(Read Acts 19:8-12)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” I have covered what I wanted to cover from the life of the Apostle Paul and next week we will transition to another part of this series. September 17, 2012, almost a full year ago now, the Lord had me start this series. I had no idea how long it would go, and the end is still nowhere in sight. I trust you have been blessed thus far. Months ago I told you that I wanted to highlight the three main contributors to scripture: Moses, David and Paul. I did not want to highlight these three men because they were perfect or because they lived flawless lives before God. No, I wanted to highlight these three men because they were murderers. By acknowledging the fact that the three main men who were used of God to pen the majority of God’s Holy Scripture, were also men who had committed heinous and unholy acts, we can do nothing but appreciate the Grace of God. We already spent months looking at the lives of Moses and David, and over the last few months we looked at the life of Paul.
I could go on with Paul’s life but I will stop here. In Acts 19 we find a man who had been through a great deal, but probably nothing compared to what he made others endure. Young Paul was at the site of Stephen’s execution. Stephen went down in history as the first martyr to die for Christ and Paul was too young to participate in his stoning. So young Paul held the coats of the men who were there, so they could be free to stone Stephen to death. When Paul was older he had Christians beaten, battered, bruised, imprisoned and even killed. So when you see Paul in Acts 19 you can’t help but see the Grace of God.
The man who was once a murderer had been transformed into a miracle worker. When you have a man who could touch a handkerchief and send it to the home of person who was sick and the power released through the handkerchief would heal a person, you know you have a man who is operating in the power of God. These same handkerchiefs were taken to people who were demon possessed and the demons had to flee at the touch of the handkerchiefs. When you think of Paul’s past you can’t help but see and appreciate God’s Grace! If God could use Paul, then He surely can use you!
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. No human is perfect. The reason I am teaching you about Moses, David and Paul — the three main contributors to the Bible — is because each of them committed murder. God did not use them because they were perfect, God used them because He is perfect. It’s the same with you. God wants to use you for His glory, not because you are perfect (because you and I both know you are far from it), but because of His Grace. God sees us, His children, as righteous; not because of anything we did or fail to do, but simply because of what Jesus did on Calvary’s cross. Jesus was perfect for us, because He knew we would never be. So, put on His perfection and His righteousness, and put down your flaws and your sin.
2. Our holy God uses flawed people. Not only does God forgive us for our sin and imperfections, but He also chooses to use us for his glory. Isn’t that amazing? The God of the universe, who spoke to darkness and created light, who spoke to chaos and created order, wants to use you (yes you) for His glory. He knows about all your flaws and He wants to use you anyway. Not because you deserve it, but because of His Grace!
3. Get excited about your future. If God could turn a murderer into a miracle worker, then what do you think He can do with you? The Lord can do mighty things in, with and through your life. He wants to accomplish the supernatural and the seemingly impossible through you. Not because you have earned it, but because He planned to do it before the foundations of the world. God has great plans for you. You don’t have to earn those plans or the Grace to perform them. All you have to do is believe! Believe God and receive all He wants to give you and do through you by His amazing Grace!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for looking past my faults, flaws and failures, and still loving me enough to use me for Your glory. You know I am far from perfect. Therefore I am eternally thankful for Your Grace. You look down at me and You choose to use me, working through me, even though I have failed more times than I want to acknowledge. Father, I clearly do not deserve all You do for me and I know I will never be able to deserve it. You don’t bless me because I am earning it. You don’t shower me with Your favor because of what I do. You don’t call me righteous because I am perfect. You made me righteous by the Blood of Jesus, Your Son. You see me as usable in Your hands, not because of what I do or fail to do, but because of what Jesus did for me on Calvary’s cross and because of His continual intercession for me in heaven. You are in the business of making holy garments from flawed material. And Father, I know You made great plans for me before the foundations of the world. Little by little You tell me about those plans. You incrementally reveal things to me, that You already planned I would have and that I would do, and all You require of me is belief. By faith I declare that I shall believe all You show me, and access all You want to give me and do through my life. Not because I deserve it, but only because of Your Grace! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
