A.Nearly every epistle of the New Testament begins with a statement that includes a form of the phrase "grace to you” (Rom. 1:7; 1Cor. 1:3; 2Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:3; Eph. 1:2; Phil. 1:2; Col. 1:2; 1Thess. 1:1; 2Thess. 1:2; 1Tim. 1:2; 2Tim. 1:2; Tit. 1:4; Philem. 3; 1Pet. 1:2; 2Pet. 1:2; 2John 3).
B.Likewise, every letter written by the apostle Paul in the New Testament concludes with a form of the phrase "grace be with you” (Rom. 16:24; 1Cor. 16:23; 2Cor. 13:14; Gal. 6:18; Eph. 6:24; Phil. 4:23; Col. 4:18; 1Thess. 5:28; 2Thess. 3:18; 1Tim. 6:21; 2Tim. 4:22; Tit. 3:15; Philem. 25; see also Heb. 13:25).
C.This pattern indicates to us the importance the Bible writers placed upon Christians having possession of grace.Presently, let us consider how we may have the presence of grace with us today.
II.GRACE, GIFTS, AND JOY
A.Before considering how grace can be with us, let us conduct a brief word study in order to make the connection between God’s grace, His gifts, and our joy that results from them.
1.There is a natural connection between the New Testament words "grace,” "gift,” and "joy” that is evident when we consider these words in the original Greek language.
a."Grace,” "gift,” and "joy” are translated from the Greek words charis, charisma, and chara respectively. All three of these words have their origins in the Greek word chairō, which means "to rejoice, to be glad.”(Also, notice that the English word "charity” derives from this same root.)
b.Whereas in Greek the connection of these three words to chairō is obvious from their similarity, in English there is no obvious connection.Readers of English translations of the Bible do not automatically see how that all of these words are linked to one another and to the idea of rejoicing.By studying the Greek words, we can see that these spiritual concepts are closely connected by the theme of rejoicing.
2.Grace (charis) has a broad definition and is used in different ways in the New Testament.
a.As it relates to one who gives grace, grace is the attitude that affords joy, pleasure, and delight to others.
i.Grace is good-will, loving-kindness, and favor from one to another that brings joy and gladness.In this way, God is full of grace toward us, for He saves us by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8-9).We sometimes define grace as unmerited favor, for God has granted His favor toward us who are undeserving, and for this we rejoice.
ii.In His likeness, we also can give grace, for even our words can impart grace to others (Eph. 4:29).
b.For those who receive grace, grace on their part is gladness expressed in thanksgiving, for charis is translated many times in the Bible as "thanks,” such as in 1Corinthians 15:57 – "But thanks (charis) be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
3.The New Testament definition for a gift (charisma) is a favor which one receives without any merit of his own.
a.The Greek word charisma looks familiar to us because of the English word "charisma” that is used to describe a quality of a person that gives him great influence over others.
i.This English meaning has descended from the use of the Greek word charisma in the New Testament in connection with miraculous spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit.
ii.The modern-day "charismatic” churches claim to possess miraculous gifts, but miraculous spiritual gifts have ceased (1Cor. 13:8-10).However, God’s gift of salvation remains.
b.It is the gift of God’s grace that leads us to rejoice, for our sins are forgiven, and eternal life is made possible for us through Jesus Christ.Notice Romans 6:23 – "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift (charisma) of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
4.The Greek word chara appears fifty-nine times in the New Testament and is translated as "joy,” "gladness,” "joyful,” "joyous,” "joyfulness,” and "joyfully.”
a.Our greatest joy as Christians is the product of God’s wonderful grace and the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
b.It is this overwhelming joy that supersedes all the sorrows, burdens, and sufferings of this world.Despite these worldly troubles, we "greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1Pet. 1:8) because of our hope in Christ.
B.Now we can summarize the connections between these three Greek words – charis, charisma, and chara – so that we can better understand our own English words – grace, gift, and joy – and the message of the gospel.
1.Grace (charis) is God’s attitude of love and mercy that made our joyous salvation possible.
2.The gift (charisma) of God’s grace is salvation in Christ, for which we rejoice now and forever.
3.Our joy (chara) is the result of God’s grace and His gift of eternal life.
4.Taken altogether, we see that the gospel message is a joyous one indeed.
III.HOW CAN GRACE BE WITH YOU?
A.God has already poured out His grace upon us in abundance by His bountiful gifts in Christ Jesus.
1.Consider more closely a few of the gifts that we have by the grace of God.
a.By God’s grace, we are justified through faith in Christ, which means that we are made right in God’s sight (Rom. 3:24; 5:1-2).
b.We have already noticed that the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 6:23).
c.Through the riches of God’s grace, we have redemption and forgiveness of sins through the blood of Christ (Eph. 1:7).
d.We also noticed previously that by God’s grace we have been saved through faith in Christ (Eph. 2:8).This means that our souls have been delivered from danger.
e.God also gives us eternal comfort and good hope by His grace (2Thess. 2:16).
f.According to Titus 2:11-12, God’s grace has brought us salvation and instruction "to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age.”This instruction is found in God’s word, the Bible.
g.The list of God’s gracious gifts could go on and on, but it is summarized in Ephesians 1:3, which says that God "has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”
h.Not only does God’s grace provide us with these spiritual blessings, but His grace also provides every physical blessing (Matt. 5:44-45; 6:25-34; Acts 14:17; 17:28; 2Cor. 9:10).
2.If you have received any of these gifts, then you have a measure of God’s grace.When God’s gracious gifts are with you, His grace is with you.
B.Now what remains is for us to take hold of God’s gift and rejoice in spirit.
1.How can we not rejoice when God’s grace is abundantly poured out upon us through the immeasurable and innumerable gifts in Christ Jesus?
2.Rejoicing is the natural reaction of a grateful heart that realizes the great value freely given by God through His grace.Notice a few passages in which we are commanded to rejoice.
a."Worship the LORD with reverence and rejoice with trembling.” (Ps. 2:11)
b."Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones; and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.” (Ps. 32:11)
c."This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Ps. 118:24)
d.Even in persecution – "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matt. 5:12)
e."Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” (Rom. 12:15)
f."Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2Cor. 13:11)
g."Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4)
h."Rejoice always.” (1Thess. 5:16)
IV.CONCLUSION
A.God’s grace is with us, but we must open eyes in faith and see it.Once we see His grace all around us, we must be glad and rejoice.If you have not yet realized the joy of God’s grace, then why wait any longer?
B.Therefore, let us conclude our lesson with the same message Paul used to conclude all of his epistles – "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” (2Thess. 3:18)
