A Heart Touched by Grace (090927p)

Introduction:
What do you think of when you think of “being a Christian?”  Do you normally think in terms of what you believe?  Or, do you think in terms of what you do?  Is it a matter of doctrine or a matter of practice?  Or, is it a combination of both?  Or is it both and?  Let me suggest it is the latter.  Your Christianity involves what you believe, what you do and what or who you are.  Do you remember the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount?  The sermon begins with the issue of character.  The “Beatitudes” describe character traits.  Once he has defined who the believer is then he talks about what he does.  As we seek to live the Christian life one of the dangers we must avoid is the danger of defining our faith solely in terms of what we do.  Our faith is much more than that.  It has to do with our behavior but also with our attitudes, our perspectives and our worldview.  Our faith touches every aspect of our lives.

A Christian is one who has been touched by the grace of God and wonderfully transformed into a new creation.  A Christian is one who is made new.  One who is born again or born from above.  Life changes for the child of God.  And that change then manifests itself in the believer’s lifestyle, his attitudes and his perspective of life and the world around him.  As we saw in Psalm 29 it makes him a worshiper who sees God in the common, the ordinary and the everyday.  In Psalm 30 we find other characteristics of the heart that has been touched by God’s grace.

Text: Psalm 30:1-12
There are four characteristics I want us to note.

1. The heart touched by grace consistently acknowledges the grace and goodness of God.  (30:1-3)
2. The heart touched by grace recognizes both the severity and the sweetness of God’s presence.  (30:4-5)
3. The heart touched by grace is quick to repent and seek mercy and cleansing.  (30:6-10)
4. The heart touched by grace rejoices in God’s gracious work on his behalf.  (30:11-12)