Grace

The Overwhelming Power of God’s Grace: More Than 9 Billion Ping Pong Balls

Have you ever wondered just how vast God’s grace is? Imagine a football stadium filled to the brim with over 9 billion ping pong balls. Now, picture that as just a fraction of the grace God offers us. Sounds incredible, doesn’t it? Let’s dive into this powerful concept and discover how God’s grace can transform every aspect of our lives.

Understanding Grace: God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense

Grace is often defined as “God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.” As Pastor Stalnaker explains, “Grace is our receiving something that we do not deserve. Mercy is our not receiving something that we do deserve.” This distinction is crucial in grasping the magnitude of God’s love for us.

Unlike other world religions that emphasize human efforts to reach salvation, Christianity stands out because of grace. As CS Lewis once said, when asked about what makes Christianity unique, he simply replied, “Oh, that’s simple. It’s grace.”

The Three Tenses of Grace

The sermon highlights three important aspects of grace from Titus 2:11-13:

1. Past Grace: “For the grace of God has appeared” (Titus 2:11)
2. Present Grace: Grace teaches and trains us (Titus 2:12)
3. Future Grace: Grace helps us wait for our blessed hope (Titus 2:13)

These verses show us that God’s grace isn’t just a one-time event but a continuous force in our lives.

God’s Grace Rescues Us

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people” (Titus 2:11). This verse reminds us that God’s grace is available to everyone, regardless of their past. As Pastor Stalnaker emphasizes, “I don’t care what you’ve done in your past, I don’t care what your history is. God by his grace is willing to forgive your sin and to cleanse you and to save and rescue your soul.”

God’s Grace Changes Us

We’re not only saved by grace but also changed by it. The sermon points out that “Grace trains us or teaches us” (Titus 2:12). This grace helps us avoid ungodliness and worldly lusts while enabling us to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age.

God’s Grace Makes Us Long for Jesus

All the goodness we experience on earth is just a glimpse of what’s to come. God’s grace instills in us a longing to be with Jesus. As the sermon states, “We believe He’s coming back and we’re going to be with Him forever, and because of Grace, we long for that day.”

Applying God’s Grace in Our Lives

Pastor Stalnaker provides five key areas where we need to apply God’s grace:

1. In our church
2. In our suffering
3. In our giving
4. In our service
5. In every aspect of our lives

Putting It Into Practice

Remember, “God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). When facing challenges or struggling with sin, humble yourself and call out to God for His grace. Whether you’re dealing with laziness, lust, worry, unfaithfulness, or any other issue, the answer is always the same: Grace.

As you go about your week, keep that ping pong ball in a visible place. Let it remind you of God’s abundant, overflowing grace. When you face difficulties, remember Philippians 4:19: “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

God’s grace will never run out. It’s there for the asking, ready to transform every area of your life. Will you humble yourself and ask for it today?