Embracing Grace: Love, Truth, and Evangelism
Summary
In moments of profound connection with God, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by His love and grace. This week, I experienced such a moment, feeling deeply loved and favored by God, as if I were His favorite child. This joy, however, was juxtaposed with a deep sadness for those who do not know His grace. Observing people striving to earn favor through rituals and works, I was reminded of the futility of such efforts. In Mexico City, I witnessed rituals that people believed would cleanse them, yet I knew that true cleansing comes only through Jesus Christ.
The heart of the message is the grace of God, a gift that cannot be earned through works. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our efforts. This truth is crucial, as it prevents us from boasting about our deeds. We must remember that our relationship with God is not about what we do but about what He has done for us. This understanding should lead us to rest in His love, free from the burden of trying to earn His favor.
As believers, we are called to preach the Word, even when it is unpopular. The truth of God’s Word must be shared in its entirety, without compromise. This includes addressing difficult topics, even when they are countercultural. Our mission is not to conform to the world but to transform it through the love and truth of Christ.
Furthermore, our focus should be on expanding God’s kingdom through love. While it is important to stand for truth, it is equally important to love those who are lost. Jesus demonstrated this by engaging with those society deemed unworthy. We must follow His example, reaching out to those who are different from us, showing them the love of Christ.
Ultimately, our lives should reflect the reality of heaven and hell. If we truly believe in these eternal destinies, our actions will be driven by a desire to see others come to know the grace of God. This is the heart of evangelism: sharing the truth that sets people free and brings them into a relationship with Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
- Experiencing God's love can be overwhelming, filling us with joy and gratitude. Yet, it also highlights the sadness for those who do not know His grace, prompting us to share the good news with them. [00:52]
- Salvation is a gift from God, not something we can earn through our works. This truth frees us from the burden of striving and allows us to rest in His love. [07:07]
- We are called to preach the Word of God in its entirety, even when it is unpopular. This requires courage and a commitment to truth, trusting that God's ways are higher than ours. [16:36]
- Expanding God's kingdom is about love, not just standing for issues. We must engage with those who are lost, showing them the love of Christ through our actions and words. [28:25]
- Our belief in heaven and hell should drive us to evangelism, sharing the truth that sets people free and brings them into a relationship with Jesus. [34:26]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Overwhelmed by God's Love
[01:21] - Heartbreak for the Lost
[02:14] - Encounter in Mexico City
[04:35] - True Cleansing Through Christ
[06:24] - Understanding Grace
[07:07] - Salvation as a Gift
[09:39] - Resting in God's Love
[12:32] - The Power of God's Word
[14:25] - Preach the Word
[16:36] - Courage to Share the Truth
[20:04] - Itching Ears and Truth
[23:00] - Embarrassment of God's Truth
[28:25] - Expanding God's Kingdom Through Love
[34:26] - The Urgency of Evangelism
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 2:8-9
2. 2 Timothy 4:1-5
3. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
---
Observation Questions:
1. According to Ephesians 2:8-9, what is the basis of our salvation, and why is it important that it is not a result of works? [06:48]
2. In 2 Timothy 4:1-5, what are the instructions given to Timothy regarding preaching the Word, and what challenges might he face? [14:25]
3. How does the sermon describe the rituals observed in Mexico City, and what was the pastor's response to them? [04:06]
4. What does 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 say about the transformation of believers, and how does it relate to the concept of grace? [35:05]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might the pastor feel both overwhelming joy and deep sadness in his relationship with God, as described in the sermon? [01:21]
2. How does the sermon illustrate the futility of trying to earn God's favor through rituals and works? [05:54]
3. What does it mean to preach the Word "in season and out of season," and how can this be applied in today's context? [16:36]
4. How does the sermon challenge believers to engage with those who are different from them, and what example does it use to illustrate this? [29:39]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by God's love. How did that experience impact your relationship with Him, and how can you share that joy with others? [00:52]
2. The sermon emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God. How can you remind yourself daily to rest in His love rather than striving to earn His favor? [07:07]
3. Consider the pastor's call to preach the Word even when it is unpopular. What are some truths from the Bible that you find challenging to share, and how can you overcome this hesitation? [16:36]
4. The sermon encourages expanding God's kingdom through love. Identify one person in your life who is different from you. How can you show them the love of Christ this week? [28:25]
5. Reflect on your belief in heaven and hell. How does this belief influence your actions and priorities, particularly in sharing the gospel with others? [34:26]
6. The pastor shared his experience in Mexico City, observing rituals that people believed would cleanse them. How can you engage in conversations with those who have different beliefs, sharing the truth of Jesus with love and respect? [04:06]
7. The sermon mentions the importance of not being ashamed of God's truth. Are there aspects of your faith that you find difficult to discuss with others? How can you gain confidence in sharing these truths? [25:06]
Devotional
Day 1: Experiencing God's Overwhelming Love
In moments of profound connection with God, His love and grace can be overwhelming, filling us with joy and gratitude. This experience often leads to a deep sense of being favored by God, as if we are His favorite children. However, this joy is often accompanied by a sadness for those who do not know His grace. Observing people striving to earn favor through rituals and works highlights the futility of such efforts. True cleansing and favor come only through Jesus Christ, not through our own actions. This understanding should prompt us to share the good news with those who are lost, so they too can experience the overwhelming love of God. [00:52]
Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV): "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who may not know the love of God. How can you share His overwhelming love with them today in a tangible way?
Day 2: Salvation as a Gift, Not Earned
Salvation is a gift from God, not something we can earn through our works. This truth, as stated in Ephesians 2:8-9, frees us from the burden of striving and allows us to rest in His love. It is crucial to understand that our relationship with God is not about what we do but about what He has done for us. This understanding should lead us to a place of rest and gratitude, knowing that we are loved and accepted by God without having to earn it. This freedom from striving is a powerful testimony to the world, showing that God's grace is sufficient for all. [07:07]
Titus 3:5-7 (ESV): "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel you are striving to earn God's favor. How can you release this burden and rest in His grace today?
Day 3: Courage to Preach the Unpopular Truth
As believers, we are called to preach the Word of God in its entirety, even when it is unpopular. This requires courage and a commitment to truth, trusting that God's ways are higher than ours. The truth of God’s Word must be shared without compromise, even when it addresses difficult or countercultural topics. Our mission is not to conform to the world but to transform it through the love and truth of Christ. This calling demands that we stand firm in our faith, sharing the truth with love and conviction, regardless of the societal pressures we may face. [16:36]
2 Timothy 4:2-4 (ESV): "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."
Reflection: Consider a truth from God's Word that you find difficult to share. What steps can you take to share this truth with love and courage this week?
Day 4: Expanding God's Kingdom Through Love
Expanding God's kingdom is about love, not just standing for issues. While it is important to stand for truth, it is equally important to love those who are lost. Jesus demonstrated this by engaging with those society deemed unworthy. We must follow His example, reaching out to those who are different from us, showing them the love of Christ through our actions and words. This approach to evangelism focuses on building relationships and demonstrating God's love in practical ways, inviting others to experience His grace and truth. [28:25]
1 John 3:18 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: Think of someone in your community who is different from you or who may feel marginalized. How can you show them the love of Christ through your actions this week?
Day 5: The Urgency of Evangelism
Our belief in heaven and hell should drive us to evangelism, sharing the truth that sets people free and brings them into a relationship with Jesus. If we truly believe in these eternal destinies, our actions will be driven by a desire to see others come to know the grace of God. This is the heart of evangelism: sharing the truth that sets people free and brings them into a relationship with Jesus. The urgency of this mission compels us to live lives that reflect the reality of heaven and hell, prioritizing the sharing of the gospel with those around us. [34:26]
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Reflection: Reflect on your daily interactions. How can you intentionally incorporate the urgency of sharing the gospel in your conversations and actions today?
Quotes
In moments of profound connection with God, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by His love and grace. This week, I experienced such a moment, feeling deeply loved and favored by God, as if I were His favorite child. This joy, however, was juxtaposed with a deep sadness for those who do not know His grace. [00:00:52]
I was in Mexico City and I don't know if you know the history of Mexico City but you know I'm I'm going up in the tower yeah I had a couple hours before speaking and so I just went around and just looked at different places and I didn't really know the history uh so much but um you know I did. [00:02:14]
I want them to understand Grace I want them to understand what Jesus did for them all of these people that are just striving to do something and earn something and you can just see frustration and and work work work let me get something let me get something let me get something. [00:05:55]
For by Grace you've been saved through faith and this is not your own doing it's the gift of God, not a result of works so that no one may boast it's by Grace you've been saved through faith and I love this phrase this is not your own doing this is not your own doing. [00:06:24]
It's a gift of God not as a result of works why why this is so important so that no one may boast so at the end of my life I can't say hey God man did you see what I did man I stayed at a Cornerstone Church I was there for 15 years put up with all those emails. [00:08:08]
I think it's hard to rest sometimes because the rest of life isn't that way the rest of life is all about earning right and you know in your positions I mean you got yourself there and you earned this you earned that you did that you proved yourself in the athletic field wherever else you did that. [00:09:42]
Preach the word be ready in season and out of season reprove rebuke exhort with complete patience and teaching see he it's it's you know when I studied this when I was in school they they started you know mainly focusing on that phrase preach the word be ready in season now okay that's right. [00:14:25]
The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths as for you always be sober minded endure suffering do the work of an evangelist. [00:19:44]
Expanding this kingdom of God through love that's what I see as the focus of this book that God's kingdom is so different from every other Kingdom that we create and it's a kingdom where it grows through this love that we have for him and for others now that doesn't mean that we approve of evil. [00:28:25]
I cannot picture Jesus barricading himself in a church building with yes on eight posters all around him because you know what that says to that community is basically go to hell no it doesn't says yes no no no that's what it says and that's what it demonstrates to them and I don't believe that's the way Jesus lived. [00:29:48]
When does Heaven rejoice when we win a vote when does Heaven Rejoice that's right when a sinner repents when a sinner repents then suddenly Heaven rejoices then suddenly you know there's a celebration in Heaven There was a celebration when when Heidi repented was like no way Mighty yeah you know God she was so screwed up. [00:32:23]
If anyone's name was not written in the Book of Life he was thrown into a lake of fire to be tormented day and night forever and ever that should always be on the Forefront of our minds last week when I talked about Lazarus and the rich man and that rich man just begging for a drop of water. [00:33:26]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Feb 10, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?