody. Because I’ve never seen the hundred dollar bill before. But I have one right here today. It’s $100. Now, Andrew, I’m going to give it to you now. Hold on. Oh, no, but im going to lay it right here. So he’s getting excited. You’re too tithe on that, brother, if you get it. Okay. So here’s $100. right? And i’m going to say it’s a gift to you. Now, let me ask. You a question, Andrew. Is this your $100? It’s not his hundred dollars. Because Why? Because Andrew hasn’t received it. Andrew hasn’t taken it. Andrew hasn’t possessed it. That hundred dollars can lay here for the rest of today. He can lay. Here for the rest of the week. It can lay here for the rest of the year. Somebody else will probably take it. But not Andrew. And but until. Andrew receives. It, it is not his. And the same thing is true for salvation is the. Gift that God has given to you. But it’s not yours until you actually receive it. It’s a free gift, but it’s not yours. You have forgiveness of sins. You have a home in heaven. You have eternal life. You have a fresh start with God. But it is not yours until you receive it, my friends. And God has given it to each and every one of us. But we have to receive it. Notice what it says in Romans chapter four, verse 16. It says. 

“People receive God’s promise by having faith. This happens so the promise can be a free gift.”

Romans 4:16a (NCV)

Faith this happens. So the promise can be a free gift. See, folks, salvation is a free gift that we receive through faith and we receive it. Now, in the Bible, there’s all kinds of examples of grace being extended and being received by other people. Now, my favorite one is found. In Second Samuel. Chapter nine. It’s a story of a young disabled boy named Mephibosheth. Now, how would you like to have that name? You think Virgil is bad, but Mephibosheth. I mean, that’s really bad, right? Well, here’s the thing. they probebly call him Phoebe for short, you know what I’m saying? But Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan and the grandson of King Saul. Now, you remember the story, correct? David has been anointed as the next king of Israel. But there’s a problem. King Saul is still the king of Israel. Does anybody know the story? Pretty much, yeah. Right. And so King Saul has a jealous bone. What really is a jealous body, right? I mean, he’s jealous. He’s full of envy. He’s just obsessed with. With David. And what is King Saul do is that he chases David all over the hillside, in the countryside, in the territory and all over the country, because he’s trying to kill David. Remember the story. And as he’s trying to kill David King Saul. Just chases after him. And what does David do the entire time? David never, never. Does what retaliate? Right. He never strikes back at King Saul. But you know what David does? David develops a friendship with Saul, son. And what was your son’s name? Jonathan. And Jonathan. And David becomes what? Very best friends. You remember the pact that they made with each other? They said, Hey, you know what? If you were to die, then you promise me that you’re going to take care of my family. If you were to die, I promise to take care of your family. Remember that covenant that they made with each other? 

Well, remember that, David. He outlives Saul and Jonathan actually Saul and Jonathan got killed in battle. And David, now asends to the throne as the king of Israel. Now, if you’re kin to Saul, what do you do during this time? Is that you run for your life, right? Because of the tradition of that day and age is whenever the new king came to the throne, any of the other relatives of the previous king would be killed. Because. Why? Because they won’t have any threat to the throne. And so all of King Saul’s relatives, they take a big hike out of town as fast as they can go. Well, one of these individuals that was leaving town was Mephibosheth. Remember that Mephibosheth was a baby at this time. The nurse has him. And as the nurses exiting the city, what happens with the nurse? The nurse does what drops Mephibosheth? And he breaks his legs. He becomes crippled. He’s no longer able to walk. And so Mephibosheth is living in another country. He’s living in fear. He’s living in anxiety that any day there’s going to be a knock at his door. It’s going to be the soldiers for King David. They’re going to take Mephibosheth back to the kingdom where David said the throne, and then David’s going to have him killed and have him beheaded. Well, lo and behold, several years later, David is having a thought. And David says, You know what? I wonder if there’s any of King Saul’s relatives still alive. And his men said, You know what? There is this one young boy who’s still alive. He’s crippled. His name is Mephibosheth. He lives out on the outskirts of the town and he lives out by himself and he’s still alive. So David sends his soldiers after him. Remember the story? The soldiers brings him back. And the whole time. What is Mephibosheth thinking? This is it. This is the execution. This is the day that dreaded for most of my life. And so they make their way back to where king David’s throne room is and as Mephibosheth comes in. What does David do? David says this. He says that I’m going to make you a part of my family. Is that Mephibosheth you’re going to eat at my table for the rest of your days here on Earth. You’re going to be treated as royalty. I’m going to pay all of your bills. You’re going to dine with me and have dinner with me every single night of the year. And I’m here to treat you as one of my sons. 

Now, folks, the Bible says this, that we were once broken. We were once crippled. We were once disabled. But God came. And did what? And he brought to us Amazing Grace. He gave us a seat at his table. He put our name and the Book of Heaven. And he forgave us of all of our sins. That is what it means to receive grace. And so what is grace? It is God’s gift to me. It is received by faith. And the A stands for. Is this available to everyone. Folks grace does not play any favorites. God does not play in his favor. Grace is available to anyone. Let me say to you like this there are no quotas in heaven. It’s not like the the it’s like maximum count. Whoever the first hundred million that signs up gets into heaven. It’s nothing like that. It’s not based on your religious experience. It’s not based on your status. It doesn’t say in Romans chapter ten. 

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:13 (NIV)

It says, Everyone, you know, just circle to the word. Everyone. Everyone who calls on the name. Not everyone who’s rich. Who calls on the name. Now, everyone who’s good. Who calls on the name. Now, everyone who is smart, who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. It says everyone, any one. It is not matter your status. It does not matter what your your financial status is. It doesn’t matter what your educational level is. It doesn’t matter what your religious experience is or haven’t been. Is that salvation? The grace of God is available to everyone. But folks, listen to me, even though we say that Grace is available to everyone. Here’s what we think, Andrew. Here’s what we believe. We believe that there’s still something good in us that will make God love us. And that tells us that we don’t understand grace. We think that there’s something that’s worthy inside of us. Is the the Prophet Isaiah said like this, that we are nothing but filthy rags. That’s how God sees us. It’s folks, listen to me. We think that we’ve done nifty things. We think that we have some nifty things that we’ve done in our lifetime that qualifies us for heaven. Folks, listen to me. You’re either getting in by the grace of God or you’re not getting in at all. Because there’s nothing to do with your works or how nifty you are or anything else that you’ve done. It is by grace and grace alone, but it’s available to everyone. And the letter C means that it comes through Christ and Christ alone. So grace is God’s. Gift to us. It’s received by faith. It’s available to everyone. But it comes through christ. Look at this next verse on the outline. It says this. 

“The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

John 1:17 (NCV)

Now, why is it that we say that Jesus Christ is the. Only way to heaven? I mean, why don’t we say somebody else? Why don’t we say that the way to heaven is through Joseph Smith? Why don’t we say that. It’s through Buddha? I mean, why do we say that? The only way that you. Get to heaven is through Jesus Christ. Because Jesus Christ is the only one who’s paid the admission. He’s the only one who gave up his life. See, folks, Grace is completely free to you and to me. But Grace is not cheap. It costs Jesus Christ his life. Look what it says in Romans 5:15. 

“Many people have received God’s gift of life by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:15b (NCV)

Now, folks, it is in Jesus Christ that we receive eternal life. Now, do you know what the favorite. Description of a Christian is in the New Testament? It is this phrase in Christ. The phrase in. Christ is meant. 120 times in the New Testament. Now, when. Let me just see if I can explain this to you. This bulletin represents my life. Okay. This bulletin represents my life. Now. There’s things in my. Life that I’m ashamed of. There’s things in my life that I wouldn’t want any of you to know about me. There’s a bunch of things that i dont want you say, that don’t you know about me? Okay. That I would be. Embarrassed if it was ever public. There’s things I’ve done to other people. I’ve said things. I’ve done actions. I’ve gossip about other people. I’ve belittled other people. I’ve sinned against other people. Other people have done things to me that’s hurt me. I told someone the other day that you hurt my feelings. They were impressed. That could identify that hurt my own feeling. And there’s just things that goes on all through my life. And when you look at my life, my life is really broken. Tattered. Stained. Crippled. Scarred. Everything. But you know what happens when I receive grace? If this Bible is Jesus is that, I am in christ. Now, let me ask you a question. Do you see any imperfections now? No, Because why? I’m in Christ. Jesus. Do you see the things that I’m ashamed of? No, Because why? I’m in Christ Jesus. Do you see any of the things that I’ve done to mess up my life and the life of others? No, Because why it is here. All that you see is not Virgil. But what do you see? All that you see is that I am in Christ. And when God looks at me, and when God looks at you, He does not see our imperfections. What does he see? He sees the perfect blood of Jesus Christ that covers my life. And that covers your life. Folks, that is what it means to be in Christ. And salvation comes only through the grace of God in Christ Jesus. Is that a beautiful picture? And so what is grace is God’s gift to me. It’s received by faith. It’s available to anyone. It comes through Christ. But I don’t know if you ever thought about this. But. It’s extended throughout eternity. Salvation is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s the gift that never stops giving. It’s all the benefits of grace. It will be extended throughout all of eternity. Notice what it says in Romans 6:23. It says Romans 6:23. 

“The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23 (NLT) 

And I like what Todd said, is they were in his last group. They talked about what is heaven going to look like. Well i dont know what heaven’s going to look like Todd But I think there’s some things that’s going to happen in heaven because I think some of the things that’s going to happen. There’s going to be a reunion. There’s really a reunion of all the people that’s gone before me, who’s in Christ Jesus, who’s received the free gift of Christ from God. I’m going to be reunited with all my loved ones. I going to be reunited with my father. I’m going to be reunited with my grandfather, my grandmother and other relatives that’s gone on to heaven before me. But not only is there going to be a reunion, but I’m going to receive some rewards. I don’t have a clue what those rewards are, but I’m going to take them at the feet of Jesus. And there’s going to be a reassignment of duties. I’m going to have another job in heaven. Based upon my gifts, my talents, that God’s going to take those, redeem those. He’s going to reassign me. 

But most importantly, it’s God’s going to release. Some things from my life. He’s going to release me from all the pain. All the suffering, all the heartaches, all the sadness and the sorrow and the depression and loneliness. I’m going to be released from all of that. No more tears. So Heaven is going to be a place of reunion, a place, a reward place, a reassignment, a place of release. You know what in Heaven is waiting for you this morning. But you know what? Even though heaven’s waiting for you, you’ve got to do your part. And what is your part? Well, Jesus says that your part is to be born again. See, folks, you have to be born again. Born again is not an Eastside term. It’s not a pastor term. It’s not my term. It’s not the elders term. It’s a Jesus term. Notice what he says in John chapter three, verse three. Jesus says. 

“I am telling you the truth: no one can see the Kingdom of God without being born again.”

John 3:3 (CEV)

And here’s the question. 

Have you been born again? 

Now, here’s what some of you’re thinking right now. Let me tell you what some of you are thinking. So you say, Well, pastor, I was water baptized when I was a child. I was dedicated. I had my first communion. I was sprinkled as a baby. I’m a good person. does any of this sound familiar? This is works mentality. I’m asking you if you’ve done any works to make it to heaven. I’m asking you, have you received the gift of God’s grace through Jesus Christ? And it begins with a prayer. It begins with you acknowledging that you’re a sinner, acknowledging that you cannot save yourself and that you depend upon Jesus for your ticket to heaven. Have you done that? That’s the most important thing. And so you say, Well, I don’t know if I’ve been born again or not. Well, let me just tell you how you can be born again. This is easy. ABC. 

A = Admitting I’m a sinner

The Letter A stands for admitting that I’m a sinner. Admitting that. I’m broke. Admitting that there’s something inside of me that I cannot fix. They want that thing that’s inside of you that cannot be fixed. It is called sin. And can I tell you something is no parent can fix it for you. Your grandparents cannot fix it for you. Your pastor cannot fix it for you. There’s not a program that can fix it for you. There’s not promise that can fix it for you. There’s nothing that can fix what’s broken inside of you. Is that, folks, where you’re broken and your diagnosis is called sin. And you must realize that you are a sinner and that you need to be saved. I see some of you say, Oh, I do what you said, Pastor. You need I need a second chance. You don’t need a second chance. You need a second birth. A second chance doesn’t get you into heaven, but a second birth does. Then you go, Well, you know, if. If my diagnosis. Is. Sin, then I’ve broken on the inside. Well, who can fix me? And that’s where the letter. B comes in. 

B = Believing that God sent his son to fix my

sinful condition.

Is that you believe that God. Sent his son to fix my sinful condition. You believe that Jesus Christ came to the earth. He lived for 33 and a half years. And he was nailed to the cross for your sin. He took the hit. He paid the admission price so that you could go to heaven. You believe that he took care of your sin issue once and for all. As a perfect. Sacrifice there on the cross. And as a. Result of you believing. In that, then the letter C is for. 

C = Confessing Jesus as my Lord

And see friends. That’s how you’re born again is admitting there’s something so broken inside of you. This called sin that you cannot fix. You believe that Jesus Christ came to fix your sin issue by dying on the cross. And then because. You believe that you. Confess with your mouth and you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. And you go, Well, Pastor, I believe all that. How do I kind of seal the deal? How do I make this official? Well, here’s what I am going ask you to do. just by your head, no one looking around, no one move and no one leaving. This is a holy moment right now, is that I’m going to ask you to do something. I’m going to ask you in a moment to say a prayer with me. See, I’m not going. To ask you to stand up. I’m not going to ask you to to text me or to meet me out in the atrium. Or see me after his service or anything like that. 

But I want you to say this Born again prayer this morning in the worship service. Before you leave this worship service, I want you to say this prayer this morning. And this is the prayer that I said when I was nine years of age. These are the same prayer that many of you have prayed over the years here at Eastside. And you can pray this. Prayer this morning and your name can be written in the Book of Heaven. You can experience the unconditional grace of God’s love in Christ Jesus this morning. But I want to count you in on the prayer. So here’s what I’m going to ask you to do in a moment. In a moment. I’m just going to if you want to be included in that prayer, I’m going to ask you to raise your hand just in a moment. And I will go around the room and I’m going to count the hands. And as I count the hands. Then at the end we’re going to look to the screen and we’re going to say the prayer together. And so this morning you’re here and you need to be born again. See, we’ve all been born initially in the hospital, in the ambulance, at a home. But your biggest need is to be born again, born again the second time. And you can do that right now, this morning by saying the born again prayer. So if you were being counted in that prayer, just raise your hand up really high. Raise your hand up. All right, we got one. We got two. We got three, four, five, six, seven. Eight. Eight people this morning raise your hand. Now, here’s what I want you to do. I want you to look at the side screens with me. And I want everybody to look up. And I want us to just pray this prayer together outloud. If you’re already a Christian, it’s. Not going to hurt you. Say again. This is a reminder. But would you say it with me? 

Dear Lord Jesus. I believe you’re the son of God. I believe that on the cross you took my sin, my shame, my guilt, and you died for it. You faced hell for me so I wouldn’t have to go. You rose from the dead to give me a place in heaven, a purpose on earth, and a relationship with your Father. Today, Lord Jesus, I turn from my sin to be born again. God is my Father, Jesus is my Savior, the Holy Spirit is my Helper, and heaven is now my home. In Jesus’ name. Amen.