Message for October 5, 2025 from Pastor Shirley

GREAT GRACE!

And with great power, the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And “great grace” was upon them all. Acts 4:33

Spirit-Filled Life Bible Kingdom Dynamics    
Most believers know the common definition of the beautiful word “grace” as “the unmerited favor of God.”  This is wonderfully true and clearly relates to our salvation apart from the works or energy of our flesh (Eph. 2:7:9). 

But “grace“ as used in this text (“great grace”) and texts such as Luke 2:40 and Acts 11:23, also refers to “operations of the power of God.”  Just as God in mercy saves us by His grace, so that grace is manifested in great dynamics where the Holy Spirit is at work in power.   Zec. 4:7 provides an OT illustration of this truth.  The prophet instructed Zerubbabel to speak “grace” to the “mountain- the hindrance he faced in the trying task of rebuilding God’s temple.  Speaking “grace” to obstacles we face is an action of faith, drawing on the operations of God’s great power.  We only speak the work is entirely His – by His gracious power and for His great glory. 

When we accept salvation, we receive it only through the power of His grace.  Likewise, we can trust that His same grace operates in us and through us, as it has been shown to us.  As with the early disciples, great authority and power in other issues flowed through them and in their midst.  As we call upon the name of the Lord, speaking His grace into the face of our mountainous impossibilities.  We have every reason to expect “great power” and “great grace” today.  Acts 3:6 / Romans 10:9