Embracing Grace: Growing Together in Christ
Summary
In the sermon, I emphasized the importance of pressing into our relationship with Christ and being obedient to His calling. I encouraged those who have not yet received Christ as their savior to do so, reminding them that God is not finished with them yet and they can trust Him with whatever they are going through. I also highlighted the importance of being active in a local church and the role it plays in our spiritual growth and sense of belonging.
I also discussed the concept of grace and peace, noting that grace always comes before peace because we cannot have God's peace apart from His grace. I emphasized the importance of gratitude and caring for others, using the example of how every time the people of Philippi crossed Paul's mind, he stopped to thank God for them. I also stressed the importance of being part of a smaller group within the church to feel connected and cared for. I reminded the congregation that God is more concerned about our spiritual growth than we are and that He never starts a project He doesn't intend to complete.
Key takeaways:
- God is more concerned about our spiritual growth than we are and He never starts a project He doesn't intend to complete. He is patient with us in the process and always keeps His promises (#!!20:15!!#).
- We cannot have God's peace apart from His grace. Grace always comes before peace (#!!12:51!!#).
- Being part of a smaller group within the church can help us feel more connected and cared for (#!!14:09!!#).
- God is not limited at all and can do immeasurably more than we could even ask or imagine (#!!22:09!!#).
- The church is where believers come together to share Christ's love with one another (#!!14:47!!#).
Study Guide
Bible Passages:
1. Philippians 1:1-10
2. Acts 28:1-31
3. Matthew 22:36-40
Key Points from the sermon:
1. The importance of spiritual growth and maturity in Christ.
2. The role of love, knowledge, and discernment in our relationships with others.
3. The significance of discipleship and mentorship in the Christian journey.
Observation Questions:
1. What does Philippians 1:9-10 say about love and discernment?
2. How does Acts 28 describe Paul's circumstances when he wrote the letter to the Philippians?
3. What are the two greatest commandments according to Matthew 22:36-40?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does growing in love, knowledge, and discernment affect our spiritual growth according to Philippians 1:9-10?
2. How did Paul's circumstances in Acts 28 influence the content of his letter to the Philippians?
3. How do the two greatest commandments in Matthew 22:36-40 relate to our daily interactions with others?
Application Questions:
1. How can we apply the principle of growing in love, knowledge, and discernment in our relationships with others?
2. How can we remain faithful and encouraging to others in difficult circumstances, as Paul did in Acts 28?
3. How can we practically live out the two greatest commandments in our daily lives?
Devotional
Day 1: The Importance of a Personal Relationship with Christ
A personal relationship with Christ is the cornerstone of our faith. It is through this relationship that we are able to understand God's love for us, and it is through this relationship that we are able to grow in our faith and become more like Christ.
John 15:5 - "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: Reflect on your personal relationship with Christ. How does it influence your daily life and decisions? Are there areas in your life where you could invite Christ in more deeply?
Day 2: The Role of the Church in Showing Christ's Love
The church is not just a building or a place of worship. It is a community of believers who are called to show Christ's love to the world. Through our actions and our words, we can demonstrate the love of Christ to those around us.
1 John 4:12 - "No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."
Reflection: How have you experienced Christ's love through your church community? Are there ways you could contribute more to this community to help others experience this love?
Day 3: The Importance of Building Eternal Treasures
In our daily lives, it can be easy to focus on the material things of this world. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to focus on building eternal treasures. These are the things that will last forever and have eternal value.
Matthew 6:20 - "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."
Reflection: What are some eternal treasures you are currently building in your life? How do these treasures align with your relationship with Christ and your values?
Day 4: The Impact of Spiritual Mentors
Spiritual mentors play a crucial role in our spiritual growth. They guide us, teach us, and help us to understand God's word. They are a source of wisdom and guidance, and their influence can have a lasting impact on our lives.
Proverbs 27:17 - "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
Reflection: Who are the spiritual mentors in your life? How have they influenced your spiritual growth? Have you thanked them for their influence?
Day 5: The Call to Love and Discernment
As followers of Christ, we are called to love others and to use discernment in our daily lives. Love is the greatest commandment, and discernment helps us to make wise decisions and to discern right from wrong.
1 Corinthians 13:13 - "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
Reflection: How do you practice love and discernment in your daily life? Are there situations where you could have shown more love or used better discernment? How can you improve in these areas moving forward?
Quotes
1. "Think back over your life, who is the person who had the greatest or one of the greatest impacts on your spiritual life? Those are the people that have a right to care for your spiritual growth. Take some time this afternoon just to let them know, send them an email, send them a text, send them a handwritten note. Encourage them for encouraging you." - 23:58
2. "God is my witness how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. This is compassion that came from somebody who used to be a persecutor of Christians. God had radically changed his heart." - 24:37
3. "If we follow the model of Jesus, if as we continue to grow we will obey God in what he has told us to do and primarily that's to love God and love other people. It becomes a discipline of surrendering our heart to God. So when we have trouble forgiving someone, we surrender our heart to God." - 25:19
4. "Before we say something, before we post something online, we might ask ourselves does what I'm about to say build others up or tear others down? Does what I'm about to say show God's love to others? Is what I'm going to say helpful or is it spiteful? Does it come from a heart a spirit of reconciliation or a spirit of anger?" - 25:54
5. "If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you'll always have someone who cares for you. The Bible says he's a friend that sticks closer than a brother. But someone once said sometimes we need Jesus with skin on. That's a huge purpose of the church. We need people who will put their arms around us and walk with us when we're going through difficult days." - 15:24
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