A People of Grace
Nov. 11, 2007
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Text: Acts 11:19-30
God's hand is with us! – growing - grieving! You are part of this great work - growing and grieving? God's hand is with his people of grace! Will OHC continue to be a people of grace? God's grace causes growth!
1) The telling of grace
V20-21 - intentional evangelism! Make conversation with the intention of conversion - A Christ conversationalist! The words you say could spark the heart of the listener! Your story with God! People will turn to Jesus!! The kingdom grows!! My argument - Jesus said if we follow we will be fishers of men! Grace is Good news - Speak it! You can share your story! John 8:31
News travels fast!
2) The teaching of grace
V22-24 - Barnabas was sent! The perfect example of Grace!
Encouraging in discipleship - STAY TRUE - This is a call to discipleship – Truth - When we grow in grace the kingdom will grow! Barnabas - great influence - great devotion
Truth - you can do great things!
Be strengthened in grace - encouraged and encourager!
3) The serving of grace
V29 - the giving of grace - Sent a gift! OHC blesses! Do what you can do! You have been graced to give grace! Ability - Be involved in the blessing!
”Many Christians seem to understand the concept of being saved by grace, but they have missed the concept of being sustained by grace.” - James D. Mallory, Jr.
”The man who has nothing more than a kind of Sunday religion -- whose Christianity is like his Sunday clothes put on once a week, and then laid aside -- such a man cannot, of course, be expected to care about growth in grace.” - J.C. Ryle
”God loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you that way.” - Max Lucado
Conclusion
Martyr Sanctus - I am a Christian - A person of grace will be called Christian!