“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth... For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:14,16 ESV)
The church where we worship when we’re in Florida for the winter months – Grace Church in Cape Coral -- is in the midst of a sermon series called “Overflow.” This 5-week series is highlighting what God’s grace is, how it fills our lives with renewal, and how it invites us to live from a deep sense of spiritual fullness rather than lack. The opening video each week shows water flowing into a large container and continuously spilling over to other smaller containers, which are also overflowing.
This series reminded me of a children's sermon a colleague of mine shared many, many years ago at the church I served in Cleveland Heights, Ohio -- Church of the Saviour. I tend to remember children's sermons because of their use of visual imagery. This pastor said to the children that the abundant love that God offers is like receiving a free bag of popcorn when we don't deserve it. She handed each child a half-filled bag. She asked the kids if they thought that was like God’s love. Heads nodded in affirmation. Then she said that God's love doesn't stop there. At that moment her husband walked out carrying a gigantic bag of popcorn. It was about as tall as he was. He began to fill each child's bag. But when each bag was full he didn't stop there, he kept pouring the popcorn from what seemed to be this endless reservoir. Popcorn overflowed everywhere, all over the chancel steps! The kids couldn’t believe it. The congregation couldn’t believe it. And the head custodian wondered who was going to clean up this mess!
The overflowing grace that God gives us is demonstrated in the abundant life Christ brings – “grace upon grace” -- when we invite Him into our lives. There is plenty to share. Need more grace? There’s an endless supply.
-- Rev. David T. Wilkinson, SOUND BITES Ministry™
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