{12:7} And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. {12:8} For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. {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 Corinthians 12:7-9
Whenever I used to read this passage I often asked
'What is God's grace'
Sometimes we just ask the wrong question
The question should be
'Who is God's grace'
Let's look at God's grace
{6:5} And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, andProchorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: {6:6} Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. {6:7} And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. {6:8} And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Acts 6:8
{13:50} But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. {13:51} But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and cameunto Iconium. {13:52} And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost. {14:1} And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. {14:2} But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. {14:3} Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. {14:4} But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
Acts 13:50-14:4
{12:4} For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: {12:5} So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. {12:6} Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; {12:7} Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; {12:8} Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:4-8
{15:10} 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. {15:11} Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
1 Corinthians 15:10-11
{2:11} For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, {2:12} Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; {2:13} Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; {2:14} Who gave himself for us,that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:11-14
Grace teaches us, transforms us, brings gifts, saves us,
enables us to do signs and wonders,
confirms God's word by grace we are saved and Jesus was full of grace
When Jesus told Paul, "my grace is sufficient for thee"
He wasn't telling Paul to tough it out
for Paul was opposed by a demon, a messenger from Satan
What was Jesus saying?
Who is grace?
{4:4} Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 4:4
Life doesn't end at the cross
that's where it begins
as that is where we receive HIS SPIRIT
the Holy Spirit
and His name is Grace
![[pulsating cross]](astar2.gif)
