Embracing Grace: A Journey of Generosity

 

Summary

Living a life of grace and generosity is a journey that begins with understanding the depth of God's grace towards us. As we embark on this series, "Open Hands: Living a Lifestyle of Generosity," we are reminded that our mission is not to build a large church but to develop disciples who reflect Jesus in their actions and attitudes. Discipleship is about transformation—becoming more like Jesus in how we live, speak, and treat others. This transformation is rooted in understanding our identity in Christ, which Paul emphasizes in his letter to the Ephesians.

Paul's letter to the Ephesians, written from prison, is a profound exploration of identity and behavior. He begins by reminding the Ephesians of who they are in Christ before addressing how they should live. This approach underscores the importance of understanding our identity as beloved children of God, chosen and adopted into His family. This adoption is not based on our merit but on God's pleasure and grace. It is a gift that transforms us from spiritual death to life, from being abandoned to being accepted.

As we receive this grace, it should naturally flow out of us into the lives of others. Our gracious God desires to turn gift receivers into gift givers. This means living with open hands, being generous not just with our finances but with our words, forgiveness, and time. Paul challenges us to let the Holy Spirit renew our thoughts and attitudes, enabling us to live generously and graciously. This lifestyle of generosity is not about legalism or obligation but about reflecting the character of God, who is generous and loving.

In this series, we will explore various aspects of generosity, including resources, words, forgiveness, and self-giving. Each of these areas is an opportunity to reflect God's grace and love to those around us. As we understand and embrace our identity in Christ, we are empowered to live out this generosity, impacting our families, workplaces, and communities. Let us open our hands and hearts to God, allowing His grace to transform us into conduits of His love and generosity.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Our Identity in Christ: Our journey of generosity begins with understanding our identity as beloved children of God, chosen and adopted into His family. This identity is not based on our merit but on God's grace and pleasure. Embracing this truth transforms how we live and interact with others. [19:56]

2. Grace In, Grace Out: As we receive God's grace, it should naturally flow out of us into the lives of others. Our gracious God desires to turn gift receivers into gift givers, reflecting His character in our generosity with resources, words, forgiveness, and time. [22:05]

3. The Power of the Holy Spirit: Transformation into a lifestyle of generosity is not about trying harder but about surrendering to the Holy Spirit. Letting the Spirit renew our thoughts and attitudes empowers us to live generously and graciously, reflecting God's love in our actions. [46:14]

4. Generosity Beyond Finances: Generosity is not limited to financial giving. It includes being generous with our words, offering encouragement and kindness, and extending forgiveness to others. Each of these areas is an opportunity to reflect God's grace and love. [55:16]

5. Living a Life of Love: Imitating God means living a life filled with love, following the example of Christ, who gave Himself for us. This self-giving love is the greatest act of worship and reflects the heart of a generous and gracious life. [58:36]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:46] - Encountering Grace on the Road
- [06:18] - Introduction to Open Hands Series
- [12:32] - Understanding Ephesus
- [16:01] - The Temple of Artemis and Cultural Context
- [19:56] - Identity Before Behavior
- [22:05] - Grace In, Grace Out
- [25:55] - The Gift of Adoption
- [31:40] - Understanding Our New Identity
- [39:44] - From Death to Life
- [46:14] - Empowered by the Holy Spirit
- [50:26] - Resources and Generosity
- [55:16] - The Gift of Words and Forgiveness
- [58:36] - Living a Life of Love
- [01:00:06] - Invitation to Receive Grace

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Open Hands: Living a Lifestyle of Generosity

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 1:3-5
- Ephesians 2:4-10

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Ephesians 1:3-5, what are some of the spiritual blessings we receive in Christ, and how does Paul describe our adoption into God's family?

2. In Ephesians 2:4-10, what does Paul say about the state of humanity before receiving God's grace, and how does he describe the transformation that occurs through Christ?

3. The sermon mentioned a personal story about showing grace on the road. How did this story illustrate the concept of "Grace In, Grace Out"? [03:46]

4. What does the pastor say about the importance of understanding our identity in Christ before discussing behavior? [19:56]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does understanding our identity as adopted children of God influence the way we live and interact with others? [19:56]

2. What does it mean to be transformed by the Holy Spirit, and how does this transformation empower us to live generously? [46:14]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that generosity extends beyond financial giving? How can words and forgiveness be acts of generosity? [55:16]

4. How does the concept of "Grace In, Grace Out" challenge the way we typically think about receiving and giving? [22:05]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your understanding of your identity in Christ. How does this understanding impact your daily actions and decisions? [19:56]

2. Think of a recent situation where you received grace from someone. How did it affect your response to others afterward? How can you ensure that grace flows out of you into the lives of others? [03:46]

3. The sermon emphasized the role of the Holy Spirit in renewing our thoughts and attitudes. What practical steps can you take to invite the Holy Spirit to transform your mindset and actions this week? [46:14]

4. Consider the different areas of generosity mentioned in the sermon: resources, words, forgiveness, and self-giving. Which area do you find most challenging, and what is one specific action you can take to grow in that area? [55:16]

5. How can you practice living with "open hands" in your community, workplace, or family this week? Identify one specific opportunity to be generous with your time, words, or resources. [06:18]

6. The pastor shared a story about road rage and grace. Can you recall a similar situation in your life where you struggled to show grace? How might you handle it differently now? [03:46]

7. Reflect on the idea that God loves us not because we are good, but because He is good. How does this truth change the way you view yourself and others? [41:23]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Our Divine Identity
Understanding our identity in Christ is foundational to living a life of grace and generosity. As beloved children of God, we are chosen and adopted into His family, not because of our merit but because of His grace and pleasure. This profound truth transforms how we perceive ourselves and interact with others. When we embrace our identity in Christ, we are empowered to live out our faith authentically, reflecting His love and grace in our daily lives. This understanding shifts our focus from striving for acceptance to resting in the assurance of being accepted by God. [19:56]

Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."

Reflection: How does knowing you are chosen and adopted by God change the way you view yourself and your interactions with others today?


Day 2: Grace Received, Grace Given
The grace we receive from God is not meant to be hoarded but to flow through us to others. Our gracious God desires to transform us from mere recipients of His gifts into conduits of His generosity. This means being generous not only with our resources but also with our words, forgiveness, and time. As we allow God's grace to permeate our lives, we become reflections of His character, impacting those around us with His love and kindness. [22:05]

2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally extend grace to someone in your life today, whether through words, actions, or forgiveness?


Day 3: Empowered by the Spirit
Living a lifestyle of generosity is not about trying harder but about surrendering to the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who renews our thoughts and attitudes, enabling us to live generously and graciously. This transformation is a work of God within us, empowering us to reflect His love in our actions. By allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us, we can overcome selfish tendencies and embrace a life that mirrors God's generosity. [46:14]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to surrender to the Holy Spirit's guidance to live more generously?


Day 4: Generosity in All Things
Generosity extends beyond financial giving; it encompasses our words, encouragement, kindness, and forgiveness. Each of these areas provides an opportunity to reflect God's grace and love. By being generous with our words, we can uplift and encourage others. By extending forgiveness, we mirror the forgiveness we have received from God. This holistic approach to generosity allows us to impact our families, workplaces, and communities positively. [55:16]

Proverbs 11:25 (ESV): "Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."

Reflection: How can you be more intentional in using your words to encourage and uplift someone today?


Day 5: Living a Life of Love
Imitating God means living a life filled with love, following the example of Christ, who gave Himself for us. This self-giving love is the greatest act of worship and reflects the heart of a generous and gracious life. As we open our hands and hearts to God, His grace transforms us into conduits of His love and generosity, impacting the world around us. [58:36]

1 John 3:16-18 (ESV): "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can demonstrate self-giving love to someone in your community this week?

Quotes



When you understand who you are and you take in this grace of God in your life, then it begins to translate out of you into the lives of the people who are around you. And I'm praying that for you and for me, the place where you work, because you understand who you are in Christ, that, that you interact differently with people and people who maybe haven't had the privilege of understanding how much Jesus loves them yet, that you're different in the way that you talk to your spouse, that you begin to grow in the way that you parent your children. [00:20:09] (32 seconds)


He did this essentially spiritual CPR where we were dead because of our transgressions, our sins, and because of Jesus and his resurrection, he brings us from death to life. He's saying he's given you life when he raised Christ from the dead. And then he says, and he goes on and on in chapter two about it's only by God's grace that you have been saved. [00:38:22] (26 seconds)


Jesus didn't die to make bad people good. Listen, through the self-giving of Jesus on the cross and through his powerful resurrection, Jesus came to make dead people alive. That's why he came. This isn't about how we measure up. This isn't about how good we can be or behave. This very much is about what God did for us. [00:40:04] (29 seconds)


God saved you by his grace. Now I want you to say that next part with me. When you, say it with me in church, when you believed, when you received, okay? When you believed, God saves you by his grace and you can't take credit for this. It is, here it is again, a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things that we have done, so none of us can boast about it. [00:41:02] (26 seconds)


And I would tell you this, you don't have to tell me. I don't need, this is between you and God. God's grace forgives our sin. Do you know who wrote this book, this letter? Paul, if anybody understood this, Paul, because his name before it was Paul was Saul. And do you know what he did prior to coming to faith in Jesus? He persecuted and he killed Christians. [00:42:33] (24 seconds)


And so Paul over and over again would say things like this when he would talk about grace. Grace of God, he would say. This grace is incredible. It's a gift. It's amazing. And I've received it. And Paul would say, even me, the chiefest of all sinners. And what Paul was saying is if I could be saved and forgiven by God, then so can you. [00:43:54] (24 seconds)


That's what you are to him, that he has created anew. Like, you're like, man, my life has been so messed up. He's like, I want to, I want to give you a fresh start in my grace. And he takes messed up lives as Bob Ross would say, happy little accidents, right? And he turns them into something that is new. And it says this, he created us anew. [00:45:30] (25 seconds)


That's what the order is right here. That's the order. And so Paul is taking it strong to the hoop over and over again. The idea is our gracious God desires to turn gift receivers into gift givers that you are not to be and I am not to be just this reservoir only that receives grace where I just get it and get and get and get no I get so I can what give I get more so I can give more I get it's like it comes in it's a channel a conduit not a reservoir. [00:46:33] (39 seconds)


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