Amazing Grace

John Newton (1725-1807)
February 21, 2010

Introduction

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

Is there anyone who has not heard the song I just read? How many know the truth behind the words, “That saved a wretch like me.” He felt every bit of that statement. He had been involved in dealing in transporting slaves by ships in which many of them died in route to where they were being sold. John Newton felt and meant the words of this song.

Today, the song is a great favorite, but how real are the words to us? None of us have been involved in the slave trade, but do we understand the grace of God?

Body

I. Jesus gave an analogy to help us understand forgiveness

(Luke 7:39-50 NKJV) Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner." {40} And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." So he said, "Teacher, say it." {41} "There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. {42} "And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?" {43} Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have rightly judged." {44} Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. {45} "You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. {46} "You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. {47} "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." {48} Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." {49} And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" {50} Then He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."

A. The woman may have been a prostitute.

B. Simon was a Pharisee – they were the “very religious.’

1. We love the song, “Amazing Grace.”

2. Would we have loved John Newton?

3. Do we really understand Amazing Grace?

II. Jesus gave the parable of the two men who went to the temple to pray.

(Luke 18:9-14 NKJV) Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: {10} "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. {11} "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men; extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. {12} 'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' {13} "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' {14} "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

A. Where is the focus: Are we focused on the grace of God, or are we focused on our own goodness?

B. I submit to you the case of the apostle Paul.

(1 Cor 15:10 NKJV) But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

III. What should we learn from our study today?

A. To be even more appreciative of the grace of God.

1. Can we truly say, “But by the grace of God, there go I”?

2. Can we sing “Amazing Grace” and truly mean it is amazing.

3. Can we be truly thankful for the grace of God.

4. Do we understand that grace is the unmerited favor of God.

(Rom 5:8 NKJV) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

B. To understand more fully that we cannot save ourselves by our own goodness.

(Eph 2:8-9 NKJV) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, {9} not of works, lest anyone should boast.

C. Do not judge other people’s standing before God.

1. Jesus told the apostles not to make such judgments.

(Mark 9:38-40 NKJV) Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us." {39} But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. {40} "For he who is not against us is on our side.

2. Paul said we are not to judge another man’s servant.

(Rom 14:4 NKJV) Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

Conclusion

I. This morning, we have studied the beauty of God’s Amazing grace.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

II. Jesus told us the need of being born again.

(John 3:3-5 NKJV) Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." {4} Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" {5} Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

A. If you have not been baptized into Christ, I know of no better time than now.

B. If you need to confess something of a public nature, we encourage you to do that as together we stand and sing.

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