大美女老丁

A Matter of Course and Grace

Luke 15:11 -24 (NIV)

Introduction

We do not appreciate what we have until we realize its value. We take everything for granted. When we do not understand the grace of our parents, we think they look after us as a matter of course. We take the love and care of our parents for granted.

In the same sense, not until we realize God’s grace do we find His work—heaven and earth and all that is in it—wonderful and admirable. It is only when the grace is lost that we appreciate its value. When the grace is found again, we are grateful and happy for it.

1. The parable of the prodigal son

1) The son who does not appreciate grace – He takes the blessings in his daily life for granted—food, clothe, and shelter. He is not grateful for them.

2) The son complains that he does not have all he wants. He grumbles at having to live under the authority and command of his father (Lk 15:12 ).

2. Life away from his father

1) He left his father’s authority.

2) He squandered his wealth in a prodigal life – He took his wealthy life for granted

    (Lk 15:13 ).

3) The outbreak of severe famine – a famine of money, circumstances and poverty

     (Lk 15:14 )

3. Realization and Grace

1) Hardship of living from hand to mouth and feeding pigs (Lk 15:15 )

2) Suffering from hunger and cold weather, he remembered the life at his father’s

     house (Lk 15:16 -17).

3) He realized that everything he received was not a matter of course, but the

    grace of his father.

4. The prodigal son goes back to his father

1) He realizes that he cannot live without grace.

 2)The way to go back home was the way to the grace – He chose to live as a  

     hired man and servant of his father (Lk 15:18-19).

3)Nothing happens as a matter of course. Everything happens by grace (Lk 15:20

  -21).

5. Grace is given more to those who appreciate it

1) The best robe (Lk 15:22-24, Eph 2:8)

2) A ring (Jn 1:12 )

3) Sandals (3Jn 1:2 )

4) The fattened calf (Ro 14:17 )

6. The grace of the Cross

(We find grace in our weakness)

1) When we are unable to cleanse our sins, we realize the grace of forgiveness

   and righteousness (Ro 3:23 -24).

2) When we are ungodly, we realize the grace of the Holy Spirit who purifies us 

     (1Co 6:11 ).

3) When we are diseased, we realize the grace of God who heals us (1Pe 2:24 ).

4) When we are badly off, we realize the grace of God who makes us well off 

   (2Co   8:9 ).

5) When we are bound to go to hell, we realize the grace of God who sends us to

   heaven (Jn 14:1 -3).

Conclusion

When we are left empty-handed and naked, we are most grateful for the grace that cares for us and clothes us. When we realize that we have been crushed and abandoned, we will be able to give thanks to God for his grace that saves us, and the grace will become the source of our happiness.