TRANSFORMED BY GRACE

Origin of Grace

• “This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” – 2 Timothy 1:9-10

So, what exactly IS grace?

Grace is the UNDESERVED blessing of God given to sinful man.

It is UNCOMPROMISED; no CHANGE.It is UNRESTRICTED; no LIMIT.It is UNRECOMPENSED; no PAYBACK.It is in JESUS CHRIST.

NIETZSCHE

STRONG IN GRACE

“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” – 2 Timothy 2:1

Why do we feel like we are not TRANSFORMED by grace?

Law vs. Grace• The law was given through Moses; grace and

truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)

Death Penalties

Judgment

What are you going to say?

Presidential Pardon

Number of pardons: 0Total in Singapore since independence: 6

What chance did we have?

“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:7-8

Enemies of God!

• “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.” Colossians 1:21

Re-thinking Grace

• Grace is not clemency.

• Clemency costs nothing.

• Grace cost God everything.

• Grace doesn’t make sense at all.

Two Responses To Grace.

• Whether you behave as a friend of God, or you don’t.

“For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him… how much more shall we

be saved through his life!”- Romans 5:10

Ministry of Reconciliation

• We receive the grace of God when we fulfil our role as Christ’s ambassadors.

• “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” – Philemon 1:6

Thank Heaven for 7-Eleven?

Do not cheapen grace.

• “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” – Hebrews 10:26

SUMMARY OF GRACE

• The grace of God is revealed in Jesus.

• It was given to us when we were still enemies of God.

• It has now made us reconciled to God.

• How much grace we further receive as friends of God is dependent on how much we live for God.