By the grace of God.

John Farley
Pastor Teacher
Sunday,
May 24, 2020

By the grace of God

1Co 15:8-11

The subject of chapter 15 is the bodily resurrection of the dead.

How can a man go from being the worst persecutor of Christians one day …

…to being the most passionate preacher of the gospel of Christ the next day?

The amazing, miraculous, precious grace of God.

The Greek word that is translated “one untimely born” means a miscarriage or an abortion.

That subject is the grace of God.

1Co 15:9-10

He’s a miscarriage, a complete failure – destined for the trash heap of humanity.

In another letter he would write that he was the least of all saints.

And in a third letter he is called the chief of all sinners.

Why?
Because he persecuted the church of God.

Act 26:9-18

And yet - Christ picked him. Saved him. Gave him a unique mission. A mission that only the chief of sinners was fit to fulfill.

1Ti 1:12-17

Saul of Tarsus would become the poster child for the grace of God.

Mar 2:16-17

If Christ can save the chief of sinners, he can save me.

Rom 4:5

In fact, sinners are the ONLY people He saves!

God’s grace comes into view when we despair of ever being able to justify ourselves.

1Co 15:10

Just like only God’s grace can explain how any of us got saved.

And only God’s grace can explain how we have grown to become more like Christ.

Tit 3:3-7

Now He meets our needs every day. He meets our inability with His abundance.

Rom 5:17

Grace means gifts freely given for a great purpose.

Tit 2:11-14

Eph 2:4-7

to be people upon whom God showers His grace

so that all creation may know the genius, the love, the righteousness, and power of His glory.