John 1:14-18 | Dec. 2, 2018 | Morning Worship

Illustration: As children we were taught to say Grace, to ask the Lord to bless the food we were about to receive, to pray unto the Lord and offer up our needs to Him.  Today, what is one gift you seek today, have you asked the Lord for it.  You have not because you ask not.  John 16:24 “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

John 1:14-18“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ¹⁵ (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) ¹⁶ Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.¹⁸ No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God andis in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

We are entering into an exciting time that the church has waited for; we anticipate Christ’s return, for He is coming for His bride, the church.  As a prelude to this we celebrate His birth,descending from above, leaving His Father, stepping away from being deity, sinless in every way, pure and righteous and taking on human form, the form of a babe.

John the Baptist has the honor to speak, teach and preach, preparing the “way, “for the “Word” who came in flesh, who took on the appearance of man.  His birth was like no other, not born of man nor husbands decision but born of the Holy Spirit.  Yet this was no simple task you’re dealing with humans, who ask the strangest of questions.

John 1:14b “who came from the Father full of grace & Truth.”

Describing our Heavenly Father “full” completely, no more room, to overflowing, without end, never running out speaks of grace but what is grace.

How many of you enjoy a second chance, an opportunity to redeem oneself and given a fresh start.  Grace, speaks of a loving God who greeted me with the gift of salvation; setting me free from the bondage of sin.  Wiped my past clean, my sin remember no more, forgiven by the stripes Jesus bore at Calvary for you and me.

Illustration: Scrooge 1951 Alistair Sims, He is visited by three spirits, past, present and future, he is given insight into his wayward ways of a man who had wealth but kept it to himself.  The bottom line is if he was willing to change his ways there was hope for him before it was too late.  Scrooge awakes Christmas Morn a change man as giddy as a school boy, makes amends with his fellow man.  The truth be said grace was granted to Scrooge as Jesus grant to all who call on His name.

James 4:6“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: God opposes the proudbut shows favor to the humble.”

Grace-releases us from the dominion of sin, if we are to appreciate the message of the New Testament we need to understand the concept of grace.

Charis – Greek word -a gracious favor or benefit be-stowed, to show kindness or favor.   Jesus shows that God helps and pardons the helpless sinner.

 Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

 The invitation is given to all, draw near to Him, don’t gaze from a distance, approach the Lord  this season, come and worship Him at the manger, praise Him at the Cross, Celebrate Jesus is the reason, rejoice He is Lord & sits at the right hand of the Father.

Come unto me is an invitation of revelation as Jesus reveals Himself as the Giver of Salvation; those who seek rest can only be found by placing one’s faith in Christ because of all He has done in the Cross.  Take my Yoke, the yoke of the Cross and learn from His Sacrifice, only then will you discover rest; rest in the Cross.

We have entered this season to celebrate His first advent are you refreshed or weary, renewed every morning or burdened.  Let us accept the invitation Jesus bestows on us today to draw near, receive that gift which He is offering all mankind today-Salvation.

Acts 4:12“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

The Apostle Paul when converted dramatically on the Damascus Road he was driven to re-examine the beliefs of a lifetime he had followed.  His perspective on a person’s relationship with God was transformed, called to missionary work he was driven to the word “grace” for a way to express the vital difference between human attempts to win God’s favor and the way in which personal relationship with God is actually established and developed.

Hymn # 293 Grace  Greater Than Our Sin

CHORUS:

Grace, grace, God’s grace

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within

Grace, grace, God’s grace

Grace that is greater than all our sin

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace

Freely bestowed on all who believe!

You that are longing to see His face,

Will you this moment His grace receive?

 Illustration: Christmas shopping I dislike it with a passion; I have little patience with the crowds the overcrowded parking lots, the long lines.   Yet as we go about the task the gifts you purchase are bought with love, wrapped carefully and placed under the tree with a card with loving words.  Today there is a solution it is called On-line-shopping.

I don’t deserve any of God’s gifts I am a sinner, and praise the Lord, since accepting Jesus as my Savior I’m saved by grace.  I find my walk with God a daily battle, at times a challenge,but it is so much worthwhile it’s not easy to walk in his steps but as I walk in faith I am often tested, tried, stretched learning to walk with the Spirit of God all things are possible.

Just the other day I was asked by a young lady do you like being a Pastor?  Without hesitation Yes, I love what God has called me to do.  I’ve got the greatest job in the world.  Because I owe everything to Jesus.

N.T. Wright “Following Jesus”“we are not to be surprised if living as Christians brings us to the place where we find we are at the end of our own resources, and that we are called to rely on the God who raises the dead.”

The fruit you bear through serving God will be evidence in itself.  Do you want to experience righteousness, it is not found in attending church or attending every ministry offer by the church, though that may strengthen your walk.  It comes through faith in Jesus is given to all who believe.

Romans 3:22-23“This righteousness is given through faith inJesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

One of the greatest gifts Jesus offers is Grace:

Grace is available to each of us this day and all you and I are required to do is simply humble ourselves before Him.  Our receiving Christ is summed up in one word “Grace.”  So great a gift, so rich, so invaluable, we have received no less than Grace.

It is repeated, grace for grace.  We receive “grace not for our sakes, grace is lavished upon us for Christ’s sake.  Fullness of Grace is abundant.  It is a blessing poured out, until it is over flowing in your life not earned but freely given.  One grace=more grace pledged.

Accept the promise in verse 17 “We have received Grace and truth.”  The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…verse 14.

Grace is a way of life.  Relying totally on Jesus to work within us, we experience God’s own unlimited power, vitalizing us and enabling us to live truly good lives.

Grace is described as Love extraordinary, nothing compares to the Lord’s Grace.  No matter how long you have travelled the faith journey with Jesus how does one measure Grace?  Each day we live for Jesus the definition of Grace takes on new meaning and purpose.  The Grace of Jesus is something new every morning, supernatural and beyond human understanding.

We decisively reject any confidence in ourselves, and we trust ourselves totally to Jesus, who alone is able not only to declare us truly righteous men and women of God but also to make us so.