"Salvation: gift of GRACE  Tom Faggart

In his book...HIGHWAYS TO FAITH ...David Soper tells the story of Dr. George Rommel. Dr. Rommel is a medical doctor educated at Northern Illinois, Northwestern, University of Illinois, and the Sorbonne in France.

The doctor was a declared Atheist. During WWII he was the bombardier on a bomber. The men on the crew were skeptical about flying with him. One after another of his original crew died in the heat of battle. Finally, there was only one left ...himself.

Following was his statement of how he came to faith. We were flying over Berlin. Bullets were spraying all around. The plane was in turbulence. He was doing his best to concentrate on his work. The splash of an exploding bullet nearby brought him momentarily to his conscious mind. He heard himself saying over and over again. THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT. He MAKETH ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES. HE RESTORETH MY SOUL.

In that short moment there was a meeting of his conscious and unconscious minds. Through Grace came faith. He believed.THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AFFIRMS THAT SUCH EXPERIENCES ARE THE ACTS OF THE GRACE OF GOD.

GRACE, GRACE MARVELOUS
GRACE THAT IS GREATER THAN ALL MY SINS.
GRACE, GRACE WONDERFUL GRACE,
GRACE THAT CAN PARDON AND CLEANSE WITHIN.

WHAT IS THIS GRACE?

The greats of the church have attempted to give to Grace a definition.

TERTILLIAN, one of the great church fathers defined Grace as the ENERGY OF THE SOUL. God's power loose in the world.

PAUL TILLICH, great theologian of our century, says Grace is the spirit of God, a spirit of Love. A spirit God bestows on whom he will.

GEORGE BARCLAY, Grace is the undeserved best wishes of God.

It comes on the screen with great fan fare. The prelude to the story line rolled upon the sky like a great scroll. There was a war in a far off galaxy between the forces of Good and Evil. Soon we met the princes, Luke Sky Walker, Solo , two metallic droids, and a cat like man called. Then we were introduced to the Force ... Gedi nights, and Darth Vadir.

The FORCE was the deciding factor in this great battle. Those who responded to it were able to function in an almost supernatural way. It was an unseen power which enabled the recipient to deal with life.

The force in Star Wars is a magnified illustration of the concept of GRACE.

Jesus was THE GRACE ...LOGOS ... Wisdom and the reason of God. Through his life comes energy for life. From the truth he shared came a light that could not be put out.

From this truth emanates Grace. Not one grace, but grace upon Grace.

Unlike the FORCE ; Grace is not inherited. Grace is not earned. It is not something one person can teach another. It is almost like the morning dew ... It seems to come from no where, and settles where ever it wishes.

John says...THERE IS NOT JUST ONE GRACE, but grace upon grace.

Healing grace physically ill
Healing grace emotionally ill
Grace to enable us to grow in our lives.

Grace for living
Grace for dying
Grace for doubt
Grace for Faith
Grace for parenting
Grace for dealing with parents

This Grace comes as a gift from God and is loosed upon his people. That means you and myself.

I. JOHN WESLEY TALKED A GREAT DEAL ABOUT PREVENIENT GRACE.

Prevenient Grace is the best wishes of God which goes before us in life preparing the way. It makes us aware of the goodness of God and the possibilities of faith. For this reason we belong to the church.

The prevenient Grace of God was responsible for bringing everyone of us to this particular church.

In your life those doors which are opened to growth and the good life are placed there by the grace of God. Every good and helpful thing in your life is part of that Grace.

In the morning lessons we are reminded that it is possible that also the difficulties of life are part of this GRACE. It teaches us endurance.

II. GRACE IS THE GREAT STABILIZER IN LIFE.

Said he, my father's definition of Grace was an old painting which hung in our living room. It was the picture of a waterfall crashing down a cliff. Winds were swirling in the misty water.

On the cliff about 300' above the water and turmoil was a small tree hanging on to the side of the cliff. On a limb of the tree was a small bird, sitting in its nest feeding it young. Danger all around. It felt completely safe.

This is a good example of the Grace of God. It comes to us in the darkest hours. It is our stability in the storms of life.

Grace, Grace, Marvelous Grace.
Grace that is greater than all my sins.
Grace, Grace, Wonderful, Grace
GRACE that can pardon and cleanse within.
GRACE, GRACE, MARVELOUS GRACE
GRACE, GRACE, WONDERFUL GRACE,

GRACE IS ALWAYS LEADING US TOWARD GOD, AND FAITH.

Let me suggest to you that the Grace of God is with you. Sometimes you are unaware of it until you look back. But it has been with you. It is with you even now! Claim the Grace you need for your life. God will give it to you