From the Pulpit: Billboard for God’s grace

In 1931, Ted and Dorothy Hustead bought a struggling drugstore in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. They struggled for five years. Then Dorothy had an idea: offer free ice water to travelers and put signs along the highway. It worked. That was Wall Drug, and it was the birth of the barrage of billboards you see on your drive westward. Billboards point you to something.

Paul’s life is a billboard, too.

Maybe you know Paul’s past. Paul was thoroughly trained in Judaism, and he didn’t just oppose Christianity. He actively persecuted Christians. He gave his nod of approval to Stephen’s execution. Paul was hardcore.

He writes to Timothy, “I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man.” He spoke against Jesus. He hurt Jesus’ people. And he enjoyed it. If there was anyone who shouldn’t be forgiven, it was Paul. If there was anyone God’s grace should run out on, it was Paul.

Maybe that’s you. Maybe your past is littered with things you are ashamed of. Maybe you still carry a mountain of regret and guilt.

But look at this. Paul says, “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly.” If the grace required to cover Paul’s sins was a river, God sent a flood. So effective is the sacrifice of Jesus that it washes away any and all sin. If God’s grace can cover Paul, it is big enough for you, too. You are not a lost cause.

Paul calls himself the worst of sinners, and he says, “of whom I am the worst.” Present tense. After years as a Christian, he still knew his heart. He still had a sinful nature that rebelled against God.

The more time you spend in the Word, the more convinced you will become that Paul doesn’t deserve the title “the worst.” You do. The closer you get to holiness, the more you realize you are not holy.

But can I tell you why that is amazing? When you realize that what is good and saving comes from outside of you, you stop looking in your own heart for salvation and strength. You look to Jesus. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” That includes you.

And that makes your life a billboard, too. You don’t need the perfect words or all the answers. You just need to share why Jesus is so precious to you.

So here’s your challenge. Put it in your own words. It could be like this: I am a sinner who fails God every day. In fact, I am the worst. But I have Jesus, who floods me with his grace, and it changes everything for me.

Let that testimony point the people in your life to Christ.