Anchored in Grace: The Power of God's Word

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we reflected on the profound truth that Jesus, the living Word, became flesh and dwelt among us, offering us forgiveness and reconciliation with God through His sacrifice on the cross. This act of grace, where God gave His only Son, is a reminder of the immense love He has for us, a love that surpasses anything we could ever give in return. As we partook in the Lord's Supper, we remembered His body broken and His blood shed for our sins, a covenant of grace that calls us to live in gratitude and devotion.

We are currently exploring the "Anchored" series, delving into the foundational doctrines of our faith. Just as an anchor secures a vessel, doctrine secures our lives in God, preventing us from being swept away by life's storms. Understanding why we believe what we believe is crucial, as it forms the basis of our faith and guides our actions. Today, we focused on the importance of handling God's Word correctly, as Paul instructed Timothy. This involves diligently studying, interpreting, and applying Scripture to our lives, ensuring we align with God's truth.

Psalm 119 offers seven principles for engaging with God's Word: aligning our lives with it, seeking it wholeheartedly, treasuring it in our hearts, waiting on the Lord for enlightenment, declaring His truth to others, enjoying His Word as great riches, and meditating on it deeply. These principles guide us in living a life that pleases God, helping us to remain pure and in right relationship with Him. The Word of God is not just a book; it is the very breath of God, a love letter to us, and the owner's manual for life. By making it a part of our daily spiritual diet, we allow it to influence every aspect of our lives, leading us to God's will and making an eternal difference.

Key Takeaways:

- The Gift of Grace: Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate expression of God's love and grace, offering us forgiveness and reconciliation. This act of grace is something we could never achieve on our own, reminding us of the depth of God's love and calling us to live in gratitude and devotion. [25:31]

- The Importance of Doctrine: Understanding the foundational doctrines of our faith is crucial for anchoring our lives in God. Just as an anchor secures a vessel, doctrine prevents us from being swept away by life's storms, guiding our beliefs and actions. [37:03]

- Handling God's Word: We are called to diligently study, interpret, and apply Scripture to our lives, aligning ourselves with God's truth. This involves a commitment to accurately handle the Word, ensuring it guides our actions and decisions. [40:10]

- Aligning with God's Word: Psalm 119 teaches us to align our lives with God's Word, seeking it wholeheartedly, treasuring it in our hearts, and waiting on the Lord for enlightenment. This alignment helps us live a life that pleases God and keeps us in right relationship with Him. [42:53]

- The Transformative Power of Scripture: God's Word is more valuable than gold, offering guidance, correction, and restoration. By meditating on it and savoring its truths, we allow it to transform our lives, leading us to God's will and making an eternal impact. [56:44]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [25:31] - Communion and Remembrance
- [26:21] - The New Covenant of Grace
- [28:06] - Invitation to Salvation
- [37:03] - Introduction to the Anchored Series
- [38:24] - The Importance of Doctrine
- [40:10] - Handling God's Word
- [42:03] - Psalm 119 Overview
- [42:53] - Aligning with God's Word
- [45:15] - The Role of Scripture in Our Lives
- [48:13] - Treasuring God's Word
- [49:10] - The Influence of Scripture
- [51:18] - Waiting on the Lord
- [53:43] - Sharing God's Truth
- [56:44] - Enjoying God's Word as Riches
- [01:05:57] - Commitment to God's Word

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 1:14
- 2 Corinthians 5:21
- Psalm 119:9-16

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Observation Questions:

1. What does John 1:14 reveal about the nature of Jesus and His relationship with humanity? How does this connect to the sermon’s emphasis on Jesus becoming flesh and dwelling among us? [25:31]

2. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, what is the significance of Jesus becoming sin for us, and how does this relate to the concept of reconciliation with God mentioned in the sermon? [26:50]

3. According to Psalm 119:9-16, what are some of the principles for engaging with God's Word, and how were these principles highlighted in the sermon? [42:53]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of doctrine in anchoring our lives, and what analogy is used to explain this concept? [37:03]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the importance of understanding foundational doctrines, and why is this understanding crucial for a believer's life? [38:24]

2. What does it mean to "rightly handle the word of truth" as described in 2 Timothy 2:15, and how does the sermon suggest we apply this in our daily lives? [40:10]

3. The sermon mentions the transformative power of Scripture. How does meditating on and savoring God's Word lead to transformation according to the sermon? [56:44]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that aligning our lives with God's Word can help us maintain a pure and right relationship with Him? [42:53]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the concept of grace as described in the sermon. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude and devotion in response to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross? [26:50]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of doctrine. How can you make a practical effort to deepen your understanding of the foundational beliefs of your faith this week? [38:24]

3. Consider your current approach to studying the Bible. What steps can you take to ensure you are "rightly handling the word of truth" in your personal study time? [40:10]

4. Psalm 119 encourages treasuring God's Word in our hearts. What specific verse or passage can you memorize this week to help guide your actions and decisions? [48:13]

5. The sermon discusses the importance of waiting on the Lord for enlightenment. How can you incorporate moments of stillness and listening into your daily routine to hear God's voice more clearly? [51:18]

6. Sharing God's truth with others is highlighted in the sermon. Identify one person you can share a recent insight or lesson from your Bible study with this week. [54:48]

7. The sermon compares enjoying God's Word to enjoying great riches. What practical steps can you take to prioritize and delight in Scripture as a valuable part of your life? [56:44]

Devotional

Day 1: The Unfathomable Gift of Grace
The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is the ultimate demonstration of God's love and grace, offering humanity forgiveness and reconciliation with God. This act of grace is a profound reminder that God's love is immeasurable and surpasses anything we could ever give in return. It calls us to live in gratitude and devotion, recognizing that this gift is something we could never achieve on our own. As we reflect on this truth, we are invited to partake in the Lord's Supper, remembering His body broken and His blood shed for our sins, a covenant of grace that transforms our lives. [25:31]

Ephesians 1:7-8 (ESV): "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight."

Reflection: Think of a specific area in your life where you struggle to accept God's grace. How can you open your heart to fully receive His love and forgiveness today?


Day 2: Anchored in Doctrine
Understanding the foundational doctrines of our faith is crucial for anchoring our lives in God. Just as an anchor secures a vessel, doctrine prevents us from being swept away by life's storms, guiding our beliefs and actions. By exploring these doctrines, we gain clarity on why we believe what we believe, which forms the basis of our faith and influences our daily decisions. This understanding is not just intellectual but deeply practical, providing stability and direction in our spiritual journey. [37:03]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Reflection: Identify a doctrine of your faith that you find challenging to understand. What steps can you take this week to study and deepen your understanding of this doctrine?


Day 3: Diligent Handling of God's Word
We are called to diligently study, interpret, and apply Scripture to our lives, aligning ourselves with God's truth. This involves a commitment to accurately handle the Word, ensuring it guides our actions and decisions. By doing so, we align our lives with God's will, allowing His Word to be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. This diligent handling of Scripture is essential for spiritual growth and maturity, as it helps us discern truth from falsehood and live in accordance with God's purposes. [40:10]

2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV): "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

Reflection: Consider your current approach to studying the Bible. What changes can you make to ensure you are handling God's Word with diligence and accuracy?


Day 4: Aligning Our Lives with God's Word
Psalm 119 teaches us to align our lives with God's Word, seeking it wholeheartedly, treasuring it in our hearts, and waiting on the Lord for enlightenment. This alignment helps us live a life that pleases God and keeps us in right relationship with Him. By making God's Word a part of our daily spiritual diet, we allow it to influence every aspect of our lives, leading us to God's will and making an eternal difference. [42:53]

Psalm 119:9-11 (ESV): "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."

Reflection: Reflect on a specific area of your life that is not aligned with God's Word. What practical steps can you take today to bring this area into alignment with His truth?


Day 5: The Transformative Power of Scripture
God's Word is more valuable than gold, offering guidance, correction, and restoration. By meditating on it and savoring its truths, we allow it to transform our lives, leading us to God's will and making an eternal impact. The Word of God is not just a book; it is the very breath of God, a love letter to us, and the owner's manual for life. As we engage with Scripture, we are invited to experience its transformative power, allowing it to shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. [56:44]

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Reflection: Think of a recent decision or situation where you need guidance. How can you intentionally seek God's wisdom through Scripture to navigate this situation?

Quotes



Please be seated. You know, the written word tells us that the living word, Jesus, became flesh and made his dwelling among us. And the scripture says that God made him. Who knew no sin to become sin for us so that we could be made right with God. Think about that. God gave us what we needed that we could not do for ourselves. And that is give forgiveness by giving us his son who died on a cross. [00:24:42] (37 seconds)


And so to me, it's appropriate that we come to the time of offering because we're reminded not just that he gave to us, but in return, he asked us to give who we are to him, to love him with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, to serve him with every fiber of our being, so as we come to take the offering this morning, let's be mindful of God's gift to us and his calling on our lives. [00:27:22] (28 seconds)


And he gives Paul, Paul gives him this encouragement. He says, do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who needs not to be ashamed, who rightly handles the word of truth. Now, while this is an encouragement to Timothy, it also is applicable to us, because what's happening is that Paul is saying, listen, we're all responsible to diligently study, to accurately interpret, and to teach and apply God's word to our lives as we share it with others. [00:40:20] (32 seconds)


How can a person keep their way pure? By living in alignment. Listen to your word. With all my heart I have sought you. Do not let me wander from your commands. Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, Lord. Teach me your statutes. With my lips I have told of all the ordinances of your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies as much as in all riches. [00:43:08] (29 seconds)


But he gives seven principles of this answer. He says it all begins with aligning your life with God's word. Now, to align with something means that you are in support of it, you agree with it, that you cooperate with the ideas, the good, the goals, the values. It refers to being in sync, in perfect harmony with a particular cause, belief, or individual. In this case, it's spiritually speaking, he's saying it begins with a holy ambition to align. Aligning our lives with God by knowing and living according to His word. [00:44:10] (38 seconds)


Your word have I hidden or treasured in my heart that I love? that I might not sin against you. To treasure the word is to internalize it. It's to devour it. It's even to memorize it. It means to value it with all your inner being. In other words, it is to make it the priority, the integral part of your life and the guiding force of all that you say and do. This should be the filter by which every thought and every action that you and I make goes through. [00:48:13] (33 seconds)


The fourth principle is maybe the most important principle of all these principles. He says, blessed are you, Lord, teach me your statutes. The phrase, the key part is, teach me your statutes. The principle is, wait on the Lord to enlighten you. Now, this is the essential element because look at the first three, align, seek, treasure. Those are all active verbs of pursuit. That's what you and I are to do. We are to align ourselves. We're to seek. We're to treasure. And then he says, now, stop. [00:50:39] (39 seconds)


After he says, listen, wait on the Lord, he then says, now once you've heard from God, now go tell someone else. Go speak it. He says, with my lips, I have declared all of the ordinances of your mouth. The word means to declare, it means to proclaim, to herald, to share God's truth with others. And the question is, is why? Why does God ask us that when he teaches us something, to not let it sit in the cul -de -sac of our lives, but rather to go and share it? [00:54:20] (30 seconds)


When you look at this passage, what the psalmist is saying is that when we take joy in God's word, it brings a transformative satisfaction to our souls because God's word has an amazing ability. To bring worth and value to every facet of our lives. That's why Psalm 19 that we looked at last week says that God's word is more valuable than gold, than much pure gold, and sweeter than honey that comes from the honeycomb. [00:57:20] (31 seconds)


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Transcript
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