Series: God, I Need You

Message #6:God, I Need Your Grace – February 21, 2010

Why Are People In Need Of God’s Grace?

1. People are in need of God’s grace because they are feeling the shame of their sin.

When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house… Luke 7:38

A sinful life is living a life of immorality by ignoring God’s ways and God’s people.

A sinful life eventually produces shame.

Shame isfeeling bad about ourselves because of what we have done.

Shame is beingembarrassed because other people know about our sin.

She learned Jesus was full of love to people who had lived a sinful life.

She learned Jesus was full of grace to people who were full of guilt.

Pharisees were religious people who prided themselves on their righteous lifestyle.

Pharisees would never talk to people who did terrible things.

Pharisees would never open their doors to people who had done wrong.

Pharisees would never open their hearts to people who were hurting from their sin.

2. People are in need of God’s grace because they are hurting from the pain of their past.

When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. Luke 7:36-38

The tears she cried reflected the pain in her heart.

The woman approached Jesus because of his amazing love.

The woman came to Jesus because of his compassion.

Cleaning the feet of Jesus and covering them with perfume

is the woman’sresponse of love to Jesus’ life of love.

3. People are in need of God’s grace becausethey are seeking the freedom of forgiveness.

Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven…Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Luke 7:48-50

Because of God’s grace our sins are forgiven.

By faith we receive God’s forgiveness

God’s forgiveness allows us to move forward in our lives.

God’s forgiveness brings freedom to our lives.

What Can We Learn About God’s Grace?

Therefore, I tell you, her sins have been forgiven – for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.

Luke 7:47

1. We are all like the immoral woman in need of God’s grace.

2. Jesus is asking us to come to him to receive God’s grace.

3. There are people all around us who are in need of God’s grace.

4. We must intentionally reach out to people and show them God’s grace.