Transcription downloaded from https://yetanothersermon.host/_/church4u/sermons/86860/grace/. Disclaimer: this is an automatically generated machine transcription - there may be small errors or mistranscriptions. Please refer to the original audio if you are in any doubt. [0:00] If you've got your Bibles, Acts 4.! Acts 4. Grace. Grace. Grace. Grace. Grace. [0:21] Grace. God's grace. God is at work in us, for us, through us, to us, by His grace. By His grace. [0:33] Grace. How do we describe it? Now, some have reckoned it with this acrostic, you know, God's riches at Christ's expense. [0:43] How do we describe God's grace? This is how someone has put it. His great riches. He left the wonder, the splendour of heaven, the riches of heaven, stepped down and became enwrapped in human skin, living within a human frame, God manifest in the flesh, then, as we've heard, was brutally beaten, scourged, pierced, wounded, died for us, and rose again, and rose again, living, resurrected, our Saviour, redeemer, as we trust His work, His great expense, God's riches, at Christ's expense. [1:35] grace, and that's grace, isn't it? His gift of salvation, what He's done for us. We can't describe it, truly. It's beyond human language, isn't it? [1:46] God's wonderful gift, His wonderful grace, and He gives us His grace. He gives us His grace, and He expects us to grow in grace. [1:57] Not only does He show it, He wants us to show it, and know it. And so, we'll talk along the line of grace today. Amazing, isn't it? Amazing grace. [2:07] We know John Newton, the writer of amazing grace. He was a slave trader, a self-confessed, very wicked man. He was a vile man. [2:19] People would have thought, beyond reach of God's grace. Yeah, he was the one who penned these words, because he found grace. God gave him grace. God delivered grace to him, even him. [2:29] And he can for us. It's still amazing, isn't it? Isn't it? God's grace, amazing. We can't describe it. Wonderful grace. Acts 4. [2:40] Acts 4.33, it says, the early church had great grace. It says, they had great power, they gave witness, of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. [2:53] It was a feature, it was a characteristic, a quality that they all had, amongst the people of God. Grace was there. Grace was upon them all. Great grace. And 2 Peter 3.18 tells us, that grace is a quality, that we can grow. [3:10] Now I know there's some people, growing some tomatoes of late, and they're growing great guns. And I find what grows best, in my garden, are the weeds. [3:22] They don't have to try, they just spring up, do they? Wouldn't it be nice, if we had grace, that grew like that, just sprung up, and just blossoms, and flourishes, and takes over, the garden of our lives, that we would grow in grace, that grace would be manifest. [3:41] And Peter says this, he says, but grow in grace, and in the knowledge, of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, to him be glory, both now, and forever. [3:52] Amen. Grow in that, grow in that, a quality that we can grow. Not only can he, he shows it to us, we can know it, but we can grow it, we can manifest it, it can be, so, blossoming, and blooming, and spreading, that it just flourishes, that's what God wants for us, that we grow in grace. [4:16] Paul urges Timothy this, he says, therefore my son, be strong in, the grace, that is in Christ Jesus. Be strong, Timothy, be strong, people of God, in the grace, the grace that is in, Christ Jesus. [4:35] God's grace, makes us strong, it's his grace, that makes us strong Christians, not our own striving, but his leading, his enabling, his infilling, he makes us strong Christians, as we just let him, allow God, to make his grace, bloom in your life, to make grace abound in you, grow in grace, he says, be strong, in grace, grace isn't weak, it's strength, grace is strength, elsewhere, it says in James 4, verse 6, that God resists, the proud, but he gives grace, unto the humble, and so, what we to be such, as we humble ourselves, that we tap into that strength, that is beyond our own, his strength, will come, and make us truly strong, truly strong, grace is God's powerful giving, it's his kindness, it's his forgiving, it's his receiving, of the lost, and the unworthy, just as John Newton found, as unworthy as he was, grace came, and changed him, from the inside out, and grace, does that still, grace is an attitude, that we can have, in our own lives, it's a way of living, and relating, grace is kindness, and long suffering, and God's grace, not only does he save us, but he changes us, and he gives us his grace, that we can live it, that we can show it, it's his character, the character, of our Lord Jesus Christ, within us, at work, in our lives, his big heart of love, his generosity, of spirit, we can know, the great grace of God, is God's grace, at work, in us, like that, he wants it to, he wants you to know it, and to show it, so that others can see, [6:31] God's grace within you, in us, the Lord Jesus, living in, and through us, are you for real, are you for real, or is your Christianity, a sham, grace, makes it happen, grace makes it possible, grace saves, and grace keeps, and grace leads, grace teaches us, grace trains us, how to be, to live, to flourish, to strengthen, grow in grace, we can, if we just trust him, and know his saving grace, we'll see his grace, outlived, in our lives, let's look at a few ways, grace manifests, that grace shows itself, grace, changes truly, everything, when we save, grace changes us, grace changes, everything, and we see, grace, in a few ways, for example, in giving, in giving, in 2 Corinthians 8, verse 9, for you know the grace, of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes, he became poor, that you through his, poverty, might be rich, grow in grace, grow in the grace of giving, grace is generous, grace is generous, we're not just talking about, in dollars, talking about that generosity, of spirit, the generosity, of spirit, that you can be generous, with your time, that you can be generous, with your heart, you can be generous, with how you show your care, [8:08] God gives to us, doesn't he, and oughtn't we to be, having that giving nature, and I think of my, my granny, she was a giving person, though she had, very little to rub together, and would, when I moved over to, Australia, she would still, post me some, Pommy comics, some, Binos, or whatever they're called, different things, from England, just because she thought, of her grandson, far, far away, and you know, that just spoke to me, that she was a kind person, she was a generous person, we can show kindness, in lots of different ways, can't we, just take time for people, just show, a bit of care, a bit of attention, a bit of time, to spend time, looking at people, talking with them, encouraging, where we get the opportunity to, so not hold back, from giving, where we can, grace is generous, it gives from the heart, and God gives to us, his deep, his deep love, and if we can just, dig down deep, in ourselves, we can give out, of his life, to others, you know, one of the most generous, things that we can do, is to witness, isn't it, to be a witness, to be a glowing Christian, a Christian, who wants to tell others, of our faith, that's the greatest gift, you can ever give, isn't it, the gift of your testimony, to tell others, to tell of his joy, his life within you, to reach out to another, and give them the most precious, gift, the most precious knowledge, that they can ever come to know, to know the saviour, he freely gives of his, big heart, doesn't he, to us, our Lord gives, so generously, he gives from his love, and so too, we can give, to those who, may, we may think, they may not deserve it, because that's how God gives to us, doesn't he, he gives beyond, our being able to give back to him, he gives to those who need it most, his grace, that's the wonder of Calvary, isn't it, that while we were yet sinners, while we were his enemies, he showed such love, in bouncing, in abundance, he gives, over and over, and over again, just, have, just having breath, to breathe, having sunshine, to warm our skin, having, every day, is a gift, from God, and, he gives us, he gives us, he gives up, his own things for us, to have what we need, through his poverty, we've been made rich, the richness of salvation, it's, it's wealth beyond compare, that there is, an abundance, his only beloved son, the priceless possession, that he had, he gave his very son, and we likewise, are to be givers, to give in grace, to give freely, to grow, that sincerity, in our giving, in our loving, our giving, should be a grace, to share with others, to take time for others, to build the work, of the Lord, give, [11:14] Christian giving, isn't so much a give, until it hurts, it's a give, until you feel good, because it makes you feel good, to give, to put yourself out, now there's people, that have taken some tracks away, they're going to be giving, of their time, cutting those tracks up, and stamping them, so they can be used, for the ministry, find ways, that you can give, of your time, give in ministry, give freely, give generously, give, from your whole heart, now there's opportunities, to give, in the youth group, of this church, you might think, oh I could lend a hand, with that, I could come Friday, I could come Friday night, and just, just be there, you know, sometimes we need, to rent a crowd, don't we, you know, Sunday nights, there's a bit lights on, sometimes, we need, we need to light, you know, help, help bring, bring somebody, to church, now I mentioned before, we've got a, missionary, from India, and I'm sure, he's got a word, from God, that he'll share for us, tell us about, his ministry there, give of your time, come where you can, when you can, bring a friend, to church, give, give until, it feels good, give cheerfully, give freely, from your whole heart, [12:28] God loves a cheerful giver, it says in Luke, 6, 38, well here's another one here, God's grace, someone has said, God's grace, is not, an excuse to sin, but rather, a reason to love, and serve him more, fully, God's grace, it's, it's, God's grace, is not, that he excuses, our sin, but, he brings his free, and full forgiveness, for our sin, so that we can trust him, and have reason to live, and serve him gladly, Luke, 6, 38, he says, give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running all over, shall men give, into your bosom, for with the same measure, that you meet, with all shall it be measured, to you again, you know, sometimes, this might be a bit of a, a flippant sort of, comparison here, but, you get your rice bubbles, and you put them in, that I get, put them in a plastic container, and I sort of shake it down, and get a bit more room, to pour the rest in, who's ever done that, that's what God gives, isn't it, he just, it's so full, that it's shaken down, and so that it's so jam packed, that's how much God gives to us, isn't it, he gives us so abundant, and God pours his grace, into the lives, of those who give, he calls us to show grace, in our giving, again, it's beyond, what goes in the bag, it's about the spirit, behind, who you are as a person, be a giving person, where you get the opportunity to, secondly, grace in your speaking, grace in how we speak, as believers, we're exhorted to have grace, in our words, grace in how we speak, in Colossians 4 verse 6, the Lord, through Paul says, let your speech be, always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how, to answer every man, let your speech, always be with grace, before you, open the lip, it's not better to, zip the lip, as it were, when you unzip the lip, may it be grace, that comes out, may it be grace, that comes out, otherwise, zip it back up again, you know, sometimes we've got to, it's like, you've heard it said, when you're feeling really angry, you want to send an email, and you'd want to say, this is how I really, this is what I really think, or when you write a letter, and you're really annoyed, with someone, you know, you actually don't post it, you just let it sit there, and then you might think, oh no, that was maybe a bit too strong, but sometimes we need to think, about our words, don't we, about what we say, rather just think, maybe I'll just, just hold that thought, for a minute, before I say it, let your speech, be always, with grace, seasoned with salt, you know, put that salt, as it were, make it, make it something, that's good, and nice, and thoughtful, and kind, so that you ought to, that you may know, how you ought to answer, every man, so we ought to grow in grace, and one of the ways, we can grow in grace, is learn the language of grace, the language of grace, to have grace, in our speaking, you know, look, [15:43] I must confess, there's moments, when I want to utter words, and say things, you know, a bit harsh, a bit hard, and you know, really sock it to someone, and really, you know, let it all out, sometimes you've just got to, no, let's, let's think how we can put that, so that we, we may still express, our feelings, but, yet with respect, with kindness, that we still, can be thoughtful, how we say something, and of our Lord Jesus, we see, the language of grace, in our Lord Jesus, he says, it tells of him, in Luke 4, 22, that, that they wondered, at the gracious words, the gracious words, which proceeded, out of his mouth, the Lord Jesus, had gracious words, words of grace, words that were gracious, his words were spoken, with grace, with grace, they were seasoned, with salt, they were always, with grace, our Lord Jesus, our ultimate model, our ultimate example, his words, were gracious words, when they fell, from his lips, we can still, tell someone, something straight, we can still, still have a, you know, have, a full, and fierce, and, fulsome, discussion, with someone, but, we don't have to be, nasty, do we, we don't have to have, those, harsh words, but, we can find ways, to express ourself, firmly, but fairly, and kindly, words of grace, and forgiveness, maybe there's things, that you might have, against someone, that it's better not said, it's better not to say it, let it ride, let it go, you know, that chip on your shoulder, just brush it off, and leave it behind, don't carry it, words of compassion, and truth, words of life, and enrichment, grace, words of hope, words of salvation, better that you have words, that you can, that you won't regret, you know, sometimes we say words, and think, you know, especially when, you know, it might be too late, to make something good, say it, say it right the first time, then you won't regret it, when it's too late, because a word spoken, can't be taken back, can it, it's better not to say it, [18:06] I've heard it said, like words, like toothpaste, you know, you squeeze it out the tube, all over the place, now put it back in the tube, oh, that's a bit hard, you know, it's like that with words, isn't it, you can't put it back in the, in the mouth, as it were, so here are his words of grace, his words are gracious words, here's some of his words of grace, when he came to the woman, sorry, and amazing grace, how sweet the sound, let there be sweet, sweet sounds, gracious sounds, gracious words, here's some of the words, of the Lord Jesus, so the woman caught, in the act, of adultery, absolute sinner, absolute sinner, she was sinful, he says, neither do I condemn thee, go, and sin no more, he says, I don't condemn you, go, and sin no more, he was still straight with her, but he says, I don't condemn you, gracious words, isn't it, to the woman, who reached out in faith, to touch the hem of his garment, in Luke 8, he says, daughter, be of good comfort, thy faith, hath made thee whole, go in peace, you know, it was a bit of a, she was doing something, that wasn't the dumb thing to do, reaching out and touching him, touching his garment, you know, you could have said, oh, leave me alone, that's not polite, that's not the custom, you're breaking tradition, you're out of order, he said, daughter, loving words, be of good comfort, he's encouraging her, thy faith, he's commending her faith, hath made thee whole, blessed with healing, he says, go in peace, words, gracious words, he speaks of, his words of grace to, in Luke 7, 48, in the context here, she is called a, woman in the city, which was a sinner, she had a reputation, this woman had a reputation, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, another one, you know, some would discount, and write people off, oh, they're sinful, they're beyond redemption, you know, beyond hope, beyond help, you know, they say that of like a, a ship that's beyond repair, don't they, beyond redemption, it's not, not worth trying to bang it back together again, it's a fit for the rubbish pile, it's firewood, beyond redemption, some people write people off like that, [20:32] I think, they're beyond help, they're beyond Christ, they're too sinful, they're too far from God, but God reaches to the gutter most, God reaches to the utter most, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, she came, she worshipped him, it says, in Luke 7, and he says, thy sins, are forgiven, gracious words, you're forgiven, you've got forgiveness, I've set you free, the Saviour saved her, in another setting, in Luke 24, 36, it says that he came to the 11, and he stood in the midst, and he says, peace be unto you, here they were, in the upper room, it seemed like all was lost, you know, brother Mastaki set the setting there, it could have been a funeral meal, you know, that he says, peace be unto you, as he came to the 11, he stood in the midst, he was alive, risen, and he says, peace, words of grace, words of care, can't we show words like that too, can't we just, when we unzip the lip, think, [21:36] I'm going to say words, that are gracious words, words like Jesus would say, words that care, words that have compassion, out of the very depths, of the heart of God, I'm going to speak, as if Christ was in me, because he is, amen, he is, and he speaks, through our voice box, let our speech, influence others, for godliness, Christian, guard the door, of your lips, it tells us somewhere, that we should, have a, as it were, a guard, over the door, of our lips, he's marching, to and fro, and, and he's not going to, let anything, come out of that, mouth, that shouldn't come out, it says, let your conversation, be always with grace, always with grace, always, always, Christian, can we, get honest with God too, and, ask him to clean up, our words, to clean up, our words too, and not even to, mutter them under our breath, [22:41] God help us, to, get rid of curse words, and, words that are thoughtless words, unhelpful words, words that are hateful words, and, commit rather, to speak words of grace, words of truth, words that will build up, other people, words that will bless, as Ephesians 4, 29, Paul says, let no, no, corrupt communication, proceed out of your mouth, but, that which is good, that which is good, so the use of edifying, building up people, that it may minister, grace unto the hearers, so, not only do we, receive God's grace, at salvation, that we know God's grace, in our heart, we minister it, not only do we, know it, and exercise it, or we ought to, exercise it, and grow it, but we ought to, show it, and minister it, that grace, happens because, we say something, that we say words, that minister grace, that, that, transmit grace, to other people, that's amazing, isn't it, that we can be transmitters, of his grace, so how are your words, are they wholesome words, wholesome, words of kindness, words of grace, will we hold back, when we want to say, words that are otherwise, ask God to, help us, find words, rather words, words of encouragement, words of comfort, words we won't regret, words that will, honor our Lord, so that if someone, had a, kind of secret recording, you know, these days, of, you know, as if, everything's bugged, isn't it, everything's, you know, who's, oh, someone's got their, someone's secretly, recording on their phone, what I'm saying, but it could be, when I'm not aware of it, that someone could be, recording, or, tuning in, what's he saying, oh, can I dig up some dirt on him, or her, you know, find, catch her out, him out, with words that they should, or should not say, or rather be words that, honor our Lord, words that give grace, you know, have we got a reputation, let's ask ourselves, have I got a reputation, as a whiner, as a moaner, one who argues, or gossips, one who whinges, and criticizes, rather, let's be one, who ministers grace, ministers grace, so we, we actually, go out of our way, we make a deliberate intent, to be gracious, that our words, will be spoken in grace, not out of a wrong spirit, that can destroy grace, and look, we can, look, [25:32] I know for myself, I've been very unwise, I've said very stupid things, and Julie can tell you, she's got a list of them, no, she's got a big, big long list, of all the ways, that I've failed, no, she hasn't really, she's so forgiving, she doesn't keep a list, but, are your words spoken out of grace, or, out of the wrong spirit, are they words that can hurt, you know, the old saying, sticks and stones, will break my bones, but names will never hurt me, I've got some names, that people used to call me, as a little kid, and I still think, oh, that was nasty, the names I've got called, they can still hurt, can't they, even things that people said, many years ago, you can still think, oh, that was a bit nasty, what they called me, or what they, how they spoke to me, what they said about me, are they words like that, words that can destroy, words that can criticize, words that can scar, rather grow, in the grace of speaking, the grace of giving, the grace of speaking, here's another grace, the grace in singing, we had some good sing, a good sing song before, the grace of God, puts a song in our heart, doesn't it, his grace, we want to sing about his grace, we want to shout about his grace, his grace just comes out of our hearts, like a melody, it just bubbles out of us, in Colossians 3, 16, it says, let the word of Christ, dwell in you, richly, in all wisdom, teaching, and admonishing one another, in psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace, singing with grace, in your hearts, to the Lord, that's a wonderful thing, isn't it, we know his grace, we can sing about it, we can be glad hearted, because his grace, has transformed our hearts, he's changed us, and we can sing with grace, in our hearts, unto the Lord, for all of thee is done, elsewhere it talks about, singing and, spiritual songs, singing and making melody, in your heart, unto the Lord, making melody, in your heart, to the Lord, [27:44] I think sometimes, we can have that melody, in our heart, not just in church, but all the time, can't we, we can have that melody, in our heart, all the time, even when we're at work, even when we're down at the shop, even when you're with friends, and neighbours, and carrying on with your normal, day by day, that you can have that melody, in your heart, and you can sing a song, you can hum a tune, you can whistle a whistle, and you can give God the glory, we can sing of the marvellous grace, of our loving Lord, the amazing grace, of his salvation, and if you can't sing, then hum or whistle with grace, in your hearts to the Lord, sing unto God, sing from your heart, sing from your love, for the Lord, I know some people, have said to me, oh preacher, can we take a song book home, by all means, take it home, and flick through it, you might have some, that you might think, oh there's a little jingle, that's a little, that jogs my memory, I'm going to sing that one, all on my lonesome, unto the Lord, unto the Lord, singing with melody, in your hearts to the Lord, sing from your love, to him, music is a powerful tool, for the Lord, you know the devil, knows it doesn't he, the devil uses music, rather use it for the Lord, melody, in your hearts to the Lord, [29:04] God can use your singing, it says that, he has put a new song, in my mouth, even praise, unto our God, many shall see it, and shall fear, and shall trust in the Lord, Psalm 40 verse 3, God can use your singing, he can put a song, in your mouth, praise unto our God, it's the grace of God, that enables a believer, to sing, it's the grace of God, that changed John Newton, such that he penned those words, amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch, like me, not only was he making a statement, but he was singing a song, unto the grace of God, the grace of God, enables a believer, to sing, a believer's song, can be a testimony, to others, of God's work in our heart, a wonderful soul winning, testimony, we've seen, the grace of God, grace, in our singing, grace in our speaking, grace in our serving, is another one, as we'll get to that, blessed, we're blessed, by the amazing grace of God, shouldn't we sing, because we're blessed, you are blessed, blessed, blessed beyond measure, blessed, abundantly, blessed to be saved, blessed to be his child, blessed to be his, son, his daughter, blessed, so we ought to sing, and thirdly, we see, grace in our singing, serving rather, [30:33] Hebrews 12, 28, it says, let us have grace, whereby, whereby we may serve God, acceptably, with reverence, and godly fear, the grace of God, enables us, to serve, you might say, oh preacher, I'm just, I'm not, trained enough, I'm not, skilled, I'm not, confident enough, I've got this excuse, and that excuse, why, I cannot serve God, he will enable you, he will, enable you, enable you to do, that which he has called you to do, he will enable you, to serve God, acceptably, with reverence, and godly fear, God's grace will enable you, to work hard for him, Paul talked about a thorn, in his flesh, he talked about, how he had like a thorn, in his flesh, and three times he prayed, that God would deliver him, from this thorn, which some reckon, could have been an affliction, some kind of limitation, and he prayed hard, that God would deliver him, take it away Lord, take it away Lord, take it away Lord, he says, my grace, is sufficient, for thee, my grace, is sufficient, for thee, he prayed hard, [32:00] God would deliver him, we might have things, in our lives, and we think, oh Lord, get rid of it, get rid of that, of him, of her, of what it is, get it out, of my life, and God says, I'll give you the grace, to sustain you, in that situation, I'll give you my grace, to rest upon, for he says, my strength, is made perfect, in weakness, so the weaker we are, the better he can work, the more you say, I'm not able, yes, that's what I wanted to hear, I will make you able, I will enable you, because you come, to the end, of your own strength, my strength, is made perfect, in your weakness, we can rest on that, so Paul says, most gladly therefore, will I rather, glory, in my infirmities, that, the power of Christ, may rest upon me, God's grace, it, can work, in the weakest, even more so, when you're feeling weak, he can be strong for you, in the worst, he can change you, in the weakest, in the least worthy, more so, it's when you start, in that, that, that encounter, of becoming a Christian, isn't it, you say, [33:21] I have sinned, it's when it starts, I'm not worthy, I don't deserve, the blood of Jesus, shed for me, I don't deserve, the suffering of Christ, for me, that's when it starts, when we realise, I'm lost, he says, once you were lost, and now, you are found, once I was blind, now I can see, and the Lord told Paul, that he would give him, the grace to manage, that old thorn, in Paul's side, maybe it gave him, sleepless nights, that old thorn, in his flesh, it was going to hurt, painful, hours, but God says, I will give you grace, I will give you power, now all of us, face suffering, of loss, of grief, of hardship, of hardness, there will be a time, we'll ask God, why, why is this happening, take it away, make it happen, different, change it Lord, and somehow, sometimes he says, this thorn, [34:39] I cannot take it away, if I did, you would not be, what I wish you to be, so I will give you grace, to bear it, that hardness, that difficulty, that sadness, that loss, that grief, that suffering, that affliction, he says, I will give you the strength, to get through this, I will sustain you, and some, someday, we'll face, sadness, death, the loss of, of family, sad things, you may pray, oh Lord, please don't take, this loved one away, but God will say, no I must, but I will give you, a new strength, to carry on, someday, the doctor will shake his head, and say, your health is failing, you never will be, well again, you will pray, oh God, give me back my health, but God will answer, I cannot do that, but I will give you grace, in your hour of need, a good Christian, once said, I would rather be, in the will of God, with poor health, than to be healthy, and out of God's will, [35:43] I'd rather be, weak in body, and have God's power, than to be strong, and without it, rather have God's power, it's made perfect, in weakness, in those times, we're weak, we can know God's great grace, and so we've looked at grace, in many dimensions, grace, have we received it, are we saved, amazing grace, he saves, those who will trust in him, and he'll, shape us, and make us, who he wants us to be, he'll make us, grace, filled people, and that grace, will be evident, in your giving, be a generous person, in your speaking, you'll zip the lip, and unzip it wisely, you'll set a guard, over the door of your lips, in your speaking, in your singing, you'll have a melody, in your heart, you can't but sing, you might be, you might just sing in the shower, you might even feel like, singing in church, but he'll give you a heart, that wants to sing, he'll give you a melody, in your heart, that can't but praise him, in your singing, and in your service, in your service, [36:51] I am weak, he is strong, he is strong, and he will be strong in you, let your weakness, be his strength, even in time of suffering, then, even then, God gives grace, more so, his grace is sufficient, his grace is enough, his grace is enough, for you to hang on to, to hold on to that, and when you leave this place, and go about, your life ahead, may grace, be manifest, in you, when you go home, will God's grace, be with you, it is, let it happen, let it be, will you go home, and lose your cool, and gripe, and grizzle, and gossip, or will you rather think, no I'm going to, speak a different language, the language of grace, will there be grace, in your heart to the Lord, as you sing, grace in your speaking, in your witnessing, in your thinking, will people see, [37:53] God's grace, revealed in you, God's grace, shining out of you, God's grace, lived out, in your life, will people see, God's grace, at work in you, and look, it doesn't, the grace doesn't, turn on and off, like a, a control, like an air conditioner, control, well maybe, maybe sometimes, are a bit, but let's keep it, keep the dial, turned fully on, can we, so when, even when, you get to work, and you might, not have too many, fellow Christians, here and there, you can still have grace, your grace doesn't change, to suit the environment, your grace, will change the environment, I pray, that would be nice, wouldn't it, grace can change, the environment, around you, and God's grace, will be seen by others, well even if it's not, you're still going to be gracious, and let's God, let God's grace, transform your life, ask God to give you grace, that'd be a good point, to start, let me close, with a quote here, someone put this together, to talk about, being graceless, graceless, no room for grace, and you know, sometimes we can, go to this place, rather than the grace place, we can stray to the, place where, grace is lacking, and this is a poem called, there's no room, for grace, and here's how it goes, judging, criticizing, and the tendency, to condemn, happily pointing out, the differences, between you, and them, not thinking twice, about putting you, in your place, the problem is, there's no room, for grace, prejudices, of all kinds, are the simple rule of thumb, leaving those attacked, feeling defenseless, and numb, hate crimes, are random, perpetrators, disappear, without a trace, in these lives, there's no room, for grace, intolerance, bitterness, divisions, and strife, come in, and wreak havoc, in many a life, the abused, wear sadness, like a badge of honour, upon their face, the abusers, have shown them, there's no room, for grace, hidden behind, a mask, of Christianity, you'll often find, a hypocrite, whose behaviour, you want to leave, far behind, bigotry, is not narrowed, to social class, or race, it only goes to prove, there's no room, for grace, gossip, backstabbing, whatever happened, to the golden rule, where do unto others, was a creed taught, even in school, enough ridicule, makes one want, to vanish into space, why do people do this, there's no room, for grace, grace is God's, unmerited favour, free for all, to appropriate, where would any of us be, if instead of love, he'd shown us hate, [40:56] I'm grateful that, at the moment, Jesus looked death, in the face, he didn't answer, I'm sorry, there's no room, for grace, let's not go to that place, where there's no room, for grace, with those people, that irk us, and unsettle us, and attack us, and hate us, without a cause, let's not, buy into that, and be like them, let's always have, room for grace, let's, extend, room for grace, those people that, are hard for us, to cope with, let's even show, grace to them, as much as it goes, against, the natural, inclination, doesn't it, there's some people, you just, don't, get along with, that you can even, show grace to them, and God will help you, to show grace, beyond your own, capacity, because it's his grace, it's his strength, in your weakness, it's his grace, that is sufficient, it's his grace, that is enough, that is sufficient, for thee, and he'll help you, to be such a one, that grace, will, emanate, that you can, transmit grace, that, you can learn it, you can, know it, you can show it, you can exercise it, and you can, grow that grace, you can grow in grace, that's my prayer for you, let's pray, [42:30] Lord we thank you, that you are so gracious, to us, that, your grace is sufficient, and your grace, is beyond, our own reckoning, our own, comprehension, Lord, that at the cross, you extended grace, to the, least worthy, and, none of us, can deserve that grace, yet you extend it, Lord, as your word tells us, by grace, are you saved, through faith, that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast, we pray, there's any here, this morning, they're struggling, they know that, they're, they haven't found, that grace space, they haven't got, that place of grace, they haven't come to the cross, where grace is found, that they'll put their trust, in you today, as Lord, as Saviour, as Master, for a time, and for eternity, that you can change them, and make them, a new, brand new person, as your word tells us, if any man be in Christ, he's a new creature, old things have passed away, behold all things, are become new, and Lord help us, as we go on that journey, as it were, of grace, that we won't beat ourselves up, when we do lack grace, and when we do, act, grace less, with others, but you'll help us to change, you'll help us to be more aware, that grace can be manifest, that we can, be, transmitters of grace, to others, in our lives, [44:09] Lord we pray, in Jesus name, Amen.