Introduction:
During a British conference on comparative religions several decades ago, experts from around the world were discussing whether any one belief was unique to the Christian faith. They began eliminating possibilities. Incarnation? Other religions had different versions of gods appearing in human form. Resurrection? Again, other religions had accounts of return from death. The debate went on for some time until C.S. Lewis arrived. “What is this meeting about?” he asked, and heard in reply that his colleagues were discussing Christianity’s unique contribution among world religions. In his straightforward manner Lewis responded, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.” The notion of God’s love coming to us free of charge seems to go against every instinct of humanity.
WBTU:
In this passage, Paul is stirring up the Christians at Corinth to be ready with liberal gifts for the poor saints at Jerusalem.
He finishes by reminding them of a greater gift than any they could bring.
Let men give as liberally as they may, we can always proclaim the value of their gift; but God’s gift is unspeakable, unthinkable, indescribable.
We cannot fully estimate the value of what God gives. Daniel Austin- I happened to be flipping channels the other evening and came across one of those “reality” shows (I don’t really know which one it was) and in this particular moment one of the people involved in this particular show was agonizing over the purchase of a gift for someone else on the show, it was very important that just the right gift be given to impress this other person. The drama captured my attention for a couple of minutes until I had the thought “really, how important can one gift be?” after which I surfed on.
The main emphasis here is on giving we are not going to talk about giving of time or money. I want us to dwell upon this one verse. 2 Cor. 9:15
Thesis: Tonight we are going to discuss three things in connection with God’s grace: 1) Salvation is the gift of God 2) This gift is unspeakable 3)Thanks should be given for this gift.
For instances:
1. Salvation is the gift of God.
A. Salvation is possible because of grace. Without God’s mercy and grace through Jesus Christ, we would all be condemned.
B. We need to preach this truth again and again. We often forget.
C. Self-righteous people, people who do not understand the concept of grace.
D. What is grace? Unmerited, or undeserved favor. A gift that we do not deserve. Favor bestowed when wrath is owed.
E. I have been studying some material on the Old Testament lately. This book emphasizes retribution theology that is found a lot in the Old Testament. This is best shown in Deuteronomy 28. This is addressed to the Israelites. Vs. 1-14 of this chapter talks about the blessings of obeying the covenant; Vs. 15- 68 talks about the curses that will be in store for the Israelites if they disobey the covenant given by the Lord. Much of the OT illustrates both the blessings when the Israelites obeyed the covenant and the curses that came upon the Israelites when they disobeyed the covenant. The New Testament also talks about this spiritual law in a succinct fashion in Galatians 6:7: A man reaps what he sows.
F. The commentary on the OT that I have been studying gives some exceptions to this law. Ecclesiastes and other places in the OT talk about how this law sometimes does not seem to be in effect in some instances.
G. As I was thinking about a man reaping what he sows, I thought of the New Testament. We should all be thankful that we do not reap what we sow when it comes to our eternal salvation. Ezekiel 18 says that the soul who sins will die. Romans tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. That being the case then all will die and suffer death in all its forms, spiritually, physically and eternally. But through Jesus Christ we don't get what we deserve, we get mercy. We also get a gift that we don't deserve and that is grace. We are not able to sow for our salvation but we reap eternal life. No matter how many exceptions we find in the OT, I think this one fact from the NT is worth praising God for. This does not negate retribution theology, but if that is all there is we would all be in big trouble.
H. Romans 6:19-23
2. This gift is unspeakable.
Unspeakable King James; indescribable NIV; Inexpressible English Standard
Does this mean that we cannot speak about it? Heavens no!
C. In other words it is inexhaustible. Can speak of it for years and not tell of it all!
D. Christ Jesus our Lord is the sum and substance of salvation, and of God’s gift!
1. Christ is unspeakable in his person.
Jesus Christ was all man and all God. How can this be? That is what I am talking about?
This is that Jesus, who was born of Mary, yet who lived before all worlds. He was that Word, who was in the beginning with God, and the Word was God. He is unspeakable!
2. Christ is unspeakable in his condescension.
In his coming down. How far Christ stooped, from the throne of glory, to a barn? Think of that Christmas scene. The Infinite becomes an infant. We came back as a slug. That he, the King of glory, should come here among men, and among the poorest of the poor. 2 Corinthians 8:9
3. Christ is unspeakable in his death.
Man’s tongue cannot utter the horror of it. The crucifixion. Being forsaken by God Almighty.
4. Christ is unspeakable in his glory.
His resurrection. His ascension. At the right hand of the Heavenly Father.
5. Christ is unspeakable because he has taken up residence in my heart!
6. Christ is unspeakable even throughout a long life.
If we preach Christ, we will never run short on messages. It is an endless theme. What a Savior!
7. Christ is unspeakable in heaven forever.
But oh, Eternity’s too short to utter half thy praise. Millions of years my wondering eyes, shall over thy beauties rove; and endless ages I’ll adore the glories of thy love.
E. The gift of grace is inexhaustible, unspeakable in its entirety.
3. For This Gift Thanks should be given.
A. Those who do not think on gift, cannot give thanks. There must be think at bottom of thank.
B. Some never thank because have not accepted. Today is the day of salvation.
C. Some do not thank God because they are always delaying. Almost persuaded, depressing hymn. There is plenty of time, who says?
D. Some do not thank God because they are not sure whether they have it. Must make sure of our salvation.
E. How to give thanks?
Must thank God for this gift. The Father gave Christ.
Must thank God only for this gift.
Do not think of the person who helped to convert.
Thank the God who makes it all possible.
Thank God spontaneously. This is what the apostle Paul did.
Thank God practically- During the early days of the Civil War a Union soldier was arrested on charges of desertion. Unable to prove his innocence, he was condemned and sentenced to die a deserter’s death. His appeal found its way to the desk of Abraham Lincoln. The president felt mercy for the soldier and signed a pardon. The soldier returned to service, fought the entirety of the war, and was killed in the last battle. Found within his breast pocket was the signed letter of the president.
F. This is what we need to be doing. Fighting for the Lord until we die or the Lord returns.
G. We need to think of those who are lost without Christ. May we think and pray for those who are poor spiritually, socially, financially, and help them in a practical way.
God helped us when we were poor and lacking in every way…
One day during the Great Depression, police hauled a frightened old man before the magistrate in a New York City night court. They charged him with petty larceny; he was starving and had stolen a loaf of bread. By coincidence, the mayor himself, Fiorello LaGuardia, was presiding over the court that night. LaGuardia sometimes sat in for judges as a way of keeping close to the citizens of the city. LaGuardia fined the old man $10. "The law is the law, and cannot be broken," the mayor pointed out. At the same time, he took a $10 bill out of his own wallet and told the man he would pay his fine for him. Then LaGuardia turned to the others in the courtroom and "cited" each of them for living in a city that did not reach out and help its poor and elderly, tempting them unduly to steal. The mayor fined everyone in the audience 50 cents each, passed around his famous fedora to collect the fines, and turned over its contents to the amazed defendant. The hat contained almost $50. The old man left the courtroom with tears in his eyes. God provided a solution to our problem, and freely offers it to us as a gift. Christ's death paid for everyone's sin, but each individual must decide if he wants Christ's payment or if he plans to pay the debt himself. Each person must personally receive this gift, and when he does, the payment that it provides is credited to his account. God can then reckon that person's debt of sin as "PAID IN FULL."
