1. 2014 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE: THE GRACE OF GOD HAS APPEARED I. INTRO  Read Titus 2:11.  We are confronted with what we as believers must meditate upon in order to avoid celebrating this season in the way that most who are yet unbelievers do. ~ Only true believers in Jesus Christ have the real right to celebrate this season.

2. ~ In keeping with this, it would do us well to once more refocus our hearts’ eyes upon the Lord and gaze at the beauty of who He is. ~ To do this, His one attribute that stands out in this season is His grace.  Read Ex 34:5-7.  God’s glory is seen, in part, by His grace.

3. ~ THE GRACE OF GOD NEVER OVERLOOKS SIN; IT PUNISHES SIN, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME FORGIVING THOSE WHO ARE GUILTY.  We will try to summarize some of the essential elements of God’s grace by looking at three stories in the Bible which describe the grace of God.

4. II. JACOB AND THE GRACE OF GOD  Even before his birth, Jacob was a man who struggled with others. ~ Read Gen 25:21-26, then vv. 27-34.  The final blow to the relationship between Jacob and Esau: Gen 27. ~ Gen 25:23 ~ Rebekah and Jacob were wrong in the way they obtained Isaac’s blessing.

5.  As a result of his deception, Esau was furious with Jacob. ~ Jacob sent away: Gen 27:41-28:5 ~ Jacob’s vision: Gen 28:10-17 ~ After his dramatic vision, Jacob made a covenant with God, one which shows him still striving and failing to rest in God’s grace: Gen 28:20-22.  Jacob based his commitment to God on God’s performance in meeting his need, as he defines them.

6. ~ The order is just the opposite of what God requires of us. ~ Cf. Matt 6:33 ~ Look at how Jacob’s offer contrasts with these words from our Lord: Matt 6:25.  Even Satan would agree with Jacob’s “deal” with God: Job 1:9-11.  Not until after Jacob leaves Laban’s house and the land of Paddan-aram does he finally come to grips with grace.

7. ~ A wrestling match with an angel of the LORD seems to be a significant turning point for Jacob: Gen 32:22-32. ~ From this account alone, it would be possible to reach the wrong conclusion.  But that is not the way it was. ~ We know from the story that this “angel” was really God (v. 30).

8. ~ When the time came, the angel struck a crippling blow to Jacob (v. 25). ~ Jacob is now in no position to bargain with God at all.  Hosea interprets this story centuries later speaking to the nation Israel, whom Jacob personified: Hos 12:1-6. ~ Wayward Israel is being rebuked by the prophet Israel.

9.  But there is a way back, a way to enter into God’s blessings, into His grace. ~ That way is by humbly imploring God for grace. ~ This is what Hosea tells the nation Israel that Jacob had to do. ~ When the angel struck the crippling blow to Jacob, all he could do was weep and beg for mercy (for God’s favor).

10. ~ Jacob finally learned how God’s blessings are granted to men – not by grabbing, but by grace. ~ Jacob quickly forgot this lesson, but at least once Jacob sought God’s blessing by grace.  Jacob is a picture of those who believe they can earn the grace and favor of God by some form of performance of works.