God Provides Salvation (Grace)
1. What is the definition of grace in Hebrew language?
ANSWER:
2580. khane; from 2603; graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty):—favour, grace(-ious), pleasant, precious, (well-)favoured.
2603. chanan, khaw-nan´; a primitive root (compare 2583); properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition):—beseech, x fair, (be, find, shew) favour(-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious(-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, x very.
I like this definition – “stoop in kindness to an inferior”
2. Who gives grace?
Psa. 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
ANSWER:
Lord God
3. How did God reveal His grace to us?
John 1:14 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.
John 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
ANSWER:
God revealed His grace to us when the Word was made flesh and dwelt among humanity. The human nature of Christ is connected to the revelation of God’s grace.
OBSERVATION:
Human nature of Christ was already foretold through the sanctuary message. Ex. 25:8 Let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them
The primary reason for the incarnation of Christ was His death on the cross. Therefore His death reveals God’s grace. See Heb. Heb. 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
CONCLUSION:
God’s grace for us was when Jesus “stoop (became human) in kindness (and to die on the cross) to an inferior (for the sinners)”
The Miracle of Grace (According to the book of Ephesians)
1. What is the glory of His grace? Read Eph. 1:6
Eph. 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
ANSWER:
To be accepted in the Beloved
OBSERVATION:
The praise of His grace is when God accepts a sinner as a beloved son through the Beloved.
See Eph. 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will
2. What are the riches of His grace? Read Eph. 1:7
Eph. 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace
ANSWER:
Redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
OBSERVATION:
Redemption means to pay the ransom in full in order to deliver. The grace of God is so rich because it can pay the ransom for sinner in full payment.
Why God’s grace is so rich? Because the blood of Jesus is priceless.
CONCLUSION:
God’s grace is so rich because it can pay the price for our sins.
God’s grace is to be praised because not only God deliver us from the penalty of sin but much more He accepts us as His beloved! This is the miracle of God’s grace!
EXTRA NOTE:
We were sinners - Eph. 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
By His grace we sit together with Christ - Eph. 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
This is the exceeding riches of His grace - Eph. 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
By His grace we are saved - Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
What Happened at Calvary? (Grace according to the book of Romans)
1. What was offered to us by His grace according to Rom. 3:24?
Rom. 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
ANSWER:
The gift of justification
2. Who made the gift of justification possible to be offered to sinners? And how did He do it? Read Rom. 3:25
Rom. 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom. 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God
ANSWER:
Jesus Christ made the gift of justification possible.
Because Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood for us.
OBSERVATION:
Rom. 5:17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
Rom. 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
Everyone deserves condemnation of death. But through the death of Jesus at Calvary, the gift of justification can be offered to everyone. We do not deserve His death nor did we ask Him to die for us but He did it for us anyhow. This is the grace of God, unmerited favor!
3. In what way we should not misuse God’s grace according to Rom. 6?
Rom. 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Rom. 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom. 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Rom. 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Rom. 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
ANSWER:
We should not think that we can continue to sin because God’s grace is greater than our sin.
We should not think that we can continue to sin because we are not under the condemnation of the law.
Under grace means sin does not have dominion over us.
A Change of Heart (The Power of Grace)
1. What happens to us when the spirit of grace is poured?
Zech. 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
ANSWER:
True repentance and sorrow for sin, a change of heart.
2. What could the grace of God do for us according to Titus 2:11?
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world
ANSWER:
The grace of God can teach us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
3. In the epistle of Peter, what were the apostle’s last words to the believers?
2Pet. 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
ANSWER:
Grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
4. What could we do in order to grow in His grace?
1Pet. 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby
Eph. 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ
ANSWER:
Ask for the desire to study God’s word and when you have the word in you then speak the truth in love.
5. Could the grace of God help us to do good works?
2Cor. 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work
Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Eph. 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph. 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Phil. 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
ANSWER:
Yes
6. Could the grace of God help us with our weaknesses?
2Cor. 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
ANSWER:
Yes
Christ Our Salvation (The Throne of Grace)
1. Where should we go to receive the grace of God according to Heb. 4:16?
Heb. 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
ANSWER:
Throne of grace
2. Who is sitting in the throne of grace? (Read the verses before, Heb. 4:14, 15)
Heb. 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb. 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
ANSWER:
Jesus the Son of God as our High Priest
3. What could Jesus as our High Priest help us with?
Heb. 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Heb. 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
ANSWER:
To make reconciliation for our sins
To help us to overcome temptations
4. Where is the throne of grace?
Heb. 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens
Jer. 17:12 A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.
ANSWER:
In the heavenly sanctuary.
OBSERVATION AND QUESTION:
Heb. 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Notice the connection between the throne of grace and mercy. Is it possible that there is a close connection between the throne of grace and the mercy seat?
CONCLUSION:
One thing is for sure. The throne of grace is closely connected to the ministry of the High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. Therefore the gift of grace was sealed and confirmed when Jesus died on the cross and the gift of grace continues to minister for us as Jesus is ministering for us in the heavenly sanctuary until the grace period ends and then Jesus comes back sitting on the throne of glory (See Matt. 25:31).
5. What are the conditions for us to experience the full gift of God’s grace?
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
ANSWER:
Humility, submission, drawing near to God.
CONCLUSION:
With humble spirit we may go to the throne of grace with boldness!
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