June 21st, 2022
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
That's what the Holy Spirit said to the Apostle Paul, who then shared those words in a letter to the church in Corinth. Paul was explaining to the Corinthians that there was a thorn in his flesh, some kind of pain point the cause of which we don't know, and he had asked God three times to take it away. But instead of a instant miracle, a quick fix, the Lord decided to give Paul the grace to endure instead.
How does Paul respond? By boasting in the power of Christ! He writes, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
So how does God's grace actually work? How do we receive it? We find the answer in scripture that grace justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies.
Join us for worship this Sunday to celebrate what our God has done and is continuing to do in His Kingdom. We meet at Artserve, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, 33304. Doors open at 10:15 a.m., and service begins at 10:30 a.m.
We hope to see you soon!
That's what the Holy Spirit said to the Apostle Paul, who then shared those words in a letter to the church in Corinth. Paul was explaining to the Corinthians that there was a thorn in his flesh, some kind of pain point the cause of which we don't know, and he had asked God three times to take it away. But instead of a instant miracle, a quick fix, the Lord decided to give Paul the grace to endure instead.
How does Paul respond? By boasting in the power of Christ! He writes, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
So how does God's grace actually work? How do we receive it? We find the answer in scripture that grace justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies.
- JUSTIFICATION – "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9. Because of Christ's life, death, and resurrection, true believers can stand before God completely justified– just as if we'd never sinned.
This grace reunites us to the Father in a relationship previously broken by our sin. By grace through faith, we receive the forgiveness and reconciliation Christ offers, and engage our Father in a loving relationship for the rest of eternity. - SANCTIFICATION – "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26. Christ gave the disciples the promise that when He left this earth, the Holy Spirit would come to be with them and teach them God's ways. As the third person of the trinity, the Holy Spirit is God dwelling in each believer.
This grace transforms us from the inside to be more holy-- more like Christ. We depend on God as we grow closer to Him, and grow in wisdom, understanding, and the fruit of the Spirit. Sanctification is a lifelong process and we will not be perfect on this side of heaven, but 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." - GLORIFICATION – "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." Philippians 3:20-21. This is the beautiful future every true believer can look forward to!
This grace brings us the fulfillment of every Biblical promise from God. The Lord will bring an end to sin and suffering, He will wipe away our tears, and He will give us new, sinless bodies. We will live in paradise and enjoy Him forever.
Join us for worship this Sunday to celebrate what our God has done and is continuing to do in His Kingdom. We meet at Artserve, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, 33304. Doors open at 10:15 a.m., and service begins at 10:30 a.m.
We hope to see you soon!
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