WOAC ON AIR -'Thank You God For Grace'

WOAC On Air – 02 May 2024 Episode 94

Inspiration brought to you by WOAC on Air ___________________________________________________________________________ Topic: Thank You God for your Grace!

 Gal 1.3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Paul starts his writings and ends His writings with God’s grace be upon each of the readers - Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews Titus 1.4 “To Titus, mine own son after the common faith “Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ our savior.”

We notice in all Paul’s writings whether he is talking to the church congregation or the leaders of the church or his support team he prays that God’s grace be upon as much as peace be upon them and he ends each writing with Grace be with you all Amen!

This tells me that Grace is an essential virtue that Christians need in order to be successful now and forever more. How would you define the Grace of God Erika, Shinaaz

Definition of Grace Miriam Webster dictionary

A - : unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification B - : a virtue coming from God C - : a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine assistance

Grace in Greek means “charis”: grace, kindness Original Word: χάρις, ιτος, ἡ Transliteration: charis - Phonetic Spelling: (khar'-ece) Usage: (a) grace, as a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ, (b) favor, (c) gratitude, thanks, (d) a favor, kindness.

5485 /xáris ("grace") answers directly to the Hebrew (OT) term 2580 /Kaná ("grace, extension-toward"). Both refer to God freely extending Himself (His favor, grace), reaching (inclining) to people because He is disposed to bless (be near) them.

What are the 3 levels of God’s grace?

A) Salvation - “Prevenient” - Jesus kindness went ahead and saved us while we were yet sinners he died for all humanity. He then presented the Gospel to restore sinners to righteousness. B) “Justification” - Jesus favour rests upon us - whereby he paid the penalty on our behalf therefore we have been justified just as if we have never sinned. We have been released from the penalty of sin. (Rev 12.10 for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. )

C) “Sanctification” - Holy Spirit extending the life of Jesus to us through anointing and God’s word which is light and life therefore thereby we are released from the power of sin.

Now that we are saved, what does God grace mean to the born again believer? A) We need God’s grace so that we can do good works Jesus prepared or us to do

•   1 Cor 1.4I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 5that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, 6even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, 7so that you come short in no gift”

•   Ephesians 2.8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

  B) God’s grace enables us to live as overcomers whilst fulfilling God’s call upon our lives

•   2 Thess 1.4 Paul is commending the Thessolonian church for their patience and perserving during challenging times “so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.

•   v 11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would “count you worthy” of this calling, and fulfill all the “good pleasure of His goodness” and the “work of faith with power,” 12that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

  C) God’s grace protects us from becoming prideful - therefore humility is a quality where His Grace is actively at work

•   Romans 5.1-2Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glor