In the fall of 1992, Paula and I moved to Fredericksburg from Northern Virginia. We didn’t know what to expect. I was 26 and Paula was 21. But we both had a passion to serve God and share Christ with a growing community. My parents raised me in church. Paula had only been a Christian for 5 years. God had placed a desire in our heart to start a church that boldly proclaimed the truths of the Bible in a loving, gracious way.
So grace has been a central theme since our inception. The first series of messages that I shared were on the grace of God. And 30 years later, our emphasis is still a message of grace. Let me share 3 thoughts:
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. 1 Corinthians 15:10
- Maturity is a result of Grace.
“by the grace of God I am what I am”
Paul states who he is…and it is because of God’s grace. Everything that Paul would become was caused by the goodness of God. Paul did not deserve grace since the word means unmerited favor. God is forgiving and picks us up time and time again. As I look back over the years, I remember how others have failed me and how I have failed them, and mostly how we have failed our Savior. Thankfully we do not have to focus on those things. We can look ahead and thank Him for His amazing grace! - Ministry is a result of Grace.
“I labored more abundantly than they all”
Paul worked hard. It seems that he was the hardest working guy around. After 30 years of ministry, I look back and recognize that much effort has gone into seeing Choice move ahead. I guess it is a good thing that I enjoy work because there is always plenty to do. People constantly have needs and reaching ahead towards our vison of “Impacting Lives For God’s Glory” requires many hours of Christian service. Thankfully, the Apostle Paul shares the key to finishing well in the ministry. It is, again, the grace of God. Paul was not bragging on himself. He was glorifying God. Only God could make him mature. And only God could cause Paul to be successful in ministry, which leads to my third thought. - Motivation is a result of Grace.
“yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me”
Paul begins and ends I Cor 15:10 with grace. Paul could not faithfully grow in maturity or complete his calling without the inward working of God’s grace. He is driven by grace! We are saved by grace. We grow through grace. We get involved in ministry as a result of God’s grace. And we will end up in Heaven because of His grace. As we focus on Christ’s love, His goodness, His forgiveness and His mercy, we are inspired to love Him back. Paul was such a faithful servant, but he acknowledges that it wasn’t him. It was God’s grace working inside him.
As I look back over the past 30 years of ministry, I am grateful for the many wonderful people that I have had the opportunity to serve alongside of. I am thankful for all the lives that have been changed. I smile when I think about the incredible Choice Family that God has assembled here. And I am excited about the potential that we have as we look ahead. But, most of all, my mind drifts back into the wonderful thought of God and His grace. Let me challenge you to spend a few moments right now to meditate on grace…it can be incredibly life changing!
Pastor Wilcox
