The Baptist Bible Hour now comes to you under the direction of Elder LeSaire Bradley, Jr. This is LeSaire Bradley, Jr. inviting you to stay tuned for another message of God's sovereign grace. If you want the broadcast to continue on your station, I urge you to write this week and let us know that you've listened.
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This is a five Sunday month and so the need is particularly great. My dear Israel, with friends I love so dear, comfort I get from God's own Word. Yet when I face the chilling hand of death, where could I go but to the Lord? Where could I go, where could I go, seeking a refuge for my soul, needing a friend to save me in the end?
Where could I go, where could I go, where could I go but to the Lord? To the Lord. We bring you the second part of a message entitled All Sufficient Grace.
The text is 2 Corinthians chapter 12 verses 7 through 10. And lest I be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions and distresses for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.
We first have noticed the source of the affliction. It was according to God's purpose that the apostle should endure this affliction for his own benefit. And then we're considering the strength to endure. Talking about God's grace, even his electing grace that was treasured up in the covenant from before the foundation of the world. Saving grace, Ephesians chapter 2 verse 5, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us to gather with Christ, by grace ye are saved. And then you go down to the 8th verse, So well known for by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works within a man should boast. What then is the basis upon which men are saved?
Not by moral reform and religious exercise, not by hard work, not by personal sacrifice, but by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ according to his grace, the unmerited favor of God. Then we think of justifying grace. Romans chapter 3 verse 24 says, Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Chapter 3 and verse 7, That being justified by his grace we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. To take one then who is guilty, a violator of the law, corrupt before a holy God, and God to declare him to be just.
How can that happen? If God maintains his character, if he is a holy God which indeed we believe that he is and the Scriptures reveal it, how can he declare us to be just on the basis of the sacrifice of his son Jesus Christ who took the sins of his people upon him and suffered him their stead? Now by grace through faith we are declared to be just. My grace. Back in the first chapter of the Gospel of John verse 14 it says, And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. So Jesus Christ who is the Word made flesh, God becoming a man and dwelling among us, he is full of grace and truth. It's not just that there is a little grace available, that grace may soon run out, that there is a limited supply, he is full of it.
That ought to bring joy to our hearts upon every consideration of it. Do you not realize that not only did you need grace on the day that salvation was brought to you in your personal experience, not only was it by grace that God made choice before the world began, and by grace that he sent forth his son to redeem us, and by grace then that he draws us to himself, but you need grace every day that you live. And to know that Jesus Christ is full of grace gives us the encouragement we need to turn to him and ask for grace. In fact, he encourages us to do that, to say come boldly to the throne of grace that you may find mercy, and what?
Grace. Grace to help in the time of need. And then to the 16th verse of John chapter 1 it says, And of his fullness have we all received, and grace for grace, not just a little bit of grace, but you get grace and then you get more grace. Grace for grace, for the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
The book of Hebrews refers to that time that Moses did tremble and quake when there was the thundering and the lightning at Sinai, a fearful and dreadful sight. Under the curse and condemnation of the law one receives what they justly deserve, and that is condemnation because they have violated God's law. But while the law was given by Moses, grace came by Jesus Christ. That's the good news of the gospel that we have today, grace by Jesus Christ. And then 1 Peter chapter 5, we read of all grace, But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, established, strengthened, settled you. So no matter what part of grace you talk about, talk about grace in the covenant, talk about grace at the cross, talk about grace in redemption, talk about grace in justification, grace in calling, grace to sustain you, grace to forgive you when you come boldly to the throne of grace, grace to hold you up in the midst of your trial, grace to go with you in the hour of death, grace to take you home. He is the God of all grace. Just not enough words to adequately describe all the facets of grace, how much grace there really is. He is the God of it all. Then he says, my grace is sufficient.
Sufficient. 2 Corinthians chapter 3 verse 5 says, Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God. We are not sufficient of ourselves. There is where the problem arises in the lives of some of God's own people. Maybe they have gone to church for years. They have participated in the singing of these wonderful old hymns. They have read the promises of God.
They feel that somehow when troubles come, they will be able to get through and they assume that their lifelong dedication and their experiences, they are going to be sufficient. Paul says we are not sufficient. It doesn't matter how long you have been traveling the road, how long you have been engaged in the battle, how deep you become in your knowledge. You are not sufficient to get through your trials in your own strength.
You are not sufficient. But he says, my grace is sufficient. Ephesians chapter 1 reading the 18th verse, The eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us who believe according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in heavenly places. He says that same power that brought Jesus Christ out of the grave is that which is going to be utilized in sustaining his people, holding them up, strengthening them. And then in Ephesians chapter 3 verse 20, Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us.
Well you see, I read that. I believe the truth of God's Word. But when I'm discouraged, it's hard for me to believe that the power of God is working in me. When I'm suffering with a lot of pain, when I'm so sick that I can't think clearly, it's hard for me to believe the power of God is working in me. But it says he is able.
That's the first principle. He's able. He has the power.
Secondly, he's able to do exceeding, exceeding what you might think, exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the working of his power. This is what God says. My grace is sufficient. His Word is sufficient. Sometimes in the midst of our troubles we say, well I just, I'm struggling, I need information, I need help, I need guidance.
Where are we going to get that? Not from the speculations of men, not through the philosophers of this world. God's Word is sufficient. We turn to Psalm 19 which says so many wonderful things about the Word of God, reading in verse 7. The law of the Lord is perfect, it's complete, it's sufficient, it's adequate, converting the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. Somebody may say, well I know, I believe the Bible is God's Word, but there's times I try to read it and I don't get much out of it. I turn to certain passages and I really don't know what the writer is talking about. Or I go back to some familiar passages that have brought me comfort in the past, but I'm in such a time of anxiety and distress.
I just don't draw any comfort from it. Let me tell you, in those hours of great trial, don't allow the attacks of Satan to veer you off course and decide I've got to go somewhere else. I've got to read after the writings of wise men.
I've got to turn to the psychology that's offered in the world. Even if you're in a time of spiritual coldness, you have to come before the Lord saying, Lord I know your Word is sufficient. That what you want me to know is to be discovered there. I pray for wisdom that as I read, you'll give me understanding your promises. If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth liberally and upbraideth not. 2 Peter chapter 1 verse 3, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
What's he saying? He has given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness. The things that we need to know in our time of difficulty and distress are to be found in God's Word. His Word is sufficient. His help is sufficient. It might be that the challenge that you face is that there is some temptation that has become exceedingly difficult for you to overcome.
That you're in a situation, you're facing circumstances that make it very challenging. But his help is sufficient. 2 Corinthians, 1 Corinthians chapter 10, reading in the 13th verse. 1 Corinthians 10, 13, There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man, that God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it. His help is sufficient.
His comfort is sufficient. Oh yes, there are times that we can be so distraught, so perplexed with our circumstances. We feel absolutely overwhelmed.
How can I keep going? And it may be if we had too much self-confidence, we just thought, I never thought I'd find myself in this plight. I thought when troubles came, I could handle it. I need comfort.
Where are we going to find it? 2 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 2, Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. Isn't that wonderful to know that God is known as the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. His grace. My grace is sufficient for thee. It's sufficient for thee now. No matter what you're facing at the moment, pain, sickness, disappointment, hurt, spiritual coldness, conflict, frustration, whatever it may be. These are the words of Jesus. My grace is sufficient for thee.
And then we see the benefit gained. Pride is subdued. The Lord sent this messenger of Satan, gave him this thorn in the flesh that he might not be exalted above measure. That he might not be full of pride. That he might not be arrogant. That he might not assume I can make it because of my education, because of my talent, because of my background, because of my experience. It subdued pride. No boasting in his experiences.
His experiences were remarkable. No boasting. No self-sufficiency where God is left out. The idea that I want to be an independent person. I don't want any help.
I want to be able to demonstrate the fact. I'm as tough as the next guy, tougher than a lot. I can get through it no matter what it is.
No! The Lord gives the thorn in the flesh to humble us. To get rid of pride. To subdue us. So we're walking by faith, trusting Him. And the remarkable thing about all of this, generally we think, okay, if I'm going through a dark time, I turn to His promises. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee, that we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper. Or casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you.
Those are wonderful promises. But look at the extent to which He carries it in this text. I concede to you, it's as challenging for me as it is for you to read this. My grace is sufficient. My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities? I will take pleasure in my infirmities. I'm going to take pleasure in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. I'm not going to just grin and bear it. I'm not going to just dig my heels in and say, I'm going to get through this. I'm going to take pleasure in it. Because I know this was within the scope of God's purpose, and grace, and love.
You see, that's not very realistic, for sure. I understand the challenge. I understand that when pain is severe, when disappointment is great, when our hearts seem to break because of the circumstances that we encounter, it seems barely enough to say, Lord, I'm trusting you. But to get to the point that you can say, Lord, I'm going to delight in these reproaches, in these sufferings, in these difficulties, because I know your hand is in it, you're working your purpose, and I find my joy, not in my circumstances, but in you.
It doesn't mean that you say, I want to hurt. I'm praying, Lord, send me some kind of great suffering, because I know there's a purpose in it. No, when the thorn was given, Paul understandably prayed, Lord, deliver me.
He prayed, Lord, remove the thorn from me. And that's going to be our prayer. And sometimes when we pray, Lord, heal me of my sickness, he does. And sometimes we pray for another person who is sick, and he raises them up, and we can be thankful for it. And even in that, we have to find that our real source of joy is not so much in the healing and the deliverance as it is in God Himself, because He's still our good, gracious, and merciful God, whether we're sick or whether we're well, whatever our circumstances may be, joy in Him, because of His grace, because of His love. The benefit, Paul says that he learned that when I'm weak, then am I strong.
Now you know, if you shared that concept with a person who doesn't believe the Bible, who doesn't believe in God, they would say that is absurd. What do you mean when I'm weak, then am I strong? Anybody knows when you're weak, you're weak, and when you're strong, you're strong.
That just makes good sense. But this is one of those many unique biblical, spiritual truths that can only be appreciated by the blessing of God's Spirit. And no doubt, many today can respond and say, I understand what Paul's talking about. Because anytime I begin to think I'm strong, I stumble. Take heed, the man that thinks he's standing is ready for a downfall. But when I'm weak, then I'm strong because it's not my strength, it's His. I'm trusting Christ, I'm depending upon His power. In the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 27, But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, and base things of the world and things which are despised, hath God chosen ye things which are not to bring to nought the things that are.
Now according to human reasoning, that doesn't make a bit of sense. But that's the way God works because He's going to work in such a way that we give Him the glory. The purpose of it, that no flesh should glory in His presence. So one of the purposes of our trials is to subdue pride. Secondly, to bring us to the place that our joy is not in our circumstances but in the Lord.
And to learn that when I'm weak then am I strong. His grace is sufficient for all seasons and all circumstances. Sufficient in prosperity or in loss. We need His grace even when all is going well. Paul said, I'm learning whatsoever state I am there to be content, whether I'm prospering or whether I'm suffering loss.
You know some people can't take prosperity. If things go well for them then they drift away, they forget about God. You need His grace to keep you on track even when you're being prospered. To recognize His hand in your prosperity, to give thanks for what He's blessed you to enjoy. So His grace is sufficient for prosperity and loss, for sickness and health. His grace is sufficient for the days of youth, the particular temptations that you young people encounter as you face an ungodly world. His grace is sufficient for you mothers and fathers with young children when you need so much help and guidance along the way. His grace is sufficient.
His grace is sufficient for the older ones as they begin to look toward the end of the journey. It's easy sometimes to begin to feel a bit of self pity and say, well my race is almost run. Well hallelujah, think about it, nearing the end of the race. That means things that are better are just ahead.
On the other side, your inheritance is over there. So rather than being depressed, be joyful that ultimately you'll be with the Lord. And as the apostle said, to die is gain. His grace is sufficient. Whatever the season of life in which you're found at the moment, whatever your individual circumstances may be, let us rejoice and say with the beloved apostle that we embrace this truth as Jesus says, My grace is sufficient for thee. Because he lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because he lives, all fear is gone. Sometimes the burdens of life are extremely heavy. Our troubles and afflictions seem to weight us down. But how good to be reminded that the grace of God is sufficient for us. No matter how dark the path, he is the light before us. No matter how weak we feel ourselves to be, he is the provider of the strength that we so desperately need. Let us rejoice in this wonderful truth as the Lord spoke to his servant in the time of his difficulty saying, My grace is sufficient for thee.
Until next week at the same time, may the Lord richly bless you all. He came to love, heal and forgive. He lived and died to buy my pardon. An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives. Because he lives, I can face tomorrow. Because I know he holds a future, and life is worth the living just because he lives.
Whisper: medium.en / 2025-01-19 02:25:13 / 2025-01-19 02:34:32 / 9