Marvelous Grace of Our Loving Lord is Sufficient for All Your Needs (2 Cor 12:9-12)
Song:
Grace alone which God supplies
Strength unknown He will provide, Christ in us our cornerstone,
We will go forth in grace alone
Ev’ry promise we can make, Ev’ry prayer and step of faith
Ev’ry diff’rence we will make Is only by His grace. Ev’ry mountain we will climb
Ev’ry ray of hope we shine, Ev’ry blessing left behind Is only by His grace
Ev’ry soul we long to reach, Ev’ry heart we hope to teach, Ev’rywhere we share His peace
Is only by His grace. Ev’ry loving word we say Ev’ry tear we wipe away
Ev’ry sorrow turned to praise Is only by His grace
Etymologically - Grace is a term referring to the beautiful that gives delight.
Theologically - Grace mean’s God’s favor as seen in the gift of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ
Practically - Grace implies God’s presence and redemptive power in one’s life.
Grace is God’s gift which causes pleasure and produces sufficient blessing in the lives of all who accept it and allow it to transform them.
Contrast: Those who live by law resemble the Pharisees in their desire to control people by rules, regulations and procedures. They are obsessed with control for it gives them a selfish sense of fleshly power. Instead of saying, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. They prefer "the steps of a good man are ordered by an authoritative boss or the rules of the company."
A person living by law is quick to judge, criticize and demean people who do not live up to their perceived standards. Lawful oriented people are not gracious, kind or loving because they are more interested in conforming to a set of rules.
A person living by lalw is proud of their accomplishments instead of realizing that every good and perfect gift, even our accomplishments, are gifts from above.
A person living by law feels inadequate unless they are working to live up to their expectations instead of just resting in the grace of God and His will. Lawful oriented people tend to base their self-esteem on what they can do for God instead of what He has done for them.
People living by grace are secure in the love, forgiveness and goodness of God’s free gift of acceptance. They are grateful, humble and Spirit filled people who delight in the kindness of God instead of boasting of their own contributions.
People living by grace know enough not to judge others because they know judgment is from the Lord so they tend to not even judge themselves talk less of others.
People living by grace are persistent in loving, accepting and overlooking others faults as they are thankful for how gracious the Lord has been to them.
People living by grace are more tolerant of different levels of maturity as they know we are all struggling with to speak the truth in love so we can grow up in all aspects into Christ.
People living by grace realize that we can rejoice in our weaknesses knowing that this affords God a greater opportunity to show Himself strong. His grace shows up best in weak people. As Paul they can say, "Most gladly therefore will I boast in my weaknesses that the power of Christ may dwell in me. For when I am weak then I am strong. The less I have the more I depend on Him." (2 Cor 12:9-12)
1. Grace means God’s favor and good will towards mankind. Mary described herself as favored or graced in Luke 1:28
2. God’s favor is the opposite of merit because it is free (no conditions required), spontaneous (not prompted from outside), generous (no limit), abiding (never ceasing)
3. God’s grace is distinguished from mercy even though mercy is one way it is expressed but mercy is more related to relieving misery and to the non-deserving, but grace is related to redemption and to positively (undeserving)
4. Grace from God is given to the helpless and needy.
a. It is an act of benevolence and also a gift or a donation.
b. It is not simply a feeling but a force.
c. Not simply good will but also a good work.
5. Grace is a divine favor expressed in and proved by Divine gift in the Lord Jesus Christ’s atonement.
This is given in unlimited measure always sufficient for every situation, person and transgression. Grace is connected to the heart and the hand of God.
6. The source of God’s grace is prominent throughout the world. (Romans 5:15, Heb. 2:9, I Pet 5:10) "After you have suffered a little while the God of all grace will Himself sanctify you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
7. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is abundant and unexhaustible. (2 Cor 8:9)
8. There is the Holy Spirit of grace who warns all people there is great punishment waiting those who reject the grace, favor and free offering of His atoning grace. (Heb 10:29)
How is Grace Manifested?
1. It commences in God’s sovereign purpose (2 Tim 1:9) God displayed His grace not because we deserved it but because that was His planlong before the world began - to show his love and kindness to us through Christ Jesus.
2. Grace is embodied in God’s revelation. (Titus 2:11) For the grace of God has been revealed bringing salvation to all people. He hides it from no one, but displays it through His word.
3. Grace is declared in God’s gospel. (Acts 20:24)
4. Grace is bestowed n God’s gift (Rom 5:15)God brought forgiveness through Jesus Christ as His bountiful gift of grace in contrast to the heinous sins of mankind.
5. Grace is intended for God’s glory. (Eph. 1:6)
6. Grace is realized in man’s life (I Pet 3:7) Your wife is an equal partner in God’s gift of grace and you are to treat her equally or your prayers will be hindered. Grace is the great equalizer as we are to respect others who are sharers in God’s grace.
7. Grace is witnessed in peoples’ conduct. (Acts 11:23)When he arrived and so the proof of the grace of God he was filled with joy and encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord.
What is the work of grace?
1. The means of grace
a. Election (Rom 11:5)
b. Calling (Gal 1:15)
c. Justification (Rom 3:24)
d. Salvation (Eph. 2:5)
e. Faith (Acts 18:27)
f. Instruction (Titus 2:11,12)
g. Equipment (Acts 14:26)
h. Rule (Rom 5:21)
i. Hope (2 Thes 2:16)
j. Establishment (Heb 13:9)
2. The measure of grace
a. Sufficiency (2 Cor 9:8) God is able to make all grace abound to you so having all things at all times you abound in every good work by His grace. We never are able to exhaust the reservoir of God’s grace to help us exhibit His grace in good works or run out of things to do.
b. Greatness (Acts 4:33) And the apostles gave great witness to the power of the resurrection and the grace of God was upon them all.
c. Fulness (John 1:14) For the law was given by Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Grace was best displayed in the life, teaching and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our example of how to grow in grace and the knowledge of grace. (2 Pet 3:18)
d. Abundance (2 Cor 4:15)
e. Wealth (Eph. 1:7) Through the richness of His grace He purchased our forgiveness through His blood.
f. Increase (James 4:6) God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
g. Duty: Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and He will exalt you at the proper time. (I Pet 5:5,6)
The Glory of Grace
1. The Character of grace
a. Divine (Luke 2:40) He continued to grow healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom beyond his years and God had placed His special grace (favor) upon Him.
b. True (I Pet 5:12)
c. Free (Rom 3:24)
d. Individual (I Pet 4:10) God has given special gifts of grace to each of you. Manage them well so that His grace can flow freely through you.
2. The companions of grace
a. Truth (John 1:14,17)
b. Apostleship (Rom 1:5)
c. Peace (Rom 1:7)
d. Righteousness (Rom 5:21)
e. Mercy (I Tim. 1:2)
What are the aspects of grace?
1. As a source of grace
a. Out of (Gal 5:4) Christ has become no effect for you who are justified by law; you are fallen from grace.
b. From (I Cor 1:3) Grace be to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
2. As a Standard
a. According to (Rom 4:4) Now to him who works the reward is not reckoned of grace but of law.
3. As a means
a. Through (Rom 12:3) For by the grace given to you I say do not think of yourself more highly than you ought to think but to think so as to have sound judgment as God has alloted to each a measure of faith.
b. By (Rom 3:24) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
c. To (Acts 14:26) They were recommended to the grace of God through which they had been fulfilled.
4. As a principle
a. Under (Rom 6:14)
5. As a sphere
a. In (Rom 5:15)
6. As a power
a. Upon (Acts 4:33; Luke 2:40)
7. As a companion
a. With (I Cor 15:10)But by the grace of God I am what I am and his grace which was bestowed upon 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.
What are the conditions of grace?
1. Positive
a. From God (Rom 5:15)
b. Through the Word (Acts 14:3)
c. By faith (Eph. 2:8)
d. In humility (James 4:6)
2. Negative
a. Not of self (Eph. 2:5,8)
b. Not by works (Rom 11:6)
c. Not of debt (Rom 4:4)
d. Not by law (Rom 6:14)
What should be the response to grace?
1. The Use
a. Finding (Heb 4:16) Let us come boldly to the throne of grace that we might find mercy and grace to help in the time of need.
b. Receiving (2 Cor 6:1) We beseech you that you receive not the grace of God in vain.
c. Knowing (2 Cor 8:9)
d. Having (Heb 12:28)
e. Standing (Rom 5:2)
f. Growing (2 Pet 3:18)
g. Dispensing (I Pet 4:10)
h. sharing (Phil. 1:7)
i. Continuing (Acts 13:43)
j. Inheriting (I Pet 3:7)
k. Expecting (I Pet 1:13)
2. The Misuse of grace
a. Receiving in vain (2 Cor 6:1)
b. Failing (Heb 12:15) Beware lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble and thereby many be defiled.
c. Falling (Gal 5:4)
d. Changing(Jude 4)
e. Presuming upon (Rom 6:1) Shall we continue to sin that grace may abound, may it never be
f. Insulting (Heb 10:29)
What are the expressions of grace?
1. Towards God
a. Singing (Col 3:16)
b. Praise (Eph. 1:6)
2. Towards Man
a. Speech (Col. 4:6)Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned as it were with salt so you may know how to speak to every person.
b. Liberality (2 Cor 8:19)
c. Witness (Acts 20:24)
Conclusion:
Grace first contrived a way
To save rebellious man
And all the steps that grace display
Which drew the wondrous plan
Grace all the work shall crown
Through everlasting days
It lays in heven the topmost stone
And well deserves the praise
Oh, let Thy grace inspire
My soul with strength Divine
May all my powers to Thee aspire
And all my days be Thine (Philip Doddridge)
The above outline is credited to Griffith Thomas
