Grace For Your Space

Monday, November 02, 2009 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

2 Corinthians 8:1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive[a] the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.

The grace of God is everything He has. Your space is everything you need. You have needs, and God has the supply. God has given you grace for your space, and not just a little, but a lot! We need to better understand the grace of God and tap into it in a greater measure.

In this text, what is the grace that Paul is talking about? He is talking about the grace of giving and receiving. We all want to abound in faith, in speech or teaching/preaching, in knowledge, in diligence and in love. That’s all well and good. But the Word says, “See that you abound in THIS GRACE (grace of giving) also.”

2 Corinthians 8 shows us seven blessings of the grace of God in the space of the believers at Macedonia. Realize that God can do the same for you.

  1. Because of the grace of God, they had an abundance of joy. (v. 2)
  2. Because of the grace of God, they became more liberal and generous even while experiencing their own season of lack. (v. 2)
  3. Because of the grace of God, their willingness exceeded their ability, God enabled them to operate beyond their ability. (v.3)
  4. Because of the grace of God, they literally begged Paul to come and receive their gifts in support of relieving the suffering of other believers. (v.4)
  5. Because of the grace of God, they exceeded Paul’s expectations. They first gave themselves to the Lord and then to Paul as God’s servant. (v.5)
  6. Because of the grace of God, their example inspired a larger and wealthier congregation to step up. (v. 6)
  7. Because of the grace of God, the Macedonians redefined the practical meaning of grace as it related to giving and receiving. (v. 7)
Ask God now to fill every space in your life with His grace!

Following this link to listen to my message from Sunday, Nov. 1: http://www.newcovenant.org/Grace_space1.mp3

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