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God's Grace: There Is Power In Weakness
Pastor Mirek Hufton unpacked one of Scripture's great paradoxes: our weakness is not an obstacle to God's power, it's the very doorway to it. Drawing from Paul's declaration that "when I am weak, then I am strong," Pastor Hufton challenged the congregation to stop striving in their own strength and intentionally tap into God's grace, defined as the empowering presence of God to accomplish what you cannot do on your own. The key to accessing this grace, he taught, is approaching "the throne of grace" through prayer, humility, and genuine fellowship with God (Hebrews 4:16). Pride blocks the flow; humility opens it. Pastor Hufton shared powerfully from his own battle with cancer, so physically weakened he could barely stand, yet week after week he stepped into the pulpit and experienced a supernatural infusion of strength that vanished the moment he sat down. "As soon as I got off preaching, I was a wet noodle again." That, he said, is grace in action. The bottom line: You can grow from one level of grace to another, but you must ask for it, seek His presence, and stop depending on yourself.
Related Sermons
Small Group Guide
Small Group Discussion Guide
"God's Grace: There Is Power In Weakness"
Based on the teaching by Pastor Mirek Hufton | WHCGA
1. SERMON RECAP
Pastor Mirek Hufton explored the profound paradox that God's power is most fully released through human weakness, drawing from Paul's testimony in 2 Corinthians 12:7–10. He unpacked grace as "the empowering presence of God to accomplish what you cannot do in your own strength — unearned and undeserved," challenging the congregation to stop striving in their own ability and intentionally tap into this supernatural supply. Pastor Mirek called every believer to boldly approach the throne of grace in prayer, grow in humble dependence on God, and expect His grace to flow more mightily as they do.
2. KEY SCRIPTURE
2 Corinthians 12:9–10 (NKJV)
"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
3. ICE BREAKER
Think of a time when something turned out far better than you expected — and honestly, you cannot take the credit for how well it went. What happened, and what did it feel like to realize it wasn't just your own doing?
4. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Getting Honest About Weakness Pastor Mirek described grace as power that flows most freely when we stop depending on our own strength. Where in your life right now are you most tempted to "white-knuckle it" in your own ability instead of asking God for grace? What makes it hard to admit you need that help?
2. Redefining Weakness He pointed out that Paul actually boasted in his infirmities — describing an "infirmity" in the Greek as "an inability to produce results." What is one area of your life where you feel like you simply cannot produce the results you desperately want? How might God's grace be the missing ingredient rather than more personal effort?
3. The Throne of Grace Pastor Mirek emphasized Hebrews 4:16, noting that grace is tied to intentionally coming into God's presence — not just morning and evening prayers, but consistently throughout the day. How does your current prayer life reflect a genuine hunger for grace? What would it look like practically to seek the throne of grace more throughout your week?
4. Pride, Humility, and the Grace Blockage He drew attention to James 4:6 — "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" — and was candid that pride can actually block the flow of grace in our lives. Without putting anyone on the spot, can you describe what subtle pride might look like in everyday life — the kind that quietly cuts off God's grace without us even noticing?
5. Growing From Grace to Grace Pastor Mirek referenced 2 Peter 3:18 and challenged the group that believers can move from one level of grace to a greater level. He shared how people like Clara Joyner, who served quietly even as a leader, carry an unusual grace on their lives. What do you think it looks like practically to grow in grace — not just receive it in a crisis, but cultivate it as a daily lifestyle?
6. Grace in Relationships and Ministry He was warmly candid about needing grace to serve people in church community, on mission trips, and in everyday relationships — noting that "church would be wonderful if it wasn't for the people" (said lovingly!). Where is a relationship or responsibility in your life right now that you are finding genuinely difficult, and how might specifically asking God for grace change how you show up in that situation?
5. APPLICATION CHALLENGE
This week, choose one specific situation — a difficult relationship, a task that feels beyond you, or a moment of temptation to worry or strive — and before you engage with it, pause and verbally ask God for His grace out loud. It doesn't need to be a long prayer. Something as simple as: "Lord, I can't handle this in my own strength. I'm coming to Your throne of grace right now. Give me Your grace for this moment." At your next group meeting, come ready to share what you noticed — did anything shift in how you handled it, felt about it, or saw God show up in it?
6. PRAYER POINTS
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Grace for specific weakness: Pray together that each group member would have the humility to identify the one area where they most need God's grace this week, and the boldness to ask for it at the throne.
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Pride and blockages removed: Ask God to search each heart for any subtle pride — in abilities, in ministry roles, in self-sufficiency — that may be quietly blocking the flow of His grace, and pray for a spirit of genuine humility to replace it.
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Growth in grace: Pray in line with 2 Peter 3:18 that the whole group would not stay at the same level of grace they are at today, but that each person would tangibly grow — experiencing more of God's empowering presence this month than they did last month.
7. MEMORY VERSE
2 Timothy 2:1 (NKJV)
"You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."
Leader's Tip: This is a great week to model vulnerability. If you as a leader share honestly about a place where you have been striving in your own strength, it gives the group permission to do the same. Grace flows best in rooms where people feel safe enough to admit they need it.
Daily Devotional
Grace Is the Gift You Didn't Earn
Ephesians 2:8-9 — "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
I want to start this week by reminding you of something that still gets all over me when I think about it — grace is not something you earned. It's not something you achieved. It's a gift. Pure and simple. God's grace is His empowering presence coming into your life to accomplish what you simply cannot do in your own strength. And here's what blows me away — it's unearned and undeserved. That means on your worst day, on the day you feel most disqualified, the grace of God is still available to you. I've watched people transformed by this truth. I've experienced it myself fighting cancer behind this very pulpit — so weak I could barely stand, yet God's grace infused me with strength that was simply not my own. That's not me. That's Him. Stop trying to do life on your own power this week. His grace is enough.
Father, thank You that I don't have to earn Your grace — it's already mine through Jesus. Help me to stop striving in my own strength and simply receive what You're freely offering me today. Your grace is enough, and I choose to believe that right now, in Jesus' name. Amen.
Strong When You're Weak
2 Corinthians 12:9 — "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
I know this sounds like a paradox — and honestly, it is. But I've lived it, and I can tell you it's real. When I was going through cancer treatments, I would be so weak sitting in the chair, barely able to function. Then I'd step behind this pulpit, ask God for grace, and it was like heaven poured into me. Strength that was not mine. Revelation that surprised even me. And the moment I sat back down — wet noodle again. That wasn't me. That was His power made perfect in my weakness. Paul understood this secret. He said the deeper the weakness, the deeper the experience of Christ's power. So whatever you're facing right now — that wall you keep running into, that thing you can't seem to break through — stop seeing your weakness as a failure. See it as an invitation for His power to show up completely.
Jesus, I confess that I've been trying to push through in my own strength, and I'm exhausted. Today I choose to boast in my weakness, because that's where Your power shows up most completely. Fill me with Your grace right now, and let Your strength be made perfect in me. Amen.
Come Boldly to the Throne
Hebrews 4:16 — "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
I used to think I shouldn't bother God too much. I'd pray in the morning, maybe in the evening, and try to handle the rest myself. Then I realized — I have needs every five minutes! People pulling on me, challenges coming from every direction, situations requiring patience I simply don't have naturally. And God said, come boldly. Not timidly. Not apologetically. Boldly. The throne of grace is where God's empowering presence surrounds His very seat of authority — the highest authority in the entire universe. And He's inviting you in. You don't slip in the back. You walk in boldly and say, God, I need Your grace for this specific thing right now. When you come close to Him, His presence comes on you. His grace flows to you. The disciples prayed in Acts 4 and great grace came upon them — boldness, clarity, power. That same throne is available to you today.
Father, I'm coming boldly right now — not because I deserve to, but because You told me to. I need Your grace for the needs I'm facing today, and I'm asking You specifically to meet me at the throne. Let Your presence come on me and let great grace rest upon my life. Amen.
Humble Yourself and Watch the Grace Flow
James 4:6 — "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'"
He gives more grace. I love that. More grace. Lord, I'll take some of that right now! But here's the key — pride can block the grace flow. And I've had to wrestle with this personally. Pride isn't always loud and obvious. Sometimes it looks like handling things yourself without asking God. Sometimes it looks like not receiving correction. Sometimes it's thinking you've got it figured out. I've watched people walk in tremendous grace — building businesses, leading ministries, serving faithfully — and the common thread is always humility. Like watching someone step into children's ministry when they're a leader, or someone choosing to serve behind the scenes when they could be up front. Grace flows toward the humble. You humble yourself — God doesn't do it for you. You make that intentional choice to say, God, I can't do this without You. I need You. Watch what happens when you say those words and genuinely mean them.
Lord, I choose to humble myself before You right now. I acknowledge that without Your grace on my life, I cannot do what You've called me to do effectively. Forgive me for the places where pride has blocked Your flow, and let Your grace pour freely through me today. Amen.
Grow From Grace to Grace
2 Peter 3:18 — "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen."
Grace isn't a one-time deposit — it's something you grow in. You can have more grace or less grace. You can move from one level of grace to a greater level of grace. And that truth absolutely excites me because it means there's no ceiling on what God can do through you. I've watched people grow from broken beginnings into extraordinary grace — building things, leading things, impacting people in ways nobody would have predicted. Not because they were the most talented, but because they kept leaning into God, kept asking for more grace, kept saying, I can't do this without You. The more you fix your eyes on Jesus — looking away from all the noise and focusing on Him — the more His grace flows and grows in you. Don't settle for last year's level of grace. There's more available. There's always more. Romans 5:15 says the grace abounds. It's an ocean up there. Start tapping in.
Jesus, I don't want to stay at the same level of grace I had last year. I want to grow — deeper in You, stronger in Your power, more dependent on Your presence. Teach me to keep my eyes fixed on You and let Your grace grow in me from glory to glory. Amen.