This morning we are doing something a little different in this sermon time. That is, I will preach for five minutes or so, then I'll sit down and we will sing a verse of the famous hymn Amazing Grace. Then I'll preach again, and we'll sing again, and so on, for three verses. In this way, we can explore three sides of what is often called the central concept of the Christian faith. It means, quite simply, the free, unmerited love of God.
Grace is the most powerful force in the universe.
It is the dynamic outpouring of God's loving nature that flows into and through creation, in an endless self-offering of illumination, love and healing. Grace is the unseen force that pushes and prods all things in the direction of wholeness and life. Grace is the activity of God in this world. In Christian theology, and particularly in Methodist circles, we often talk about grace as having three movements. In fact, one of the defining characteristics of grace is that it cannot be earned or deserved.