HIS GRACE TOWARD ME WAS NOT IN VAIN
Text: TEXT : 1 COR 15:1-11
13 July 2008
(I) RECOGNISE THE GRACE OF GOD GIVEN
1. It begins with salvation
“For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” 1 Corinthians 15:9
a) Paul was able to see how the grace of God began when he was saved
b) He considered himself the least of the apostles
c) Through the amazing grace of God he was saved
2. It affects one’s life and ministry
“But by the grace of God I am what I am…” 1 Corinthians 15:10
a) “I am what I am” refers to the life and ministry of Paul
b) All that he was attributed to the grace of God
c) It is includes what Paul had done and achieved in his life
(II) REALISE THAT THE GRACE OF GOD SHOULD NOT BE IN VAIN
“…and His grace toward me was not in vain…” 1 Corinthians 15:10
1. After we have obtained the grace of God in our lives, how we respond to it matters.
2. It determines whether the grace of God has been given in vain or not
a). The word “vain” means to “empty”
b) A person can receive the grace of God and still end up empty.
c) If God has done so much for us through his grace, we should be doing something with our lives for the Lord
d) The challenge is that the grace of God should not be in vain
(III) RESPONDING TO THE GRACE OF GOD
“…ut I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10
1. Labouring for the Lord
2. Labouring more abundantly
3. The grace of God was with Paul
4. It was not given in vain