The Fullness of Grace, Part 2
Grace defined: “Saving grace where God gives His kindness [favor] to someone who doesn’t deserve it.”
Ephesians 2:8 [NASB], For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God…
Grace defined: ”the sustaining influence/power that enables [empowers] a person to do God’s will.”
The combination of conviction and grace is essential to our spiritual growth.
Romans 6:14 [NLT], Sin is no longer your master…instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
Titus 2:11-12 [AMP], For the [remarkable, undeserved] grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives [lives with a purpose that reflect spiritual maturity] in this present age.
"What God has saved us to is always greater than what He has saved us from.”
1 Peter 4:10 [TPT], Every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another as faithful stewards…of God’s grace.
Romans 12:6 [TPT], God’s marvelous grace imparts to each one of us varying gifts and ministries that are uniquely ours. So if God has given you the grace-gift of prophecy, you must activate your gift by using the proportion of faith you have to prophesy. 7 If your grace-gift is serving, then thrive in serving others well. If you have the grace-gift of teaching, then be actively teaching and training others. 8 If you have the grace-gift of encouragement, then use it often to encourage others. If you have the grace-gift of giving to meet the needs of others, then may you prosper in your generosity without any fanfare. If you have the gift of leadership, be passionate about your leadership. And if you have the gift of showing compassion, then flourish in your cheerful display of compassion.
1 Corinthians 12:6-11 [TPT], The same God distributes different kinds of miracles that accomplish different results through each believer’s gift and ministry as he energizes and activates them. 7 Each believer is given continuous revelation by the Holy Spirit to benefit not just himself but all. 8 For example: The Spirit gives to one the gift of the word of wisdom. To another, the same Spirit gives the gift of the word of revelation knowledge. 9 And to another, the same Spirit gives the gift of faith. And to another, the same Spirit gives gifts of healing. 10 And to another the power to work miracles. And to another the gift of prophecy. And to another the gift to discern what the Spirit is speaking. And to another the gift of speaking different kinds of tongues. And to another the gift of interpretation of tongues. 11 Remember, it is the same Holy Spirit who distributes, activates, and operates these different gifts as he chooses for each believer.
Ephesians 4:7-13 [TPT], And he has generously given each one of us supernatural grace, according to the size of the gift of Christ. …11 And he has appointed some with grace to be apostles, and some with grace to be prophets, and some with grace to be evangelists, and some with grace to be pastors, and some with grace to be teachers. …13 These grace ministries will function until we all attain oneness in the faith.
serving
teaching and training
encouragement
generosity
leadership
compassion
word of wisdom
word of knowledge
faith
healing
working of miracles
prophecy
discerning of spirits
diversity of tongues
interpretation of tongues
apostle
prophet
evangelist
pastor
teacher
The third expression of God's grace came in the form of GIFTS.
1. Every believer has received them
2. We don't deserve them
James 1:17, Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father…
3. They come with a purpose
The fourth expression of God's grace came as an ANOINTING.
Luke 4:18-19 [NASB], “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”
1 John 2:20 [NKJV], But you have an anointing from the Holy One…
John 20:21, As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
Anointing defined: “the touch and power of God that comes upon us to fulfill His purpose.”
Do we know what our “grace gifts” are?
Are we satisfied with them?
Have we come to terms with our “call” and current “assignment?”
Do we realize the limitations of our “anointing?”
Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me…”
1 Corinthians 15:10, by the grace of God I am what I am…
Acts 13:43, ...persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.