Pastor David L. Hicks
September 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM
pastor_dave_september_17_2023.docx
Sufficient Grace
vs. Wasted Living
DLHicks 9-17-23
Mat. 5:16, “Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.” God said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you.” II Cor. 12:9
It’s time to let go of worthless, useless things . . . It’s time to live out our lives in the grace of God . . .
It’s time to “say grace”, share the grace/favor of God to others.
Paul said, “As God’s co-workers, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain/As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.” NLT
Grace is a Person-Jesus, Grace is a Gift-from God, Grace is sufficient- Grace is not an insurance policy to live just any way – Grace is not do-do-do-do but it’s already done-done-done.
Don’t “Waste” your God-given Grace – Don’t frustrate the Grace of God.
Paul said in Gal. 2:21, “I do not frustrate, nullify or spurn the Grace of God, if we can be justified by the Law, then Christ’s death was in vain/needless.”
We frustrate the Grace of God by:
Trying to finish in the flesh what God started in the Spirit.
Choosing rules and legalism rather than living in a passionate union with Christ.
Receiving God’s forgiveness and Grace and then struggle in sharing and giving it to others.
Doubting our own personal salvation and God’s love for us.
I Cor. 15:10 Paul said, “His grace to me was not without effect.” (His Grace was not ineffective to me.”
Don’t you think it’s time to start truly living out the Grace of God by letting some things go?
It’s time to let go . . .
All your guilt and condemnation. Rom. 8:1,“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.”
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9
All your bitterness and resentment: Col. 3:13, “Bear with each other and forgive one another. If any of you have a grievance against someone, forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Eph. 4:31, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger . . .” “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Ps. 51:10
All your grudges. Lev. 19:18, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself, I Am the Lord.”
All you burdens. Mat. 11:28, “Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden/toiling and burdened ones, and I will give you rest.”
All your worry and anxiety. Phil. 4:6-8, “In nothing be anxious/do not worry about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be known unto God and the peace of God shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
And think on good and positive things, things of good report . . .”
All your weights that beset you. Heb. 12:1, “With all these witness to faith around us like a cloud, let us lay aside every weight/let us rid ourselves of all that weights us down . . . and let us run with patience/endurance the race before us.”
All your fears. II Tim. 1:7, “For God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.”
When was the last time you “Said Grace/shared Grace/shared the favor of God” with someone? When was the last time you “Let your light shine” that others may see “the expression of God’s Grace in your life”?
Remember the Samaritan woman at the well who had five husbands plus who experienced an encounter with Jesus and Grace. She runs into town to share that Grace and says . . .
“Come and see a man.” Grace knows all about you. Don’t you think it is time to start sharing the favor of God and stop wasting your Grace.
And what about Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail, Acts 16:20- . Backs bleeding from beatings, locked in stocks and bonds, worshipping and singing praises to God – sharing the Grace/ favor of God with the other prisoners. (their praise and worship under the circumstances was an expression of God’s Grace)
It’s time that we live out the Grace of God in our daily lives and share that Grace/ Favor of God with others. “Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.” Don’t waste your Grace !!! God’s Grace !!!
