Tony Evans
February 6, 1999
7:15 pm
Message Summary
Tony Evans says an intimate knowledge of grace is a primary catalyst to witnessing. Evans says that a passion for souls starts with a passion about grace. "When grace is alive and fresh … then you just can't keep Christ to yourself," he said.
Using Ephesians 2, which he calls "grace concentrate," Evans illustrated the need of grace, the nature of grace and the experience of grace. He said that it is impossible to understand grace unless one knows the depths from which they have been retrieved. He said, "It is easy to get used to grace unless you are reminded of its backdrop—its backdrop of sin." Evans told a story of two men who were late for an airplane flight. One was 30 seconds late and the other was 30 minutes late. While one was closer to the mark that the other, they both had the same problem, they missed the flight. In the same way all of mankind has the same problem. While some are "better" than others, everyone sins.
Grace introduces the believer into a whole new realm where sinful men are made right with God. Satan no longer has any right to control a life redeemed by grace. "You hang out where Jesus is," said Evans.
Once one realizes the nature of grace, its power can be experienced. The overwhelming reality of God's saving act, the fact that salvation is entirely divorced from works, is a powerful propellant to evangelization. "When you understand grace you don't want your friends, your family, your co-workers…to miss that," he said. Saying that a painter does not paint a picture he does not want seen, a poet does not write a poem he does not want read and a composer does not write a song he does not want heard, neither does Christ create new men to have them hide their transforming power. He said, "You were re-created for expression."
Student Response
The subject matter of the message really spoke to me because it is so true. It has been far too long since I have truly embraced the role grace plays in my life, even on a daily basis. How awesome is the reality of Christ's act upon the cross and his interceding to the Father on my behalf. How awesome is that fact that He sees His redeeming blood on my hands even when I sin and deserve no such love. This is a wake-up call that every Christian needs to hear.
—Lisa Ann Cockrel, Junior, Communications major