Pastor Joel E. Gregory
Year 5

Introduction:

The number 5 symbolizes God's grace, goodness and favor toward humans and is mentioned 318 times in Scripture. Five is the number of grace, and multiplied by itself, which is 25, is 'grace upon grace' (John 1:16). The Ten Commandments contains two sets of 5 commandments. The first five commandments are related to our treatment and relationship with God, and the last five concern our relationship with others humans.

Foundation text:
John 1:16-17 KJV
[16] And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. [17] For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Albert Barnes defines “grace for grace”:

1. We have received grace ‘as grace’ - that is, freely. We have not purchased it nor deserved it, but God has conferred it on us ‘freely.”

2. The meaning is, simply that we have received through him “abundance” of grace or favor. So here grace for grace means “much” grace; superlative favors bestowed on man; favors superior to all that had been under the law - superior to all other things that God can confer on men. These favors consist in pardon, redemption, protection, sanctification, peace, provision here, and heaven hereafter.

5 key areas of grace for you:

1. You have favor because of Jesus.

Ephesians 1:6 KJV
[6] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

The Bible tells us that God has made us “accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). The “Beloved” here refers to Jesus and the word “accepted” in the original Greek text means “given special honor” or “highly favored.”


2. Must rely on His ability.

Psalm 44:3 KJV
[3] For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.



3. You must change the BS.

Romans 8:16-17 KJV
[16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him , that we may be also glorified together.


4. Step out in faith for your provision.

Deuteronomy 28:8 KJV
[8] The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

In the Old Testament story of Ruth, we see a beautiful picture of what it’s like to walk in God’s favor. (Ruth 1-4)


5. Keep growing in Him.

2 Peter 1:2 KJV
[2] Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

The Bible gives us a secret to walking in favor and well-being in 2 Peter 1:2—“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” In the original Greek, it actually says, “...through the knowledge of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

So God’s unmerited favor and His eirene-peace (health, provision and total well-being) are multiplied in your life through the knowledge of JESUS. The more you know Jesus, the more you will be able to tap into the ever-flowing supply of His favor, healing and provision!

Conclusion:
Year five will grant us a greater awareness God’s grace, goodness, and favor. As we continue to grow in our relationship with Christ, we’ll see all three of these areas being multiplied in our life.