God’s Grace – Revealed in Us and Through Us!

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means "Son of Encouragement"), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.  Acts 4:32-37 (Read verses 23-37)

 

After the Last Supper – on the Thursday night before Easter – Jesus prayed His high-priestly prayer that is found in John 17.  In verses 20 and 21 He prays, "My prayer is not for (My disciples alone).  I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You.  May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.

 

            The answer to this prayer is found in the idea of grace.  DL Moody defined grace as “God’s unmerited favor.” Another writer describes grace as “God’s willingness to act on our behalf.”

 

            I accept both of those definitions. That being true, then God’s grace acting through us means that we give others “unmerited favor” and we are willing to act on their behalf!”

 

            In other words, we want to be a blessing to EVERYONE we meet whether they deserve it or not!

 

According to the dictionary, the word “grace” has many meanings (e.g.: some people have graceful movements.  Also, “grace” can be a prayer before a meal).  For the purpose of this message grace means: 

• Generous or helpful;

• Showing mercy; clemency;

• Freely forgiving and restoring someone who has hurt us;

• Divine love and protection bestowed freely on people;

• Being protected or sanctified by God’s favor.

 

            The setting for our scripture takes place shortly after the day of Pentecost.  The disciples and the early church were totally united in love for God and for each other.  They had fulfilled Jesus’ request found that they be truly united in love and faithfulness.

 

They had to be unified!  Satan was going all out against them, people were losing jobs.  They were being persecuted… but they pulled together in love.  Everyone considered their property as belonging to God and to each other.

 

The very next chapter in Acts shows how Ananias and Sapphira were deceived by Satan – and it cost them their lives!  We must be constantly on guard against Satan, for he is always trying to destroy us.

 

Just remember, Satan CANNOT MAKE YOU DO ANYTHING!  We have free choice.  Satan provides the opportunity to sin… we make the choice and take the action!

 

            And… people are going to hurt us!  Life has disappointments hurts and hardships.  Please do not let them get the best of you!

 

 

 

            Grace is not a spineless toleration of sin and mistakes.  Grace leads to restoration.  Grace leads to healing. When a woman was brought to Jesus who had been arrested in the very act of adultery, the crowd wanted to stone her to death.  Jesus would have no part of such a thing.  He wanted to heal the woman – to deliver her from sin.

            When they demanded He agree with the law Jesus simply stated, “Let him who is without sin throw the first stone.”  Then Jesus stooped and wrote something in the sand, giving the crowd time to think things through.

            When He looked up, only the woman was left in His presence.

            “Where are your accusers?”

            “There are none.”

            “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.”

 

            That’s grace!

            We all know the stories of King David’s failures… yet in the New Testament it says that David was a man after God’s own heart. Why?  Because each time he sinned, when confronted with it, he truly repented, turned from sin, and was restored. That’s grace!

            Peter denied Jesus 3 times – and Jesus restored him and made him a leader of the church. That’s grace!

            If you are saved, you have received grace.  The question today is, “Are people receiving grace from us?

             I do not know if this story is true or not and I don't know the source, but it illustrates grace in another way:

One day a woman was walking down the street and noticed a beggar sitting on the corner. Actually, she recognized him. The man was elderly, unshaven, and ragged. Most of the people who walked by him simply ignored him. Some, however, were obviously repulsed by his appearance.

This lady, however, was moved by compassion. 

It was very cold that day and his tattered coat did not protect him from the elements. "Sir?" she asked, "Are you all right?"

As he looked up at her she seemed to be too well dressed and protected from the problems of life to understand how he felt… He assumed she wanted to make fun of him, like everyone else. “Leave me alone," he growled.

To his amazement, the woman was obviously concerned about him. "Are you hungry?" she asked.

"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away."

The woman's smile showed true compassion. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm. "What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone."

A policeman walked up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked.

"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?"

The officer was a little puzzled. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"

"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."

"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything."

"This is a good deal for you, Jack," the officer answered. "Don't blow it."

In spite of Jack’s reluctance they him into the cafeteria.

The manager was not impressed. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this. Is this man in trouble?"

"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered.

"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business."

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place."

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"

"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."

"And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"

"What business is that of yours?"

"I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."

"Oh."

The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference." The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.

"That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this." She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently. "Jack, do you remember me?"

Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar."

"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."

"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."

Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."

"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble. Then, when I looked over, I saw you put the price of my food in the cash register. I knew then that everything would be all right."

"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.

"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons. He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. And if you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you."

"How can I ever thank you," he asked tearfully.

"Don't thank me," the woman answered.  "To God goes the glory.  Thank Jesus.  He led me to you."  
 

 

Our stories may not be as dramatic as that… but we have all helped others and forgotten all about it… God has not.  He keeps a record!  Whenever we act in a godly manner, God considers that a seed planted.

 

If you are going through a tough time at present, please allow God and others to minister to you.

 

If you see someone in need, administer God’s grace to them!  You may be surprised at the benefits!

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