ALL SUFFICIENT GRACE FOR EVEN ME
A. Psa. 103:8.
Luke 7:36-50, When a sinful woman washed His feet with her tears,
Jesus explained her extraordinary devotion by pointing out that
she loved much because she recognized herself as being in need
of greater forgiveness.
a. Is it too much to say that the key to being what we ought to
be is a proper gratitude for the grace of God through Christ?
1 Tim. 1:12?17.
(A) All of us have done things for which we are deeply ashamed.
We may think we have
sinned so greatly that Gods grace is not sufficient to forgive
us.
But the Lords grace is greater than all our sins: Beautiful
song by Haldor
Lillenas that says, Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
deeper than the
mighty rolling sea; higher than the mountain, sparkling like a
fountain, all sufficient
grace for even me.
(a) Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch
like me.
There are at least four ways in which Gods grace is sufficient
for us.
(2) #1, Gods Grace is sufficient to save us from Sin.
Christ died for us even though we did not deserve it. Thats
the statement of Rom. 5:6-8, For when we were still without
strength, (When we were helpless to do anything about our sin)
at the chosen time Christ died for the ungodly. But God demonstrates
His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ
died for us.
That was Gods gift to you and me. Salvation is a gift of
grace. Thats what Eph. 2:8, says.
(c) No one is too far gone in sin to be redeemed by Christ, 1
Cor. 6:9?11.
They were Not beyond the possibility of being saved. They came
to God and
stopped doing those things and God gave them salvation.
(B) #2, God will give Grace To Help Us Deal With Obstacles to
Our Salvation.
As for temptation, God is faithful to protect us from anything
that would be too much for us to handle. 1 Cor. 10:13.
There will be times when it is Gods will for us to endure
a hardship at such times, His grace is sufficient
to help us deal with it. Listen to how Paul describes his own
experience with it, 2 Cor. 12:7?10.
But, we have a great advantage. In every case, we may, come
boldly to the throne of grace and obtain mercy and find
grace to help in time of need Thats the promise God
makes to you and me in Heb. 4:16.
#3, Gods Grace is Sufficient to Help us Do The Lords
Work?
Our sufficiency, adequacy and ability to do His work is from God,
2 Cor 3:4?6. We can trust God to supply what ever we need to make
us sufficient to accomplish what ever God wants done in our lives.
Eph. 2:8-10, For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works,
lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created
in Christ Jesus for good works.
God is making changes in me that I could never make by myself.
Like a potter molding a piece of clay, God is making me into what
I should be, what He wants me to be. And His workmanship in me
will make me acceptable in His sight. Thats the grandeur
of Gods All Sufficient Grace.
2 Cor. 9:6-15. Gods grace has given us His word and 2 Tim
3:16?17, says that word will enable us to Be complete, thoroughly
equipped for every good work.
b. #4, Gods Grace is Sufficient To Forgive Us When We as
Christians stumble and sin.
That grace is, of course, conditioned upon our repentance, but
when we repent, God is
gracious to forgive.
(1) 1 John 1:9?10. Thats His promise.
(1) In fact, It is Gods grace that teaches us to turn
away from sin. Tit. 2:11-12.
None of us deserve Gods grace if we deserved it,
it would not be grace.
Rom. 5:20-21, tells us that, Wherever sin abounds, grace
abounds much more. There is no sin so great that Gods
grace cannot cover it.
When we come to see our own sins for what they really are in Gods
sight, the gospel of Gods saving grace becomes
the greatest message in all the world and thats why they
call it the good news.
God is a God of grace to His people.
The realization of that truth is what encouraged William Barclay
to write these words: O God, our Father, as we read your
word, humble us at the sight of your holiness, and then comfort
us with the memory of your mercy. Humiliate us with the realization
of our sinfulness, and then uplift us at the sight of your love.
Help us in your word to know our sin and to find our Savior
(B) As the apostle stated in 1 Jno. 4:17-19, If we are tormented
by fear of God, it is
because we have not been made perfect in love.
(1) If we have not been made perfect in love, it is because we
have not yet caught a vision of the depth of Gods grace.
To be a genuine Christian is to have tasted that the Lord
is gracious. 1 Pet. 2:3.
(2) May we not receive the grace of God in vain. 2
Cor. 6:1.
(1) May we not insult or do despite to the Spirit of grace.
Heb. 10:29.
(2) May we always be strong in the grace that is in Christ
Jesus 2 Tim. 2:1.
(3) Acts 20:32,
Spur - 8/5/2001 pm
|