Romans 5:1-2, 20-21
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Webster: Grace – in theology: the free unmerited love and favor of God.
Both of these passages were written by Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus
I. Saul of Tarsus
A. Free-born Roman citizen - also a Hebrew (Benjamite)
B. From the great city of Tarsus
C. Pharisee - Member of the Sanhedrin court
D. At age 13, he began to study under Gamaliel in Jerusalem
1. Saul became familiar with outward observances of law
2. He learned the ceremonies – what the law required- “spirit of bondage”
E. Saul present at Stephen’s martyrdom- held coats of the mob, “consenting”
F. Began a systematic persecution of Christians
1. In a frenzy of religious fever, he went searching from house to house
2. Caused beatings, imprisonment, deaths
G. His persecutions caused Christians to scatter, spreading the Gospel
1. Saul was determined to follow and stamp out Christianity
2. Some of the greatest injustices in history have been done in the name of religion
3. Christianity was a threat to Saul’s Judaism
4. His campaign led Saul towards Damascus
H. Saul was evil, full of pride and arrogance – “breathing out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord”
1. 1 Timothy 1:15 – Paul says he was “chief” among sinners
2. He was the worst! His heart was hardened to the point of “atrocities”
a. He caused men, women and children to be bound, imprisoned, and slain simply because they were Christians
b. He hated the Christians, he hated their story about Jesus whom they claimed to be the Messiah, he hated everything about them
I. But Saul of Tarsus, this extraordinary sinner, full of pride and arrogance, full of hate and evil intentions, this man Saul of Tarsus had an appointment with extraordinary grace!
1. Acts 9 – As he neared Damascus, a blinding light shone around him, and he fell to the ground. A voice said, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”
2. “Who art thou, Lord?” “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest . It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”
J. For Saul of Tarsus, this extraordinary sinner, Jesus Christ stepped in and offered extraordinary grace!
1. No wonder Paul could write so much about grace – he was an expert on the law but he had received and experienced an massive amount of extraordinary grace
2. He was the perfect person to write about grace!
II. The End Of Luke Chapter 7, Tells Us Of A Sinful Woman
A. Jesus has gone to eat at the house of a Pharisee named Simon
B. No water to wash His feet, no oil to anoint His head, no kiss of greeting
C. Yet a sinful woman came weeping, washed his feet with her tears, dried his feet with her hair, kissed feet and anointed them with ointment
D. Pharisees said – “If He was a Prophet, He would know who’s touching Him!”
E. Jesus told parable of two debtors – one owed 500 pence, the other 50 pence
F. Sinful woman was an extraordinary sinner, but Jesus Christ extended extraordinary grace – because she was forgiven much, she loved much
G. This woman had an appointment with extraordinary grace, and she was forgiven much, I was forgiven much, the Apostle Paul was forgiven much, and so were you! Paul was the perfect person to write about grace! So the Apostle Paul wrote of grace, God’s extraordinary grace which saved him
III. We All Know The Story Of Paul’s Effectiveness For The Cause Of Christ
A. His three missionary journeys, his wonderful revivals, the authorship of the Pauline epistles, his discipleship of Timothy, the list goes on and on…..
B. But in the midst of this wonderful ministry, an infirmity was placed in Paul’s life
C. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 tells us he prayed 3 times for it to be removed
1. Infirmity not named – headaches, bad eyesight, limp, hunch-backed???
2. Paul wanted immediate deliverance – he considered it a hindrance
3. He prayed – nothing happened – not even an answer
a. Not all infirmities are caused by sin
b. Paul was living an overcoming life – powerful ministry – nothing wrong
4. Paul prayed a second time – still no answer
a. This from a man whose praises could shake a jail and loose chains
b. Girl possessed by demons followed him around “many days.” “I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” With one sentence he cast the demon out
c. When a viper fastened on his hand, he simply shook it off into the fire
d. You don’t think he had power with God? – yet no answer
5. Paul prayed one more time – and God finally answered him
a. But it wasn’t the answer Paul wanted
b. Paul wanted immediate deliverance, but he had another appointment with grace!
IV. Grace Does Not Stop Functioning After The Point Of Salvation
A. “My grace is sufficient for thee.. for my strength is made perfect in weakness
1. Paul was living an overcoming life, yet God saw fit to allow this infirmity
2. Paul didn’t understand why God allowed this thorn in his side; he thought it hindered his ministry
3. But in faith, he trusted God that it was necessary for his spiritual wellbeing, and God could use this trouble for His higher purpose.
B. Instead of immediate relief, he received a promise of grace to see him through
C. That same God that flooded Paul with extraordinary grace on the road to Damascus now offered it to him again
D. In times of extraordinary hardship, my God gives extraordinary grace!
E. “My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness”
1. When we quit our feeble efforts, and realize our weakness, and give it to Him, His strength is displayed
2. Who cares how heavy the load is, if there is sufficient strength to bear it?
V. It’s Time To Change Our Focus From The Load We Have To Bear To The Strength We Can Receive For Bearing It
A. Does it matter if one person or ten people are on, this platform? No! There is sufficient strength to bear the load!
B. You cannot overload my God. His grace is sufficient!
C. 2 Corinthians 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
D. That’s a lot of trial and tribulation
1. I serve a big God with an abundant supply of extraordinary grace
2. But when you are the one in the shipwreck, it’s not always easy to remember grace or believe in grace-especially of you feel responsible for the shipwreck
3. That grace is available for the taking – His grace is sufficient
4. Sometimes we believe that God has enough grace to save us, but not enough to keep us saved
VI. Let’s Read Some Of What Brother Paul Wrote About Grace
A. Galatians 1:15 – “He called me by His grace!”
B. Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace are ye saved through faith!”
C. Romans 3:23-24 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
D. Romans 5:20 – “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”
E. As strong as sin is, grace is stronger!
1. It was grace that reached down for me when I was a filthy sinner
2. When I was on the road to destruction, filled with pride and arrogance, and rebellion, I had an appointment with grace!
3. Grace cleaned me up and gave me a new life in Jesus Christ
4. I was saved by grace, and I live each day by grace
F. Romans 5:2 – “We have access by faith into this grace when in we stand!”
1. Paul – “I don’t stand before you as Saul of Tarsus, my name was changed.
2. Neither do I stand before you in my own goodness as Paul the Apostle.
3. I stand in the extraordinary grace of God! My identity is in Him!
4. I didn’t deserve it there is nothing good in me, but God called me by His grace, He saved me by His grace, He sanctified my by His grace, He justified me by His grace, I stand in and live each and every day in His grace!
5. Oh! The extraordinary grace of God!
VII. We Believe That Grace Saves Us, But Grace Does Not Stop At Salvation
A. In the midst of life there are placed infirmities. Some we think are too much for us to bear
B. If you have an extraordinary hardship, take it to God in prayer. It will either be removed, or you will receive extraordinary grace.
1. Hebrew 4:16 – “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
2. You cannot have a situation too big for my God to handle
3. You have all the extraordinary grace you’ll ever need.
C. If you think you’ve run so far away God can’t reach you, you’re wrong. You see, you are right in the middle of an appointment with grace. The extraordinary grace of God is being extended to you right now.
D. If you think your situation is out of control, and your problem is too big to handle, you’re wrong. You too have an appointment with grace right now.
E. In times of extraordinary hardship, God gives extraordinary grace
F. That grace is available to you right now.
