Embracing God's Grace in the New Year

 

Summary

As we step into a new year, it's essential to pause and reflect on the past, acknowledging both the blessings and the challenges that God has guided us through. This time of year often brings resolutions and goals, but it's crucial to remember that our achievements or failures in these resolutions should not overshadow the grace of God. The Bible encourages us to discipline ourselves and set goals, but we must do so with a focus on God's grace rather than our own abilities.

The concept of self-righteousness is a significant theme in scripture, and it is something that God deeply opposes. Self-righteousness contradicts God's redemptive plan, which is centered on His grace and not on our ability to fulfill the law. The law was given to reveal our sinfulness and our need for a Savior, not as a means to earn righteousness. The Pharisees, who were self-righteous, were harshly criticized by Jesus because they missed the point of the law and God's grace.

The law serves as a tutor, guiding us to Christ by showing us our need for His salvation. It is not a ladder to climb to earn God's favor but a path that leads us to recognize our need for His grace. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we become children of God, heirs to His promises, not because of our works but because of His grace. This understanding should humble us and lead us to worship God for His incredible love and mercy.

As we move forward, let us embrace the truth that our righteousness comes from faith in Christ, not from our ability to keep the law. Let us celebrate the grace of God, which saves us and empowers us to live according to His will. In this new year, may we focus on God's grace and allow it to transform our lives, leading us to a deeper relationship with Him.

Key Takeaways:

1. Reflect on God's Faithfulness: As we enter a new year, take time to reflect on the past year, acknowledging both the blessings and the challenges. Recognize how God has been faithful through it all, and let this reflection lead you to gratitude and worship. [00:41]

2. The Danger of Self-Righteousness: Self-righteousness is a sin that God deeply opposes because it contradicts His redemptive plan. It leads us to rely on our own abilities rather than on God's grace, which is the true source of our righteousness. [09:09]

3. The Purpose of the Law: The law was given to reveal our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. It is not a means to earn righteousness but a guide that leads us to Christ, showing us our need for His grace and salvation. [27:51]

4. Faith in Christ as the Path to Righteousness: Our righteousness comes from faith in Jesus Christ, not from our ability to keep the law. Through faith, we become children of God and heirs to His promises, receiving His grace and mercy. [42:11]

5. Embrace God's Grace: In this new year, focus on God's grace and allow it to transform your life. Let it lead you to a deeper relationship with Him, empowering you to live according to His will and to worship Him for His incredible love. [44:52]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Reflecting on the Past Year
- [01:08] - New Year's Resolutions and Grace
- [02:31] - The Balance of Discipline and Grace
- [03:50] - Understanding Sin from God's Perspective
- [06:09] - The Importance of Forgiveness
- [09:24] - The Sin of Self-Righteousness
- [11:03] - God's Redemptive Plan
- [12:36] - The Purpose of the Law
- [18:09] - The Promise to Abraham
- [25:39] - Why the Law Was Given
- [31:18] - The Law as a Tutor
- [39:21] - Living by the Spirit
- [41:31] - Faith in Christ and Our Inheritance
- [44:52] - Embracing God's Grace

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Galatians 3:15-29
2. Romans 7:7-13
3. Genesis 3:15

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Galatians 3:15-29 say about the purpose of the law and its relationship to God's promise to Abraham? How does this passage describe the role of faith in Christ? [18:51]

2. According to Romans 7:7-13, how does the law help us understand our sinfulness? What is the role of the law in revealing sin? [28:11]

3. In Genesis 3:15, what promise does God make regarding the seed of the woman and the serpent? How does this relate to the theme of redemption in the sermon? [21:28]

4. How does the sermon describe the Pharisees' misunderstanding of the law and self-righteousness? What was Jesus' response to their attitude? [09:09]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of self-righteousness contradict God's redemptive plan, as explained in the sermon? Why is self-righteousness considered a significant sin? [09:24]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between the law and grace? How should believers view the law in light of God's grace? [40:34]

3. How does the sermon explain the role of faith in becoming children of God and heirs to His promises? What does this mean for our identity as believers? [42:11]

4. In what ways does the sermon encourage believers to reflect on God's faithfulness and grace as they enter a new year? How can this reflection impact their spiritual journey? [00:41]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the past year and identify specific instances where you experienced God's faithfulness. How can acknowledging these moments lead you to gratitude and worship? [00:41]

2. Consider areas in your life where self-righteousness might be present. How can you shift your focus from your own abilities to relying on God's grace? [09:24]

3. How can you use the law as a guide to recognize your need for Christ's salvation rather than as a means to earn righteousness? What practical steps can you take to embrace this perspective? [27:51]

4. In what ways can you deepen your faith in Christ and embrace your identity as a child of God? How does this understanding influence your daily life and decisions? [42:11]

5. As you set goals for the new year, how can you ensure that they align with God's will and are empowered by His grace? What role does prayer play in this process? [01:08]

6. How can you celebrate and embrace God's grace in your life, allowing it to transform you and lead you to a deeper relationship with Him? What specific actions can you take to cultivate this relationship? [44:52]

7. Identify one area in your life where you need to rely more on God's grace rather than your own efforts. What changes can you make to prioritize His grace in that area? [02:31]

Devotional

Day 1: Reflecting on God's Faithfulness
Reflecting on the past year allows us to see the hand of God in both our blessings and challenges. It is a time to acknowledge His faithfulness and to cultivate a heart of gratitude. As we look back, we can see how God has guided us through difficult times and blessed us in unexpected ways. This reflection should lead us to worship and thankfulness, recognizing that every good and perfect gift comes from Him. By focusing on God's faithfulness, we are reminded of His constant presence and love in our lives, which encourages us to trust Him more deeply in the coming year. [00:41]

"Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’" (Isaiah 46:9-10, ESV).

Reflection: As you reflect on the past year, what specific moments can you identify where you saw God's faithfulness? How can you express your gratitude to Him today?


Day 2: The Danger of Self-Righteousness
Self-righteousness is a subtle yet dangerous sin that can lead us away from God's grace. It is the belief that we can earn God's favor through our own efforts and abilities, which contradicts the essence of the Gospel. The Bible warns us against self-righteousness, as it leads to pride and a reliance on our own strength rather than on God's grace. The Pharisees in the New Testament exemplified this attitude, and Jesus criticized them for missing the true purpose of the law. Instead of relying on our own righteousness, we are called to depend on the grace of God, which is the true source of our righteousness. [09:09]

"For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:20, ESV).

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself relying on your own abilities rather than God's grace? How can you shift your focus to depend more on Him today?


Day 3: The Purpose of the Law
The law was given to reveal our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. It serves as a guide that leads us to Christ, showing us our need for His grace and salvation. The law is not a means to earn righteousness but a tutor that points us to Jesus. By understanding the purpose of the law, we can see our own shortcomings and recognize our need for God's grace. This understanding should humble us and lead us to a deeper appreciation of the salvation we have in Christ. [27:51]

"So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith." (Galatians 3:24, ESV).

Reflection: How does understanding the purpose of the law change your perspective on your need for Jesus? What steps can you take to rely more on His grace in your daily life?


Day 4: Faith in Christ as the Path to Righteousness
Our righteousness comes from faith in Jesus Christ, not from our ability to keep the law. Through faith, we become children of God and heirs to His promises, receiving His grace and mercy. This truth should transform the way we live, as we are no longer bound by the law but are free to live by the Spirit. Our identity in Christ empowers us to live according to His will, not out of obligation but out of love and gratitude for what He has done for us. [42:11]

"For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27, ESV).

Reflection: How does your faith in Christ shape your identity and actions? What is one practical way you can live out your identity as a child of God today?


Day 5: Embrace God's Grace
In this new year, we are called to focus on God's grace and allow it to transform our lives. His grace empowers us to live according to His will and leads us to a deeper relationship with Him. By embracing God's grace, we can experience His incredible love and mercy, which should inspire us to worship and serve Him wholeheartedly. As we move forward, let us celebrate the grace of God that saves us and empowers us to live for His glory. [44:52]

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV).

Reflection: In what ways can you allow God's grace to transform your life this year? How can you deepen your relationship with Him and live more fully in His grace?

Quotes


I hope that this week you take some time and thank God for this last year even through the hard times that he took you through and everything else because if you're anything like me you're always thinking about the future and what's wrong and what you got to fix and how to move forward. [00:36:16]

The truth is the Bible does teach us that we are to discipline ourselves and so there is a sense in which we work hard at pursuing the things that God wants us to pursue and we should constantly be making goals for ourselves in that sense but there's a way to do it and there's a way not to do it. [02:31:08]

The reason why I say self-righteousness too is because self-righteousness goes against God's whole plan of creation when you think about it God's whole Redemptive plan see okay think about it from God's mind for a second God makes a world right here you are there's nothing there's nothing and God makes an earth. [09:17:32]

The point of the law was that we would look at it and go man I broke that one that one that one and I mean from Adam and Eve they just gave one rule they couldn't keep it every command I mean you look through history I mean look through this book it's about people failing and failing and breaking this command. [09:54:27]

The law was to lead us to Christ the law was for us to go man I'm a real Sinner Man I'm in a lot of trouble that we would finally go help that's the point of the law was we'd look at and go oh I'm seriously speeding here I am seriously going to have to come before the judge on this one. [35:06:00]

The whole idea was we don't have to be under this the law anymore so is the law a Bad Thing here's here's the best explanation I've heard I don't know who came up with this originally but we'll just pretend it to me um this is the idea if this is the law cuz law is not a bad thing. [39:48:04]

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus for all of you who are baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ there's neither Jew nor Greek slave or free male nor female you're all one in Christ Jesus if you belong to Christ then you are Abraham's seed and HS according to the promise. [41:40:00]

I don't care how powerful you are whether you own a company or you're at the bottom of the totem pole I don't care if you're male female slave free I don't care what nationality you are in order to be a part of this Offspring you need to have faith that's it it's about faith in Jesus Christ. [42:49:35]

Thank God for his grace thank God for his seed thank God for his promise are you willing to humble yourself or does that kill you and you go no I'm going to do by myself I'm going to climb this thing no one's ever pulled it off but good luck or do you go you know what God thank you for saving me. [43:42:59]

God made a promise through his son God made a promise to Abraham to Adam and Eve God made a promise when he made this world and the first two human beings on this planet and he's going to keep that promise that he would bring a deliverer to save you from yourself and to save you from him. [44:20:64]

We come in this room not to celebrate how good we've been or what good people we are but to celebrate Jesus for saving us because Allah La has shown us you know what we were screwed we were prisoners we were we were going to die we were going to be destroyed Praise Jesus Christ and we'll be praising him forever. [44:49:72]

Revelation 21 verses 3 and 4 and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying he's talking about the end times this is God now the dwell dwelling of God is with men and he will live with them they will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God he will wipe every tear. [45:17:59]

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Transcript
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