Law Says Do, Grace Says Done: Five Ways Grace Shouts
Dr RJ Sing, 23 min
Originally recorded as “Grace That Shouts”
Sermon outline
Grace is a force with a voice: when you cry out to God it gets His attention, and it shouts "done" and "not guilty" over every voice of law, condemnation and regret.
Main text
- Luke 18:35-43
Opening
He reminds the church of the many messages he has already preached on grace, naming a string of titles, and says grace has been a constant theme beside faith. He promises not to be long, announces the subject as grace that shouts, and turns to Luke 18:35 and the blind man near Jericho.
Grace has a voice: the blind man who would not keep quiet
The enemy wants us blind to our inheritance and to the promises of God, but God wants to transfer them by grace and is looking for someone in position to receive. The blind man heard the name of Jesus of Nazareth and shrieked for mercy, all the more when the crowd told him to be quiet. His cry drew Jesus to him, but it was his faith, his trust and confidence in God, that made him well. Grace is God's unmerited favour, a gift, and divine assistance when you need it.
Illustration: The same people who tolerated the beggar while he sat quietly became angry when he cried out, and then praised God the moment they saw the miracle.
“If you have to shriek, shriek. But you have to get the attention of Jesus.”
- Luke 18:35-43
- Matthew 13:13
- Ephesians 1:18
- 2 Corinthians 1:20
- John 1:16
- Philippians 2:9-11
- Mark 10:46
1. Grace gets heaven's attention
Jesus stood still. Grace silenced the opposition, brings us into the presence of God and gives us boldness, so that when Jesus asked what the man wanted he could answer plainly.
“It's amazing how Jesus is attracted to that voice.”
- Luke 18:40-41
2. Grace magnifies God's performance, not ours
Some of us still think it was all our own doing that brought us to where we are, and forget that it is by the grace of God. Faith in the grace of God releases the power of God: Jesus said receive your sight, and immediately the man saw and followed Him, glorifying God.
“You are what you are by the grace of God.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:10
- Luke 18:42-43
3. Grace is the only motive for discipleship
We do not come to church out of fear, or to be marked present on a register, and we do not give to get something back. It is not fear, manipulation or performance but grace alone. When condemnation and the enemy shout guilty, undeserving and finished, grace shouts back that there is a way and a new start.
Illustration: It may look as if the curtain has dropped, but it is only one scene that has finished and a new one is beginning.
“When voices shout out guilty, it's grace that shouts, not guilty.”
4. Law says do, grace says done
Law, the world, family and people pleasing keep us on a treadmill of doing. Grace shouts that there is nothing more you can do to deserve the love of God, because of the broken body and the blood of Jesus remembered at communion that morning. Breakthrough, answered prayer and promotion come by grace, not by your smartness, education or experience.
Illustration: The treadmill of doing: everybody wants a little part of you and puts you on the guilt trip of doing, doing, doing.
“Law says do, grace says done.”
5. Grace shouts louder than regret
Most of us are stuck in a place called regret, because of what people shouted at us growing up and the mistakes we made without mentors. Regret paralyses you and does not create a better future. What has happened has happened, and it is the grace of God that helps us forget what is behind and press on, as Paul did.
Illustration: He traces the word regret to an old French word, regretter, which he says means to mourn for the dead: when you live in regret you are mourning for the dead.
“Regret paralyzes your ability to go forward.”
- Philippians 3:13-14
Putting it into practice
- Cry out to God without minding the person next to you.
- Stop trying to earn what grace has already done.
- Come to church and give because of grace, not out of fear or to get something back.
- Leave regret behind and press on.
- When a thousand voices say you will never make it, answer with what grace says.
Closing
He closes by reading 2 Corinthians 12 from the NIV and ends on God's answer to Paul, that His grace is sufficient. He then lists what grace shouts back when a thousand voices say you will never make it, has the church stand, lift their hands and tell a neighbour that grace will get them out, and declares business opportunities, open doors and divine help, not because they deserve it but because of grace.
Declarations he led
- Whatever's happened has happened.
- Thank you, Lord, for the grace.
- Grace will get you out.
- Grace will give you opportunities.
In his words
- “Grace speaks. Grace has a voice. Grace actually shouts.”
- “It may look like the curtains have dropped, but may I remind you, it's only a scene that's finished.”
- “When you think it's over, it's not over. Because God has not started yet.”
- “When law says do, grace shouts, it's done.”
- “Grace shouts louder than regret.”
Every scripture in this message
- Luke 18:35-43
- Matthew 13:13
- Ephesians 1:18
- 2 Corinthians 1:20
- John 1:16
- Philippians 2:9-11
- Mark 10:46
- 1 Corinthians 15:10
- Philippians 3:13-14
- 2 Corinthians 12:1-9