--PRE-SERVICE PRAYER--

Focus: Work Your Faith

Foundation Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33 NKJV

Prayer Points:

1. Faith to see.

2. Faith to obey.

3. Faith to receive.

4. Transformative Sunday Services

--MESSAGE--

"Grace Matters"

God is Love! God gives love! God has grace! God gives grace! Which came first? Love or Grace? Is it possible to be spiritually, emotionally, physically, psychologically, materially, impressed, changed, transformed…by having one without the other?

Everything good we see, know, and experience comes from God. By His grace, are we saved, justified, sanctified, gifted, and empowered! We have grace-led, grace-given attributes, skills and anointings, all united in enabling us to reach a dark and dying world…. with light and a life-giving message! Jesus!

Without the Grace of God, we would be loveless, gift-less, unrighteous, lost, and forsaken! We would be no good to ourselves nor to others. Lack of order would be acceptable order. Chaos would be the norm. Our Counsellor would by an evil Spirit not the Holy Spirit!

Grace is a dominant theme that binds all Scripture. It is not something we deserve. It can’t be bartered for, and it can’t be bought! Simply said - grace is the unmerited, unearned love and favor of God. Which came first? Love or Grace? They both did! Grace is an expression of God’s love! Love is an expression of God’s grace!

Prayer Point 1: Stop Satan today! Loosen his grip! Take away his oxygen!

1. Who is able to sit upon the throne of God Almighty? Who would have the audacity to compare themselves to the Creator of the Universe.

2. The Bible warns us to be aware us not to be deceived by his lies.

3. God starts with grace and ends with grace. His grace is not the problem. Your rejection of it is!

Grace Rejection Statements:

• I came from the wrong side of the tracks, I’m not good enough…

• My past disqualifies me from speaking into his life…

• I was divorced who am I to offer help in their marriage…

You are an influencer!

• The enemy’s finger is on rejection. It stays on the replay button of your past.

• God’s finger is on grace. It stays on the delete button of your past.

He forgets what we remember and remembers what we forget! Forget your sins and hold fast to your confession of faith!

1. His Grace has a residence, it’s in Heaven’s throne room. God’s throne is the place where all power and authority emanate. In biblical times, thrones were the command center, the seat of power over the entire realm.

2. His Grace is not hidden, it can be found. It represents judgment for the unbeliever, but for Believers…mercy and grace!

3. His Grace is a Ready-Helper. Scripture says appropriate help, well-timed help, coming just when you need it.

Don’t take Grace for granted! It’s the difference between being a vessel with impurities versus being a vessel refined for the Master’s work!

Prayer Point 2: Grace has no objective if You Remove Yourself from the Equation.

1. Grace selects a remnant. You are the remnant! Some believers say the right words, act the part, label themselves believers but don’t even follow Believer Basics.

2. Grace costs absolutely nothing, it’s free. It’s not dependent on your works. Man created works have no bearing on what’s important in heaven to heaven.

3. What if Jesus was selfish? Three words would be meaningless:

a. Propitiation
b. Redemption
c. Reconciliation

Grace Don’ts & Do’s

1. Don’t take Grace for granted by grieving the Holy Spirit!

Do “glorify God in your body, and in your spirit."

· God doesn’t fake you, so don’t try to fake Him!
· Your body is His temple. Treat it with respect.
· Gifts are given. Gifts can be taken.

2. Don’t take Grace for granted by suppressing, quenching the Holy Spirit.

Do remain steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,” “know your labour is not in vain in the Lord”

· Remain steadfast in the work of the Lord. His work has benefits.
· Your labor in the earthly realm is an audition.
· Don’t move from the Spirit, move with the Spirit.

3.Don’t take Grace for granted by frustrating (Resist and Reject) the Holy Spirit!

Do look “diligently lest” you fail due to “any root of bitterness.

· Choose the path of righteousness.
· Don’t allow bitterness to grip you.
· Forgive others.

Prayer Point 3: The God of Grace manifested the Son of Grace so that You would be the Beneficiary of Grace.

1. Grace was needed to precede the Holy Spirit.
2. Holy Spirit was needed to precede the birth of Jesus.
3. Jesus was needed to bring salvation and restore righteousness.

1. The Holy Spirit is a messenger of God, who always operates on behalf of the Best for you.

2. He will lead you to places where your character will either flounder or be forged!

3. Peace and prosperity from the Lord, not from man, brings total pure contentment.

4. What you possess on the inside is more advantageous than what you possess on the outside.

Jesus was sent to model the expectations of the Father. He was given Grace to give Grace. You are given Grace so that You too, can Give Grace.

Conclusion:

Grace should be a pass-thru! Holy Spirit led the man, Jesus. Allow the Spirit to lead you. The Holy Spirit will come upon you to do mighty works! Jesus impacts lives. You can choose to do the same. Spreading the Gospel, praying for those who are bound, interceding for the deliverance of others, speaking words of healing, and lending a hand to the bruised and the shattered is why you receive God’s Grace. Grace should matter to You because You matter to God!