Introduction

Good morning, my dear family in Christ. It is a blessing to be here with you today. We gather in His name, under His grace, and with hearts filled with His love. We are here to share the Word of God, to learn, to grow and to be strengthened in our faith.

Our Scripture today is from 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1. Let's read it together:

"We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

I am reminded of a quote from G.K. Chesterton, who once said, "The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost." This is true of our faith as well. We must value it, treasure it, and realize that it is a gift from God.

Let's pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day. We thank You for Your Word, for Your grace, and for Your love. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to Your Word today. Help us to understand Your message, to grow in our faith, and to live our lives in a way that glorifies You. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Grace in Aging

We find ourselves in a world that often places a great emphasis on youth and vitality. Society tells us that these are the years to be cherished, the time when we are at our peak. But what does the Bible tell us? What does God say about the later years of our lives?

The Bible tells us that aging is not a curse, but a blessing. It is a time of growth, of wisdom, and of grace. It is a time when we can truly come to understand the depth of God's love for us, and the extent of His grace.

Think about it. As we age, our bodies may become weaker, but our spirits can become stronger. We may lose some of our physical abilities, but we gain so much more in spiritual maturity. This is the grace of God at work in our lives.

Now, let's take a closer look at our Scripture passage. In 2 Corinthians 4:16, Paul writes, "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day."

Paul is telling us here that even as our bodies age and decay, our spirits are being renewed every day. This is the grace of God in action. It's a beautiful picture of how God's grace is not limited by our physical condition or our age.

But how does this renewal happen? How does God's grace work in our lives as we age?

Firstly, God's grace gives us a new perspective on life. As we age, we start to see things differently. We start to understand that life is not just about the here and now, but about eternity. We start to see the world not just in terms of what we can see and touch, but in terms of the spiritual realities that underlie everything. This new perspective is a gift of God's grace.

Secondly, God's grace gives us a new understanding of ourselves. As we age, we come to see our own weaknesses and shortcomings more clearly. We come to understand that we are not self-sufficient, but that we need God's grace every day. This understanding leads us to a deeper reliance on God, and a deeper appreciation of His grace.

Thirdly, God's grace gives us a new appreciation of time. As we age, we come to realize that time is a precious gift. Every day is a gift from God, a chance to grow closer to Him, to serve Him, and to experience His grace. This appreciation of time leads us to live our lives more intentionally, more purposefully, and more gratefully.

Finally, God's grace gives us a new hope for the future. As we age, we come to understand that our life on earth is not the end, but just the beginning. We have the hope of eternal life with God, a life that is not subject to decay or death. This hope is a gift of God's grace, a gift that gives us the strength to face the challenges of aging with joy and peace.

So, as we age, let's not focus on what we are losing, but on what we are gaining. Let's not focus on our physical decay, but on our spiritual renewal. Let's not focus on the temporal, but on the eternal. And let's not focus on ourselves, but on God and His amazing grace.

Remember, aging is not a curse, but a blessing. It's a time of growth, of wisdom, and of grace. It's a time when we can truly come to understand the depth of God's love for us, and the extent of His grace. So let's embrace it with joy, with gratitude, and with faith.

And let's always remember that no matter how old we get, no matter how weak our bodies become, God's grace is always there for us. His grace is sufficient for us. His grace is renewing us day by day. His grace is giving us a new perspective, a new understanding, a new appreciation, and a new hope. His grace is making us more like Jesus, day by day.

So let's thank God for His grace. Let's thank Him for the gift of aging. And let's thank Him for the promise of eternal life with Him.

Faith Fortified through Time

As we continue to reflect on the words of 2 Corinthians, we find ourselves drawn to the notion of faith being fortified through time ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO