Mike Mazzalongo

Grace for Beginners

No Grace – No Gospel4

Grace is not a dividing line

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (I John 1:5-7)

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. (I John 1:8-10)

Walking in the Light…

… is the awareness that because we are sinners, we need Christ as

our savior.

Grace is not a thermometer

But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, (I Cor. 1:30)

And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. (I Peter 2:24)

Repentance…

… is a change of attitude about sin.

Grace is not a free ticket

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)

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (I Peter 1:14-16)

Words Translated as Grace

To Bend or StoopBending down in kindness to an inferior resulting in a favor

O.T.

Words Translated as Grace

Kindness / JoyTo express kindness through blessings

N.T.

The word grace refers to 2 things:

1. God’s Character- Kind / Joyful

2. God’s Blessings- Salvation by faith

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; (Romans 3:21-24)

Grace is a favor because there’s no other way we could achieve it.

Examples of Grace

1. David– Adultery– Murder– Lying

Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has taken away your sin; you shall not die. (II Sam. 12:13)

God allowed Christ to make restitution for David’s sins!

That’s Grace

Examples of Grace

2. Paul– Persecuted Christians– Paul’s sins were also paid

for by Jesus

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.(Col. 2:13-14)

My Debt

Col. 2:13-14