the Grip of Grace

so i subscribed to Judah Smith's sermons via Generation Church's website just to get a flavor of what he's preaching. turns out that he preaches uncannily similar to Pastor :)

Luke 7:14 "Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." 15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak...."

Unearned, unmerited favor, he says. "Will the real grace please stand up?", he says. I wonder where he got those from. ;) seems to me that there's some sort of a revolution going on and the renewing of the minds of these ppl on what the good news really is. One thing that he said that kinda encapsulated part of my thoughts this week, and perhaps a counter-argument to those who do not believe that Grace is all we need: God's grace must be greater than the warm fuzzies that they give you when you're laying in your casket of sins under condemnation--which is what the critics of greasy grace contend with. But the grace that I have is not greasy! It grips you, and carries you. it grips you. it's a grace that grips you, not just touches you.

This sermon was on the grip of grace. The Greek for "touched" in the verse conveys a stronger, deeper meaning. It means a grip or a grab or to fasten oneself to. Grace is a grip.

And when Jesus gripped the coffin, all who were carrying the coffin, stood still. Grace provides a stillness by which we can hear the voice of God. Jesus grabbed the casket because the boy needed to hear His voice. There is a need for quietness. a time to be still and know that He is God.

and the boy sat up. Grace gives us our position back. Grace enables us to sit up.

and the boy spoke. Grace gives us our voice back.

His grace is sufficient. and His strength made perfect in my weakness. the boy had nothing to do with it!

In closing, you have an accurate picture of grace if you knowing grace makes you want to serve Him more and to sin less. If ever you find yourself thinking you know grace and wanting to sin more, you have an inaccurate picture of grace.

will the real grace please stand up. :)