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
- APP: When God answers your prayer, pay attention to what He is saying
- In this, God reveals to Paul exactly who He is; and who Paul is in this life
- God is able to work in the life of one who submits to Him; we must seek it out!
- APP: Paul’s revelation is that He is not God, it is God who strengthens him
-- Tremendous lesson for us to grasp this morning – only God can provide relief
-- Don’t miss this next verse …
- V10 – When Paul is afflicted he gets that God’s GRACE is EVERYTHING
- APP: It is God that perfects him; it is God that stands with Him
- Even when folks are talking about him, persecuting him, and hurting him
- Paul looks to the Lord and understands that only God is in control
- Here is a challenge for us to chew on:
- How you treat & talk about others says a lot about what we have inside
- It shows the level of forgiveness and grace that you've received
- APP: What kind of image are you and I projecting?
- He understands that even in the face of adversity his boasting is about Jesus
- He reveals an incredible lesson for us … IMP: Life begins with Jesus
- APP: God is the perfecter; God is the revealer; God is the protector
- So, in today’s tough times and struggles who do you lean on?
Big Idea
- Do you lean on the necessity of Christ; do you boast in who Jesus is?
- Do we look to receive and experience the GENUINE GRACE of Christ?
- Or … (get this) … are we still sitting in the driver’s seat controlling it all?
- Are we still providing God with the reasoning that we’ve got it figured out?
- Paul wrote 2/3 of the New Testament while in prison; and he rejoices …
- APP: Can you and I do any less when we have freedom to do what we want?
- Paul’s life example ought to give us incredible encouragement to God’s power
- We must submit under the GRACE of Christ before we can ever really live
- We must see ourselves for who we are before we can experience freedom
- God’s GRACE is all you will ever need, no matter the situation
- 1 Peter 5:6-7 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
- Whatever you are facing; whatever your struggles; you need His GRACE!
- I’d like us to take away some thoughts for the week ahead:
- FACT: Our nation is still hurting …
- FACT: Last week didn’t solve all of the problems …
- FACT: God’s grace is what more of us need to experience and share!
- Pray for:
1. Grace
2. Repentance
3. Lean on God
