Are We Growing – in Grace?

November 26, 2006

Introduction

 

            Two weeks ago, we asked the question, “Are you growing?”  We looked at the last verse that Peter ever wrote that we have recorded:  (2 Pet 3:18 KJV)  “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”  At that time, we emphasized growing in our knowledge of Christ.  This morning, we want to look at another important thought in this verse:  “But grow in grace.”  What does it mean to grow in grace, and are we doing that?

 

Body

 

I.        What is grace?

 

1. The dictionary definitions:

 

grace (gr³s) n.. 4.a. A disposition to be generous or helpful; goodwill. b. Mercy; clemency. 5. A favor rendered by one who need not do so; indulgence.. 8. Theology. a. Divine love and protection bestowed freely on people. b. The state of being protected or sanctified by the favor of God. c. An excellence or a power granted by God.

5485. charis, khar'-ece;  espec. the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):--acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).

2. What are the synonyms?   Mercy, forgiveness.

(Mat 7:1-5 NKJV)  "Judge not, that you be not judged. {2} "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. {3} "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? {4} "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? {5} "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

2. Our speech is to be with grace.

(Col 4:6 NKJV)  Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

II.  What are the examples of grace?

1. Jesus words were gracious words.

 

(Luke 4:22 NKJV)  So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, "Is this not Joseph's son?"

 

2. Jesus was gracious to sinful women.

 

1.      There was the woman taken in adultery.

 

(John 8:3-11 NKJV)  Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, {4} they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. {5} "Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" {6} This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. {7} So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." {8} And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. {9} Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. {10} When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" {11} She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."

 

2.      He was gracious with the woman at the well.

 

(John 4:16-18 NKJV)  Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." {17} The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband,' {18} "for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly."

 

III.   Are we growing in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

 

A.     We need to teach, to explain, to encourage, but judgment is not our’s to make.

 

(Rom 14:19-20 NKJV)  Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. {20} Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense.

 

B.     We need to use our speech to build up and encourage.

 

(Eph 4:11-13 NKJV)  And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, {12} for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, {13} till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

 

IV.  How and where do we practice grace?

 

1. By giving preference to others.

 

(Rom 12:10-15 NKJV)  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; {11} not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; {12} rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; {13} distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. {14} Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. {15} Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

 

2. Where are we to be gracious?

 

1.      In the church.

2.      Even with those who have different views of things.

3.      In our homes:  companions, children, parents.

4.      At work: those we work for, those we work with, etc.

 

3. How do we accomplish graciousness? – By God’s grace.

 

(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.

 

Conclusion

 

How do we achieve graciousness?

 

§         First we have to want to be gracious

§         We have to feel a need to be gracious

§         We need to ask God to help us be gracious

 

But by the grace of God I am what I am

 

Are you what you should be?   Is your heart right with God?

 

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