BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM 1 Corinthians 15:10-14 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 laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. I’m going to make eight profound statements. May be too much for us to grasp. So let’s do the best we can. Grace: Grace is a beautiful word. Truly a great Bible truth is resident in this word. It is a word & concept without which man’s salvation would be impossible. Grace is derived from the Greek charis. In the New Testament writers used charis pre-eminently. Of that kindness by which God bestows favors even upon the ill-deserving He grants to sinners the pardon of their offences. God bids them accept of eternal salvation through Christ…" This is one of those special words that belongs to the child of God. God has given us some words that the world just doesn’t know how to properly appreciate. For instance, there are words like glory, amen, hallelujah, faith, etc. The dictionary defines grace as, "Unmerited help given to people by God." However, grace is much more than that! Listen to this definition! "The merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls. He turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith. Knowledge, affection, & kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues." That, my friends, is grace! In these verses, the great apostle was defending the resurrection of the Lord Jesus against the doubts of unbelievers. He mentions the fact that the resurrected Christ was seen by Peter, the 12, & 500 brethren. His earthly brother James & then last of all Paul. 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Paul proceeds to tell his readers that because of his sins & attacks against the church. That he was the least of the apostles. He is not even worthy to be named among them. However, Paul goes on to say that he knows God has used him. That anything he has, is, or ever will be. Is because of the precious grace of God. I would like to remind each of you that the same is true for you & me. Because of our sinfulness we deserve nothing less than an eternity in Hell. Apart from the presence of the Almighty. Because His grace was revealed unto us in the Person of His Son the Lord Jesus. We can be saved & used by the Lord in a wonderful fashion. Today by the help of the Lord. I would like to show you some of the possessions that belong to the child of God. Because of grace. Join me for a few moments as we consider, together, the thought, "By The Grace Of God I Am!"
1.I AM SAVED BY GRACE SAVED! Preserved from evil; injury or destruction. Kept frugally; prevented; spared. Eph 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"
Eph 1:7 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"
2.I AM SURE BY GRACE Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." SURE! A.Certain; unfailing; infallible. The testimony of the Lord is sure as in Ps.19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy as in 2 Pet.1.
B.Certainly knowing, or having full confidence. We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth per Romans.2. Now we are sure that God knows all things per John 16. C.Certain; safe; firm; permanent. Thy kingdom shall be sure to thee as per Daniel 4.
D.Firm; stable; steady; not liable to failure, loss or change; as a sure covenant. As per 2 Sam. 23, Neh.9, & Is.28. The Lord will make my lord a sure house per 1 Samuel 25. So we say, to stand sure, to be sure of foot.
E.Strong; secure; not liable to be broken or disturbed. Go your way, make it as sure as ye can per Mathew 27.
F.Certain; not liable to failure. 2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
3.I AM SECURE BY GRACE Confidence then bore thee on, secure Romans 3:24 "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:" SECURE! A.Free from danger of being taken by an enemy. That may resist assault or attack. The place is well fortified & very secure. Psalms 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. Gibraltar is a secure fortress. In this sense, secure is followed by against or from. As secure against attack, or from an enemy. B.Free from danger; safe. Psalms 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. C.Free from fear or apprehension of danger. Not alarmed; not disturbed by fear; confident of safety; hence, careless of the means of defense. Men are often most in danger when they feel most secure.
4.I AM STRENGTHENED BY GRACE STRENGTHENED! Made strong or stronger; confirmed. 2 Cor 12:9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
2 Cor 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:"
5.I AM SUPPLIED BY GRACE SUPPLIED! Fully furnished; having a sufficiency. Hebrews 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."
6.I AM SOMEBODY BY GRACE A person worth something. Ephesians 3:7-8 "Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;"
7.I AM SATISFIED BY GRACE SATISFIED! Having the desires fully gratified; made content. Ephesians 2:7 "That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." 8.I AM SURPRISED BY GRACE SURPRISED! To come or fall upon suddenly & unexpectedly; to take unawares. To strike with wonder or astonishment by something sudden, unexpected or remarkable. Either in conduct, words or story, or by the appearance of something unusual. 1 Cor 15:8-10 "And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 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 laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." Conclusion Many things in life will fail us. Friendships will blossom & then die. Health can be an elusive thing. Riches & wealth will often remain just beyond the reach of your finger tips. Those we love will pass from the scene leaving a void in our hearts hard to be filled. However, there is one thing that every child of God possesses that can never fail. Never end, never run out, never run dry. That we will never be found to be insufficient. That is the grace of God! Yes, the road may be long & dreary. The days may be filled with difficulties & struggles. Please be rest assured that there will be grace sufficient for every need & ever trial. That is the promise of God. That is the hope of the saints!
The altar is now open for business. As the music plays please come. Salvation, join, or just to spend time with the Lord. As the Bible says in Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (A promise from the Lord to all of us) Please come now!
