THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE
EPHESIANS 1:1-7
Introduction:
The message of the riches of the grace of God is a vast subject. This message will only touch a very small part of it. In the preparation of this message I have been made aware again of how great God’s love for man is.
Man is a sinner and at best he has failed to recommend himself to God. His ONLY HOPE is Jesus Christ.
In this message we will see the riches of God’s goodness, the riches of His glory, the riches of His redemption and the riches of His love for mankind.
I. The Riches of His Goodness
“In man is NOT a mere passive quality, but the deliberate preference of right to wrong, the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil, and the choosing and following of all moral good.” Romans 2:4, “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
A. God’s forbearance, Romans 3:25, “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”
B. His longsuffering, 1 Peter 3:20, “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.”
C. His Goodness leads us to repentance, 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.”
II. The Riches of His Glory
A. The vessels of mercy Romans 9:23, “And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,” (See v. 21)
B. His glory through his kindness toward us, Ephesians 2:7, “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
C. The praise of his glory, Ephesians 1:12-13, “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”
III. The Riches of Redemption Through his blood.
A. The forgiveness of sins, Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
B. Justification through His blood, Romans 5:9, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
IV. THE RICHES OF HIS LOVE
Matthew 6:31-32, “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”
A. The Riches of His Supply, Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
1. His Riches are “Exceeding abundant,” 1 Timothy 1:14, “And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”
2. His Riches are shed on us abundantly Titus 3:6, “Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;”
B. They are More Precious than Earthly Riches, Hebrews 11:26, “Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”
C. They are Enduring Riches, Proverbs 8:18, “Riches and honour are with me; yea, DURABLE RICHES and righteousness.”
1. The treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Christ, Colossians 2:3, In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
2. The treasure of sound wisdom and its application, Proverbs 8:5, O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
3. The Lord helps us to know how we should pray, Romans 8:26, Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
CONCLUSION
4. The Riches of God’s Grace is far beyond our ability to comprehend and yet we are the recipients of that grace. We are the ones who enjoy the blessings that flow from the font of God in Heaven. We are the ones toward whom His love flows and to whom His blessings are aimed. That ought to make us thankful to our Savior Jesus Christ for that grace.
5. The Lord is good to all of us, Psalms 145:8, “The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.”