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The work of Grace

Introduction:

  • Grace is a divine gift, given freely to us in various ways 
  • In spiritual life, God's grace plays a big role 
    • God's grace leads to repentance
      • Give examples; after St Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost, "Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart" Acts 2:37

    • God's grace stops us from falling in sin 
      • Give examples
    • God's grace encourages us to attain virtues 
      • Give examples
  • The grace also works in the sacraments 
    • invisible grace
  • Grace works in the service

Visitations of Grace:

  • God is visiting you 
  • Sometimes we find ourselves moved towards doing what is good - especially in the spiritual field 
  • This is the work of God's grace
  • The fathers refer to that as a "visitation of grace"
    • We are "visited" by God's grace which encourages us to do good at the moment 
      • Examples
  • Christ knocking on the door 
  • Fear is also considered a result from God's grace
  • At the right time - in the right circumstances 
  • Some


Reasons for visitations of grace 

  • to wake us up from laziness
  • lead us to repent 
  • enlighten and strengthens our spiritual life
  • correct masar 7ayato
  • call us to service
  • give us a blessing
  • to carry on the service 
  • even with saints to reach higher levels of sainthood

When do they happen 

  • We could be "visited" by God's grace at any time
  • God's grace works in everyone 
    • Some are more sensitive to it thean others
    • jonah - (visitation to nenivah - to the ship - 
    • calling matthew and Zekkius 
    • st mary of egypt
  • in the middle of sin (saul's calling)
  • can be felt in the heart 
  • through an event 
  • through a vision or a dream 
  • a message from spiritual father
  • trials 
  • St Anthony (his father's death - listening to the gospel - when the lady rebuked him )

What should be our response towards them 

  • It is important to note that God's grace works in us to produce good works but it does NOT force us to do good works 
    • Grace is an internal movement towards what is good and Godly, but it does not force or pushes you to do anything, the decision has to come from you 
  • God's grace works is us all the time. However, the question is do we work with it or not?
  • Right hand thief Vs left hand thief 
  • Without Me you can do nothing"

What prevents God's grace from us 

  • “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts" Hebrews 3:15
    • "Hear His voice" is the work of grace, "harden your hearts" is our response towards it
  • Pharaoh return then changes his mind - response to grace then abandons it 
  • Satan opposes God's grace 
    • go reconcile - how about my dignity 

Resisting God's grace

  • "grace is the devine role in our lives
  • free will dectates that we are free to respond to the grace or not 
  • the same grace who made st anthony is inside of mre so what is the difference 
  • focus o the speaker instead of listening 
  • lack of circumspection - not listening to the advise 
  • obediance with no core - shallow
  • resisting spiritual messages 
  • not learning from previous mistakes - repeated confessions
  • not participating in spiritual days or conventions
  • giving into stange idology "“Those who regard worthless idols
    Forsake their own [b]Mercy." Jonah 2:8
  • Lack of thanksgiving - when churches were open
  • lack of faith - trials (hebrews 11:6
  • negativity - god doesn't love me 

Can God's grace abandon us?

  • as a message - to learn from
  • as a worning

How to benefit from the visitations of grace

  • Do not say my will is weak, God's grace can strengthen your will - but you should respond to it 
  • Do not say my sin is too big
    • "where sin abounded, grace abounded much more" Romans 5:20
  • We have to work with God's grace 
    • Grace and works 
      • God's grace will plant a seed, you need to water and care for the seed to grow
      • God's grace will tell you something, and you do it
      • God's grace will save you from falling into sin, you do not return to that sin again 
  • Pray for God's grace and to grow in God's grace
  • "My Grace is sufficient to you"
  • "ou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. " 2  Timo 2:1
  •  Humility "“God resists the proud,
    But gives grace to the humble.”" James 4:6
  • prayer
  • intercession of the saints 
  • work of the church with you 
  • ready heart " But as many as received Him, to them He gave the [e]right to become children of God" John 1:12
  • strive to be worthy of that grace "to the praise of the glory of His grace" Eph 1:6
  • spend more time and enjoy the visitation
  • give thanks - consider that everything good in your life is a result of God's grace with you 
  • Hold fast to every oppertunity to listen to the word of God - to any means of grace

 

"grow in the grace" 2 Peter 3:18

  • There is a commandment that we are asked to obey 
  • Not only to use the grace given to me but to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord 
  • So how can we enjoy and grow in God's grace?
  • Any growth can be measured - the measure of growing in grace is fruits 
    • Fruit of repentance - real change "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance" matthew 3:8
    • Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23
      But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
    • Fruit of the service 
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