"Amazing Grace" ~ written by John Newton ~ 1 Chronicles 17:16-17 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, my God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You, Lord God, have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men.” G.R.A.C.E. ~ The Five Movements of Amazing Grace ~ First Movement G ~ GRACE REVEALS MY NEED ~ Romans 7:25 So then, I myself in my mind I am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Romans 7:18-19 “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” Isaiah 6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Isaiah 6:5 “Woe to me!” I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." Psalm 25:7 Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you Lord are good. Romans 7:24-25 Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! Second Movement R ~ GRACE RESCUES MY LIFE ~ Ephesians 2:4–9 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy… "As a sinner I deserve vengeance... as a sinner, I'm afraid of justice...and thus as a sinner my only hope for survival is grace. In its purest form it makes no earthly sense!" ~ Charles Swindoll ~ Third Movement A ~ GRACE ADVANCES MY GROWTH ~ Titus 2:11–12 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. Fourth Movement C ~ GRACE CARRIES ME THROUGH TRIALS ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? Romans 6:16 Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey — whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? John 8:31–32 If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. Fifth Movement E ~ GRACE ESCORTS ME HOME ~ John 14:1–3 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” The earth shall soon dissolve like snow The sun forbear to shine But God Who called me here below Will be forever mine Will be forever mine You are forever mine. ~ Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) ~