Bible Study - Abundant Grace

Here are the notes for the Bible Study on Abundant Grace.

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 Be blessed!

Chris

1. Definition of Grace
5485 χάρις [charis /khar∑ece/] n f. From 5463; TDNT 9:372; TDNTA 1298; GK 5921; 156 occurrences; AV translates as “grace” 130 times, “favour” six times, “thanks” four times, “thank” four times, “thank + 2192” three times, “pleasure” twice, and translated miscellaneously seven times. 
1 grace. 1a that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech. 
2 good will, loving-kindness, favour. 2a of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues. 
3 what is due to grace. 3a the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace. 3b the token or proof of grace, benefit. 3b1 a gift of grace. 3b2 benefit, bounty. 
4 thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward.

2. Simple Christian Definition
G od’s
R iches
A t
C hrist’s
E xpense

3. God is Only Good to Us
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (NKJV)
If it is good, it is from God. If it is bad, it is from the devil!

4. Be Strong in Grace
2 Timothy 2: 1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (NKJV)
Being strong in grace is the basis for everything.

Psalm 103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (NKJV)

5. The Gospel Is All About God’s Grace
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (NKJV)
Paul is willing to lay down his life, considers this as running the race, this ministry - to testify, give witness to, the gospel of GRACE. It is worth dying for! As a witness, we must have experienced this GRACE ourselves. If we don’t, we can’t be witnesses.

Gospel of Grace is not a side issue. Unless we understand God’s grace, we cannot bask in His love. It is imperative that we know His grace to us.
We love because He first loved us. We understand grace, get to know love of Christ, become full of God. 
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE SPEND TIME SEEKING TO KNOW HOW GOOD GOD IS TO US BECAUSE OF THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS ON THE CROSS.

More Verses:
1 Peter 5:10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (NKJV)
He is the God of all grace

1 Peter 1:10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, (NKJV)
This Gospel of Grace was prophesied years ago.

1 Peter 5: 12 By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand. (NKJV)
What we stand on is this true grace, the Gospel.

6. No Grace = Not Gospel
Galatians 1:6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, (NKJV)
Turning away from the grace of Christ is to turn to a DIFFERENT GOSPEL. Not grace = Not Gospel!
Study everything you can about how good God is to you because of what Jesus did. Turn the focus away from you. Not about what you can do for Him, but what He has done for you.

Trying to love God, to do His will, without first understanding His grace to us, is *behaviour modification* and *is doomed*. Get to know grace first!

Galatians 5:4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. (NKJV)
Estranged from Christ, going to anything else (including law) = fallen from grace. Simply failing to rely on the grace of God.

7. Peace always comes with Grace
Romans 1:7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV)

1 Corinthians 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV)

2 Corinthians 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV)

Galatians 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, (NKJV)

Ephesians 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV)

Philippians 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV)

Colossians 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV)

1 Thessalonians 1: 1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV)

2 Thessalonians 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV)

2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, (NKJV)

We have as much peace as we know the grace of Christ in our lives. Know Jesus, Know Peace. No Jesus, No Peace.

8. Early Church Enjoyed Great Grace
Acts 4: 32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. (NKJV)

Acts 11:23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. (NKJV)
Grace Upon the Church Was Obvious. Barnabas visiting Antioch – he could see the grace that was on them!

9. Grow in Grace
2 Peter 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. (NKJV)
We can have knowledge of our Lord, but not know God. Knowing God comes when we know His grace. We grow in grace when we spend time learning, admiring and believing how good God is to us.

10. The Take Away
God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense – All only because of Jesus
We must be strong in Grace - be constantly aware of God’s goodness to us
The Gospel is all about God’s Grace to Us
Know the true Gospel, know Grace
Study the Word – Know His Goodness, know His Grace