Sufficient Grace(2)

Brother Danny saw Megan this morning. And I don’t think he’s been this excited since the last time he saw his toes.

Hebrews 4:12-16

King James Version

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Pray:

Matthew Henry writes this of our passage:

When God sets it home by his Spirit, it convinces powerfully, converts powerfully, and comforts powerfully. It makes a soul that has long been proud, to be humble; and a perverse spirit, to be meek and obedient. Sinful habits, that are become as it were natural to the soul, and rooted deeply in it, are separated and cut off by this sword. It will discover to men their thoughts and purposes, the vileness of many, the bad principles they are moved by, the sinful ends they act to. The word will show the sinner all that is in his heart. Let us hold fast the doctrines of Christian faith in our heads, its enlivening principles in our hearts, the open profession of it in our lips, and be subject to it in our lives.

There is a lot I want us to learn from this passage. Let me start with this point. It is the job of the word of God to correct and teach us. It is not uncommon to hear people who no longer attend church crying about how they were treated while visiting the house of God. They make comments like those Christians are judgmental and mean spirited. And say things like I will NEVER again go back to THAT church.

What the bible is telling us here though is that the word of God can cut people. It can and does put people under conviction for their sinful behavior. The proper response to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit that comes about from hearing the word of God is to repent of that sin and get right with God. Not to cry about how mean the pastor was or how mean the church was, it is NOT our position as a church to tolerate sin to make everyone happy. On this point I say. I do not care if you are offended by the word of God. Tough. I will NEVER compromise on what the word of God says.

On the other hand, there are those churches who go out of their way to judge people. This is every bit as bad. When a Pastor picks out a topic while in the flesh and uses the word of God to beat people over the head and berate them. This is a clear abuse of the office that God has called him to. We are to teach the word of God without calling people out. The word of God will do the work when we are teaching it in the spirit of love rather than the spirit of judgement.

Another great lesson in this passage can be found in verse 16. Look again if you will:

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

In the Greek this verse says: let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in suitable and well timed need.

In other words, we often find the grace of God just in the nick of time. We often want God’s grace and help in our time. We tend to want God to help us out of our problems the second they happen. But what the bible is telling us here is that God provides grace in His time. AND that His time is well suited to our situations.

There is a reason for this. You see God uses EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING in our lives for His purposes and His glory. And often that means training us to accept His divine will for our lives. And I believe that one of the signs of a mature Christian is that they do not panic when the challenges of life fall upon them.

We can easily do a study of the Old and New Testament saints and see for ourselves that God reveals a very simple truth. That is that these leaders who God has chosen and prepared for service DO NOT PANIC when the trails of life come upon them.

And I often talk about these leaders who I admire and will do so again this morning to illustrate this point.

When Moses was approaching the red sea with the army of Pharoah in hot pursuit. He did NOT panic. God had prepared him. He simply placed his trust in the Lord. Moses understood the truth being taught here in Hebrews chapter four. That truth being that God’s grace always comes at just the right time.

And didn’t it? Just at the right time when Moses lifted his staff the red sea parted. Then after the Hebrews crossed over the red sea then it collapsed and destroyed the armies of Pharoah. Just in the nick of time as we say today.

Here's another example:

The three Hebrew children? Meshack, Shadrack and Abednego? These faithful servants refused to bow down to a false idol. And the punishment was that they were to be tossed into the fire. And wouldn’t you know it. There was a fourth man in that fire. And the three Hebrew children walked right through it unharmed. Just in the nick of time.

You see. God’s grace comes on Gods time and on Gods terms. And there is no reason to panic. There is no reason to fear. We can come to the throne of the most high with boldness. Because we have the promises of a Holy loving God to inform our faith.

And what is that promise? God’s grace always comes right on time. God is NEVER late. God is NEVER early. Nope. Our Savior is always right on time.

It is important for us to see that

A leader is someone who hides his panic. A leader always maintains composure in the face of whatever trails come his way. Because a true leader understands that God’s grace is always well timed.

Often, we look at the suffering of others and think to ourselves. I could never endure what that person has been through. I just couldn’t take it.

Of course, we don’t imagine ourselves going through what others endure. That is because grace comes when we need it. Not before we need it, not after we need it but when we need it.

2 Corinthians 12:9

King James Version

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.

There is not one of us who cannot say. I dreaded this day or that day. I knew it would come. Every single one of us has had a time in our lives where we needed the grace of God. And before that day came many of us thought. I don’t know if I can take it. I just don’t know. I can’t take it; I can’t take it. But when the day got there. Wouldn’t you know, God’s grace was sufficient. And it came in the nick of time.

The bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Notice it says with the temptation. In other words when the temptation comes, and it will. God is faithful to make sure you will be able to bear it. You will not get the grace you need before the temptation. You will not get the grace you need after the temptation. But you will get the grace of God that you need just in the nick of time. And that is with the temptation comes the grace of God.

When the testing comes and the heartache comes and the bad news about the death of a loved one comes, or bad news about your health. Then is when God will bring you the grace you need to endure the situation. And not before.

I’ve seen the enemy coming. And sat there and wondered when grace would come along. I’ve seen the dark clouds hoovering time and time again. And wondered if I could weather the storm. But I have got to testify to you this morning. Through every burden through every heartache God’s grace has been sufficient for me.

As we sing.

Through many dangers toils and snares I have already come. Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I’m telling you this morning that God’s grace will see us through any trail, any temptation any heartache. No need to ask yourself if you handle the storms, you are facing this morning. Just sit back and relax.

As the word of God says in Isaiah:

Isaiah 41:10

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

We tend to make our trails worse than they need to be. We sit back and worry and often what we put ourselves through is ten times more stressful than need be and the stress of expecting the trail becomes worse than the trail itself. I see it all the time. Well, that wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.

We make our problems bigger than God. And what God is trying to teach us is that no problem no matter how big we try to make it is bigger than our God.

God want us to understand this one simple truth. Regardless of what trail or temptation we are dreading. Grace will be there right in the nick of time.

Christians have a certain degree of fear when it comes to dying. It is just a part of being human. But when we spend our lives in service to the King even death itself becomes of little consequence to us. Listen to the words of the Psalmists this morning:

Psalm 23:4

King James Version

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

After a lifetime of seeing the grace of God coming right on time. David finally just accepted the truth. And that truth is that even death has no power over God and His children.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57

King James Version

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

When Stephen was being stoned. When did he see Jesus? Right on time.

When they picked up the stones to kill him. Stephen didn’t see Jesus.

When they said we are going to stone you. He didn’t see Jesus.

But when the stones began to beat up his body. He looked up and he saw Jesus Christ sitting on the right hand of the father in all His glory. Wouldn’t you know it. Jesus got there just in the nick of time.

There is no such thing as a superman or supermen. But there is the King of King and Lord of Lords. And He is always right on time. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

We talked about the three Hebrew children earlier. You know when they were being threatened. They saw no fourth man in the fiery furnace. When they were being tried, they saw no fourth man in the fiery furnace. When they were sitting there looking into that furnace, they didn’t see anyone in there.

But listen. Once they were tossed into that fire. They saw Jesus. Right in the nick of time.

John was on Patmos in exile. Not before his exile, not after his exile. But right in time, Jesus was with him.

When Joshua was crossing into the promised land. The night before the battle. The bible says there came an unseen captain. He didn’t show up when they were in the wilderness. But when they came to the door of the promised land God came right in time for the battle.

When Paul was stoned in Lystra. Jesus came in the nick of time.

Some of you this morning know. There are some tough times ahead of you. You have stood back and watched the dark clouds gather. You know what it’s like to see the tornado form and to watch it coming your way. It is not here yet, but you know it is on the way. But bless God when the hard times get here. Our hero is not far behind.

And speaking of hero’s many people in our churches today want to be looked upon as hero’s. This isn’t new. Look with me in Mark 10:35-45

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.

36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:

40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.

42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles (Nations)exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

James and John wanted a special place. And Jesus let them know that God appoints men to places of leadership. We don’t appoint ourselves and we don’t seek positions that God has not called us to. Then Jesus reminds them that the servant is the greatest among us. Reminds me of an old story. It goes like this:

There was a pastor who died and went to heaven. The angels welcomed him and directed him to his home in heaven. It was a tiny little hut. He was totally surprised seeing so many mansions around him and yet he got this tiny little hut after serving a life time as a pastor. He wondered who were those spiritual giants. Pointing to a huge mansion next door, he asked the angel “Whose mansion is it?” The angel said, “Oh, that’s Mrs. Jones’ mansion. Mrs. Jones from your church. She just came a few months ago, remember?”

“Mrs. Jones from my church? How could that be? Are you talking about the old deaf lady that came to church early to sweep the floor and clean the sanctuary, and then when the service began she set in the back pew and slept through the service every week?” the pastor interjected.

“Yes, that’s her,” the angel nodded, “but she was not sleeping, she was praying for you so that you would be able to preach well, and that people would be touched by God’s Word through your message. Without her, your sermons would have never been effective.”

We know that the point of the story is to remind us that God does not treat people by their ranks and positions. I am sure many people join the ministry to become leaders, pastors, elders, or deacons hoping one day they will be rewarded greatly in heaven. However, this story asserts that God doesn’t work this way. You won’t be rewarded based on the position you hold but by the sincerity of your servitude.

And the men who God appoints to positions of leadership worry the same way that everyone else worries. The difference is that the man appointed by God simply does not panic. Why? Because God has prepared them. God has taught his man to trust and obey.

Let me share this with you. I haven’t balanced my personal checkbook in at least 20 years. I have balanced a church check book and I didn’t care for doing it. But I haven’t balanced my personal check book in at least 20 years. Now you would think that after 20 years of failing to pay attention to my finances that I would have hot checks all over town. But I don’t.

Something God taught me a very long time ago is that God is more than sufficient to meet my financial needs. Now we know from walking with Christ that God’s grace is sufficient to meet ALL our needs and not just our financial ones. But for whatever reason God wanted me to understand early in my walk with Him that money was something that I should never worry about. And I haven’t. And I don’t. I leave worry to everyone else.

I’m not saying that I don’t have worries like everyone else. I’m saying that God has taught me over and over and over again. That His grace is sufficient.

Last week during our business meeting some members brought up some legitimate concerns over having the financial means to have Vacation Bible School this year. There were two concerns. One being the financial end and the other was having the people to hold vacation bible school.

So, I came home and that night I prayed about the situation. And I asked the Lord to give me wisdom. Then I contacted one of our members. That member put me in contact with someone who volunteered to help. Someone who used to be a part of Westside. That person shared with me her vision for a children’s ministry and offered her help and the help of her husband and perhaps even one other person.

When I got off the phone I prayed again. And I want to share with you what the Lord said to my heart.

The Lord said to me, Pastor Tim. Suffer not the little children to come unto me.

And I thought but Lord what about the money? And the Lord said to me, Pastor Tim my grace is sufficient.

And I continued to pray about this all week. As you can see it found its way into my studies and this morning’s message.

The Lord laid this on my heart. Pastor Tim, your ministry is not the only ministry at Westside. There are people sitting in the pews who have a burden in their hearts for children. And brother Tim there are so many Christians today who don’t have a place to serve because too many churches and pastors fail to recognize that every single Christian has a ministry. And you need to recognize and support every ministry and EVERY Christian that is part of my body.

I recognize that there is an element out there who cannot find a church because what they really want is to control the pastor and therefore be Lords over Gods house. But that is not always the case. And we need to be inclusive to the ministries of ALL Gods people.

The result is that I called sister Sally and asked her to form her committee and make her budget and plans for vacation bible school and I will be here every day to support it.

Folks if we don’t have a ministry for children we may as well just close the door and stay home. Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red or yellow, black, or white they are precious in His site. And we should support anyone who wants to minister to the children. Money isn’t a problem for God. We have just got to learn to trust and obey our Lord and Savior.

As the book of Proverbs says.

 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Last point I want us to see here. When working in any ministry whether it is teaching Sunday School, Pastoring or any ministry we have got to learn how to use Gods word to defend ourselves against the wiles of the devil.

The devil knows how to twist the scriptures. Which means we should know them all the more. Turn with me to Matthew 4.

 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

The word of God is not just to correct us. But it is to be our guide. And my bible tells us that Gods grace is sufficient. And to trust in the Lord with all my heart.

It is my prayer that you all will join me in doing so.

It is not my place to judge your heart this morning. So I am going to ask you. Are you at a place in your walk with Christ where you know that everything will work out for you? Just as Romans 8:28 tells us.

Have you learned to trust Jesus that no matter what you are going through His Grace will bring you through it?

Some Christians spend their entire lives going through every kind of tough time imaginable before finally realizing that they should have trusted God.

Believe me God uses every single situation in a Christians life to teach us to rely upon HIm. Trust and obey for there is no other way.

Where are you this morning in your walk? It is my prayer that you have come to a place in your walk where you realize that Gods grace comes exactly when we need it.

It really bothers me when I hear Christians say, I hope God gets me through this. Stop hoping and come boldly to the throne of Grace and expect God to get you through it.

You may be looking at a Dr appointment and dreading whats coming. You may be dreading an upcoming court appointment and dreading whats coming. You may be dreading any number of events in your life. Just stop. Don’t destroy yourself with unnecessary stress.

Because Gods grace will be there when you need it.