Akron FBC

The Bible never mentions the Christian life as something that will be easy. But Jesus said that amid your problems, in the midst of your difficulties, He will be there to give you grace and peace.

Grace and peace, just as grace and faith, and grace and mercy are vital to understanding your identity in Jesus Christ. 

When the Bible says God’s grace is available to all, it gives no prerequisites. It means God’s grace is available to you whether you’re a spiritual leader, a spiritual novice, rich, poor, tall, short, black, white, or somewhere in between. God’s grace is available to you by faith.

Regardless of your status, your background, and the sins you have committed, God loves you. God’s grace is for everyone. And God’s grace is for you.

Last week, we dealt with three facets of grace in order to know God. This week, we are looking at three reasons for grace in our life. 

God has a purpose for the grace He has given us! 

Salvation is solely by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). That truth is the biblical foundation for all we teach. But it means nothing if we begin with a misunderstanding of grace or a faulty definition of faith.

Listen as Pastor Michael highlights the third facet of grace we must understand in order to know God. 

You have probably heard grace defined as God’s unmerited favor, and that is true, but it is so much more. Grace is the power that God willingly gives us to help us do what we could never do on our own. 

Listen as Pastor Michael deals with the Power of Grace in Ephesians 2. 

God has a heart of love and grace for us, not because of who we are, but of who He is. It is His nature and character not only to love but also to demonstrate that love. 

His love for us is the driving force behind the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The very nature of God is to love His creations, which is why we receive His grace. 

Listen as Pastor Michael describes the payment of grace in Ephesians 2.

Someone said that the difference between grace and mercy is that grace gives you what you don’t deserve and mercy keeps you from getting what you do deserve. God’s mercy is such an amazing blessing, and it is the only hope that we have of making it through life day after day. God's grace is unmerited favor, and it's what enables us to live the victorious Christian life. 

We live in a very stressful world. Throughout the hustle and bustle of life, people long for a peaceful “moment” because a life of peace seems too far out of reach. God’s Word shows us how we can experience more than just a moment of peace, and God offers a life of peace to every person. 

Listen as Pastor Michael lays out the "Pathway To Peace" found in God's Word!

Before we can fully grasp our new identity in Christ, it takes understanding who we were apart from Christ. 

In Ephesians 2:1-3, Paul gave us a full-length picture of the terrible spiritual condition of the unsaved person. Our past self. 

The good news is, if you have accepted Christ as your Savior, this is no longer your spiritual condition! You have a new identity!  

Putting your faith and trust in Jesus Christ not only changes the destination of your eternal soul; it is the power that works in you today to change you from the inside out. 

The Bible tells us, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

God’s power can change your relationships, priorities, aspirations, motives, witness...your entire life. 

Listen as Pastor Michael highlights some practical aspects of God’s resurrection power.