The Sufficiency of Christ
Bible Reading: Romans 8
Romans 8:32, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”
2 Peter 1:3, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.”
Thomas Jefferson was passionate regarding the need for exploration of the west and led the effort in putting together the Corps of Discovery. The Lewis and Clark expedition would answer the unknown questions of the west, yet its preparation was a huge undertaking. Essentially a military mission, supplies for the expedition were provided by the Army Quartermaster. Jefferson held nothing back in funding the effort, giving Meriwether Lewis a blank check with the understanding that he should buy whatever was needed and the US government would pay the bill.
In many respects the life of the believer can be likened to a lengthy journey from one place to another. How can we be sure that we’ve all the necessary spiritual provisions to complete the journey? The argument in verse 32 is from the greater to the lesser. If God was willing to give up for us that which was most precious to Him—his own Son—would He not then also graciously give to us all things?
Note the focus in the verse on the generous, giving nature of God. For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son. He gave. He did not spare His own Son. He gave. According to the richness of His grace, His unmerited favor. He gave. God’s giving did not stop with the giving of His Son. His preeminent gift is proof to us of His giving ways. Just as Jesus once taught: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him (Matthew 7:7-11)!” It is in the heart of God to give. He gave Jesus up for you. He will graciously provide for you everything you need.
Ray Stedman has commented on this, “He who has already given us the best, the greatest, the dearest, the most precious thing He has, and Who did so while we were sinners — while we were enemies, while we were helpless — will He not also give us some of these trivial, piddling little things that we need? If someone thinks enough of you to give you a costly, brilliant, beautiful, flawless diamond, do you think he will object when you ask him for the box that goes with it? If a mother will give up a baby, do you think she will object if they ask to take his clothes too? And if God has given us his own Son already, do you really think God is going to withhold anything else that we need? Paul’s argument is unanswerable: Of course, he won’t. We can say with David in the 23rd Psalm, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1)!
What will He not bestow?
Who freely gave this mighty gift unbought,
Unmerited, unheeded and unsought,
What will He not bestow?
He spared not His Son!
‘Tis this that silences each rising fear,
‘Tis this that bids the hard thought disappear.
He spared not His Son!
–Horatius Bonar
Author: looking2jesus13
Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces.
Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries.
After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year.
Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley.
International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith.
Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully.
Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.
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