SERVING WITH THE GRACE OF GOD

The book of Acts 13:36-43 says “For David after he has served his own generation by the will of God, …. Vs. 43 but when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God."

Someone says the “grace of God” is basic others say is deeper truths. Grace is not the foundation only, it is the entire new covenant. We begun in the Spirit but could end up in the flesh like the Galatians church. Walking in the flesh is not only walking in adultery, fornication, rebellion, etc - these are the works of the flesh. But walking in the flesh are trusting your own effort to perform all God’s commandment even to serve and obey Him. God can only live that life through you and me in the Spirit. And we can reign in life through the abundance of Grace (Roman 5:17). So walking in the Spirit is actually walking in the abundance of God’s grace.

In book of Acts 13 – Let me give you a summary of what is in here:

1. David served his generation in the will of God (counsel) vs. 36
2. Jesus freed us from the Law of Moses vs. 39
3. There were opposition to the message of Grace vs. 41
(scoffers who never believes even if one declares to them)
4. They were those who are hungry for God’s grace to be told vs. 42
(they kept begging Paul and Barnabas)
5. A division was happening between those who wanted the law and grace. Vs.43
6. Many converted to Judaism (Moses) was set free when Paul and Barnabas spoken the
Word of Grace to them vs. 43
7. The grace believers were urged to continue in the Grace of God vs. 43
(not to fall back to religion/Judaism again)
8. Nearly the whole city assembled to hear the Word of Grace vs. 44

Here Paul and Barnabas called into the ministry from Antioch were preaching concerning the Grace of God. They were actually preaching the “gospel” of Grace. Paul said there would be false teachers who taught performance in Christianity. It comes after taking your eyes off Jesus and relying on your own performance and law.

I respect God’s law for the reason because it was given. It was not given to bring holiness but given to expose the lack of it. The bible says, “Law was given that the offense might abound”. Man thought they can keep all of it. God knew men cannot keep all the law of God. The point is we increased the power of sin by keeping the law. You can keep the law and still not be holy.
Paul was not coming against God’s law, for God’s law was limited. The Law kills but the Spirit gives life. Life is in the grace of God. That is why Paul had to preach grace and why the Grace Message was so important as it was a revelation from God to Apostle Paul during his missionary trip. Those who were hungry and thirsty were begging or persuading Paul and Barnabas continued to share more to them about this WORD OF GRACE. They focused on the grace of God and start focusing on Jesus.

Paul and Barnabas grew bold and shared the gospel of grace and even stirred up some devout Jews who persecuted them and expelled them from their region. But in the last verse 52 says, “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Religion and rituals never give us that only grace can do that. Walking in the abundance of grace and they were filled with joy in the Holy Spirit.

May we serve God with this tremendous transforming grace of God. Amen!