Greater Grace

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

It has been said that “mercy” is when we don’t get what we deserve and “grace” is when we get what we don’t deserve.  A definition of “grace” is also “unmerited favor” in other words one cannot buy or earn grace but it is from the Father’s heart that we can access His favor.  In May our “Greater Things” subject is Grace.  Let’s consider some examples and responses to the grace we can receive because of Christ’s redemptive work on the cross.
Zacchaeus- Luke 19:1-10- Zacchaeus was a man of opportunity.  He had spent his life as a tax collector to take advantage of a Roman tax system that gave him the opportunity to make financial gains.  Zacchaeus knew Jesus was going to be passing by and staked out a tree so he could see Him.  Remember the old kid’s song that said, “Zacchaeus was a wee little man.”  So he ran ahead and climbed a tree.  How do you respond when you have an opportunity to see Jesus as He passes by?  When we meet as a congregation Jesus passes by, the still small voice calling you to prayer or Bible study is Jesus graciously calling us to fellowship.  Like Zacchaeus, we also can benefit from a family relationship.  Jesus declared Zacchaeus to be a son of Abraham, as children of faith we are sons and daughters of Abraham also and joint-heirs with Jesus.  The origin of this is we must take advantage of the opportunity to receive His grace.
Mary- Mark 14:3-9- The experience of Jesus’s greater grace was what motivated Mary to perform an eternal memorial of the Savior.  What kind of memorial to the Savior’s grace do you perform?  A point in this story I want to focus on is how some of the people criticized Mary for doing this, said she wasted the value of the oil.  It is religious people that will watch and wait for a chance to criticize as you worship?  Why do they do this?  Jealousy is a major reason, they want what you have but don’t want to humble themselves and give a valued thing in worship.  His grace is available to all who would call upon His name and be saved.  Your past can be forgiven and He will cast your sins as far as the East is from the West.  When you accept the cleansing work of His blood, like Mary, you will want to perform an eternal memorial to our Savior. 
David- Psalm 51:10-13- King David was the sweet psalmist of Israel, the man after God’s own heart.  He was also a man who sinned and paid a very high price for the sin of adultery with Bathsheba.  But David knew the power of repentance and how to be restored.  The key to keep walking in this greater grace is to walk in an attitude of repentance.  As soon as you feel the Holy Spirit has been grieved ask Him where you fell short and immediately repent and ask forgiveness.  David wrote Psalm 51 as a cry of repentance and restoration of God’s grace.  Look at what David asked for, a clean heart, a steadfast spirit, His presence and a continued relationship.  Is there something not allowing you to receive His grace?  You may need to go to the Father and repent so you can walk in the fullness of His grace.  1 John 1:9 tells us when we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive and restore us to a position to receive His grace.
(Special thanks to Darrell Otto)
Blessings!  Make a decision to Make a difference!
Pastor Jerry