The Gift of the Grace of God
Text: Ephesians 3
9 April 2006
(I) THE DISPENSATION OF THE GIFT OF GOD’S GRACE
“If indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you…” Ephesians 3:2
1. The Remarkable nature of God’s grace extended
a) Paul was once a persecutor of Christians
b) He became a defender of the Christian faith
c) He went on to become the Apostle to the Gentiles
(II) POWER BEHIND THE GIFT OF GRACE
“Of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power” Ephesians 3:7
1. It is not easy to become an effective minister of God
2. Much grace must be poured out into the life of the individual
3. Much power is added to the outpouring of grace
(III) APPRECIATING THE GIFT OF GOD’S GRACE
“To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ…” Ephesians 3:8
1. Personal opinion of self
Paul’s opinion of himself was coloured by his recognition of his ignoble sinful past
2. Grace given to become a preacher among the Gentiles
a) Great challenge
b) Great honour
c) Great ministry
3. The unsearchable riches of Christ
a) Great privilege to discern deep spiritual truths
b) Great responsibility entrusted to proclaim those great truths
(IV) APPROPRIATING THE GRACE OF GOD WELL
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain’ but I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was in me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10
1. The need to receive the Gift of grace well
a) The wonderful example of the apostle Paul
b) Grace given to Paul was “not in vain”
2. An appropriate response to God’s grace
a) Labouring for the Lord most abundantly
b) The grace of God enabling a person to labour faithfully and mightily
EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP 16 April 2006
Text: Ephesians 2
Title: The Exceeding Riches of His Grace
MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE 30 April 2006
Text: 2 Corinthians 12
Title: The All-sufficiency of God’s Grace
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