God bless you in the name of Jesus Christ. Welcome to our home bible fellowship in Raleigh.
Today, let’s learn about God's grace—His unmerited favor and unconditional love—and how it transforms our lives. We will look at the stories of Jonah, Ruth, and Peter, which illustrate how God's grace worked in their lives and how we can apply these lessons to our lives as members of the body of Christ. We will see how God's unconditional love and grace benefit us all, enabling us to live healthy, prosperous, loving, and abundant lives. Let’s turn to Romans 11.
First, Let’s Understand God's Grace.
As God's children, we have received abundant blessings and gifts from God, the most fundamental of which is salvation. But we may feel that there must be something more we need to do to deserve such love and care. Nay. Romans 11:6 tells us otherwise: "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." If salvation is by grace, then it can’t be based on works, because grace, by definition, is a free gift. If it were based on works, it would no longer be a gift.
God made this wonderful gift of grace available out of His love for us, just like loving parents care for their children.
This scripture highlights that God's grace is freely given, not something we can earn. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." God’s love, through the accomplishments of Jesus Christ, is the foundation of His grace - a gift given without expectation of return.
Let’s Check Out God's Grace in Action.
Turn to Ephesians 2. Ephesians 2, verses 4 through 9, gives us a beautiful picture of God’s grace in action: "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us (past tense) together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us (past tense) up together, and made us (past tense) sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
This passage emphasizes that our salvation is a gift from God, a manifestation of His rich mercy and great love. We didn’t earn it through our deeds; it was freely given through the accomplishments of Jesus Christ. This truth should bring immense comfort and assurance, dispelling any doubts, worries, or fears about our standing with God. That’s Grace.
Now, Let’s Go To Jonah, and Learn a Lesson in Changing One’s Mind and Experiencing Grace.
Jesus Christ came to reveal and destroy the works of the devil, our adversary, who is behind the bad things that happen in life. John 10:10 tells us, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." The adversary, our adversary, the devil, is described in 1 Peter 5:8 as "a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." When we read the Old Testament stories, like Jonah, it is important to remember that the adversary caused bad events that we learn about, not God. The story of Jonah provides a powerful illustration of God’s grace and the importance of repentance and changing one’s mind. Let’s turn to Jonah 1.
Jonah is called by God to preach repentance to the people of Nineveh but initially he runs away from his mission. After being swallowed by a great fish and experiencing God's grace, he eventually obeys and helps bring the people of Nineveh to repentance, demonstrating God's willingness to give second chances.
Let’s Look at Jonah's Call and Disobedience.Jonah 1:1-3 shows Jonah fleeing from God's call to go to Nineveh. This act of disobedience sets off a chain of events that leads Jonah right into the belly of a great fish, which is a moment of crisis and reflection.
But Here’s the Repentance and Grace. In Jonah 3:1-2, you can see God's grace: "And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee." Despite Jonah's initial disobedience, God gives him a second chance. Jonah 3:10 further illustrates this grace: "And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not." God's grace extended not only to Jonah but also to the people of Nineveh when they repented.
How Can We Apply This Lesson?
We Can Benefit from God's Unconditional Love. We learn that God’s grace can bring us back no matter how far we stray. This encourages us to change our minds and return to God, knowing His grace is always available. Jonah experienced God’s grace firsthand and extended that message to Nineveh, showing that God’s love and grace are for everyone.
Let’s Turn To Ruth and Learn How We Can Embrace Love and Grace.
Let’s turn to Ruth 1.
Ruth’s story is a testament to God’s providence and grace through love and loyalty.
Ruth, a Moabite widow, shows unwavering loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi and chooses to follow the God of Israel. Her faithfulness leads her to Boaz, her kinsman-redeemer, through whom God blesses her with a new life and a place in the lineage of Jesus Christ.
Ruth Was Very Loyalty to Naomi.Ruth 1:16 shows Ruth's commitment: "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God." Wow.
There was lots of grace and love here.Ruth 2:12 highlights Boaz’s recognition of Ruth’s loyalty. So, Ruth was loyal. And Boaz recognized that. And he restored her to the family. "The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust." Ruth’s loyalty and love led her to Boaz, her kinsman-redeemer. And this symbolizes Christ’s redeeming love for us. Just like Boaz redeemed Ruth, Christ redeemed us. Christ is the ultimate kinsman-redeemer who, through His sacrifice, redeemed humanity from sin and restored all of us to the family of God.
How Can We Apply This to Our Lives?
Ruth’s story teaches us that God’s grace often manifests through acts of love and loyalty. By embracing and giving love, we position ourselves to receive God's grace and favor. Ruth, a foreigner, was embraced into God’s family and blessed abundantly because of her faithfulness and love.
Let’s Go To Peter and Learn How To Overcome Mistakes with God’s Unfailing Grace.
Let’s turn to Luke 22.
Peter’s life is a powerful example of redemption and grace despite making mistakes.
Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, denies knowing Jesus three times during Jesus’s trial. Despite this failure, Jesus restores Peter after His resurrection, reaffirming Peter’s role as a leader in the early Church. And this demonstrates God's grace and forgiveness.
Let’s Check Out Peter’s Denial and Restoration.Luke 22:61-62 shows Peter’s moment of failure: "And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly." So there’s Peter’s recognition of making a mistake.
Let’s turn to John 21.
There Is Grace in Mistakes.After His resurrection, Jesus restores Peter. And John 21:15-17 records this moment of grace: "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs." Despite his mistakes, Peter is reaffirmed and commissioned to lead.
How Can We Apply This to Our Lives?
Let’s turn to Ephesians 2.
Peter’s story encourages us to understand that despite our mistakes, God’s grace is always available to bring us back and empower us to fulfill our purpose. It teaches us about the transformative power of grace. Peter, who had denied Christ, was chosen to lead the early Church, showing that God’s grace can restore and empower us regardless of our past.
Now, Let’s Check Out Christ’s Love for the Church.
Let’s turn to Ephesians 5.
In Ephesians, there’s a beautiful analogy of Christ’s love for the Church through the role of husbands. And Ephesians 5:25-28 says, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself."
That’s the Sacrificial Love of Christ.Christ's love for the Church is sacrificial and purifying. He gave Himself for the Church to sanctify and cleanse it. Similarly, husbands are to love their wives selflessly, being Christ-like and reflecting Christ’s love.
How Can We Apply This To Our Lives?
This sacrificial love exemplified by Christ demonstrates the depth of God's grace. Just as Christ loves the Church unconditionally, husbands are called to love their wives, showing how the grace of God is applied in their marriages. As husbands, we benefit from God’s unconditional love by learning to love our wives as Christ loves the Church, creating a loving and grace-filled family environment.
Let’s Now Apply These Lessons by Living as Conquerors.
We are called to live as conquerors, empowered by God’s grace. Here are five ways to incorporate grace into our daily lives:
Be Strong in Grace:II Timothy 2:1 encourages us to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." Strength in grace means relying on God’s power and not our own.
Grow in Grace:II Peter 3:18 exhorts us to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Growing in grace involves deepening our relationship with God through His Word, prayer, renewing our minds, and manifesting unconditional love.
Abound in Grace:II Corinthians 9:8 assures us that "God is able to make all grace abound toward you." Abounding in grace means recognizing and celebrating the numerous ways God’s favor manifests in our lives.
Steward God’s Grace:I Peter 4:10 calls us to "minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." Being good stewards of grace involves sharing God’s love and kindness with others.
Don’t Receive Grace in Vain:II Corinthians 6:1 reminds us to "not receive the grace of God in vain." This means actively living out our believing, not turning away from sound doctrine, but rather ensuring that God’s grace has a meaningful impact on our lives and the lives of those around us.
In Conclusion, Let’s Embrace the Fullness of God’s Grace.
As we reflect on the lives of Jonah, Ruth, and Peter, we see the powerful impact of God's grace. Despite their failures and challenges, God's unconditional love and unmerited favor transformed their lives, offering second chances, redemption, and abundant blessings. These stories remind us that God's grace is always available, no matter how far we stray or how many mistakes we make. By embracing God's grace, we can live as conquerors, experiencing His love and favor in every aspect of our lives. Let’s thank God for His incredible grace and apply these truths daily, living as witnesses to His unconditional love and reflecting the abundance He has graciously provided.
Let’s thank God for His incredible grace. And let’s apply these truths to our lives every day.
Extra Verses for Reference:
Be Strong in GraceII Timothy 2:1
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Grow in GraceII Peter 3:18
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.
Abound in GraceII Corinthians 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.
Steward God’s GraceI Peter 4:10
As every man hath received the gift, even so, minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Don’t Receive Grace in VainII Corinthians 6:1
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
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