Clearing the Path: Embracing Grace and Unity
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone! Today, we embark on a new sermon series called "Hello Summer," where we will explore our core values as a church. Our mission at TAB Church is to push through boundaries to share God's story from Norfolk to the nations. This summer, we aim to connect, enjoy fellowship, and focus on what makes us distinct as a community of believers.
Our core value for today is "We clear the path to Jesus." This means we believe it is our responsibility and privilege to introduce people to Jesus, refusing to let secondary issues divide us. We willingly lay aside our preferences to preserve unity and relevance. To anchor this value in Scripture, we turn to Acts 15, where the early church faced similar challenges.
Acts 15 recounts the Jerusalem Council, where early Christians debated whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish laws, like circumcision, to be true believers. Paul and Barnabas argued that faith in Jesus alone was sufficient, emphasizing that God's grace is a gift that cannot be earned through works. This council ultimately decided that Gentiles should not be burdened with additional requirements, affirming that salvation is through grace alone.
This core value is crucial because it reminds us that people don't need to be "fixed" before coming to Jesus. Our job is to point them to His grace and love. The Holy Spirit does the transformative work in their lives. We must avoid the trap of thinking that rules and behavior modifications are prerequisites for salvation. Instead, we should focus on introducing people to the life-changing relationship with Jesus.
As we move forward, let's remember that our unity and willingness to set aside personal preferences for the sake of others are what truly make us a light in the world. Next week, we'll delve deeper into how we can clear the path to Jesus within our fellowship, ensuring that our community reflects the love and grace of Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. Clearing the Path to Jesus: Our core value emphasizes that introducing people to Jesus is our primary responsibility. We must avoid letting secondary issues divide us and focus on the grace and love of Christ. This means setting aside personal preferences to maintain unity and relevance. [05:48]
2. Grace Over Rules: Acts 15 teaches us that salvation is through grace alone, not through adherence to rules or laws. The early church struggled with this, but ultimately decided that faith in Jesus is sufficient. This reminds us that we cannot add anything to the perfect sacrifice of Christ. [21:55]
3. The Role of the Holy Spirit: Transformation in a believer's life is the work of the Holy Spirit. Our job is to point people to Jesus and let the Holy Spirit do the heavy lifting. This means we should not focus on behavior modification but on fostering a genuine relationship with Christ. [25:34]
4. Unity in Diversity: Our church should reflect the beautiful diversity of God's creation. This includes different generations, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. By setting aside our preferences for the betterment of others, we create a unified body that truly represents Christ. [44:51]
5. Living Out Our Faith: Clearing the path to Jesus involves both our entrance into the faith and our fellowship within the faith. We must ensure that our community is welcoming and that we are willing to sacrifice our desires for the sake of others. This attitude will make us a powerful witness to the world. [42:44]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:46] - Introduction to "Hello Summer" Series
[02:38] - Core Values of TAB Church
[03:40] - Setting the Culture
[04:34] - Mission of TAB Church
[05:48] - Clearing the Path to Jesus
[06:49] - Acts 15: The Jerusalem Council
[10:21] - Grace Over Rules
[15:18] - The Messiness of Grace
[21:55] - The Debate in Jerusalem
[25:34] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[30:02] - Anchoring in Scripture
[32:50] - Entrance into the Faith
[39:33] - Fellowship in the Faith
[42:44] - Unity in Diversity
[45:29] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Acts 15:4-11
- Acts 15:19-21
### Observation Questions
1. What was the main issue being debated at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15? ([21:55])
2. How did Peter describe God's acceptance of the Gentiles in Acts 15:7-9? ([23:19])
3. What decision did the Jerusalem Council make regarding the requirements for Gentile believers? ([31:22])
4. According to the sermon, what is the role of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life? ([25:34])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why was it significant that the Jerusalem Council decided not to impose Jewish laws on Gentile believers? ([21:55])
2. How does the decision of the Jerusalem Council reflect the core value of "Clearing the Path to Jesus"? ([05:48])
3. What does it mean that "Jesus plus nothing equals everything" in the context of salvation? ([32:50])
4. How does the sermon suggest we should handle our personal preferences for the sake of church unity? ([44:13])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you might have let secondary issues divide you from others in the church. How can you set aside personal preferences to maintain unity? ([05:48])
2. The sermon emphasized that people don't need to be "fixed" before coming to Jesus. How can you apply this understanding in your interactions with non-believers? ([10:21])
3. Think about a situation where you focused on behavior modification rather than fostering a genuine relationship with Christ. How can you shift your approach? ([25:34])
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of diversity within the church. How can you contribute to creating a more inclusive and unified church community? ([44:51])
5. How can you actively point people to Jesus and rely on the Holy Spirit to do the transformative work in their lives? ([25:34])
6. In what ways can you help clear the path to Jesus for someone in your life this week? ([32:50])
7. How can you ensure that your actions and attitudes within the church reflect the love and grace of Christ? ([42:44])
Devotional
Day 1: Clearing the Path to Jesus
Our core value emphasizes that introducing people to Jesus is our primary responsibility. We must avoid letting secondary issues divide us and focus on the grace and love of Christ. This means setting aside personal preferences to maintain unity and relevance. [05:48]
In our journey of faith, it is essential to remember that our primary mission is to introduce people to Jesus. This involves setting aside our personal preferences and focusing on the grace and love that Christ offers. The early church faced similar challenges, as seen in Acts 15, where the Jerusalem Council debated whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish laws to be true believers. The council ultimately decided that faith in Jesus alone was sufficient, emphasizing that God's grace is a gift that cannot be earned through works. This decision highlights the importance of not letting secondary issues divide us but instead focusing on the core message of Christ's love and grace.
As a community of believers, we must be willing to lay aside our preferences to preserve unity and relevance. This means not getting caught up in debates over non-essential matters but instead pointing people to the life-changing relationship with Jesus. By doing so, we clear the path to Jesus, making it easier for others to come to know Him and experience His transformative love.
Acts 15:8-9 (ESV): "And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith."
Reflection: Think of a personal preference or secondary issue that you have allowed to become a barrier in your relationships. How can you set this aside to focus on introducing others to Jesus?
Day 2: Grace Over Rules
Acts 15 teaches us that salvation is through grace alone, not through adherence to rules or laws. The early church struggled with this, but ultimately decided that faith in Jesus is sufficient. This reminds us that we cannot add anything to the perfect sacrifice of Christ. [21:55]
The early church faced a significant challenge in determining whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish laws, such as circumcision, to be true believers. Paul and Barnabas argued that faith in Jesus alone was sufficient, emphasizing that God's grace is a gift that cannot be earned through works. The Jerusalem Council ultimately decided that Gentiles should not be burdened with additional requirements, affirming that salvation is through grace alone. This decision underscores the importance of understanding that we cannot add anything to the perfect sacrifice of Christ.
As believers, it is crucial to remember that salvation is not about adhering to a set of rules or laws but about accepting the grace that Jesus offers. This grace is a gift that we receive through faith, and it is not something that can be earned through our efforts. By focusing on grace over rules, we can help others understand the true nature of salvation and the transformative power of a relationship with Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt burdened by rules or expectations in your faith journey. How can you shift your focus to embrace the grace that Jesus offers?
Day 3: The Role of the Holy Spirit
Transformation in a believer's life is the work of the Holy Spirit. Our job is to point people to Jesus and let the Holy Spirit do the heavy lifting. This means we should not focus on behavior modification but on fostering a genuine relationship with Christ. [25:34]
One of the most important aspects of our faith journey is understanding that transformation in a believer's life is the work of the Holy Spirit. Our role is to point people to Jesus and trust that the Holy Spirit will do the heavy lifting in their lives. This means that we should not focus on behavior modification or trying to "fix" people before they come to Jesus. Instead, we should encourage them to develop a genuine relationship with Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts.
The Holy Spirit is the one who brings about true change and transformation in a person's life. As believers, we must trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to guide and shape us into the image of Christ. By focusing on fostering a genuine relationship with Jesus, we can help others experience the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs transformation. How can you point them to Jesus and trust the Holy Spirit to do the transformative work?
Day 4: Unity in Diversity
Our church should reflect the beautiful diversity of God's creation. This includes different generations, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. By setting aside our preferences for the betterment of others, we create a unified body that truly represents Christ. [44:51]
The beauty of God's creation is reflected in the diversity of His people. As a church, it is essential to embrace and celebrate this diversity, which includes different generations, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. By doing so, we create a unified body that truly represents Christ and His love for all people. This unity in diversity is a powerful witness to the world and demonstrates the inclusive nature of God's kingdom.
To achieve this unity, we must be willing to set aside our personal preferences and prioritize the betterment of others. This means being open to different perspectives and experiences and working together to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. By fostering a culture of unity in diversity, we can more effectively share the love and grace of Christ with those around us.
Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: Consider the diversity within your church community. How can you contribute to fostering unity and celebrating the unique contributions of each individual?
Day 5: Living Out Our Faith
Clearing the path to Jesus involves both our entrance into the faith and our fellowship within the faith. We must ensure that our community is welcoming and that we are willing to sacrifice our desires for the sake of others. This attitude will make us a powerful witness to the world. [42:44]
Living out our faith involves not only our initial entrance into the faith but also our ongoing fellowship within the faith community. It is essential to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued, regardless of their background or circumstances. This means being willing to sacrifice our desires and preferences for the sake of others, demonstrating the love and grace of Christ in our actions and attitudes.
By fostering a welcoming and inclusive community, we can more effectively share the message of Jesus with those around us. This attitude of selflessness and unity will make us a powerful witness to the world, showing others the transformative power of a relationship with Christ. As we live out our faith in this way, we can help clear the path to Jesus for others, making it easier for them to come to know Him and experience His love.
Romans 12:10 (ESV): "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."
Reflection: Reflect on how you can make your faith community more welcoming. What specific actions can you take to ensure that others feel valued and included?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We believe it is our responsibility and privilege to introduce people to Jesus. We refuse to allow secondary issues to impede the path to Jesus and divide us as a church body. We seek to be a church growing in our commitment to Christ and love for others while remaining steadfast in our core beliefs. We willingly lay aside our preferences to preserve internal unity and external relevance. We clear the path to Jesus." [05:48] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You and I, we're here today. This is a grace party that we show up to every day. We celebrate what God has done on our behalf, that God has reconciled us. God made the choice, the difficult decision to sacrifice his son so that you and I could be in a relationship with God. God has reconciled us by his grace." [06:49] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "People don't need to be fixed. People don't need to have behavior modification. And when we look at the world around us for some reason, like just in our sin nature, that's kind of where we start to go. We start to look at the exterior of people and we start to look at this particular issue that this person has, we start to look at this particular issue another person has and we start to think, well, man, they really need to clean their life up." [11:18] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus was no mere human. Jesus was God in a bod, literally. He came. He embodied the human experience. He did for us what we could not do. He lived the life that none of us could do. None of us could ever accomplish that. Yet he did it on our behalf. He died. He paid the penalty for death that he didn't deserve. He was sinless. And three days later, he rose from the grave, offering eternal life to anybody who simply puts their faith and their trust in him." [18:10] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus plus nothing equals everything. There is no prerequisite to entering into the faith. You can't clean yourself up enough. You can't fix yourself. And so the good news about this is that if you're here today, maybe you're here and who knows how you ended up at TAB, but in God's sovereignty, here you are today and you're hearing this message." [32:50] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We live in a day and age where it seems. It's like where people are putting up walls or people are trying to define themselves by what they're against or all these categories. And we live in such a polarizing world around us. And we said, no, we want to be a church that's pushing through boundaries to share God's story. We want to do everything we can to show the love of Christ to those that are around us. And that's what we want to be about." [04:34] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When we profess Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Bible says, the Bible promises us we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit of God. That is a promise that we have. And in the New Testament, when a person's life, when a heart is regenerated, when a heart is transformed, it is always by a work of the Spirit of God. And you start to see a life being transformed as a result of the Holy Spirit of God. As a result of the Holy Spirit's indwelling in that life, sure, behaviors start to look different. Desires start to look different. We have a change of taste buds, if you will, for the things of God that comes from the indwelling of the Spirit in our life." [24:52] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When we think about clearing the path to Jesus, why is that such a value for us as a church? Because entrance into the faith is not based off our works. Period. Whether those works are crummy or whether we are not, we view those works to be pretty good. It does not matter. Entrance into the faith is a gift of God that he extends to each and every one of us. It's on the table. We simply accept it as the gift that it is." [37:06] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We live in a culture that is like, and I don't ever want to sound like I'm judging or knocking. I'm saying in my own heart, I get so convinced of why my preferences are right. And we look at everything in our world around us. I can't say you, but I can say me in my flesh when I'm not on guard and I'm not surrendering my life to Jesus on a daily basis. The way that normally fleshes out for me is I start to think about the things in my world of, well, how is this going to work out for me? Well, that's not really what I want. And my preferences are really along these lines. And so I think this is the right way." [41:13] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We want to have an expression of everything we do around here that reflects the diversity that we have, the beautiful diversity that we have here at TAB. And I'm talking about generations. I'm talking about ethnicities. I'm talking about socioeconomic levels. The whole thing. We want to be something completely different. We That represents to the world around us. We can all compromise. And we can all put the betterment of those around us. And if we're doing that, that to me is the sacredness of a body of believers. It's not about all these different things. It's about our unity that we have in Christ because we're all thinking of ways that we can make, less of ourself so that Christ can increase." [44:51] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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