Empowered by Grace – March 28, 2021

Link to Facebook Sermon

Preached by Pastor Kunle Oladebo

2 Corinthians 12:6-10 “6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (NLT)

1. Highlights
   • Grace and mercy are closely related
     • Grace is getting what you do not deserve
     • Mercy is not receiving what you deserve
       • John 8:1-11 – The Woman caught in adultery
       • Ephesians 2:8-9 – “⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (NKJV)
   • Grace is the fuel required to finish strong
     • Paul – a product of grace; 1 Corinthians 1
     • Life without grace will lead to disgrace. – PKO.
   • Grace to start and grace to finish 
     • Lack of grace makes you quit before your blessing arrives
   • Grace is needed for the race of life
2. You Need Grace Because
   • You need to stand holy when others are falling for unholiness
     • In this generation, it takes determination to stand; it takes grace.
     • Many things worked against Daniel in Babylon, but by grace, he overcame
       • Joseph in Egypt
       • Immigrations in a foreign country
     • Pastors fail to tell the truth (being politically correct)
       • Vatican (Catholic) stand on same-sex marriage; but treat them with respect
   • As you go through life things are not always going to work on your own terms
     • It keeps grace to keep going
     • Things happen according to God’s plan and purpose
     • James 4:15 – “¹⁵ Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”” (NKJV)
     • There is constant war between the flesh and the spirit
   • There is discouragement along the way
   • Oppositions are among the observers
3. Conclusion
   • Be empowered by the Lord
   • Exhaust the grace that is deposited upon you
   • Grow in grace