MESSAGE

FRESH GRACE: WHY AND WHEN DO WE NEED IT?

TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-10; PSALM 92:10-14,

1 Corinthians: 15. 1. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how 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 of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6. After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10. 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.

Psalm: 92. 10. But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil. 11. Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me. 12. The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;

WHAT IS FRESH GRACE?
Fresh means: 1. New, recent, novel.

2. Renewed, revived.
3. Blooming, flourishing, unfaded, unwithered, unwilted, well-preserved, in good condition, unimpaired, undecayed.
4. Of recent make, not stale or sour, sweet.

The word “Grace” in Hebrew language is “Charis” which means to confer a sense of graciousness, gait or beauty. “Grace” means free and undeserved favour especially of God. It is the unmerited divine assistance given to human beings. Grace is a spiritual material and ingredient that delivers into your hands what is hitherto beyond your ability or capability. When grace is at work in a man’s life, he enjoys favours that ordinarily he is not qualified for.
Fresh Grace simply means God endowing you with new and fresh ability and enablement to experience better and bigger things much more than you have ever experienced or encountered. This will be your experience and testimony in this new month in Jesus name.
God specializes in doing new and fresh things. He doesn’t want you to be accustomed to the old as for you not to enjoy new things He is bringing your way.
N.B. When we talk about Fresh Grace, it means somethings might have happened to the first grace. It may also mean that the grace is becoming stale or obsolete by the reason of use. Or it can also mean that familiarity that brings contempt has crept in.
Also, it may also means that God wants to give you a fresh ability for the next higher level or responsibility He wants to give to you. 2 Cor. 12:7-9.
2 Corinthians: 12. 7. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 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.

WHY AND WHEN DO WE NEED FRESH GRACE?

1. Grace is not static. It is multidimensional. The grace you are enjoying today is not terminal, neither is it your last bus stop. So you need a fresh grace which is another dimension different from the one you are experiencing today. 1 Pet. 4:10
   1 Peter: 4. 10. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
2. Grace also grows. It increases and multiplies. So there is another level of grace that can be experienced. 2 Pet. 3:18.
   2 Peter: 3. 18. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
3. There are different graces for different things. The fact that you have grace for one area or one thing does not mean you have grace for all things. Grace passes grace. But you can crave for a fresh and better grace. 2 Cor. 8:1-7
   2 Corinthians: 8. 1. Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2. How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4. Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 6. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. 7. Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
4. The way you are using the measure of grace you have been given will determine how much more of fresh and greater grace God will bestow on you. Matt. 25:14-30.
   Matthew: 25. 14. For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. 19. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Matthew: 25. 24. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25. And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27. Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
5. Fresh grace is also needed when you have either taken the grace given to you for granted, or in vain; or you have frustrated that grace by the reason of your carelessness. 2 Cor. 6:1; Gal. 2:21.
   2 Corinthians: 6. 1. We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
   Galatians: 2. 21. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
6. Fresh Grace is also highly required in your life, business, job or career if what you used to do with less efforts and greater results are now becoming struggles and fruitless efforts. You need to look inward and sincerely repent before God. Luke 5:1-8.
   Luke: 5. 1. And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 2. And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
7. Fresh Grace is also needed in our walk with God and work for God in order to achieve greater impacts for His Kingdom purposes. Dan. 11:32-33.
   Daniel: 11. 32. And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.
8. If what you used to do excitedly for God and in the house of God is no more giving you joy and excitement, then you need fresh oil and fresh grace. Psa. 27:4, 122:1.
   Psalm: 27. 4. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
   Psalm: 122. 1. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
9. If you are now becoming familiar with the grace you are enjoying presently and you now commonise or despise the grace, then you need to repent and ask for fresh grace.
10. You also need fresh grace if your heart is now becoming critical and analytical about God, the word of God, the ministers of God and the church of God in general. 1 Tim. 1:19-20; 2 Tim. 3:1-9.
    1 Timothy: 1. 19. Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20. Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
    2 Timothy: 3. 1. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
11. If you have lost your fire in the place of prayer, your Bible study, your worship sessions, and your serviceability in the church, then you need this fresh oil and fresh grace. Matt. 25:1-13
    Matthew: 25. 1. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
12. When you are not functional in the service of God like you used to do. When you have lost your first love for God, then you need this fresh oil and fresh grace. Rev. 2:1-5
    Revelation: 2. 1. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3. And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.