ASSIGNMENTS

1. Daily read over this material and read or sing the song.

2. Place the scripture where you will see it each day.

3. Think of times when you didn't get what you deserved, but got something you needed instead.

4. Write down some ways that you can show your appreciation for the grace you have received from God.

5. Plan to tell the class how God's grace has made a difference in your life.

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DAILY BIBLE VERSES AND PRAYER THOUGHTS

MONDAY - VERSES: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15	PRAYER THOUGHT: Gracious God, thank You for the Grace you have shown me, and help me to always be grateful for it.

TUESDAY - VERSES: Romans 11:1-8 PRAYER THOUGHT: Merciful Master, help me to show my gratitude for Your grace through my service to You.

WEDNESDAY - VERSES: Romans 5:1-21 PRAYER THOUGHT: Compassionate Judge, Help me to throw myself upon the mercy of the court confessing my guilt and begging for the grace that You have promised knowing that I could never deserve it.

THURSDAY - VERSES: Romans 4:1-17	PRAYER THOUGHT: Father, help me to show grace and loving-kindness to others so that I can be more like You.

FRIDAY - VERSES: Romans 6:1-18 PRAYER THOUGHT: Giver of All Good Gifts, help me to experience the joy of salvation available to me through Your grace.

SATURDAY - VERSES: Ephesians 1:1-14	PRAYER THOUGHT: Savior of All, help me to share the knowledge of Your grace with others so they can enjoy it as well.

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"None of us deserves happiness, son. We are broken, sinful failures and not living the kind of life that would deserved to have joy. The good news is that, thanks to the grace of God, we often get more good things in life than we deserve. -- Aaron Robinson to Brian Van Pelt in Out of Agony." - Lynette Endcott

SPIRITUAL HEALTH REGIMEN - WEEK 107

GOD'S GRACE - 8-31-14 TO 9-6-14

SCRIPTURE - 1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

COMMENT - Where would we be without God's grace. Sometimes we hear cries for justice, but when we truly understand what justice would mean - the death and condemnation to Hell of every one of us - we realize how wonderful grace truly is.

SONG - HIS GRACE REACHES ME

1) Deeper than the ocean and wider than the sea, Is the grace of the savior for sinners like me; Sent from the Father, and it thrills my soul, just to feel and to know that His blood makes me whole.

2) Higher than the mountains and brighter than the sun, It was offered at Calv'ry for ev'ry one; Greatest of treasures, and it's mine today, tho' my sins were as scarlet, He has washed them away.

CHORUS: His Grace (Yes, His grace), reaches me (reaches me), Yes, His Grace (Yes, His grace), reaches me (reaches me), and 'twill last thru eternity; Now I'm under His control and I'm happy in my soul, just to know (just to know) that His grace reaches me.

THOUGHTS

HIS LOVINGKINDNESS - BY SAMUEL MEDLEY

Awake, my soul, to joyful lays, And sing thy great Redeemer's praise;

He justly claims a song from me, His lovingkindness, oh, how free!

He saw me ruined by the fall, Yet loved me notwithstanding all;

He saved me from my lost estate, His lovingkindness, oh, how great!

Tho' num'rous hosts of mighty foes, Tho' earth and hell my way oppose,

He safely leads my soul along, His lovingkindness, oh, how strong!

When trouble, like a gloomy cloud, Has gathered thick and thundered loud,

He near my soul has always stood, His lovingkindness, oh how good!

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When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day's pay for his time, that is a wage. When a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for his performance, that is a prize. When a person receives appropriate recognition for his long service or high achievements, that is an award. But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award—yet receives such a gift anyway—that is a good picture of God's unmerited favor. This is what we mean when we talk about the grace of God. - Clip-Art Features for Church Newsletters, G.W. Knight, p. 53

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THE FREE GIFT

On one occasion, a man was taking a walk through a poor section of the city when he noticed a small boy coming out of a store with a pitcher of milk. Just then, the boy slipped and fell, breaking the pitcher and spilling the milk all over the sidewalk. The man rushed to the youngster's side and found him unhurt but terrified. "My mamma'll whip me!" he cried. The stranger suggested that they try to put the pitcher back together, but the pieces of glass would not stay together. The boy kept crying. Finally he picked up the youngster and carried him to a nearby store where the man purchased a new pitcher. Then he returned to the dairy store and had the pitcher washed and filled with milk. With that done, he carried both the boy and the pitcher home. Putting the youngster down on his front porch, his benefactor handed him the pitcher and asked, "Now will your mama whip you?"

A wide smile spread upon his tear-stained face, "Aw, no sir, 'cause it's lot better pitcher than we had before." - https://bible.org/illustration/free-gift

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Longing to leave her poor Brazilian neighborhood, Christina wanted to see the world. Discontent with a home having only a pallet on the floor, a washbasin, and a wood-burning stove, she dreamed of a better life in the city. One morning she slipped away, breaking her mother's heart. Knowing what life on the streets would be like for her young, attractive daughter, Maria hurriedly packed to go find her. On her way to the bus stop she entered a drugstore to get one last thing. Pictures. She sat in the photograph booth, closed the curtain, and spent all she could on pictures of herself. With her purse full of small black-and-white photos, she boarded the next bus to Rio de Janiero. Maria knew Christina had no way of earning money. She also knew that her daughter was too stubborn to give up. When pride meets hunger, a human will do things that were before unthinkable. Knowing this, Maria began her search. Bars, hotels, nightclubs, any place with the reputation for street walkers or prostitutes. She went to them all. And at each place she left her picture--taped on a bathroom mirror, tacked to a hotel bulletin board, fastened to a corner phone booth. And on the back of each photo she wrote a note. It wasn't too long before both the money and the pictures ran out, and Maria had to go home. The weary mother wept as the bus began its long journey back to her small village.

It was a few weeks later that young Christina descended the hotel stairs. Her young face was tired. Her brown eyes no longer danced with youth but spoke of pain and fear. Her laughter was broken. Her dream had become a nightmare. A thousand times over she had longed to trade these countless beds for her secure pallet. Yet the little village was, in too many ways, too far away. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, her eyes noticed a familiar face. She looked again, and there on the lobby mirror was a small picture of her mother. Christina's eyes burned and her throat tightened as she walked across the room and removed the small photo. Written on the back was this compelling invitation. "Whatever you have done, whatever you have become, it doesn't matter. Please come home." She did. - Max Lucado, No Wonder They Call Him the Savior, Multnomah Press, 1986, pp.

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GOD'S GRACE

INTRODUCTION - 1 CORINTHIANS 15:10

L.S. - LET US EXAMINE . . .

I. HOW GOD'S GRACE WORKS. - ROMANS 3:9-20; 6:23; 5:6-10

II. WHAT GOD'S GRACE DOES. - EPHESIANS 2:5-8; EZRA 9:8; ROMANS 12:6; 2 THESSALONIANS 2:16; HEBREWS 12:28-29; TITUS 2:11-12

III. WHY GOD GIVES HIS GRACE. - 2 PETER 3:9; EZEKIEL 18:23, 32

IV. HOW GOD'S GRACE IS RECEIVED. - ROMANS 4:4; 5:2; ACTS 13:43; EPHESIANS 2:8-9

GOD'S GRACE

INTRODUCTION:

A. 1 CORINTHIANS 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

B. GRACE DEFINED - UNMERITED FAVOR - WHAT IS NEEDED INSTEAD OF WHAT IS DESERVED.

L.S. - LET US EXAMINE . . .

I. HOW GOD'S GRACE WORKS.

A. DESERVED DEATH, BUT NEEDED SALVATION

1. ROMANS 3:9-20 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

2. ROMANS 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

3. ROMANS 5:6-10 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

B. TICKET ILLUSTRATION

When Billy Graham was driving through a small southern town, he was stopped by a policeman and charged with speeding. Graham admitted his guilt, but was told by the officer that he would have to appear in court.

The judge asked, "Guilty, or not guilty?" When Graham pleaded guilty, the judge replied, "That'll be ten dollars -- a dollar for every mile you went over the limit."

Suddenly the judge recognized the famous minister. "You have violated the law," he said. "The fine must be paid--but I am going to pay it for you." He took a ten dollar bill from his own wallet, attached it to the ticket, and then took Graham out and bought him a steak dinner! "That," said Billy Graham, "is how God treats repentant sinners!" - Progress Magazine, December 14, 1992.

II. WHAT GOD'S GRACE DOES.

A. SAVES US - EPHESIANS 2:5-8 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

B. LEAVES A REMNANT - EZRA 9:8 And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.

C. GAVE GIFTS - ROMANS 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

D. GIVES HOPE - 2 THESSALONIANS 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

E. ALLOWS US TO SERVE ACCEPTABLY - HEBREWS 12:28-29 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

F. TEACHES US - TITUS 2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

G. PLEDGE WEEK ILLUSTRATION

III. WHY GOD GIVES HIS GRACE.

A. GOD WANTS ALL TO BE SAVED - 2 PETER 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

1. EZEKIEL 18:23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

2. EZEKIEL 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

B. FOOTBALL ILLUSTRATION

A team was leading the last game of the season by two with seconds left and they had the ball. The coach inexplicably called for the QB to run out of the back of the end-zone and give up a safety, tying the game and sending it to overtime. They won the game by 6 with a touchdown. Why had he not been satisfied? They would have won the game, but missed the playoffs because of tiebreakers with other teams in the league.

Jesus' death seemed just as inexplicable to so many, but was necessary for us to make it to Heaven

IV. HOW GOD'S GRACE IS RECEIVED.

A. CAN'T BE EARNED OR IT WOULD BE WORKS. - ROMANS 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

B. CAN'T BE AUTOMATIC OR NONE COULD BE LOST. - ROMANS 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

C. CAN'T BE IRRESISTIBLE OR NONE WOULD BE LOST. - ACTS 13:43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

D. IT IS A GIFT. - EPHESIANS 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

E. BEING A GIFT DOES NOT MEAN THERE IS NO RESPONSE NECESSARY BY THE RECIPIENT.

F. MONEY ILLUSTRATION - OFFER $5 TO WHOEVER COMES TO GET IT.

CONCLUSION	A. SUMMARY	B. INVITATION

More to Follow

A large sum of money was given to Rowland Hill to dispense to a poor pastor. Thinking that the amount was too much to send all at once, Hill forwarded just a portion along with a note that said simply, "More to follow." In a few days the man received another envelope containing the same amount and with the same message, "More to follow." At regular intervals, there came a third, and a fourth. In fact, they continued, along with those cheering words, until the entire sum had been received.

C. H. Spurgeon used this story to illustrate that the good things we receive from God always come with the same prospect of more to follow. He said:

"When God forgives our sins, there's more forgiveness to follow. He justifies us in the righteousness of Christ, but there's more to follow. He adopts us into His family, but there's more to follow. He prepares us for heaven, but there's more to follow. He gives us grace, but there's more to follow. He helps us to old age, but there's still more to follow."

Spurgeon concluded, "Even when we arrive in the world to come, there will still be more to follow." - Source unknown

1 Corinthians 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what

I am: and his grace which was

bestowed upon me was not in vain; but

I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God

which was with me.