Embracing Grace and Truth in Every Season
Summary
Today, we gathered as a community to seek God together, no matter what season of life we find ourselves in. God is not just present in our struggles, but also in our victories, and we are called to pursue Him in every circumstance. The Holy Spirit was here before any of us arrived, ready to meet us where we are and to answer when we call out. We are invited to lay down our burdens, seek His presence, and allow Him to transform us as we worship and pray together.
We are in a time where difficult and often uncomfortable conversations are necessary, especially within the church. The world is not shy about discussing topics like same-sex relationships, and neither should we be, especially since these are biblical issues long before they became political ones. Our foundation must be the Bible, not social media or popular opinion. We are not called to perfection, but to a pursuit of righteousness—a vertical chase after God, not a horizontal comparison with others.
When it comes to same-sex relationships, statistics show that a significant portion of the LGBTQ+ community has roots in the church, and many would return if they experienced genuine love and acceptance. The challenge for us is to be both biblically and theologically conservative, holding tightly to the truth of Scripture, while being relationally liberal—freely giving love, time, and relationship to all people. Our goal is to love so well that people encounter God through us.
Scripture is clear about God’s design for marriage and sexuality, beginning in Genesis and reaffirmed throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Sin, in all its forms, distorts God’s original design and separates us from Him. Yet, all of us fall short and need His grace. The Bible’s teaching on sexuality is not about singling out one group, but about calling all of us to submit our desires to God’s will, deny ourselves, and pursue holiness.
Grace and truth must go hand in hand. We can disagree and still do life together in love. Our identity is not found in our sexuality or any other label, but in Christ alone. Temptation is not a sin—acting on it is. We all face temptation, but through Christ, we can be made new. The invitation is open to everyone: lay down your burdens, be born again, and walk in the fullness of life that Jesus offers. Let’s go out and make a difference, radiating His love everywhere we go.
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Key Takeaways
- God’s Presence Is for Every Season
No matter if life is going well or you’re weighed down by burdens, God is present and desires to meet you where you are. He is not just the God of our struggles, but also of our joys, and we are called to seek Him in every circumstance. The Holy Spirit is always ahead of us, inviting us to bring our needs and praises before Him, trusting that He will answer—even if the answer isn’t what we expect. [29:33]
- The Church Must Lead with Both Conviction and Compassion
We are called to hold tightly to the truth of Scripture while freely giving love and relationship to all people. The church should not shy away from difficult conversations, but must approach them with humility, compassion, and a commitment to biblical truth. Our stance is not “us versus them,” but a recognition that all of us need Jesus and that love is demonstrated not by blind agreement, but by walking with people through their journeys. [42:02]
- Scripture, Not Culture, Shapes Our Understanding
Our theology and understanding of God’s character must be rooted in the Bible, not in social media trends or cultural opinions. The Bible’s teaching on sexuality and marriage is consistent from Genesis through the New Testament, calling us to align our lives with God’s design rather than reshaping Scripture to fit our preferences. We are to build our lives around the Bible, not the other way around. [49:24]
- Identity Is Found in Christ, Not in Sexuality or Temptation
Sexual attraction or any other feeling does not define who we are—our true identity is found in our Creator and our purpose in Him. Temptation is a universal human experience and is not itself a sin; it is what we do with temptation that matters. God calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him, trusting that He alone has the authority to define our identity and destiny. [01:10:13]
- The Call to New Life Is for Everyone
No one is excluded from the invitation to be born again and to walk in the fullness of life that Jesus offers. The hope of the gospel is not a weapon to be used against others, but a promise of transformation for all who will lay down their burdens at the foot of the cross. We are all in need of grace, and through confession, repentance, and faith in Christ, we become new creations, empowered to live differently and to share His love with the world. [01:13:17]
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Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[29:33] - Entering God’s Presence and Worship
[31:52] - Community Celebration and Announcements
[34:18] - Why the Church Must Address Difficult Topics
[35:33] - Building Our Lives on the Bible
[37:31] - Introducing the Topic: Same-Sex Relationships
[39:34] - The Church’s Relationship with the LGBTQ+ Community
[42:02] - Holding Grace and Truth Together
[43:34] - God’s Design in Genesis
[45:28] - The Meaning of Helper and God’s Image
[48:31] - The Universal Need for God’s Grace
[49:24] - Scriptural Foundations on Sexuality
[51:40] - Sodom and Gomorrah: Sin’s Deterioration
[54:07] - Sin Blurs God’s Design
[55:20] - Pursuing Holiness Over Comparison
[56:12] - Understanding Levitical Laws
[59:31] - New Testament Teachings on Sexuality
[01:01:25] - Jewish and Christian Perspectives
[01:03:08] - Denying Ourselves for God’s Desires
[01:05:34] - Did Jesus Address Same-Sex Relationships?
[01:07:36] - Jesus Affirms God’s Design for Marriage
[01:08:25] - Grace and Truth in Community
[01:10:13] - Identity in Christ, Not Sexuality
[01:11:31] - Temptation Is Not Sin
[01:13:17] - The Call to Be Born Again
[01:14:41] - Prayer and Invitation to New Life
[01:15:39] - Closing Prayer and Sending Out
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 2:24-25 (ESV)
> Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
2. Romans 1:26-27 (ESV)
> For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
3. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (ESV)
> Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
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### Observation Questions
1. In Genesis 2:24-25, what is described as God’s original design for marriage? How does the passage describe the relationship between the man and the woman?
2. According to Romans 1:26-27, what does Paul say happens when people turn away from God’s design?
3. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, what kinds of behaviors are listed as not inheriting the kingdom of God, and what hope is offered to those who have lived that way?
4. The sermon mentioned that “all of us need the glory of God because without Him we’re nothing.” What does this say about the human condition? [48:31]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says, “We are not called to perfection, but to a pursuit of righteousness—a vertical chase after God, not a horizontal comparison with others.” What does it mean to pursue righteousness vertically rather than compare ourselves to others? [34:18]
2. The pastor shared that “temptation is not a sin—acting on it is.” How does this distinction affect the way we view our own struggles and the struggles of others? [01:11:31]
3. The message emphasized that “our identity is not found in our sexuality or any other label, but in Christ alone.” How might this truth challenge the way people in the church and outside the church see themselves? [01:10:13]
4. The sermon called the church to be “biblically and theologically conservative, while being relationally liberal—freely giving love, time, and relationship to all people.” What are some practical ways this balance could look in our church community? [42:02]
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### Application Questions
1. The pastor said, “God is not just present in our struggles, but also in our victories, and we are called to pursue Him in every circumstance.” Think about your current season of life—what would it look like for you to seek God both in your struggles and your joys this week? [29:33]
2. The sermon challenged us to “hold tightly to the truth of Scripture while freely giving love and relationship to all people.” Is there someone in your life who needs to experience both truth and love from you? What is one step you can take toward that person this week? [42:02]
3. The message said, “Our theology and understanding of God’s character must be rooted in the Bible, not in social media trends or cultural opinions.” Are there areas where you’ve let culture shape your beliefs more than Scripture? What’s one way you can realign your thinking with the Bible? [49:24]
4. The pastor stated, “Temptation is not a sin. It’s the acting on it that is.” What is one temptation you face regularly, and what practical step can you take to resist acting on it this week? [01:11:31]
5. The sermon emphasized, “No one is excluded from the invitation to be born again and to walk in the fullness of life that Jesus offers.” Is there a burden or label you need to lay down at the foot of the cross today? What would it look like to walk in the new life Jesus offers? [01:13:17]
6. The pastor shared that many in the LGBTQ+ community would return to church if they experienced genuine love and acceptance. How can you personally help create a church environment where everyone feels welcomed and loved, even when there are disagreements? [39:34]
7. The message said, “Grace and truth must go hand in hand. We can disagree and still do life together in love.” When was the last time you disagreed with someone in the church? How did you handle it, and what could you do differently next time to better reflect both grace and truth? [01:08:25]
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Devotional
Day 1: Build Your Life on God’s Word, Not Culture
God calls us to build our lives on the unchanging truth of His Word, not on the shifting opinions of culture, social media, or popular trends. When we seek God’s perspective first, we anchor ourselves in wisdom and avoid being swayed by every new idea or controversy. The Bible is not just a collection of ancient writings, but the inspired, authoritative voice of God for all people and all times. As we face difficult or controversial topics, our first question should always be, “God, what do You say?” rather than “What does everyone else think?” When we let Scripture shape our beliefs and actions, we find clarity, conviction, and the courage to stand for truth with love. [35:33]
Hosea 4:6 (ESV)
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to let social media, friends, or popular culture shape your beliefs more than God’s Word? What is one step you can take today to seek God’s perspective first?
Day 2: All Have Sinned—We All Need Jesus
No one is exempt from the reality of sin; every person falls short of God’s glory and is in need of His grace. It’s easy to compare ourselves to others or focus on the visible struggles of those around us, but God’s standard is not horizontal comparison—it’s His own holiness. Whether our sins are public or private, obvious or hidden, we all stand in need of forgiveness and transformation. This truth humbles us, removes any sense of superiority, and reminds us that the ground is level at the foot of the cross. God’s grace is available to all, and our response should be one of humility, repentance, and gratitude for His mercy. [48:31]
Romans 3:23 (ESV)
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Reflection: Is there someone you’ve been tempted to judge or look down on because of their struggles? How can you remind yourself today that you, too, are in need of God’s grace and forgiveness?
Day 3: Grace and Truth—Love Without Compromise
God calls us to hold tightly to the truth of Scripture while freely extending grace and love to everyone, regardless of their background or struggles. True love is not blind agreement or approval of everything, but a willingness to walk with people in compassion, even when we disagree. Jesus modeled this perfectly—He never compromised on truth, but He also never withheld love. As followers of Christ, we are called to be both biblically faithful and relationally generous, building bridges rather than walls. When we love people well, they can encounter God’s heart through us, even in the midst of difficult conversations or disagreements. [01:08:25]
John 1:14 (ESV)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience both grace and truth from you today? What is one practical way you can show Christlike love to someone you disagree with?
Day 4: Temptation Is Not Sin—Your Identity Is in Christ
Everyone faces temptation, but being tempted does not define who you are or mean you have sinned. Acting on temptation is what leads to sin, but the experience of temptation itself is common to all people—even Jesus was tempted, yet He did not sin. Your identity is not found in your feelings, attractions, or struggles, but in your Creator and your purpose in Him. God provides a way of escape and the strength to endure, calling you to crucify your flesh and walk in the new life He offers. You are not defined by your temptations, but by your relationship with Jesus and your willingness to follow Him. [01:12:24]
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Reflection: What temptation are you facing right now that feels overwhelming? How can you remind yourself today that God is faithful and your true identity is found in Him, not in your struggles?
Day 5: New Life—You Must Be Born Again
The hope of the gospel is that no matter your past, your struggles, or your temptations, you can be made new through Jesus Christ. Salvation is not about managing sin or trying harder, but about surrendering your life to Jesus, receiving His forgiveness, and allowing Him to transform you from the inside out. When you confess your need for Him and believe in your heart, you become a new creation—your old identity is gone, and your new life begins. This is not just a one-time event, but a daily journey of laying down your old self and walking in the freedom and purpose God has for you. [01:14:41]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Reflection: Have you truly surrendered your life to Jesus and received His new life? If so, what is one area where you need to walk in that new identity today? If not, what is holding you back from taking that step?
Quotes
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