RESTORING GRACE
Transforming Grace - Part 4

"Restore us, O Lord, and bring us back to You again. Give us back the joys we once had." Lamentations 5:21 (NLT)

I. WHAT CAUSES PEOPLE TO FALL AWAY

"Everybody else may stumble in their faith but I will not." Matthew 26:33 (NCV)

  • Overconfidence.
"Let him who stands take heed lest he fall." 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NKJV)

"Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV)

  • Laziness.
“Couldn't you stay awake with Me for one hour?" Matthew 26:40 (NKJV)

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” Matthew 6:41 (NKJV)

  • Fear of disapproval.
"Peter followed Him at a distance…" Mark 15:54 (NKJV)

  • Convenience.
"Then he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire." Matthew 14:54 (NKJV)

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

II. WHY DOESN'T GOD REJECT BELIEVERS WHEN WE SIN?

  • His love is unconditional.
"The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease.” Lamentations 3:22 (NLT)

  • My salvation isn't based on my performance.
"It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” Romans 9:16 (NIV)

"He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of His mercy." Titus 3:5 (NIV)

  • Jesus has already taken my punishment.
"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole
world.” 1 John 2:2 (NKJV)

  • Jesus understands my human weaknesses.
"He understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same temptations we do, yet He did not
sin." Hebrews 4:15 (NIV)

  • God doesn't hold grudges.
"God will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He has not punished us for all our
sins, nor does He deal with us as we deserve. He is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him." Psalm 103:9 (NIV)

"Come back to Me, you unfaithful children, and I will forgive you for being unfaithful." Jeremiah 3:22 (NCV)

III. WHAT SHOULD WE DO WHEN WE SIN?

"If you change your heart and return to me, I will take you back. Then you may serve me.” Jeremiah 15:19 (NCV)

"Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow.” Isaiah 1:18 (NLT)

"Satan has desired to sift you but I have prayed for you and when you have returned, strengthen
the brothers." Luke 22:31 (NKJV)

"Go tell His disciples and Peter." Mark 16:7 (NKJV)
"Restore to me again the joy of Your salvation." Psalm 51:12 (NKJV)