Grace ~ Some Things Bear Repeating

Psalm 23
Rev. Kristi Denham
Congregational Church of Belmont
November 9, 2008

Definition of Grace: According to The Oxford Companion of Christian Thought, “In the Christian tradition ‘grace’ sums up the relationship of the triune God with creation. It depicts the relationship as grounded in the freedom of God’s love and as directed towards the perfecting of God’s communion with creation. ….Christian doctrine, worship, and life are shaped in all their dimensions by the way in which grace is understood. Since the concept of grace determines our understanding of divine action and its relationship to human action it is a highly contentious concept. The history of Christian doctrine and pastoral practice could well be written as a history of debates on the interpretation of grace.”

Paul… Eastern Church (deification)…Pelagius…Augustine…Luther…Tillich…

Grace is epitomized in the 23rd Psalm

Psalm 23

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name' sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.


“Surrender opens the door to grace.” God…grant me the grace…