John 1:1-18 (ESV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

Romans 2:4 (NLT) Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

1. Grace

1. Grace understands:
   1. The world IS INHERENTLY BROKEN.
   2. The world will NEVER HEAL ITSELF.
   3. Grace is the KEY TO HEALING.
2. Grace offers:
   1. Forgiveness
   2. Help 
   3. Generosity 
   4. Redemption 
3. The power to give grace comes from the ability to receive grace.
4. Grace will change you.
5. Grace will change your world.

2. Truth

1. TRUTH
   1. Grace pulls the blind man out of the ditch, but the truth heals his eyes, so he doesn’t fall back in. 
   2. We don’t create truth; we learn it! 
   3. It cannot be TRUE GRACE unless there is TRUTH. 
   4. Truth
      1. How does truth change the world?
         1. It reveals identity.
         2. It reveals origin.
         3. It reveals destination.
         4. It reveals accountability.
      2. So it:
         1. Must be heard 
         2. Must be believed
         3. Must be acted upon

We have a responsibility to approach the world with grace.

We have a responsibility to approach the world with truth.