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THE GRACEFUL GREETING
2Th 1:2 (11/20/11)
Grace Bible
Church, Gillette, Wyoming
Pastor Daryl
Hilbert
I.
LEXICAL DEFINITION OF GRACE
A. Introduction
1. There is very
little difference in the greetings that Paul gave in the epistles he wrote to
the churches. They are short and to the point, but what a point. Especially
when that point is grace.
2. It is
interesting to note that in all his epistles (Rom; 1 & 2Co; Gal;
Eph; Phil; Col; 1&2Th; 1&2Ti; & Phm), including the two that he wrote to
the Thessalonians (1Th 1:2 - 1Th 5:28; 2Th 1:2 - 2Th 3:18), he begins with
“grace” in his greeting and ends in with “grace” in his salutations. There is
no question that the concept of “grace” has captivated, changed, and affected
every area of his thinking and actions. These are no mere niceties in a
letter but deep theological constructs etched in his soul and central in his
message.
3. What was in
the mind of Paul when he included grace in his greeting, “Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ?” Or better yet, what does grace mean to God?
B. Lexical
Definition
1. “Grace” is the
Greek word cha,ris and comes from the verb chai,rō which means to rejoice or have joy. Char,is therefore
means that which causes or brings joy, pleasure, benevolence, favor, or
acceptance. Grace is bestowed without any regard to what an individual
deserves or merits.
2. Grace is God’s unearned and unmerited favor.
3. G.R.A.C.E. - God’s Riches
At Christ’s Expense
4. It is the absolutely free expression of the loving
kindness of God to sinful and helpless
mankind, finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the
Giver;
5. God’s grace affects man’s sinfulness and not
only forgives the repentant sinner, but brings joy and thankfulness to him.
It changes the individual to a new creature without destroying his
individuality. Zodhiates
II. THEOLOGICAL
CONCEPT OF GRACE
A. Grace is used
to show favor and acceptance in the eyes of God and others (Gen 6:8 - God; 18:3; Luk 1:30; Act 7:46).
B. Grace does not
come through work, wages, or the Law (Rom 11:6; Eph 2:8-9).
C. Grace can only
be received through faith in Christ (Rom 4:16).
D. Grace is
bestowed only through the person and work of Christ (Joh 1:16-17; Eph 1:6;
Tit 2:11).
E. Grace is the
complete foundation for justification and salvation (Rom 3:24; Eph 2:5, 8-9).
III. ASPECTS OF
GRACE FOR THE BELIEVER
A. Grace is the
basis for the forgiveness of sin and shame (Eph 1:7).
B. Grace is the
source of all spiritual blessings, including spiritual gifts (Eph 1:6; 4:7).
C. Grace gives
the empowerment to live the Christian life (2Co 9:8; 12:9).
D. Grace gives
the believer eternal hope and comfort (2Th 2:16).
E. Grace is the
divine concept that the believer must continue to grow in (2Pe 3:18; Act
20:32).
F. Grace is
exactly what the believer finds at the throne of God in times of need (Heb
4:16).
G. Grace is the
last thought we are left with in the Scriptures and eternity (Rev 22:21 cp.
Eph 2:7).
IV. OBSERVATIONS
AND APPLICATIONS
A. The believer
is to avail himself of the grace of God (1Co 15:10).
B. The believer
receives grace when he humbly recognizes his inability, gives God the credit,
and obeys with God’s grace (1Pe 5:5).
C. The believer
is to conduct himself with grace:
1. In speech (Eph
4:29; Col 4:6).
2. In living for
Christ (2Th 1:12).
3. In forgiveness
to others (Eph 4:32)
D. The believer
is to share the gospel of grace (Act 20:24; Col 1:12).
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