The document discusses the theme of grace through several biblical passages and stories. It tells the story of Asaph struggling to understand why the wicked seem to prosper but regaining perspective by focusing on God. It emphasizes that salvation is by grace through faith alone, not works, and that God's generosity towards all people confuses some. The overarching message is that Christians should grow in grace through deepening their knowledge of God and Jesus Christ.

1. G.r.o.w.
Grace
David Clayton, Speaker

2. B.E.L.O.N.G.
(connection to God and to others as Church)
G.R.O.W.
(Pursuing Discipleship)
S.E.R.V.E.
(serving others)
S.H.A.R.E.
(fulfilling our mission)
G.r.o.w.
Grace

3. For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith—and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not
by works, so that no one can boast. 10
For we are God’s workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good
works, which God prepared in advance
for us to do.
G.r.o.w.
Grace
Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV84

4. For I am the least of the apostles and do
not even deserve to be called an apostle,
because I persecuted the church of God.
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and
his grace to me was not without effect. No, I
worked harder than all of them—yet not I,
but the grace of God that was with me.
Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what
we preach, and this is what you believed.
G.r.o.w.
Grace
1 Corinthians 15:9-10 NIV84

5. For I am the least of the apostles
and do not even deserve to be
called an apostle, because I
persecuted the church of God.
But by the grace of God I am what
I am, and his grace to me was not
without effect. No, I worked
harder than all of them—yet not I,
but the grace of God that was with
me. Whether, then, it was I or
they, this is what we preach, and
this is what you believed.
G.r.o.w.
Grace
1 Corinthians 15:9-10 NIV84

6. For I am the least of the apostles
and do not even deserve to be
called an apostle, because I
persecuted the church of God.
But by the grace of God I am what
I am, and his grace to me was not
without effect. No, I worked
harder than all of them—yet not I,
but the grace of God that was with
me. Whether, then, it was I or
they, this is what we preach, and
this is what you believed.
G.r.o.w.
Grace
1 Corinthians 15:9-10 NIV84

7. For I am the least of the apostles
and do not even deserve to be
called an apostle, because I
persecuted the church of God.
But by the grace of God I am what
I am, and his grace to me was not
without effect. No, I worked
harder than all of them—yet not I,
but the grace of God that was with
me. Whether, then, it was I or
they, this is what we preach, and
this is what you believed.
G.r.o.w.
Grace
1 Corinthians 15:9-10 NIV84

8. For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith—and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God— not
by works, so that no one can boast.
For we are God’s workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good
works, which God prepared in advance
for us to do.
G.r.o.w.
Grace
Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV84

9. Christians saved by
grace through faith
should be the most
optimistic of everyone.
G.r.o.w.
Grace

10. For it is by grace you
have been saved,
through faith—and this
not from yourselves, it is
the gift of God— not by
works, so that no one
can boast. For we are
God’s workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus
to do good works, which
God prepared in
advance for us to do.
G.r.o.w.
Grace
Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV84

11. The pattern of salvation
by grace, through faith,
displayed in works makes
many uncomfortable.
G.r.o.w.
Grace

12. For it is by grace you
have been saved,
through faith—and this
not from yourselves, it is
the gift of God— not by
works, so that no one
can boast. For we are
God’s workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus
to do good works, which
God prepared in
advance for us to do.
G.r.o.w.
Grace
Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV84

13. This story reminds
us of how God is
looking for us
G.r.o.w.
Grace

14. As Jesus was telling what the kingdom of
heaven would be like, he said:
Early one morning a man went out to hire
some workers for his vineyard.
After he had agreed to pay them the usual
amount for a day’s work, he sent them off to
his vineyard.
G.r.o.w.
Grace
Matthew 20:1-2 CEV

15. About nine that morning, the man saw
some other people standing in the market
with nothing to do. He said he would pay
them what was fair, if they would work in his
vineyard. So they went. At noon and again
about three in the afternoon he returned to
the market. And each time he made the
same agreement with others who were
loafing around with nothing to do.
G.r.o.w.
Grace
Matthew 20:3-5 CEV

16. Finally, about five in the afternoon the man
went back and found some others standing
there. He asked them, “Why have you been
standing here all day long doing
nothing?” “Because no one has hired us,”
they answered. Then he told them to go
work in his vineyard.
G.r.o.w.
Grace
Matthew 20:6-7 CEV

17. That evening the owner of the vineyard told
the man in charge of the workers to call
them in and give them their money. He also
told the man to begin with the ones who
were hired last. When the workers arrived,
the ones who had been hired at five in the
afternoon were given a full day’s pay.
G.r.o.w.
Grace
Matthew 20:8-9 CEV

18. This story
confuses many
long-time
Christians
G.r.o.w.
Grace

19. The workers who had been hired first
thought they would be given more than the
others. But when they were given the same,
they began complaining to the owner of the
vineyard. They said, “The ones who were
hired last worked for only one hour. But you
paid them the same that you did us. And we
worked in the hot sun all day long!”
G.r.o.w.
Grace
Matthew 20:10-12 CEV

20. This story
empowers and
gives hope to all
workers
G.r.o.w.
Grace

21. The owner answered one of them, “Friend, I
didn’t cheat you. I paid you exactly what we
agreed on. Take your money now and go!
What business is it of yours if I want to pay
them the same that I paid you? Don’t I have
the right to do what I want with my own
money? Why should you be jealous, if I
want to be generous?”
G.r.o.w.
Grace
Matthew 20:13-15 CEV

22. Jesus then said, “So it is. Everyone who is
now first will be last, and everyone who is
last will be first.”
G.r.o.w.
Grace
Matthew 20:16 CEV

23. Asaph is an
example of how
difficult it is to live
out a life of grace.
G.r.o.w.
Grace

24. God is so good to Israel,
to those whose hearts are pure.
But I almost slipped and lost my balance.
I almost fell into sin.
I saw that wicked people were successful,
and I became jealous of those proud
people.
G.r.o.w.
Grace
Psalm 73:1-3 ERV

25. Like Asaph,
focusing on others
discourages us.
G.r.o.w.
Grace

26. They are healthy.
They don’t have to struggle to survive.
They don’t suffer like the rest of us.
They don’t have troubles like other people.
So they are proud and hateful.
This is as easy to see as the jewels and
fancy clothes they wear.
If they see something they like, they go and
take it.
They do whatever they want.
G.r.o.w.
Grace
Psalm 73:4-7 ERV

27. They make fun of others and say cruel things about
them.
In their pride they make plans to hurt people.
They think they are gods!
They think they are the rulers of the earth.
Even God’s people turn to them
and do what they say.
Those evil people say, “God does not know what
we are doing!
God Most High does not know!”
12 Those proud people are wicked,
but they are rich and getting richer.
G.r.o.w.
Grace
Psalm 73:8-12 ERV

28. Like Asaph,
focusing on
ourselves
disappoints us
G.r.o.w.
Grace

29. Clearly, then, I gain nothing by keeping my
thoughts pure!
What good is it to keep myself from sin?
God, I suffer all day long,
and you punish me every morning.
I wanted to tell others these things,
but that would have made me a traitor to
your people.16 I tried hard to understand all
this,
but it was too hard for me.
G.r.o.w.
Grace
Psalm 73:13-16 ERV

30. Like Asaph,
focusing on God
brings perspective
on who I am and
Who He is.G.r.o.w.
Grace

31. But then, God, I went to your Temple,
and I understood what will happen to the wicked.
Clearly, you have put them in danger.
You make it easy for them to fall and be
destroyed.
Trouble can come suddenly,
and they will be ruined.
Terrible things can happen to them,
and they will be finished.Then they will be like a
dream
that we forget when we wake up.
You will make them disappear
like the monsters in our dreams.
G.r.o.w.
Grace
Psalm 73:17-20 ERV

32. I was so stupid.
I thought about such people and became
upset.
God, I was upset and angry with you!
I acted like a senseless animal.
G.r.o.w.
Grace
Psalm 73:20-22 ERV

33. But I am always with you.
You hold my hand.
You lead me and give me good advice,
and later you will lead me to glory.
In heaven, God, I have only you.
And if I am with you, what on earth could I
want?
G.r.o.w.
Grace
Psalm 73:23-25 ERV

34. Maybe my mind and body will become weak,
but God is my source of strength.
He is mine forever!
God, people who leave you will be lost.
You will destroy all who are not faithful to
you.
As for me, all I need is to be close to God.
I have made the Lord GOD my place of
safety.
And, God, I will tell about all that you have
done.
G.r.o.w.
Grace
Psalm 73:26-30 ERV

35. But grow in the grace and
knowledge of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. To him
be glory both now and
forever! Amen.
G.r.o.w.
Grace
2 Peter 3:18 NIV 84