Experiencing Grace

Experiencing Grace

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Introduction

- This morning, I’d like to discuss a word that is used often in church

- It is a word that has several meanings to several, but the same beginnings

- Jesus suffered and died to bring this entire creation the GRACE of God

- For the believer, GRACE is the reason you can smile when life is difficult

- For the seeker, GRACE is the reason you are still able to look for answers

- For the unbeliever, GRACE is the reason you can still deny who God is

- FACT: Because of the GRACE that God has shown us we can truly live

- The Bible tells us that we are all sinners; that none of us have “arrived”

- D.L. Moody writes, “A man can no more take a supply of grace for the future - than he can eat enough today to last him for the next six months; or take sufficient air into his lungs to sustain life for a week to come. We must draw upon God's boundless stores for grace from day to day, as we need it.”

- Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

- Pray

Point 1 – Who is Paul?

- Let’s remember who we are talking about; his life challenges exemplified here

- Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus, was a chief persecutor of followers of “The Way”

- APP: For us … we can gain strength from what Paul tells us about himself

- He tells Timothy in 1 Tim 1:13-15 who he truly is and what is at his core:

“Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” (“am” … present tense)

- Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians focus on recognizing who we are vs. who God is

- The calling of the church now is to see our place in relationship to Christ

- We must understand that not only is grace needed … it is ALL we have!

- Let’s face it: Each of us has problems, concerns, troubles, sin, etc.

- If we were to be really honest, we’d be willing to admit who we really are

- What we see here is Paul confessing who he is, so others may learn from it

- V1 – There is nothing I can gain from boasting … except Jesus Christ

-- Nothing comes from promoting myself, except that I must boast about Jesus

- We must acknowledge that GRACE is unmerited, unearned, and undeserved

- We live, or do not live, because God has allowed us to live; even in weakness

- V2 – V5 shows us the intimacy that Paul experienced with people of faith

- He was able to know a man, & how he experienced his testimony living for Jesus

- His experience with him now leads him to promote their testimony

- Paul is able to communicate to boast about them because of what God has done

- He rejoices in their experience, and celebrates how they lived for Christ

- APP: What we must see is that this should be us; if we understand GRACE

- V6 – He confesses that even if he boasts, it is for the reasons that exalt Christ

- He would be speaking the truth, and in that there is no selfishness to be found

- Because of what God has done, his rejoicing pushes him to testify more

- What we gain from living a life devoted to Jesus is … God’s GRACE (needed)

-- But we also gain the ability to celebrate all that God has done (required)

Point 2 – God’s Grace is Sufficient

- Let’s look at the sufficiency of GRACE in living color (therefore…)

- V7 – Paul has been given an affliction of some sort which plagues him

- APP: Believe it is given as a reminder of his own frailty and need for GRACE

- V8 – Paul’s pleading with the Lord is consistent, repetitive, and faithful

- He understands that it is not something he can remove from himself

- What he has experienced in Christ keeps him coming back and praying

- Like we’ve seen in the Psalms, he cries out for what only God can do

- BIG APP: If you are plagued with something only God can remove it

- This includes your secret sin that you refuse to lay down; you can’t control it

- V9 is a critical verse for us to understand, highlight, memorize for our lives