Many times ( I've done this, because I've sat where you are as a listener of sermons by my former pastors) we sit in the pew listening to one more sermon and thinking, "yeah, but you're a preacher and you've got this secret hot line to God and He gives you stuff because you're one of His messengers and . . . . ". Don't say you've never thought this, because I have as a listener, and shockingly, as a pastor/preacher now, I still do. It's a normal thing to think that God gives things to others that He does not give to 'me' for some not understandable reason. But, is that true? NO! His desire is to GIVE YOU His grace, not only to be saved, but also to live in this world. How can you KNOW this? He says so. "Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ". You find this greeting over and over in several of the letters of the New Testament. This is as much scripture and heart of God as "...you must be born again...".
Not only has He already given us this grace through the blood of His Son, the Lord Jesus, He has given us a 'signed in blood' invitation to access this grace to walk in daily. It's our 'life vest' so as we encounter the storms of daily 'stuff' we don't sink.
So who needs to 'grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ'. Me! You! All of us. We have the exact same need. The need to be saved ( accept His personal invitation to "come unto Him, and He will give you rest") and the need for grace to walk through this world with His life in you ( accept His personal invitation to "take His yoke upon you. . . and find the rest only He can give). Matthew 11: 28 - 30.
This is what we're learning about presently at Rea Valley Baptist this summer. Who? Me ( the pastor) and hopefully you. Let's pray for each other as we walk in this together in His 'sufficient Grace'.
God bless you
Jack
