Embracing God's Grace: Now is the Time

God’s heart is always for His children, and His grace is not just a distant promise but a present reality. The grace of God is more than a ticket to heaven; it is an empowerment for living upright, self-controlled, and godly lives right now. God’s promises, spoken through the prophets and fulfilled in Christ, are not just for a far-off future or for someone else—they are for us, today. The same God who led Israel through the wilderness, who promised to level mountains and restore what was lost, is the God who sees us, knows us, and has written our names on the palms of His hands. He is not distant or forgetful; His love is more persistent and tender than even a mother’s love for her child.

God’s discipline is real, but it is always rooted in love. Just as a loving parent corrects a child for their good, so God shapes us, sometimes through pain, to bring us into the fullness of life He intends. We often hold onto things—habits, traditions, mindsets—that once served a purpose but have become obstacles to our growth. Like the bronze serpent in the wilderness, what was once a means of deliverance can become an idol if we cling to it beyond its season. God calls us to let go of what is no longer life-giving, to trust Him for new ways, and to embrace the freedom He offers.

Salvation is not just about the forgiveness of sins; it is about restoration, deliverance, and being set in the place where we truly belong. God is not waiting for us to be perfect or to have it all together. He is ready, now, to do the deep work of healing and deliverance in our lives. The pain of letting go or facing change may be real, but it is nothing compared to the lingering pain of holding onto what is destroying us. God’s heart aches not because we sin, but because of what sin does to us. He longs for us to be free, to rejoice, and to live as beloved children in His presence.

Today is the day of salvation. Not tomorrow, not someday—now. God is inviting us to trust Him, to let Him remove what is holding us back, and to step into the fullness of His love and purpose. His grace is sufficient, His love is unchanging, and His desire is for us to know Him intimately and walk in freedom.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Grace is Empowerment for Today God’s grace is not just a future hope or a past event; it is a present empowerment to live godly, self-controlled lives. Grace teaches us to say no to ungodliness and equips us to do good, not by our own strength but by His enabling presence. To receive grace in vain is to ignore its power for transformation in the here and now. [02:38]
• 2. God’s Love is Relentless and Personal God’s love for us is more enduring and intimate than even a mother’s love for her child. He has written our names on the palms of His hands and is always mindful of our struggles and pain. Even when we feel forgotten or abandoned, God’s heart is moved with compassion, and He never ceases to pursue our good. [10:01]
• 3. Letting Go of Yesterday’s Solutions What once brought deliverance or comfort can become a hindrance if we cling to it beyond its season. Like Israel with the bronze serpent, we can turn God-given means into idols, missing the new thing God wants to do. True faith is willing to let go of the past and trust God for fresh direction and provision. [30:11]
• 4. Salvation is Restoration and Wholeness Salvation is not just about escaping judgment; it is about being restored to our rightful place as God’s children. God wants to heal, deliver, and set us free from everything that binds us—mindsets, habits, pain, and sin. The process may be painful, but God’s desire is to remove what is destroying us so we can live in true freedom and joy. [45:23]
• 5. Now is the Time to Respond God’s invitation is always for today—now is the day of salvation, deliverance, and breakthrough. Delaying obedience or healing only prolongs our pain and keeps us from the fullness God intends. If we are willing, God will do the deep work in us, bringing peace, strength, and joy beyond measure as we surrender to Him.
  
  ** [50:38]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - Introducing the “Now” Theme
• [02:38] - The Grace of God: Empowerment for Today
• [04:37] - Isaiah’s Prophecy and God’s Promises
• [07:02] - The Two Trees: The Gift of Choice
• [09:00] - God’s Unfailing Love and Remembrance
• [12:15] - God’s Promises for His Children
• [14:24] - Restoration and Return from Exile
• [16:52] - Now is the Day of Salvation
• [19:25] - God’s Tenderness and Discipline
• [23:23] - The Heart of the Father
• [27:26] - The Bronze Serpent: Lessons from the Past
• [30:11] - Letting Go of Old Idols
• [45:23] - The Pain of Healing and the Call to Freedom
• [50:38] - Responding to God’s Invitation
• [54:37] - Blessing and Benediction

Bible Reading

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (ESV) — > Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says,
> “In a favorable time I listened to you,
> and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”
> Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Titus 2:11-14 (ESV) — > For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Isaiah 49:13-16 (ESV) — > Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;
> break forth, O mountains, into singing!
> For the Lord has comforted his people
> and will have compassion on his afflicted.
> But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me;
> my Lord has forgotten me.”
> “Can a woman forget her nursing child,
> that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?
> Even these may forget,
> yet I will not forget you.
> Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
> your walls are continually before me.”

Observation Questions

1. In 2 Corinthians 6:1-2, what does Paul mean when he says, “do not receive the grace of God in vain”? How does he connect this to the idea of “now is the day of salvation”?
2. According to Titus 2:11-14, what does the grace of God do in the lives of believers right now, not just in the future?
3. In Isaiah 49:15-16, what kind of love does God compare His love for His people to? What does it mean that our names are “engraved on the palms of His hands”?
4. The sermon mentioned the story of the bronze serpent (Numbers 21) and how it later became an idol (2 Kings 18). What was the original purpose of the bronze serpent, and what happened to it over time? [30:11]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that God’s grace is not just a “ticket to heaven” but an empowerment for living a godly life now. What does it look like to “receive grace in vain” in practical terms? [02:38]
2. God’s love is described as more persistent and tender than a mother’s love for her child. How might this understanding of God’s love change the way someone relates to God, especially in times of struggle or feeling forgotten? [10:01]
3. The sermon talks about letting go of things that once helped us but now hold us back, like the bronze serpent. Why do people sometimes cling to old habits, traditions, or mindsets, even when they are no longer helpful? [30:11]
4. The message says, “Today is the day of salvation.” Why is it important to respond to God’s invitation now, rather than waiting for a “better” time? [16:52]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us not to “receive the grace of God in vain.” Is there an area of your life where you have been ignoring or underestimating God’s grace to change you right now? What would it look like to invite God’s grace into that area this week? [02:38]
2. God’s love is described as relentless and personal, even more than a mother’s love. When was the last time you doubted God’s care for you? How can you remind yourself of His love in practical ways when you feel forgotten or alone? [10:01]
3. Are there any “bronze serpents” in your life—habits, traditions, or mindsets that once helped you but now keep you from growing? What would it look like to let go of them and trust God for something new? [30:11]
4. The sermon says that God’s discipline is always rooted in love, like a parent correcting a child. How have you experienced God’s loving discipline? How did it shape you, even if it was painful at the time? [24:21]
5. The message says, “Salvation is not just about the forgiveness of sins; it is about restoration, deliverance, and being set in the place where we truly belong.” Is there an area of your life where you need God’s restoration or deliverance right now? What step could you take to invite Him into that process? [16:52]
6. The pastor shared a story about the pain of removing something harmful (like a cyst) versus the lingering pain of leaving it alone. Is there something in your life that you know God is asking you to let go of, but you’re afraid of the pain or discomfort? What would help you trust God with that process? [45:23]
7. The sermon ends with an invitation to respond to God “today.” What is one specific way you can say “yes” to God’s invitation this week, whether it’s in your relationships, habits, or time with Him? [50:38]