Sermon: “The balance of Grace and Power”10^th Jan 2010

2 Corinthians 12:9… But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

• Jesus revealed to Paul – when we are faced with challenges / persecution / trouble / problem; what we truly need is, to believe and meditate on Jesus’ Grace and Power. In other words – the availability of Jesus’ almighty power for our lives even though we don’t deserve it! Some people believe and meditate on Jesus’ Grace and some believes and meditates on Jesus’ Power. But the wise will believe and meditate on the Grace and Power of Jesus!
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• 2 Corinthians 4:8–9…
  • Before knowing the grace and power of Jesus, whenever we are faced with challenges / persecution / trouble / problem;
    • we cry until we have no more tears left
    • Our heart breaks into pieces
    • We become depressed and often feel like the looser
  • But when we start to believe and meditate on the grace and power of Jesus, things change! When we are faced with challenges / persecution / trouble / problem;
    • We may still cry from the outside, but supernaturally we will sense a peace inside
    • We may be sad on the outside, but supernaturally our hearts won’t be heavy and it won’t break into pieces
    • We won’t understand what’s happening, but deep down inside us,  there will be something strengthening us
• 1 John 4:4…  Supernaturally something good will happen from the inside even when evil is taking place from the outside. That something good, which is rising from the inside of us, is the Power of Jesus in us!
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• As long as we are on this earth, we are desperate for the Power of Jesus because the bible has warned us that we will be hard pressed on every side, made confused, experience misery, persecuted & struck down! The Power of Jesus;
  • Isaiah 9:6 & John 14:27… Brings PEACE: When Satan throws trouble at us, the Prince of Peace who says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
  • John 14:6… Shows us the WAY: When Satan put us in a bad situation and we feel lost, Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life, will say, “It will all be all right. I will provide a way out for you.”
  • 1 Corinthians 15:57…Gives us VICTORY: At the end of the day we know we are not the looser because Jesus the Victory is already IN US!

• Colossians 1:27… Today when we choose to believe and meditate on the Grace and Power of Jesus, we will experience Divine Hope of Glory!  “Hope” in the Bible means a definite, positive expectation of good. In other words –
  • Jesus in us is the definite, positive expectation of a glorious family life!
  • Jesus in us is the definite, positive expectation of glorious health!
  •  Jesus in us is the definite, positive expectation of a glorious providence!
  • Jesus in us is the definite, positive expectation of a glorious ministry!
  • Jesus in us is the definite, positive expectation of a glorious life!