GRACE for the RACE
Matt 25:1-13
The Bible says that we
should run with diligence, the race that is set before us and that we must run
to obtain the prize.
Moreover, grace has been
given to everyone according to the measure of Christ's gift (Eph.
4:7).
It is only through the
grace of God that you can run your race effectively and successfully.
By grace, we become
partakers of God's holy nature.
Even under the old
testament, some people found grace in the sight of God...these were people like
Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, etc.
This was a fore taste of
the new testament which ushered in grace in abundance (John 1:16).
In every generation, God
distinguishes His own people from others, for a specific purpose or assignment,
by grace.
Moses tried to run the
race with the arm of the flesh, but it back-fired.
He could only start out
after he had been seasoned with grace.
In order for Joshua to
accomplish what Moses had started, he needed grace - the grace to finish
strong!
Grace doesn't just come,
it is released in the place of preparation (in the secret place of the Most
High) - Exodus 33:11
Grace enables you to
take ownership of your God-given inheritance (Psalm 84:11).
Some lessons to draw from the parable of the 10
virgins:
1. Everyone called into
the kingdom of God is chosen through the election of grace.
2. Having started in
grace, we need much more grace to finish strong.
3. It takes divine
wisdom to leverage on the grace that has been made available.
A pictorial example was
given in Zech. 4:1-14
Another example of grace
was found in Matt. 25:14-30, the parable of the talent.
This teaches us that
everyone has been endowed with some measure of grace. Don't bury your God-given
resources, cultivate them, maximize them, and a glorious destiny awaits you.
God expects us to be
fruitful in whatever situation we find ourselves.
Don't look for what is
not lost. Don't go about in life with beggarly attitude.
Leverage on what God has
deposited within you. Leverage on grace! (Eph. 3:20).
When you carry grace,
even afflictions, tribulations and trials work for your good (Romans
8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17).
The race is not to the swift,
The battle is not to the strong,
Bread is not to the wise,
Riches are not to men of understanding,
Favour is not to men of skill,
But time and chance happen to them all (Eccl. 9:11).
It is grace that enables you to win.
Identify the grace of
God in your life and leverage on it, to fulfill God's purpose for your life.
Henceforth, grace will speak for you in the name of Jesus Christ.
PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA
Resident Pastor
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