Outer Banks Community Church

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:1-10 (NKJV)

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

"For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building." 1 Corinthians 3:9

Intro: How often have you heard someone make the remark: “By the grace of God” I hope, or I can do that! Have you ever wonder how many really know what they are saying? Do you really understand what God’s grace is? Here Paul in Chapter 15 of 1st Corinthians recognizes and thanks God for grace! “For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building.”

If we look closer at God’s Grace we will find:

1. God’s Fellow Workers: “I labored more abundantly.”

This new creature in Christ that we have become instills within us a desire to become God’s fellow worker. God’s Grace empowers us: “holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” Philippians 2:16

“We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” 2 Corinthians 6:1

If we look closer at God’s Grace we will find:

2. God’s Field: “the grace of God which was with me.” The Greek language would present this as: “His grace which was (showed) towards me.”

These early disciples understood: “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” Mark 16:20

The grace that Paul speaks of is a grace that works with the believer, the "not I, but grace," implies, that though the human will agree with God when brought by His Spirit into conformity with His will, yet "grace" so prevailed in the work, that his own co-operation is regarded as nothing, and grace as virtually the sole agent. Basically what I am reading is: It is all God and His marvelous grace: “Grace, Grace God’s Grace!"

If we look closer at God’s Grace we will find:

3. God’s Building: “His grace toward me.”

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

This gift from God is a part of us, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” I now live because of Him; this body is His building, used for His glory! He built us to continue to do His work!

“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

We cannot take lightly the building and gift God has given us:

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13

God’s Fellow Workers, God’s Field and His building proves His grace is sufficient!

Conclusion: This could be compared to the “Greats of Grace!” O Lord how great thou art!” It is your Grace that has brought me thus far and it is grace that will lead me home.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, According to the riches of His grace.

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.