Discovering the Inexhaustible Grace of God

 

Summary

Today, I had the privilege of sharing a message on the inexhaustible supply of God's grace, particularly as we celebrate Resurrection Sunday. I began by welcoming everyone to Journey Christian Church, especially those visiting for the first time, and expressing my excitement for Easter and the start of our new learning series titled "Discover Grace." I emphasized that grace is what makes Christianity unique, as it is the means by which God makes us acceptable and redeemable, doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

I then delved into the concept of grace, illustrating it with the analogy of God dispensing His goodness not with an eyedropper but with a fire hydrant. Our hearts, like Dixie cups, cannot contain the Mediterranean Sea of His grace. I shared how grace pours into our lives without making demands, contrasting this with the religious rituals and rules that many of us grew up believing were necessary for God's acceptance.

Moving on, I discussed the math of grace, which is life-transforming yet does not make sense. I explained that grace is everything for nothing to those who believe in Christ's finished work on the cross. I highlighted that grace is not about human merit, earning wages, or religious moralism, but about divine forgiveness, dispensing gifts, and a complete reorientation to the abundant life that God gives us.

I shared stories from the Gospels that illustrate the math of grace, such as the shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep to find the one that is lost, and the woman who breaks an expensive bottle of perfume at Jesus' feet. I also recounted the parable of the prodigal son, emphasizing the father's unconditional welcome upon his return.

As I moved towards the conclusion of my message, I invited those who have not yet met the man on the middle cross to do so, offering an opportunity to get to know Jesus and spend eternity with Him. I then transitioned to the baptisms, celebrating the public declarations of faith by Callie, Mangela, and Adam, each of whom had experienced the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Finally, I reflected on the significance of communion and the words of Jesus, "Do this in remembrance of me," as we remember His selfless act on the cross. I closed with the reminder that Jesus is not in the tomb; He is risen, and because of that, we celebrate the new life He offers.

Key Takeaways:

- Grace is the unique hallmark of Christianity, offering us everything for nothing when we believe in Christ's finished work on the cross. It is not earned but freely given, a daily supply that knows no limits. [21:27]

- The math of grace defies human logic, as it is not about what we can count or earn but about the divine forgiveness that reorients our lives to the abundant life God intends for us. This grace transforms our lives, turning water into wine and giving peace to troubled hearts. [22:51]

- The parables Jesus told, such as the shepherd leaving the 99 sheep to find the one lost, illustrate the reckless nature of God's grace. It shows that God will go to any length to pursue and welcome us back, regardless of our past. [15:41]

- Baptism is a powerful testament to the work of the Holy Spirit in an individual's life. It is a public declaration of faith and a step of obedience that signifies a person's death to their old self and resurrection to a new life in Christ. [37:24]

- Communion is a time to remember and proclaim the death and resurrection of Jesus until He comes again. It is a weekly celebration of the new covenant in His blood, open to all who have accepted Him into their lives. [41:55]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. John 1:16 - "For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace."
2. Luke 15:4-7 - The Parable of the Lost Sheep
3. Luke 15:11-32 - The Parable of the Prodigal Son

#### Observation Questions
1. What does John 1:16 mean when it says we have received "grace upon grace"?
2. In the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:4-7), what action does the shepherd take when one sheep is lost?
3. How does the father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) react when his son returns home?
4. According to the sermon, how does God dispense His grace, and what analogy is used to describe it? [09:13]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the phrase "grace upon grace" in John 1:16 suggest about the nature of God's grace?
2. How does the shepherd's action in the Parable of the Lost Sheep illustrate the concept of "reckless grace" as described in the sermon? [15:41]
3. In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, what does the father's reaction teach us about God's forgiveness and acceptance? [19:07]
4. The sermon mentions that grace is not about human merit but about divine forgiveness. How does this redefine our understanding of earning God's favor? [22:09]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God's grace. How does the concept of "grace upon grace" change your perspective on that experience?
2. The shepherd leaves the 99 to find the one lost sheep. Is there someone in your life who might feel lost and in need of God's grace? How can you reach out to them this week? [15:41]
3. The father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son welcomes his son back without hesitation. How can you show similar unconditional love and forgiveness to someone who has wronged you? [19:07]
4. The sermon describes grace as being dispensed like a fire hydrant, not an eyedropper. In what areas of your life do you need to open yourself up to receive more of God's abundant grace? [09:13]
5. Baptism is described as a public declaration of faith and a step of obedience. If you have not been baptized, what is holding you back from taking this step? If you have, how can you support others in their journey towards baptism? [37:24]
6. Communion is a time to remember Jesus' sacrifice. How can you make this practice more meaningful in your personal spiritual life? [41:55]
7. The sermon invites those who have not met the "man on the middle cross" to do so. If you have already met Jesus, how can you help others in your community to discover and build a relationship with Him? [29:16]

Devotional

Day 1: Grace: God's Unearned Gift

Grace is not a commodity we work for but a divine gift freely bestowed upon us. It is the essence of the Gospel, where the love and mercy of God are given to us without any merit of our own. This grace is a daily reminder of the sacrifice made on the cross, a supply that never runs dry and knows no bounds. It is the foundation of our faith, assuring us that we are accepted and loved by God, not because of what we have done, but because of what Christ has done for us. This grace is a transformative power that renews and restores, inviting us to live in the freedom of God's love and forgiveness every day. [21:27]



"For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:16-17 ESV)



Reflection: How can you live out the reality of God's grace in your interactions with others today, especially with those who may not have earned it in your eyes?



Day 2: The Illogical Equation of Grace

The math of grace defies human understanding; it is not a transaction but a transformation. It is the divine equation where everything is given for nothing, where our debts are paid in full by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. This grace turns our mourning into dancing, our water into wine, and our chaos into peace. It is the power of God working within us, changing our hearts, and reorienting our lives towards the abundant life He has planned for us. This grace is not about keeping score but about accepting the gift of forgiveness and new life that God offers. [22:51]



"And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness." (Romans 4:5 ESV)



Reflection: In what ways have you tried to earn God's grace, and how can you shift your mindset to fully embrace it as a free gift today?



Day 3: The Reckless Pursuit of God's Grace

God's grace is relentless and extravagant, as seen in the parables of Jesus. It is a grace that leaves the ninety-nine to seek out the one, that celebrates the return of the lost with no regard for the past. This grace is not cautious or measured; it is abundant and overflowing, demonstrating God's deep desire to have a relationship with each one of us. It is a reminder that no one is too far gone for God's love and that His arms are always open to welcome us back home. [15:41]



"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?" (Luke 15:4 ESV)



Reflection: Can you identify a time when you felt pursued by God's grace, and how can you extend that same grace to someone who may feel lost or forgotten?



Day 4: Baptism: The Outward Sign of Inward Grace

Baptism is a sacred act of obedience, an outward expression of an inward transformation. It symbolizes the death of the old self and the birth of a new life in Christ, marked by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This public declaration is a powerful testimony to the grace that has been received and the commitment to walk in the newness of life. It is a step of faith that unites us with Christ and with the community of believers, celebrating the journey from darkness into His marvelous light. [37:24]



"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4 ESV)



Reflection: If you have been baptized, reflect on that moment and its significance in your life. How does your baptism shape the way you live out your faith today?



Day 5: Communion: Remembering the Sacrifice

Communion is a time to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, to remember His body broken and His blood shed for us. It is a weekly celebration that proclaims the Lord's death and resurrection until He comes again. This sacred practice is open to all who have accepted Christ, inviting believers to partake in the new covenant and to be united with Him and with each other. It is a moment of gratitude, a time to pause and consider the depth of God's love and the new life we have been given through His grace. [41:55]



"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26 ESV)



Reflection: As you prepare for communion, what aspects of Christ's sacrifice stand out to you today, and how does this deepen your appreciation for the new covenant?

Quotes

"The Unbelievable math of Grace is fully discovered in that Grace doesn't add up. Grace doesn't add up. One person put it this way: God dispenses his goodness not with an eyedropper but with a fire hydrant." [09:13]( | | )

"Our hearts are Dixie Cups and his grace is the Mediterranean Sea. We simply cannot contain it all. So what do we do as he pours it in? We let it bubble, we let it spill, and we let it pour forth. Grace pours into our lives without making demands." [11:20]( | | )

"The new math of Grace says Grace is not about human merit, it is about divine forgiveness. The new math of Grace says Grace is not about earning wages, it is about dispensing gifts. The new math of Grace says Grace is not about religious moralism or behavioral compliance to rules, it is all about complete reorientation to the life that God gives us, the abundant life that God gives us." [22:09]( | | )

"Grace is everything for nothing to all those who believe in Christ's finished work on the cross. You get everything but you don't bring anything to the table when you believe what Jesus did on the cross suffices, is enough, is more than enough, and is a daily supply for you." [21:27]( | | )

"God says I will go to any length to leave the 99 in the fold and chase after the one that is out there. That's reckless grace. Think about it in terms of your life. God says I will go to any length to pursue and welcome you back, regardless of your past." [15:41]( | | )

"This grace that doesn't add up turns our life's water into wine, gives us peace for our troubled hearts, fills the hunger of all the hungry with loaves and fish, turns our blind eyes into eyes that see, transforms our prodigal trips to far away countries into homecoming parties." [24:03]( | | )

"The man on the middle cross said I can come. Are you familiar with the man on the middle cross? Because if you are, you are going to walk through the pearly gates and say the man on the middle cross said I can come, and you will walk in with joy and celebration." [29:16]( | | )

"He is not here; He is risen, and because of that, we celebrate the new life He offers. As we move into our time of communion, we remember His selfless act on the cross, and we proclaim the death and resurrection of Jesus until He comes again." [41:55]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?