Mike Mazzalongo

Grace for Beginners

God’s Most Precious Gift3

Reminders

• We do what we do by the power of grace

Reminders

• Grace existed in the Old Testament

Without the Law we cannot appreciate the beauty and generosity of God’s grace.

“But the righteous will live by his faith.”- Habakkuk 2:4b

Grace as a Gift / N.T. Gifts from God

1. The “gift” of the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:38

Grace as a Gift / N.T. Gifts from God

1. The “gift” of the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:38

2. The “gifts” God gives to the church – Eph. 4:8-12

Grace as a Gift / N.T. Gifts from God

1. The “gift” of the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:38

2. The “gifts” God gives to the church – Eph. 4:8-12

3. The spiritual “gifts” the Holy Spirit gives to individuals in the church – Rom. 12; I Cor. 12

Grace as a Gift / N.T. Gifts from God

1. The “gift” of the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:38

2. The “gifts” God gives to the church – Eph. 4:8-12

3. The spiritual “gifts” the Holy Spirit gives to individuals in the church – Rom. 12; I Cor. 12

4. The “gift” of Grace – II Cor. 9:15; Eph. 2:7

Q. Why is Grace the most valuable gift?

A. Because without it no other gift is possible.

“… show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

- James 2:18

What Grace Produces

1. Grace produces our salvation

What Grace Produces

1. Grace produces our salvation

2. Grace produces righteousness

Different Kinds of Righteousness

• Inherent RighteousnessIE - God

Different Kinds of Righteousness

• Inherent Righteousness

• Achieved RighteousnessIE – Righteousness through Law

Different Kinds of Righteousness

• Inherent Righteousness• Achieved Righteousness

• Imputed RighteousnessIE – Righteousness given by another

We are given the righteousness that God gives.

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

- Galatians 3:26-27

What Grace Produces

1. Grace produces our salvation

2. Grace produces righteousness

3. Grace produces life

Falling From Grace

1. Calvinism

T - Total Depravity

U - Unconditional Election

L - Limited Atonement

I - Irresitable Grace

P - Perserverance

Falling From Grace

1. Calvinism

2. Pessimism

Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.- Galatians 5:2-4

For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

- Galatians 5:5-6

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.- Philippians 2:12-13

“…work out your salvation…”

“…in fear and trembling…”

“…God is one who wills and works…”

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?- Romans 6:1-2

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.- II Timothy 4:7-8

God’s perfect gift to us is to allow us to have a relationship with Him based

on our faith, not on perfection.