Sermon snippet – God’s Grace
INTRODUCTION – We can never speak too much about the grace of God. In practical terms, grace is God’s goodnesses given to us. The first use of “grace” in the Bible is in Genesis 6:8, although, of course, grace is found in the Creation account of Genesis 1 (note especially the use of “good” and “very good”). Let us consider three basic truths about this great topic.
- GOD’S GRACE ALWAYS COMES FIRST
Genesis 6:9 tells us that Noah was an exceptionally spiritually-minded man. However, verse 8 reminds us that Noah first “found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” Anything that is good originates in God and is bestowed upon us by Him. God is intrinsically good, and that goodness has always been the operating principle in His relationship with mankind. God does not grant us good things because we are inherently good, because we have done certain things, or because of what we will become. Deuteronomy 7:7-8 is helpful in understanding God’s goodness. Why did God love Israel? He loved them because He loved them. This is not man’s logic, but it is the logic of God’s grace. In other words, grace is grace. If we try to add to it, it is no longer grace. Romans 5:8 assures us that God the Son, Jesus Christ, died to pay the penalty for our sins. Why did Jesus love us? He loved us because He loved us. His grace always comes first and is best demonstrated in the death of Jesus on the Cross.
- GOD’S GRACE IS FULL
Noah was a descendant of the godly line of Adam through Seth. He had seen Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, his father Lamech, and grandfather Methuselah die. Lamach, a godly man (Genesis 5:29), died just five years before the Flood. Methuselah was a walking sermon: his name means “When he dies, it will come,” referring to God’s righteous judgment in the Flood; he died in the very year of the Flood. Part of God’s grace to Noah was this godly heritage. He grew up surrounded by increasing sin and violence (Genesis 6:5-7), but he was enveloped by faith. Let us think often of how God’s grace has similarly enshrouded us. Let us remember the conduits of His grace in our lives, including in our family and in our church family. We will then begin to better appreciate the fullness of God’s grace.
- GOD’S GRACE IS FREE
A gift is not something we deserve or pay for. By definition, grace is free. It cannot be earned, but, sadly, it can be spurned. Because grace is free, we are free to receive it or reject it. You may have noticed this morning that you did not have to worry about finding a seat. Our little church is not crowded; we wish that it were. Well, Noah desired that the ark be filled with people, but only eight received God’s gift of safety and security (Genesis 7:7). That congregation was even smaller than ours. Yet, it was greatly blessed and became a great blessing. Noah was “a preacher of righteousness” (II Peter 2:5) like his great-grandfather Enoch and had a consistent testimony to others (Genesis 6:9 “perfect” means “blameless” in regards to others). He “walked with God” even when his godly ancestors had died and when the vast majority rejected God’s gift of salvation. Like Noah, we can either run with the world and die or walk with God and live.
CONCLUSION – There is nothing new under the sun – or in the storm. Most people today openly scoff at God; another time of judgment is promised, and God always keeps His promises. Let us flee from the wrath to come; let us flee into the certain grace of God. May each one of us be sure of eternal salvation through faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ, and may we together realize that God’s grace can flow powerfully through even a few folks like us.