GRACE IN ACTION

2 CORINTHIANS 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

WHAT IS GRACE? Good done to others who do not

deserve it. The riches of God given to lost sinners. God’s riches at Christ’s expense. Unmerited favor

MERCY AND GRACE Mercy = God sparing me the

punishment I deserve, by punishing His own Son.

Grace = God giving me the blessings only His Son deserves.

GRACE IS NOT STAGNANT How can I be a gracious person?

HUMILITY Start here. 1 Peter 5:5 God is opposed to the proud but gives

grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under

the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

BE SOBER-MINDED 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your

adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour

9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

HE WILL… 10 And after you have suffered a little

while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

2 PETER 1 5 For this very reason, make every effort

to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

WHAT REASON ? 3 His divine power has granted to us all

things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

WHAT REASONS? 4 by which he has granted to us his

precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

THE GROWTH SPIRAL Add to your faith Doing Good Faith + Virtue

THE GROWTH SPIRAL Add knowledge Faith = Virtue = Knowledge

THE GROWTH SPIRAL Add Self Control Fruit of the Spirit Faith + Virtue + Knowledge + Self

Control

THE GROWTH SPIRAL Steadfastness Perseverance Hang in there even when it gets really

hard Faith + Virtue + Knowledge + Self

Control + Steadfastness

THE GROWTH SPIRAL Godliness Christ formed in you His glory transferred into my life Faith + Virtue + Knowledge + Self

Control + Steadfastness + Godliness

THE GROWTH SPIRAL Brotherly Kindness Faith + Virtue + Knowledge + Self

Control + Steadfastness + Godliness + Brotherly Kindness

THE GROWTH SPIRAL Love The very essence of God flowing out of

my life. Faith + Virtue + Knowledge + Self

Control + Steadfastness + Godliness + Kindness + Love

NOT TWO DIMENSIONAL, THREE

KEEP THE CYCLE GOING 8 For if these qualities are yours and are

increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

BUT… 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so

nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.