Building a Life of Grace and Renewal in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace the Messiness with Grace

As a church, we are called to welcome people with messy lives who may not understand church protocols. Our role is to exercise grace and kindness, guiding them gently without causing offense or lasting scars. This approach fosters growth and helps integrate them into the church community. Embracing the messiness means recognizing that everyone is on a unique journey and that our mission is to support them with love and patience. By doing so, we create an environment where people feel safe to explore their faith and grow spiritually.

We must remember that Jesus Himself spent time with those who were considered outcasts and sinners. He showed them compassion and offered them a path to redemption. As His followers, we are called to do the same. By embracing the messiness with grace, we reflect the heart of Christ and create a welcoming space for all to encounter God's love. [50:03]

Romans 15:7 (ESV): "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who may feel out of place or unwelcome in a church setting. How can you extend grace and kindness to them this week?

Day 2: Salvation as the Cornerstone

The first building block of a Christian life is salvation—being in Christ. When we are saved, God sees us through the lens of Jesus' perfection. This foundational step reconciles us with God and sets the stage for our spiritual journey. Salvation is not just a one-time event but the beginning of a lifelong relationship with God. It is through Jesus' sacrifice that we are made righteous and can approach God with confidence.

Understanding salvation as the cornerstone of our faith helps us appreciate the depth of God's love and the significance of Jesus' sacrifice. It reminds us that our worth and identity are found in Christ alone. As we grow in our faith, we must continually return to this foundational truth, allowing it to shape our lives and guide our actions. [57:12]

Ephesians 2:19-20 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone."

Reflection: Reflect on your own salvation experience. How does understanding salvation as the cornerstone of your faith impact the way you live your daily life?

Day 3: The Power of the Holy Spirit

The infilling of the Holy Spirit is essential for a victorious Christian life. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, gives us new life, lives within us, and empowers us to be effective witnesses for Christ. This spiritual empowerment is like putting our walk with God on "Red Bull," enhancing our ability to serve and intercede. The Holy Spirit is our helper, guide, and source of strength, enabling us to live out our faith with boldness and conviction.

As we seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit, we open ourselves to His transformative work in our lives. He equips us with spiritual gifts and empowers us to fulfill God's purposes. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can overcome challenges, resist temptation, and grow in our relationship with God. [01:09:50]

Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit? Ask God to fill you afresh with His Spirit today.

Day 4: Ongoing Renewal

Renewal is a continuous process where God transforms us from the inside out. This involves dealing with past hurts, renewing our minds through the Word of God, and growing into Christ-likeness. Understanding that we are spirit, soul, and body helps us appreciate the comprehensive nature of God's work in us. Our spirit is born again at salvation, our soul undergoes renewal through the Word, and our body will be glorified in the future.

This ongoing renewal process is essential for our spiritual growth and maturity. It requires us to be intentional about spending time in God's Word, allowing it to shape our thoughts and actions. As we submit to God's transformative work, we become more like Christ and reflect His character in our daily lives. [01:15:41]

2 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV): "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day."

Reflection: What past hurts or negative thought patterns do you need to surrender to God for renewal? How can you incorporate the Word of God into your daily routine to facilitate this renewal?

Day 5: Building Each Other Up

We are called to encourage and build each other up with grace, kindness, and mercy. This mutual edification is crucial for the health and growth of the church. As we support one another, we reflect God's love and contribute to the spiritual maturity of the entire community. Building each other up involves being patient, understanding, and willing to invest in the lives of others.

By fostering a culture of encouragement, we create an environment where people feel valued and supported. This not only strengthens individual faith but also unites the church as a whole. As we build each other up, we fulfill the command to love one another and demonstrate the transformative power of God's love. [01:27:13]

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Reflection: Who in your church community could use some encouragement today? How can you intentionally build them up with grace, kindness, and mercy?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound journey of spiritual growth and the essential building blocks of a Christian life. The focus was on understanding that our walk with God is a continuous process of renewal and transformation. We began by acknowledging that our church is in a unique position, filled with vision and passion, and that our mission is to embrace and guide those with messy lives, showing them grace and kindness. This is crucial as we aim to be a multi-generational church where everyone, especially children, can worship God freely and grow in their faith.

We delved into the importance of building a Christian life, likening it to constructing a building with a strong foundation. The first building block is salvation—being in Christ. This is the cornerstone of our faith, where we are reconciled with God and seen as perfect in His eyes through Jesus. The second building block is the infilling of the Holy Spirit, which empowers us to live a victorious Christian life. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, gives us new life, lives within us, and provides us with power.

The third building block is renewal. This is an ongoing process where God molds us into His image, dealing with our past hurts and shaping us into Christ-likeness. We are reminded that we are three-part beings: spirit, soul, and body. Our spirit is born again at salvation, our soul undergoes renewal through the Word of God, and our body will be glorified in the future. This renewal process is essential for our spiritual growth and maturity.

We concluded by emphasizing the importance of encouraging and building each other up with grace, kindness, and mercy. As we continue this journey, we are called to be patient and loving, understanding that God is constantly working in us and through us to bring about His perfect will.

###

Key Takeaways

1. likeness. Understanding that we are spirit, soul, and body helps us appreciate the comprehensive nature of God's work in us. [01:15:41]
5. Building Each Other Up: We are called to encourage and build each other up with grace, kindness, and mercy. This mutual edification is crucial for the health and growth of the church. As we support one another, we reflect God's love and contribute to the spiritual maturity of the entire community.

### [75:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[45:36] - Condolences and Family Support
[46:53] - Prayer and Introduction
[47:57] - Mission Trips and Multi-Generational Church
[49:03] - Embracing Messiness with Grace
[50:03] - Expecting Messy Lives
[52:06] - Hosea 10:12 and Isaiah 45:8
[55:27] - Building Blocks of a Christian Life
[57:12] - Salvation: Being in Christ
[64:36] - Practical Example of Being in Christ
[68:30] - Infilling of the Holy Spirit
[69:50] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
[70:54] - Conviction vs. Condemnation
[72:42] - New Life in the Holy Spirit
[75:41] - Renewal Process
[77:31] - Spirit, Soul, and Body
[78:58] - Ongoing Salvation Process
[80:33] - Personal Story of Renewal
[83:55] - Isaiah 61: Renewal and Healing
[87:13] - Building Each Other Up
[90:18] - Invitation to Accept Christ
[92:26] - Prayer for Healing and Renewal
[96:14] - Blessing and Encouragement

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Hosea 10:12 suggest about the relationship between righteousness and mercy? How does this relate to the concept of spiritual renewal discussed in the sermon? [52:06]
In Isaiah 45:8, what imagery is used to describe the coming of righteousness and salvation? How does this imagery connect to the idea of God’s continuous work in our lives? [53:06]
According to 1 Thessalonians 5:11, what are believers encouraged to do for one another? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on building each other up with grace, kindness, and mercy? [01:27:13]

Interpretation Questions

How does the process of breaking up fallow ground in Hosea 10:12 symbolize the preparation of our hearts for spiritual growth and renewal? [52:06]
What does the phrase "rain down righteousness" in Isaiah 45:8 imply about God's role in our spiritual transformation? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about the ongoing renewal process? [53:06]
In what ways can the church community practically encourage and build each other up, as instructed in 1 Thessalonians 5:11? How does this reflect the sermon’s call to embrace messiness with grace? [01:27:13]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you experienced God’s grace in a messy situation. How did it impact your spiritual growth? How can you extend that same grace to others in your church community? [50:03]
Salvation is described as the cornerstone of a Christian life. How can you ensure that your daily actions and decisions reflect your identity in Christ? [57:12]
The sermon emphasized the power of the Holy Spirit in living a victorious Christian life. What steps can you take to be more open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and empowerment in your daily walk? [01:09:50]
Renewal is an ongoing process. Identify one area of your life where you need God’s renewal. What practical steps can you take to allow God to work in that area? [01:15:41]
Think of someone in your church who might be struggling with past hurts or spiritual growth. How can you encourage and build them up this week with grace, kindness, and mercy? [01:27:13]
The sermon mentioned the importance of being a multi-generational church. How can you contribute to creating an environment where people of all ages feel welcomed and encouraged to grow in their faith? [49:03]
Reflect on the concept of being in Christ and how it changes the way God sees you. How can this understanding transform your self-perception and interactions with others? [01:04:36]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "It's never an easy thing when somebody, one of your loved ones passes. But that's why we are a family. We bear for each other good times and difficult times. Amen. But God is good." [45:36](

|

|

)

2. "So what you saw today here was a little bit of a, to the outside observer, might look like a messy church. But it's great to see the kids just total abandon worshiping God. And that's one thing that I really desire is for us to be a multi-generational church where kids are encouraged to worship God and churchiness becomes ingrained in their lifestyle." [49:03](

|

)

3. "We need to expect God to start bringing in people with messy lives. Yes. Who don't understand church protocol. And we need to be mature to exercise grace. So when the kids are running riot and actually causing a bit of mayhem, what's the principle? The principle, the bigger picture is we're training kids up in the way of God." [50:03](

|

)

4. "When God looks at me, He sees Christ. When God looks at you, He sees Christ. He sees how Christ made you perfect. He sees how Christ made you whole. He sees how Christ gave you a future and a purpose. He doesn't see all your flaws and shortcomings and the stuff that you critique yourself about. God sees potential. He sees promise." [01:07:01](

|

)

5. "If you've never given your life to Christ, I want to encourage you this morning, take the first step. The book of James says, draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. If you want to experience God, take the first step. I can guarantee that if you take the first step to draw near to God, He will draw near to you. In fact, He's drawing you already." [01:28:57](

|

)

### Quotes for Members

1. "What I wanted to talk to us today was reading the building blocks of what it is to be a Christian and again it ties in with this whole concept of we can have people come in who know nothing about Christians or what it's to be a Christian so I think it's good it's a challenge to us ourselves just to take stock but also on what it is that we need to to build in people what is the pathway when you come to Christ what is your building pathway going forward." [55:27](

|

)

2. "So we know that we are three parts. We are a spirit, and we communicate with God who's a spirit. That's how we relate to God. We are a spirit. We have a soul, and we live in a body. I'll repeat that. We are a spirit. We have a soul. We live in a body. So sometimes we get soul and spirit mixed up. Come and save my soul, you know. That's a classic one. When we get saved, when we surrender to God, our spirit is born again." [01:17:31](

|

)

3. "The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin. He doesn't condemn us. There's a difference between conviction and condemnation. John 16 verse 8 says, and when He has come, He will convict the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment. You see, the conviction of the Holy Spirit doesn't change our value. It adds to our value. If you've ever had God point out something in your life that He wants to change, it's with an overwhelming sense of love." [01:10:54](

|

)

4. "So when that God gave me that scripture it's like oh we're plowing up and as we're plowing up the heavens are going to open up people are going to start coming in and and so that takes me back to what I said this morning we need to expect people to come in who know nothing about church and and it's nothing it's careful that's why we're here that's why we get a school is for people to come to know God." [53:46](

|

)

5. "So I want to just leave that out there, that yes, it's messy. It needs to be messy. And it's up to us to be gracious and kind and steer and teach. know, we mentor by putting an arm around, not by working a finger. So sorry if I'm coming across a bit heavy. But why I'm mentioning that is, you know, we've had this scripture. I'm going totally off track here. This is the Andrew Warren anointing. But why I'm mentioning that is, did you notice that right at the end, there was a real time where God's presence was here? And it was just silent. And God started to touch people's lives. God doesn't care about the messiness. So we shouldn't either." [51:06](

|

)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?