God's Abundant Grace

Trevor S. Ferguson

November 5, 2011

Romans 5:15-21 (NKJV)
¹⁵ But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.
¹⁶ And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.
¹⁷ For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)
¹⁸ Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.
¹⁹ For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous.
²⁰ Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,
²¹ so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Titus 2:11-13 (NKJV)
¹¹ For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
¹² teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
¹³ looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

INTRODUCTION

 
"Grace" is a commonly expresses theme in the New Testament. 

Salvation is by grace, not works: Ephesians 2:8-9 states: 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.
 
The New Testament letters begin and conclude with the wish that grace will be with the readers, and the New Testament closes with these words: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen" (Revelation 22:21). It is clear therefore, that if we are to appreciate the message of the New Testament, we need to have some understanding of the concept of grace.
 
What is GRACE? 
Grace is commonly defined as the unmerited favour of God. In the Greek language, "grace" is charis. It means a gracious favor or benefit bestowed. Grace is God’s free gift of salvation to man. It is God’s work in man. Grace expresses that salvation is an undeserved, unearned blessing that God bestows on man freely

EXPOSITION

Why does man need salvation?

The sinful nature and consequent sentence of death was pronounced upon all men through the sin of Adam. Romans 5:12 tells us: “…by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”
 
The sinful nature was transmitted by inheritance to all humanity, because we all descended from Adam; this results in all humanity being subject to physical death. The sinful nature results in sinful acts – this results in judgment for sin and separation from God

What then is the solution to the sin problem?

Just as it was with Adam, by one man sin entered the world, so also by one man, Jesus Christ, many (i.e. all humanity) now have access to the free gift of God’s grace and therefore salvation through Jesus Christ. (Read vs. 15-17)
 
Are there limits to God’s grace? Can anyone or every one be saved? What if I have committed some terrible sin? Is the grace of God able to cover all my sin?
 
Can the grace of God save a murderer? A thief? A terrorist? An adulterer? A fornicator? A homosexual? What are the boundaries of God’s grace? Will God’s grace run out on some people?
 
By no means! Look at verse 20 of Romans 5: "... Where sin abounded grace did much more abound"! 
The greater the sin the greater the supply of grace. God’s grace is sufficient, enough, abundant, overflowing. It can never run out. Where sin is abundant, grace is super abundant!!
 
1^st Corinthians 6:9-11 tells us that many in the church were guilty of terrible sins but now have been washed! God's grace is super abundant!

God’s grace extends beyond bringing us to salvation

Look at Titus 2:11-13 (see above). God’s grace teaches us to:   deny ungodliness; deny worldly lust; live soberly; live righteously; live godly lives in this world; and look for our blessed hope – the appearing of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ

APPLICATION & CONCLUSION

God has made available to us undeserved favour – the opportunity of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Through his grace we can live righteous lives as we await His glorious return
 

Today if you have not yet received the grace of God, the opportunity is available to you right now! You must repent of your sins, accept water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ and seek for the baptism of the Holy Ghost. It does not matter how deep you are in sin, the word tells us that where sin abounds God’s grace much more abounds.
 

If you are a backslider or have fallen from you steadfastness, God’s grace is available to you as well. Today you can be restored to a right relationship with God.
 

For those who are walking steadfastly with Jesus, let me admonish you to grow in grace as we look for the appearing of our Saviour 

God’s abundant grace is available to us all. Amen