Good Grace
Click to get a downloadable version of the sermon notes.
The Life of Abraham: Living Out God’s Story | Good Grace
Bible Reference: Genesis 20:1-18
Big idea: God’s grace is good to us.
Good Grace
How would you respond if someone you knew offended you?
How would you respond if they repeated that?
How do you think God responds when we make the same mistakes over and over again?
What happens when we disappoint God over and over again?
Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!"
Jesus wanted Peter to understand that he should completely, completely, completely forgive. Jesus tells us to give as much grace as necessary in forgiving others. That is good news because Jesus does not ask us to do something that He does not do Himself.
We are fully forgiven and covered by the grace of Jesus. In this session we will see 4 ways that God’s grace is good.
#1 God’s grace remains faithful despite our sins
Genesis 20:1-2
From there Abraham traveled to the region of the Negev and settled between Kadesh and Shur. While he was staying in Gerar, 2 Abraham said about his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So King Abimelech of Gerar had Sarah brought to him.
Even though this is not Abraham’s first time making the same mistake, we see that God stays faithful and shows up for Abraham.
Romans 5:20
God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.
God’s grace is faithful because God has a Father’s heart toward us. His grace remains faithful despite of our sins.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
#2 God’s grace covers our sins
Genesis 20:3-7
But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “You are about to die because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman.” 4 Now Abimelech had not approached her, so he said, “Lord, would you destroy a nation even though it is innocent? 5 Didn’t he himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ I did this with a clear conscience and clean hands.” 6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience. I have also kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I have not let you touch her. 7 Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, know that you will certainly die, you and all who are yours.”
Even though Abraham sinned by lying and giving his wife away, God visited Abimelech in a dream and warned him sternly to return Sarah to Abraham.
1 Peter 4:8
Love covers a multitude of sins.
What does it mean for our sins to be covered up? It means that God overlooks our sins and that our mistakes are not held against us, and we don’t experience the full weight of what we deserve. In the New Testament Apostle Paul said he wrestled with something called “a thorn in his flesh” and it made him feel weak. Instead of taking it away, God left it there and told Paul that His grace was sufficient for him. Similarly, God’s grace is enough to cover all our errors.
#3 God’s grace confronts our sins
Genesis 20:8-13
Early in the morning Abimelech got up, called all his servants together, and personally told them all these things, and the men were terrified. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham in and said to him, “What have you done to us? How did I sin against you that you have brought such enormous guilt on me and on my kingdom? You have done things to me that should never be done.” 10 Abimelech also asked Abraham, “What made you do this?” 11 Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘There is absolutely no fear of God in this place. They will kill me because of my wife.’ 12 Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife. 13 So when God had me wander from my father’s house, I said to her: Show your loyalty to me wherever we go and say about me, ‘He’s my brother.’”
Abimelech confronts Abraham and Abraham was forced to admit the truth that he was afraid. He didn't think God would protect him and that was why he used the convenient half-truth to protect himself. Even though Abimelech has no relationship with God, God uses him to confront Abraham about his sin.
Even though God covers our sins, it does not mean that He approves or will pretend that it did not happen. Grace does not call what is wrong right.
2 Corinthians 3:18
We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.
The work of grace confronts us and challenges us to do better by the power of the Holy Spirit. When God confronts us with our sins, it is discipline, not punishment.
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Proverbs 3:11-12
Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe His discipline; for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.
What is the difference between punishment and discipline?
Punishment has to do with condemning you for something you had done in the past.
Discipline has to do with correcting you and shaping you for a greater future.
God’s grace helps us to confront our sins with hope, not fear.
#4 God’s grace empowers us despite our sins
Genesis 20:14-18
Then Abimelech took flocks and herds and male and female slaves, gave them to Abraham, and returned his wife Sarah to him. 15 Abimelech said, “Look, my land is before you. Settle wherever you want.” 16 And he said to Sarah, “Look, I am giving your brother one thousand pieces of silver. It is a verification of your honor to all who are with you. You are fully vindicated.” 17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female slaves so that they could bear children, 18 for the LORD had completely closed all the wombs in Abimelech’s household on account of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.
Despite Abraham’s error, God tells Abimelech to go to Abraham for prayer so that his people may be healed, because Abraham remains His prophet.
God works through broken people. By His grace He chose to put His treasure and power inside of us. His calling on us is not by our works- it’s by His grace.
2 Corinthians 4:7
Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.
Ephesians 3:7
I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power.
How can you stop a Christian who knows that he is empowered by grace?