The All Sufficient Grace

Posted on 01 Aug 2021, Pastor: Tolu Makinde
Title: The All Sufficient Grace
Text: 2 Cor. 12:7-10
 
[2Co 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.
[2Co 12:8]  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
[2Co 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.
[2Co 12:10]  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Introduction
  • Last week, we discussed the work of the grace according to Titus 2:11-15
    • Salvation
    • Denying ungodliness
    • Denying worldly lusts
    • Live soberly
    • Live righteously
    • Live godly
  • Today, we are looking at the All Sufficient Grace of Jesus Christ and the purpose of that grace.
 
Main Topic
 
The thorn in the flesh
  • Apostle Paul mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:7 that a messenger of Satan, a thorn in the flesh was given to him.
  • The thorn in the flesh was given to him through the abundance of revelations that he had
    • He was caught up to the third heaven and heard unspeakable things
    • He heard from Jesus Christ directly on his way to Damascus
    • Clothing from his body was healing the sick
    • He raised the dead back to life
    • Through revelations, he wrote most of the books of the New Testament… and many more
  • To prevent pride from coming in, Paul was put in check by this messenger of Satan
  • We do not know for sure what the thorn in the flesh is, but we do know it is not a physical thorn in his flesh.
  • Some have speculated that it is sickness
    • Some believers have erroneously used this as an excuse to say that it is not in God’s will for them to be healed
    • Unless you have revelations similar to that of Paul’s, such argument is invalid
  • Some speculated that it was Alexander the coppersmith, who did Paul evil.
  • The exact thorn in the flesh does not matter, it is the purpose that matters.
  • The purpose was to keep Paul humble enough to finish his race
  • Three times he sought the face of the Lord that the thorn might depart.
  • He heard, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness”
  • Was it the will of God for Paul to carry this thorn in the flesh around?
    • I think so.  It was the will of God for Jesus to die a painful death on the cross to deliver us from darkness into His marvelous light.
    • It is the will of God for Paul to be kept humble to finish his race.
    • There can be pain in the will of God.  However, the end result will be joy
    • It is the will of God for us to be fruitful and multiply, but there is pain in giving birth.  However, the end result is joy.
  • Did the messenger of Satan come from God?
    • God will not send a messenger of Satan on an errand, but he can use them for His purpose
    • [Rom 8:28]  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
    • 2 Tim. 4:6-8
      • [2Ti 4:6]  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
      • [2Ti 4:7]  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
      • [2Ti 4:8]  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
    • In the end, he finished his race, and the result was not the thorn in the flesh, it was joy.
 
The All Sufficient Grace
  • The purpose of grace is to ensure we make heaven.
    • We were saved by grace to make heaven
    • We are kept alive by grace to run this race and make heaven
    • We are delivered by grace to make heaven
    • That grace must sufficient for us to finish well
  • Jesus said, “My grace is sufficient for thee:”
  • We may not have a thorn in the flesh like Paul, but we may have weaknesses, we have shortcomings, we have challenges, we have trials and tribulations, and battles.
  • Tell yourself – His grace is sufficient for me
    • In my weakness, His grace is sufficient for me
    • In my shortcomings, His grace is sufficient for me
    • In my challenges, His grace is sufficient for me
    • In my trials, His grace is sufficient for me
    • In my tribulations, His grace is sufficient for me
    • In my battles, His grace is sufficient for me
  • Jesus said, “for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
  • Tell yourself – “His strength is made perfect in my weakness”
    • In my weakness, His strength is made perfect
    • In my shortcomings, His strength is made perfect
    • In my challenges, His strength is made perfect
    • In my trials, His strength is made perfect
    • In my tribulations, His strength is made perfect
    • In my battles, His strength is made perfect
  • In the end, it will result in joy.
  • A time is coming that our challenges will no longer be remembered.  We will end this race in joy.
 
Conclusion
 
  • Look for the strength of Jesus in that situation you are passing through
  • His grace is sufficient
  • His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses, so that we can finish well in joy.