Acting Now: Embracing God's Grace and Love
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we delved into 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, where Paul addresses the Corinthians with a sense of urgency and a call to action. Paul emphasizes the importance of not receiving God's grace in vain, urging the Corinthians to act on their faith immediately. He highlights the presence of false teachers and the need for the church to stay true to the Word of God. Paul uses the Greek word "kinos," meaning empty, to stress that the grace of God should not be treated as meaningless or void. He calls for immediate action, emphasizing that "now" is the time for salvation and to live out the teachings of Christ.
Paul's message is clear: the time to act is now. He uses various analogies and personal anecdotes to illustrate the concept of "now," emphasizing that procrastination can lead to missed opportunities for spiritual growth and service. He also discusses the importance of loving one another sincerely and not placing stumbling blocks in each other's paths. Paul lists the hardships he and his fellow workers have endured, yet they continue to rejoice and serve God, demonstrating that true wealth is spiritual, not material.
The sermon also touches on the idea of being God's representatives on Earth, tasked with spreading His love and grace. Paul encourages the Corinthians to open their hearts and not withhold their affection, as doing so limits their spiritual growth and the growth of the church. The message concludes with a call to action, urging everyone to decide "now" to follow the Lord wholeheartedly and to serve in whatever capacity they can, without delay.
### Key Takeaways
1. Urgency of Now: Paul emphasizes the importance of acting on God's grace immediately. The concept of "now" is crucial because delaying our response to God's call can lead to missed opportunities for spiritual growth and service. We must recognize that "now" is the time for salvation and to live out the teachings of Christ. [37:06]
2. Sincere Love and Unity: Paul stresses the need for sincere love and unity within the church. He warns against placing stumbling blocks in each other's paths, which can hinder spiritual growth. True Christian love involves supporting one another and removing obstacles that prevent others from experiencing God's grace. [50:24]
3. Endurance Through Hardships: Despite facing numerous hardships, Paul and his fellow workers continue to serve God with joy. This teaches us that true wealth is spiritual, not material. Our faith and commitment to God should remain steadfast, regardless of our circumstances. [44:45]
4. Being God's Representatives: As believers, we are called to be God's representatives on Earth. This involves spreading His love and grace to others. Paul encourages us to open our hearts and not withhold our affection, as doing so limits our spiritual growth and the growth of the church. [46:30]
5. Deciding to Act Now: The sermon concludes with a call to action, urging everyone to decide "now" to follow the Lord wholeheartedly. Procrastination can lead to spiritual stagnation. We must seize the moment and commit to serving God in whatever capacity we can, without delay. [01:03:41]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[32:48] - Children's Church Dismissal
[33:59] - Upcoming Events
[34:30] - Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13
[35:17] - Background on Paul's Letter
[37:06] - The Urgency of Now
[38:10] - Acting on God's Grace
[39:57] - Personal Anecdotes on "Now"
[42:57] - Removing Stumbling Blocks
[44:45] - Endurance Through Hardships
[46:30] - Being God's Representatives
[50:24] - Sincere Love and Unity
[52:00] - Serving in Different Capacities
[54:13] - The Quilt Analogy
[57:14] - Paul's Call to Action
[01:03:41] - Deciding to Act Now
[01:07:07] - Closing Prayer and Communion
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he urges the Corinthians not to receive God's grace in vain? ([37:06])
2. How does Paul describe the hardships he and his fellow workers have endured? ([44:45])
3. What does Paul say about the importance of sincere love and unity within the church? ([50:24])
4. According to Paul, what does it mean to be God's representatives on Earth? ([46:30])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the urgency of acting "now" on God's grace? How does this urgency relate to our daily lives? ([37:06])
2. How can placing stumbling blocks in each other's paths hinder spiritual growth within the church? ([50:24])
3. What does Paul mean by saying that true wealth is spiritual, not material? How can this perspective change our approach to hardships? ([44:45])
4. In what ways does Paul encourage the Corinthians to open their hearts and not withhold their affection? How does this affect the growth of the church? ([46:30])
#### Application Questions
1. Paul stresses the importance of acting on God's grace immediately. What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to act "now"? How can you take a step towards that this week? ([37:06])
2. Reflect on a time when you might have placed a stumbling block in someone else's path, either intentionally or unintentionally. How can you work to remove such obstacles in the future? ([50:24])
3. Paul and his fellow workers endured many hardships but continued to serve God with joy. How can you find joy and purpose in your current struggles? ([44:45])
4. As God's representatives, we are called to spread His love and grace. Identify one person in your life who needs to experience God's love. What specific action can you take to show them love this week? ([46:30])
5. Paul calls for sincere love and unity within the church. How can you contribute to fostering a more loving and united community in your church? ([50:24])
6. Reflect on the concept of true wealth being spiritual, not material. How can you shift your focus from material possessions to spiritual growth in your daily life? ([44:45])
7. Paul urges the Corinthians to open their hearts and not withhold their affection. Is there someone in your life you have been withholding affection from? How can you begin to open your heart to them? ([46:30])
Devotional
### Day 1: The Urgency of Now
Paul's message to the Corinthians is clear: the time to act on God's grace is now. He emphasizes that delaying our response to God's call can lead to missed opportunities for spiritual growth and service. The Greek word "kinos," meaning empty, is used to stress that the grace of God should not be treated as meaningless or void. Paul urges the Corinthians to recognize that "now" is the time for salvation and to live out the teachings of Christ. This sense of urgency is crucial because procrastination can lead to spiritual stagnation and missed opportunities to serve God and others. [37:06]
Paul uses various analogies and personal anecdotes to illustrate the concept of "now," emphasizing that procrastination can lead to missed opportunities for spiritual growth and service. He also discusses the importance of loving one another sincerely and not placing stumbling blocks in each other's paths. Paul lists the hardships he and his fellow workers have endured, yet they continue to rejoice and serve God, demonstrating that true wealth is spiritual, not material.
2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV): "For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been procrastinating in your spiritual journey? How can you take immediate action today to address it?
### Day 2: Sincere Love and Unity
Paul stresses the need for sincere love and unity within the church. He warns against placing stumbling blocks in each other's paths, which can hinder spiritual growth. True Christian love involves supporting one another and removing obstacles that prevent others from experiencing God's grace. Paul encourages the Corinthians to open their hearts and not withhold their affection, as doing so limits their spiritual growth and the growth of the church. [50:24]
Paul's message is a call to action for the church to embody sincere love and unity. He emphasizes that true Christian love is not just about words but about actions that support and uplift one another. By removing stumbling blocks and supporting each other, the church can grow spiritually and help others experience God's grace more fully. This unity and love are essential for the church to fulfill its mission on Earth.
1 John 3:18 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: Think of someone in your church community who may be struggling. How can you show them sincere love and support today?
### Day 3: Endurance Through Hardships
Despite facing numerous hardships, Paul and his fellow workers continue to serve God with joy. This teaches us that true wealth is spiritual, not material. Our faith and commitment to God should remain steadfast, regardless of our circumstances. Paul lists the hardships he and his fellow workers have endured, yet they continue to rejoice and serve God, demonstrating that true wealth is spiritual, not material. [44:45]
Paul's endurance through hardships serves as a powerful example for believers. He shows that even in the face of adversity, our faith and commitment to God should remain unwavering. True wealth is not found in material possessions but in our spiritual relationship with God. By focusing on our spiritual growth and service to God, we can find joy and fulfillment even in difficult times.
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent hardship you have faced. How can you find joy and spiritual growth in the midst of this challenge?
### Day 4: Being God's Representatives
As believers, we are called to be God's representatives on Earth. This involves spreading His love and grace to others. Paul encourages us to open our hearts and not withhold our affection, as doing so limits our spiritual growth and the growth of the church. By being God's representatives, we can help others experience His love and grace more fully. [46:30]
Paul's message is a reminder that as believers, we have a responsibility to represent God on Earth. This means living out His teachings and spreading His love and grace to others. By opening our hearts and showing affection to others, we can help them experience God's love and grace more fully. This not only helps others but also contributes to our own spiritual growth and the growth of the church.
Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Think of one person in your life who needs to experience God's love and grace. How can you be a representative of God to them today?
### Day 5: Deciding to Act Now
The sermon concludes with a call to action, urging everyone to decide "now" to follow the Lord wholeheartedly. Procrastination can lead to spiritual stagnation. We must seize the moment and commit to serving God in whatever capacity we can, without delay. Paul emphasizes that the time to act is now, and we should not delay in following the Lord and serving Him. [01:03:41]
Paul's call to action is a powerful reminder that we should not delay in following the Lord and serving Him. Procrastination can lead to spiritual stagnation and missed opportunities to grow and serve. By deciding to act now, we can make a meaningful impact in our spiritual journey and in the lives of others. This commitment to immediate action is essential for our spiritual growth and the growth of the church.
Hebrews 3:15 (ESV): "As it is said, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.'"
Reflection: What is one specific way you can serve God today? How can you commit to taking immediate action in this area?
Quotes
1. "See, loving one another and supporting one another and not throwing down stumbling blocks in front of one another, that is the fruitfulness of Christianity, of believing in Christ, of being saved. That is what he's wanting. Because now is the time. You can't wait. So let's just think about it. When is now? Is it now or now? See, that now was then. This now is already gone. And now we're in the future. Where does now begin? See, now is at a moment that you say today, at this moment. We don't put it off. See, now means now." [38:10] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Because there are people who are dying, now, who don't know the Lord, don't know him. And we have got to start working. We cannot let the Lord die in vain or emptiness because we have not shared his grace with other people. Because, well, we didn't get around to it. Or it was uncomfortable for us." [42:57] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I love the way that this is almost like a rapid fire. This is just like, bam, one thing right after another. Paul is letting this out. And he said, it doesn't matter what our situation is, whatever it is, we are glorifying the Lord. I love in verse 10, it says this, sorrowful yet rejoicing, poor yet making many rich. This is not a financial richness. This is a spiritual wealth. This is giving people the knowledge of Christ, saving grace, eternal life. We are making people wealthy, making them rich." [44:45] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You and I are God's picked representatives to humanity. We are God's, when we say to the Lord, come into my life, send your spirit, change me, take away my sins, give me your grace. We then say, I have decided. You kind of sign on the line. It's just kind of like a little contract that you're saying, I will be your spokesperson. I will be your representative to the world." [46:30] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We don't say, this story about Jesus is only for these people. We don't say, this story about Jesus is only for these people. It is for everyone. And I can't express that if I don't love. If I don't have sincere love, I cannot share that with people. And that is exactly what Paul is telling them. And he says, you know what? I'm not putting stumbling blocks in front of you. We're not doing that. Oh, my goodness. Church, do we have stumbling blocks? Oh, my gosh. Do we have stumbling blocks?" [50:24] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Serve where we can serve. He doesn't ask every single one of us to preach a sermon or to lead us in prayer or to do something, go out and cross the seas or walk on water. But he asks you to do what's within your ability with his strength to do. And we do it." [52:51] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "See, Paul isn't just writing to one individual. He didn't say Corinthian. He said Corinthians. He's writing to an entire body of believers, all of which who have different issues in their life. And he's saying, listen, I'm going to write to you. Listen, now is the time. Get rid of the stumbling blocks that you're putting. We're not putting any in front of you. Stop putting some in front of us and stop putting them in front of each other and start living, loving sincerely, using those things, beaten, but not dead, still alive. And as long as you have the opportunity to speak for the Lord, speak for the Lord." [57:14] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "See, they're not loving sincerely the people who are around them and the people who are beside them. And my friends, if we are not opening wide our hearts to the people around, we close ourselves off from growing in numbers and in strength and in faith. See, I learned so much about life when I'm able to sit down with other people and hear their stories and hear what the Lord has done for them." [01:01:03] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We've got to be careful with the words that we don't put stumbling blocks, as Paul said. So this is the bottom line. God's word says now. And the thing that was happening with Paul at this time is he was in his kindest way. He was in his kindest way saying, listen, don't play. I don't want you to play around here. You're either going to do it or you're not going to do it. It's now. Now is the time." [01:03:41] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And he said, if you're not, then just let it go and stop bringing on the name of Jesus and evoking nothing. He said, love. Sincere love. I work with people every day who have no idea what love is. If you ask them what love is, they say sex. If you ask them what love is, they might say money. But they don't know the love that can come only from our Father, Jesus, that love of forgiveness that allows you to put it all away and for the first time return love to someone else." [01:05:38] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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