II Corinthians 12:9 

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. 

    The word “sufficient” means enough to meet the needs of a situation. The grace of God is the only thing that will completely measure up to Webster’s definition of the word sufficient. Many of life’s problems seem to have no solutions. Have you tried the grace of God. God’s grace is “sufficient” for any, all. and every situation.

    Paul asked the Lord to remove his physical problem three times. The Lord’s final answer was “My grace is sufficient for thee:” The word grace means the unmerited, the undeserved, or unearned favor of God. Sinful man deserves nothing but death and eternity in hell. But when the grace of God enters the situation it overrules everything!

I. ONLY THE GRACE OF GOD IS “SUFFICIENT” FOR SALVATION Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

    Only the grace of God is “sufficient” for salvation. Only the grace of God alone is “sufficient” for salvation. Good deeds, church membership, personal sacrifice, personal suffering are not sufficient for salvation. As the Bible says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” Salvation is a gift from God. Gifts cannot be earned they are given and received. God will give you the gift of eternal life if you will accept it by faith.

    There is a story of the Methodist preacher who died and was standing at heaven’s gate. Peter asked the question, why should I let you in. The preacher said, well, I pastored one of the largest churches in America. Peter said, that’s not enough. The preacher said , I lead many people to the Lord in my life. Again, Peter replied that’s not enough. Finally, the preacher said if it wasn’t for the grace of God no one could get into this place. Peter said that’s it! Come on in! 

II. THE GRACE OF GOD IS “SUFFICIENT” FOR SERVICE “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. I Corinthians 15:10 

     How many times are the excuses used: I cannot do that, I cannot tolerate that, I cannot stand up to that, I will not put up with that, I cannot be what God wants me to be, or I am not cut out for doing that. We are more like Popeye, I yam what I yam. We are what we want to be instead of being what the grace of God can make us. Only the grace of God can make us what we really ought to be. For God’s grace is “sufficient” for service.

     Lazy Christians need to realize that the grace of God can and will overcome laziness in their lives. The grace of God is one of the greatest energizing forces. It will keep you going and going when everyone else stops working for God. The right application of the grace of God can make you a worker. Anyone can be a bench warmer or a church runner. Quit trying to run the church and get to work. Take care of your business and stay out of God’s business. Become a laborer through the grace of God. The grace of God would take the word “can’t” out of our vocabularies

    Before grace entered Paul’s life he was a lost, hell bound religious man. It was grace that knocked him down. It was the grace of God that made him look up to God. It was grace that saved him. It was the grace of God that made him such a great power house for God. It was grace that kept him going thought all the dangers, the problems, and the heartaches of mission work. It was the grace of God that sustained him during all the lonely hours of his life. It was grace that aided him in becoming a Christian martyr. 

III. THE GRACE OF GOD IS “SUFFICIENT” FOR EVERYDAY LIFE “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.” Psalms 40:2-3

    Most people have a special formula for life, so they seem to think. It hasn’t worked for them but it will work for you. Many Americans seem to think that a college degree is the answer for all problems. No it is not! Life is full of trouble and only the grace of God is “sufficient.” Paul had the very best education anyone could possibly have but God told him that “my grace is sufficient.” When you are hurting an education is not enough. Quit depending upon things of this world and trust God. Do not depend upon things, money, people, or education. Learn to depend upon God and realize that His grace is more than “sufficient” for any circumstance.

    Some seem to think that a high position is what you need in life. David had the highest position in the land of Israel yet many nights he swam in a bed of tears. David sank into the very depths of sorrow in life. For David’s life became almost unbearable. It became so bad that he felt like he was living in a hole in the ground that he couldn’t get out of.

    A very successful man lost everything that he had. He lost his wife and family along with his business. Things became so bad that he ended up in a government mental institution. He became so depressed that he wouldn’t get out of his bed until one day he heard a sound coming from the chapel. He recognized the sound as singing but he couldn’t understand the words. He rolled out of his bed onto the floor. Then he started crawling toward the sound. He finally got close enough that he could hear the words of the song. He heard the words, “God will take care of you!” He walked into that chapel. He walked out of that mental institution. He became successful once again. The man’s name was J. C. Penny! You cannot sink so low that you can get out of the reach of the grace of God. Yes, God’s grace is sufficient even in a mental institution.

IV. THE GRACE OF GOD IS “SUFFICIENT” FOR THE PRESSURES OF LIFE. “And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.” Daniel 10:10-11

    Spiritual pressure is a reality. Only insensitive people fail to realize its presence. Demon activity is increasing today along with the new age and drug culture that we have found ourselves in. Most preachers, churches, and seminaries refuse to deal with this and they fail to warn others about it.

     It takes the grace of God to live under the pressures of modern day life. Daniel was under constant spiritual pressure. Even a man like Daniel wasn’t able to handle it on his own. When you find yourself in the midst of controversy, severe problems, sickness, and even sometimes in church and Bible study you can experience resistance from the spirit realm. It can weaken you like it did Daniel or J. C. Penny even when there is nothing physically wrong with you. When the devil is trying to keep you from getting information of his defeat he can make it hard on you. But the devil is no match for the grace of God. Yes, the grace of God and only the grace of God is “sufficient” during time of bombardment from the spiritual realm.

V. THE GRACE OF GOD IS “SUFFICIENT” FOR DEATH “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” 2 Timothy 4:7

    The Apostle Paul was faithful unto death not just until death. It takes the grace of God to face death as well as to face life. It’s the grace of God that makes it possible to face the uncertainties of both life and death. Be sure of one thing-the grace of God that saved you will see you though this life unto or until death. His grace will lead you home to heaven and provide an abundant entry into the bliss of glory! “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7 You can finish your work on earth with blessed assurance because of the grace of God.

CONCLUSION: 

HAVE YOU PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED THE GRACE OF GOD?