Grace Defined: Unearned, undeserved, and absolutely necessary favor from God that can empower and motivate us to live a transformed life for God. G. God’s R. Riches A. At C. Christ’s E. Expanse

“Grace That Helps Us Serve” 2 Corinthians 3:4-6

My Hope We will be motivated by God’s grace to serve Him with humility, faith, and passion.

Our Main Text Today 2Corthians 3:4-6 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Background 2Corthians 3:1-2 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.

Outline 1. God’s grace calls us into service 2. God’s grace empowers us for service 3. God’s grace gives significance to our service

1. God’s Grace Calls Us Into Service 2Corthians 3:4-6 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

1. God’s Grace Calls Us Into Service 2Corthians 4:1 Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Ephesians 3:7-8 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. God does not need us, but want us to share in His work!

2. God’s grace empowers us for service 2Corthians 3:4-6 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. God’s grace gives us confidence and Competence! Confidence that He is able to work through us (even when we think we “messed up”) Competence in spiritual power, gifting, and abilities

2. God’s grace empowers us for service Colossians 1:28-29 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. God’s grace gives us spiritual power to serve!

2. God’s grace empowers us for service Romans 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. 1 Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? God’s grace gives us spiritual gifts and abilities to serve This should keep us humble yet confident!

3. God’s grace gives significance to our service 2Corthians 3:4-6 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

3. God’s grace gives significance to our service 2Corthians 5:18-21 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

3. God’s grace gives significance to our service John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.

Outline 1. God’s grace calls us into service We were unworthy, but God has made us worthy! 2. God’s grace empowers us for service We were inadequate, but God has made us adequate! 3. God’s grace gives significance to our service We were insignificant, but God has made us significant!

Questions - Are you serving God with confidence? - Do you feel you are competent in serving God? - Do you know your ministry is significant to God? - Are you actively relying on God’s power and wisdom? - Are you relying on your own strength and smarts? - Do you know your ministry can have eternal value?

“This is the amazing story of God’s grace. God saves us by His grace and transforms us more and more into the likeness of His Son by His grace. In all our trials and afflictions, He sustains and strengthens us by His grace. He calls us by His grace to perform our own unique function within the body of Christ. Then, again by grace, He gives to each of us the spiritual gifts necessary to fulfill our calling. As we serve Him, He makes that service acceptable to Himself by grace, and then rewards us a hundredfold by grace.” – Jerry Bridges (Transforming Grace)