Am I Worthy of Love? | Earl McClellan

Grace Moves Forward on Encouragement and Generosity

Scripture References

Primary text

• Acts 9
• Acts 4:36-37

Other references

• Romans 5:8
• Romans 3:23-24
• 2 Corinthians 12:8-9
• Acts 7
• Acts 8:3
• Acts 9:1-2
• Acts 9:19

Overview

“Every one of us needs a fresh start.” Pastor Earl centers the message on God’s unconditional grace—love that meets us as we are yet refuses to leave us unchanged. Drawing from Saul’s dramatic conversion and Barnabas’s behind-the-scenes faithfulness, he shows how grace reaches people through two visible pillars: encouragement and generosity. The call is clear: receive grace, then become a Barnabas so that grace keeps spreading to every person, family, and nation.

Main Points

We all need a fresh start

• Feelings of dissatisfaction, discouragement, or discontent are common; grace answers all three.
• God loves us exactly as we are, yet too much to let us stay that way.
• Grace is “God’s riches at Christ’s expense”—undeserved, unending, transformational.

Grace: Scripture foundation

• Romans 5:8—Christ demonstrated love “while we were still sinners.”
• Romans 3:23-24—Everyone falls short; everyone can be “justified freely.”
• 2 Corinthians 12:8-9—God’s grace is sufficient; His power shows in weakness.

• “If God’s grace did not show up, you wouldn’t even sit next to some of us.”

Illustration: Babies contribute nothing yet parents reorder life around them; likewise, God pours grace on us “ugly babies” who have nothing to give back.

Paul’s story: proof of unstoppable grace

• Saul held coats at Stephen’s stoning (Acts 7) and dragged Christians from homes (Acts 8:3).
• On the Damascus road (Acts 9:1-2) Jesus confronted him, blinded him, and redirected his life.
• After healing, Saul immediately preached Jesus (Acts 9:19).
• Paul later wrote of grace over 100 times—his past fuels his passion.

Barnabas: the hidden hero

• The disciples feared Saul, but Barnabas vouched for him (Acts 9).
• Barnabas’s real name was Joseph; nickname means “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36-37).
• He sold property and laid the money at the apostles’ feet—radical generosity.
• Because of Barnabas’s encouragement and generosity, doors opened for Paul’s ministry, allowing grace to reach the world.

Our role: keep grace moving

• Grace still rides on encouragement and generosity today.
• Life.Church already lives this DNA; every believer is invited to amplify it.
• Practical steps:
  • Schedule encouragement texts or calls—make it automatic.
  • Automate giving: tithe on current income and even on income you’re believing for.
  • Remember that generosity and encouragement always open doors for the gospel.

Key Truths

• Grace is freely given, entirely based on Christ, and powerful enough to remake any past.
• Paul’s transformation shows no one is beyond God’s reach.
• Encouragement lifts people into their calling; generosity resources that calling.
• The gospel often advances through unseen Barnabases rather than platform Pauls.
• A church marked by encouragement and generosity becomes an unmistakable beacon in a cynical world.

Response

• Receive God’s grace without trying to earn it.
• Encourage someone every day—speak life, hope, and purpose.
• Give first, give consistently, and give sacrificially to propel the gospel.
• Ask God where He wants you to act as a Barnabas this week.
• Celebrate stories of grace; let them fuel further generosity and encouragement.

Closing

Pastor Earl reminded us that God has “grace for days,” but He looks for people who will supply the pillars that carry it. As Barnabas once did for Saul, we can unlock destinies through simple acts of life-giving words and open-handed giving. > “Encouragement and generosity still make a way for grace today.” May our lives keep those channels wide open so the whole world encounters Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, overflow Your grace to us and through us. Make us encouragers who lift every room and generous people who release every resource so that Your grace reaches every man, woman, child, school, neighborhood, and nation. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Resources

• Hymn: “Amazing Grace” by John Newton
• YouVersion Bible App
• Dave Ramsey financial course