Introduction:
A. Israel broke covenant with God in the incident with the golden calf (Ex. 32:1-4).
B. Moses intercedes, the people repent, and God shows Moses His glory (Ex. 32:10; 33:4, 6; 34:5-7).
C. Mercy and grace (Ex. 33:19; Heb. 4:16)
1. Mercy is not getting what we deserve (Rm. 3:23; 6:23).
2. Grace is getting what we do not deserve (Rm. 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9).
I. The Graciousness of God Is Expressed in Giving What Is Undeserved or Unexpected.
A. Gracious
1. Merciful and compassionate (Dict.)
2. Extending favor often when unexpected or undeserved (Vine)
3. Heartfelt desire to give to one who has a need…has no real claim for gracious treatment (TWOT).
B. Unexpected or undeserved nature of graciousness
1. David (Psa. 103:10; 51:1)
2. Paul (1 Tim. 1:12-15; 1 Cor. 15:10)
3. Are we truly gracious to others?
II. The Gracious Nature of God as Expressed in Giving
A. Love and giving (Jn. 3:16; Jas. 1:17)
B. God’s graciousness expresses itself in many ways.
1. Physical necessities (Acts 17:25; Gen. 33:11; Jn. 6:32-33)
2. Deliverance (Dt. 7:7-8; Eph. 2:4-5)
3. Strength (1 Cor. 10:13; Heb. 4:15-16)
4. Guidance (Ex. 13:21-22; Psa. 119:105; 1 Pet. 2:25)
5. Presence (Heb. 13:5; Mt. 28:20)
III. The Graciousness of God as Seen in Christ
A. His incarnation (Jn. 1:1, 14, 17; 2 Cor. 8:9)
B. His teaching (Lk. 4:22; Col. 4:6; Ps. 19:14)
C. His life (Lk. 5:12-13; Mk. 8:1-3)
Conclusion:
A. How grateful ought we to be for His graciousness!
B. Numbers 6:24-26
C. Invitation