SERMON: The Grace of God

SUNDAY CELEBRATION SERVICE

SPEAKER – PS. JOSEPH KWESI KAI

But by the Grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1Corinthians 15:10

1. Who was Apostle Paul before the grace of God met him?

Paul is a Pharisee. He was a young man who was well educated. He was very zealous in Judaism and studied extensively under Rabbi Gamaliel (Acts 22: 1-3). The first time we encounter him in the bible was the persecution of Stephen, who became the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:57 – 8:1).

Paul did not believe the Good News that Jesus had been the long – awaited Messiah, and therefore, viewed Christians as deceitful and a threat to Judaism. Paul’s rejection of Jesus as the Messiah led him to believe that he needed to persecute the followers of Jesus to stop the spread of the gospel. He dedicated his days to terrorizing Jesus’ followers with the hope of prohibiting what he believed to be a false message (Acts 8:3; 9)

2. The Disciples of Jesus Christ –

They were ordinary fishermen until the Grace of God called them (Matthew 4:18 -22). They were not learned men. But the grace of God transformed them into men of substance (Acts 4:13-16)

3. King David –

He was a mere shepherd boy tendering the flocks of his father Jessy. 1Samuel 17:34-36). David was the youngest son among the eight children of Jessy (1Chronicles 2:13-15).

But the grace of God selected David to be King (1Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22)

4. Prophet Elisha –

He was a farmer initially. But when the grace of God located him, he became an oracle of God in his dispensation. He did twice as much as what the Prophet Elijah did.

(1Kings 19:19-21)

What is Grace? (2Corinthians 13:14)

• Grace is a person
• Through Jesus Christ, we have received Grace (Romans 1:5)
• Grace is unmerited favor – meaning, what you are doing could have been given to someone else to do.
• Grace is unmerited blessing Luke 1:30, Genesis 19:19; Exodus 33:12, 17; Acts 7:46
• Grace is a gift of God. Ephesians 2:8-9
• Grace is what makes a man who he is, and what he becomes in the future. Eg. Prophet, Pastor, President etc.
• Grace must be given to you.
• Grace must not be in vain. It must be used to accomplish the assignment given.
• If something is in vain, it means that, it is useless. This is because it did not achieve it intended purpose.
• Grace is given to us so we can labor for the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul said, I labored more abundantly than everybody.

God expect that we labor in the assignment that He has given to us. The assignment must yield results, this is because grace is a tool to get things done.

The Apostle Paul acknowledged that even though he labored, it was not him but the grace of God which was with Him.

Who is this, Grace?

This grace is the Holy Spirit. Read the following scriptures: John 14:16-30; Matthew 10:20
Romans 15:18; Galatians 2:8

Empowering (or enabling) – (2Corinthians 9:8)

Grace works by the effectual working of God’s power (the Holy Spirit

Grace is a Spirit.

This type of grace helps the disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ to accomplish the task Lord. God gives us the energy to do what He has called us for. So, your purpose on earth can only be fully accomplished by the grace of God.

Take not of the following:

1. Grace brings fruitfulness. You cannot be barren when grace is at work in you.
2. Grace will make you effective and efficient.
3. Grace is not laziness.
4. Grace will make you diligent or hardworking.
5. Grace makes our strength to be perfect in weakness. (2Cor. 12:9)

Grace is our sufficiency (2Corinthians 9:8)