Abounding Grace
Sunday Sermon

Abounding Grace

by
Pastor Dele Salewon

Text: 1 Timothy 1:12-17, 

Paul received grace despite what he previously was. His grace was multiplied and he was given a ministry. He transposed from one level to another. The grace that saved im and the mercy that he received from the Lord did not end there but made him qualified to be called into the ministry. Our grace will not be ordinary but such that God will count us worthy to wear a ministerial post, an instrument for the kingdom that comes from him. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 God will make our grace abound to all good works.

-God gives grace for us to love him and for us to love ourselves.

Definition of abounding grace: God gives grace so that the grace may overflow. That is what abounding grace means. It is the grace that is surplus, plenteous, overflows and affects others positively. 

 

A) Grace is an enabler. It helps us to do what God wants us to do. The world of grace extends past being born again. All God wants us to do and become is embedded in grace.

 

-Grace is a powerhouse for a believer loaded with spiritual tools of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. With these two coupled with obedience, you will live a life of overflowing with ease to become what God wants you to be. WIth obedience, you become enriched to dispense grace anywhere and to anyone. 

Attributes of Grace

  1. Grace helps a believer live a transformed life. You do not remain in one place but keep moving on from glory to glory. Forgive yourself of the wrongs and accept that forgiveness, believe the Holy Spirit, obey and you promote yourself to a different level and flow in that level. 
  2. Grace makes us to follow Christ despite opposition, difficulty and hardship.
  3. It helps us to live a life of liberty and guiltlessness as if he never sinned just like Paul. We must learn to forgive ourselves because we are all humans and are prone to sin. That does not mean that we should make room for sin.
  4. It makes us to excel in good works and not just abound in it. You must do what you are doing with ease and with our all because we will give account of our work and how well we did it. 
  5. Grace helps us to love the unlovable. It helps us to bear reproach and sufferings because of Christ.
  6. It empowers us to do more than our fair share. It helps us do more that we are expected to do or give. Like giving more than a tenth of what you have. Resources never finish in heaven and as you increase here, God increases in heaven. Heaven is rich with resources for us.
  7. Grace helps us to be an example to the brethren.

 

B) The abundance of grace in us must reflect in the abundance of good work we do in Christendom . The abundance of grace in us must abound in all good works. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

  1. Grace qualified those that God calls. When called, you don''t have to focus on your challenges like Moses who was a stammerer but focus on his grace. 2 Corinthians 3:5 Our sufficiency is from God. 
  2. When duty calls, do not look at your inabilities or inadequacies because God qualifies those he calls. All he is looking for a teachable and willing heart and your availability. We must all respond to the call to service in the vineyard because grace has deposited a gift in everyone''s life and so you must do something. You must receive grace in vain because you will give account. Anyone doing nothing for God right now is living in disobedience because he asked us to occupy until he comes. 1 Corinthians 7:7 Everyone has his own gift. 
  3. We must serve like Jesus. Make man your focal point and you should not be too busy if there is a need that someone next to you has. Ask for resources so that you can be a blessing to people around. 
  4.  A life that must be rewarded must prepare itself to make an impact through overflowing grace which come from preparation in God’s presence. Crucify yourself, read and study the word of God, make time for God, pray. These are ways to prepare ourselves. Put off the old man, take away self. In Galatians 2:20, Paul made a decision to crucify the self and be crucified with Christ and live a life for Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:10, our grace must not be in vain. As you grow, make sure it affects all those around you. If it is not there, go on your knees and ask for grace. 
  5. As you show grace to others, you will get grace, if you show mercy to others, you will get mercy. Everything that God wants you to become, says you will become is all in grace. This grace, unmerited favor abounds into every areas of our live, our businesses, marriages, what teenagers need, students, every single area of our lives is covered by grace and it is available for every area. Grace will help you to love a transformed life. Grace will help you to follow Jesus no matter the limitation. Make you to live a life of freedom. Grace will help you to abound. Grace will help you bear reproach without backsliding.

 

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Fruit of the Spirit

Fruit of the Spirit

A believer operates in two worlds.

1.The Kingdom of God and

2.This world - which is governed by ungodly, sensual, materialistic, devious, and ungodly principles.

 It's head is Satan. 


1. The Kingdom of God

  • We are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. Phil 3:20.
  • We are Christ Ambassador 2 Cor 5:20.
  • Our constitution is the word of life.
  • The Head of this Kingdom (God's kingdom) is Jesus Christ.
  • Our position and how we are to operate is clear. Eph 2:1-6

2. In This world

  • You will gratify the desires of the flesh. V. 16.
  • The acts of the flesh are obvious: (v. 20 - 21)
  • sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
  • idolatry and witchcraft;
  • hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy;
  • drunkenness, orgies, and the like.


Key Notes of Realization

The call to fruitfulness in this decadence is a call to operate at the highest and ethical order. And it requires determination; hard work, self-sacrifice, godly wisdom, being proactive, etc.  It is a call to counterculture, being misunderstood, satanic and human oppositions. 


Key Notes

  • The works of the flesh are characteristics of our old sinful nature that are still appealing to our natural human body.
  • The Fruit of the spirit are character traits that we develop through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. V. 22 - 26
  • We are saved and justified by grace through faith. Rom 3:24


Grace Revealed

  • Grace given to us as a leverage. That is, God empowers it to be sufficient for all that is required of us.  2 Cor. 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you”  
  • Phil 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
  • “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain” 1 Cor. 15:10.


Conclusion

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” - Galatians 6: 7 – 9 






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Sufficiency of Grace

Sufficiency of Grace

Text: 2 Corinthians 12

 

-God told Paul that His grace was sufficient for him. God’s decision is final in every decision that we have to make. God does not encourage sin and so do not sin just because his grace is available. God had a unique role for Paul to play. Pray that God gives us something to keep us in check just like Paul had infirmity to keep him in check so that he does not go to hell. God’s desire is for everyone to prosper and be in health as our soul prospers. Paul submitted to the will of God having the internal value of what he was doing to go through.

-God told Abraham to move and he was available. David was also available to fight when God needed. Moses was also available and said yes to God. Once you say yes, God works out the details and there is grace available for you.

-The things of eternity are much more important in the mind of God when he is dealing with his children even in answering prayers. He may not answer a prayer if it would hinder you from eternity. We need to have eternity in question when we relate to God, people around us, our spouses and children. 

In Matthew 26, Jesus asked us to pray that his will be done. Matthew 26:39. It is better for the will of god to be done in every area of our life. In the christian race, grace is very important.

-Grace is a teacher. You must prepare to learn to go far and so you must be available to learn. 

-God does not want us to remain at the same level we were when grace met us (2 Peter 3:18). We come to a new place were the rules are different and we have to learn the standards that help us live well in this new place. 

-Grace teaches us to renounce all forms of godliness because God is holy and he wants us to be holy too (Titus 2:11-12). 

-God wants us to grow into maturity in grace, not baby Christians who are chasing after miracles. (1 Peter 2:2, 1 Peter 1:5-7). After giving your life to Jesus, has there been any additions to your life?`

-If you want God to commend you on the last day, You’ve got to have forgiveness, honesty, etc. Grace is available for that. 

-Grace helps us to be mindful of heavenly things (Romans 8:6, 1 John 2:16). The world will pass away with its lust and pride. 

-There is grace for us to be decent and beautiful. Seek after it and you’ll get it. 

-Col 3:2-10 You must focus your attention on things above. Put the old man to shame and focus on the new man.  

-Paul made up his mind to be crucified with Jesus and we should alo make up our mind to follow him.

Conclusion: Grace covers all the areas of our life. It helps us pray, give, forgive, love. Whatever you do not have or if there is any area that you are struggling with, go to Jesus through grace. Go on your knees and ask for grace to endure or overcome. 

“Through grace, we are more than conquerors. Thus nothing should defeat us or turn us away from the life of Jesus.” Romans 8:31-39.

 

 

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Blessed to Build

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Blessed to Build

Text: Luke 1:26-33

 

God found Mary worthy to bear Jesus. He also found Elizabeth worthy to be the mother of John the Baptist. Women should not be too busy to fulfill the mission and ministry of God. 

Before you can build for the Lord, you have to do the following:

  1. Be born again (John 3:3)
  2. You have to be holy (1 Timothy 2:8). Live holy in all your ways to be vessels of honor to God (Hebrews 12:14, Psalm 24:1-4).
  3. God wants a God fearing woman to be used to the glory of his name. God loves the woman that fears him and honors him. 
  4. The woman has to obey his commandments if you want to build for the Lord (John 14:15-31).

Where do you start building for the Lord?

  • Start from your home. The home is the first ministry you have to build (Proverbs 14:1). In 1 Samuel 25, Abigail was a wise woman. Esther also as she arose and did not allow the evil one dictate what happens in her home. 
  • You must respect your husband. It is good to give honor to whom honor is due. Do not talk to your husband anyhow. Endure with him, help and assist him. Do not compare your husband with another woman’s husband. All fingers are not created equal. 
  • Train your children in the way of the Lord. Teach them to pray. In 2 Timothy 1:5, Lois and Eunice brought up Timothy and Paul saw that training in him and gave thanks to God for them. Be wise and build children for the Lord. 
  • Do not have external affairs. Heaven is taking records and God will ask on the last day. 

How to Build for the Lord

  • With our substance (Luke 8:3)
  • Being hospitable (2 Kings 4:8-10, 14). Docas was hospitable and when she died, Peter was called and she was brought back to life. Be a blessing to others. See people and bless them and meet their needs.
  • Through evangelism (2 Timothy 4:5)

In conclusion, women arise! Mothers, you are born for a purpose. Arise and start building to the glory of God to become a terror to the kingdom of darkness. You are here for a purpose to do the work of God. 

God bless you!

 

 

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