The Lord allowed the Apostle Paul to visit heaven and to return back to the earth to talk about it. The experience was supernatural and amazing. Satan assigned one of his messengers to constantly attack Paul.

* You can now watch a video of this message at: https://new.livestream.com/rickpina/live. This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing to teach on the fact that “God’s Grace is Sufficient.” I taught from 2 Corinthians 12:1-6 yesterday and I fell led to draw a few more nuggets from this passage this morning.

As we prepare for this year I have been praying about what messages I should share with you that I preached last year. The message I share with you today, entitled, “The Importance of Worship,” is a message that came at the end of a 30 day fast where our church met every night for an hour of worship. The 30 days of worship truly helped me get ready for the year. As I share this message with you, I pray it helps you get ready for this year.

This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing to look at The Law given under Moses vs. the Grace provided by Jesus. If we look at how God operated in the Old Testament, prior to the Law (prior to Exodus 20), we clearly see a God of Grace. Let’s look at a few examples.

This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” Last week I told you how the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision saying, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” God’s words brought true comfort to Paul, a man who had faced much opposition in ministry. Once he accepted his call to the Gentiles and he started to focus on them, the Apostle was walking in

(Read 1 Samuel 23:15-18) This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” In yesterday’s message we saw how the Lord provided David encouragement just when he needed it, today we will see him move supernaturally again.

(Read 1 Samuel 21:7-14) This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” Yesterday we saw how David was so hungry that he was willing to lie to the priest in order to get something to eat. David wound up eating the holy bread (showbread) from the altar of the Lord.

(Read 1 Samuel 19:18-23) This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” In each of the past two days we have learned about an attempt king Saul made on David’s life and in each of the attempts one of Saul’s flesh-and-blood children stepped in to save David from their father. This morning we will see another attempt, but this time the Lord Himself will step in to save David.

(Read 1 Samuel 19:1-7) This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” We learned yesterday that king Saul had gotten to the point where he literally hated David, even though David was married to his daughter, was best friends with his son, was respected by the Soldiers, and loved by the people. None of that mattered to Saul and he wanted David dead.

(1 Samuel 18:12 NLT) Saul was then afraid of David, for the LORD was with David and had turned away from Saul. This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” Yesterday we saw how trouble followed David’s triumph and the king, who once loved him for his harp playing and who was thankful to him for killing Goliath, quickly turned on him and attempted to kill him.

(Read 2 Timothy 1:8-12) Before I fully re-engage in the “Grace that is Simply Amazing” series, I am led to share a few more messages about the New Year, with an emphasis on purpose and grace. Last year, around this time, I taught on purpose and vision and I shared nuggets like these:

This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” In this series we have looked at Jesus and how grace was the underlying current that led him to perform many of His miracles. We have look at some specific grace cases, like Moses and David, and it is clear that God went out of His way to initiate a relationship with each man and then use them mightily, for His glory.

(1 Samuel 16:12,13 NIV) So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” This story truly touched me. You will be hard pressed to find a better story of grace than this one. Get your heart ready to receive.

This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” We are a few weeks into this series and while I provide a few points of application in every message, this Friday morning I think it is important for us to close out the week thinking about some of the things we have learned thus far.

(Read Mark 4:35 – 5:20) This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” Mark chapters four and five describe a very busy day for Jesus. After teaching most of the day Jesus was led to spontaneously head across the lake. Let’s find out why.

(Read Luke 17:11-19) This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” Since we dealt with a Samaritan woman yesterday, I thought it fitting to close out the week looking at what Jesus did with a Samaritan man.

(1 Cor 15:9,10 NLT) For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.

(Eph 2:4-10 PHI) But even though we were dead in our sins God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, gave us life together with Christ—it is, remember, by grace and not by achievement that you are saved—and has lifted us right out of the old life to take our place with him in Christ in the Heavens. Thus he shows for all time the tremendous generosity of the grace and kindness he has expressed towards us in Christ Jesus.

(John 11:12-15 NIV) His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”