Embracing Grace: Nurturing Faith and Family Devotion

 

Summary

In our discussion today, we explored the profound and often challenging doctrines of grace, emphasizing their integral role in evangelism and spiritual growth. These doctrines, while not the gospel itself, illuminate how the gospel operates. Jesus Himself preached sovereign grace to unconverted audiences, demonstrating that these truths should not be withheld from those who do not yet believe. Each evangelistic encounter is unique, and wisdom is required to discern when to introduce these doctrines, especially when addressing those who are self-reliant or proud.

We also delved into the importance of family devotions in nurturing spiritual-mindedness within the home. Creating an environment where discussing Scripture and prayer is natural can significantly impact a family's spiritual growth. Encouraging children to memorize Scripture and engage in prayer fosters a lifelong desire for spiritual things.

For those struggling with faith, particularly college students questioning God's visibility, turning to Scripture is crucial. The Bible reveals God as a speaking God, and through His Word, we come to understand His character and purposes. Developing a biblical worldview helps believers grow in their faith and knowledge of God.

We also addressed the balance between godly sorrow over sin and embracing God's grace. It's vital to preach the gospel to oneself daily, remembering that our justification is by faith alone in Christ alone. Understanding the difference between the indicative and the imperative in the gospel helps maintain this balance, ensuring that our sorrow for sin does not undermine our acceptance with God.

Finally, we discussed the concept of being "in Christ," which signifies a saving relationship with Him. This union means that what is true of Christ becomes true of us, and His grace and resources become our possession. This profound truth is foundational to our identity as believers and shapes our daily walk with God.

Key Takeaways:

- The doctrines of grace are essential in evangelism, as they reveal how the gospel works. Jesus and the apostles did not shy away from these truths when addressing unbelievers, and neither should we. Each evangelistic encounter requires discernment to know when to introduce these doctrines, especially when addressing those who are self-reliant or proud. [01:47]

- Family devotions play a crucial role in fostering spiritual-mindedness. By creating an environment where discussing Scripture and prayer is natural, families can nurture a desire for spiritual things in their children. Memorizing Scripture and engaging in prayer together can have a lasting impact on a family's spiritual growth. [03:56]

- For those struggling with faith, particularly college students questioning God's visibility, turning to Scripture is vital. The Bible reveals God as a speaking God, and through His Word, we come to understand His character and purposes. Developing a biblical worldview helps believers grow in their faith and knowledge of God. [06:50]

- Balancing godly sorrow over sin with embracing God's grace is essential. Preaching the gospel to oneself daily and understanding the difference between the indicative and the imperative in the gospel helps maintain this balance. Our sorrow for sin should not undermine our acceptance with God, as our justification is by faith alone in Christ alone. [08:25]

- Being "in Christ" signifies a saving relationship with Him, where His grace and resources become our possession. This profound truth is foundational to our identity as believers and shapes our daily walk with God. Understanding this union helps us live out our faith with confidence and assurance. [10:58]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:20] - Doctrines of Grace in Evangelism
- [01:47] - Wisdom in Evangelistic Encounters
- [03:18] - Spiritual-Mindedness in Families
- [06:50] - Addressing Doubts in Faith
- [08:25] - Balancing Sorrow and Grace
- [10:09] - Understanding Union with Christ
- [13:16] - Paul's Encounter and Identity
- [15:08] - Romans 7: Believer's Struggle
- [18:56] - Assurance of Salvation
- [23:20] - Evidence of True Faith
- [26:47] - Faith and Self-Denial
- [29:43] - Unconverted in Church
- [35:47] - Understanding Total Depravity
- [38:10] - Advice for New Pastors

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 10:26 - "But you do not believe because you are not among my sheep."
2. Romans 8:1-2 - "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."
3. Ephesians 1:4 - "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight."

---

Observation Questions:

1. How did Jesus use the doctrines of grace when speaking to unconverted audiences, according to the sermon? [01:05]
2. What role do family devotions play in fostering spiritual-mindedness, as discussed in the sermon? [03:18]
3. How does the sermon describe the balance between godly sorrow over sin and embracing God's grace? [08:25]
4. What does it mean to be "in Christ," and how is this concept foundational to a believer's identity? [10:09]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. Why might it be important to introduce the doctrines of grace to someone who is self-reliant or proud, as suggested in the sermon? [01:47]
2. How can family devotions create an environment that nurtures a desire for spiritual things in children? [03:56]
3. In what ways does developing a biblical worldview help believers grow in their faith and knowledge of God? [06:50]
4. How does understanding the difference between the indicative and the imperative in the gospel help maintain a balance between sorrow for sin and acceptance with God? [08:25]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent evangelistic encounter you had. How did you discern when to introduce deeper doctrines, and what was the outcome? [01:47]
2. If you have children, how can you incorporate more meaningful family devotions into your daily routine? What challenges might you face, and how can you overcome them? [03:56]
3. Think about a time when you struggled with your faith. How did turning to Scripture help you understand God's character and purposes? [06:50]
4. How do you remind yourself daily of the gospel to maintain a balance between godly sorrow and embracing God's grace? [08:25]
5. Consider your understanding of being "in Christ." How does this shape your daily walk with God, and what changes might you need to make to live out this truth more fully? [10:09]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you rely on self-righteousness. How can you practice self-denial and rely more on Christ's righteousness? [27:31]
7. How can you create an environment in your home or community that naturally encourages discussions about Scripture and prayer? [05:55]

Devotional

Day 1: The Role of Grace in Evangelism
The doctrines of grace are not merely theological concepts but are essential in understanding how the gospel operates in evangelism. These doctrines reveal the sovereignty of God in salvation and highlight the need for divine intervention in the hearts of unbelievers. Jesus and the apostles did not shy away from these truths when addressing those who did not yet believe, and neither should we. Each evangelistic encounter requires discernment to know when to introduce these doctrines, especially when addressing those who are self-reliant or proud. By understanding and sharing these truths, believers can more effectively communicate the gospel's transformative power. [01:47]

Ephesians 1:4-6 (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, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is self-reliant or proud. How can you gently introduce the doctrines of grace in your conversations with them to help them see their need for God's intervention?


Day 2: Cultivating Spiritual-Mindedness in Families
Family devotions are a vital practice for nurturing spiritual-mindedness within the home. By creating an environment where discussing Scripture and prayer is natural, families can instill a desire for spiritual things in their children. Encouraging children to memorize Scripture and engage in prayer fosters a lifelong pursuit of knowing God. This practice not only strengthens the family's spiritual growth but also equips children with a biblical foundation that will guide them throughout their lives. [03:56]

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can incorporate Scripture and prayer into your family's daily routine to foster spiritual growth?


Day 3: Addressing Doubts Through Scripture
For those struggling with faith, particularly college students questioning God's visibility, turning to Scripture is crucial. The Bible reveals God as a speaking God, and through His Word, believers come to understand His character and purposes. Developing a biblical worldview helps believers grow in their faith and knowledge of God, providing a firm foundation in times of doubt. By immersing themselves in Scripture, individuals can find answers to their questions and reassurance of God's presence and sovereignty. [06:50]

Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV): "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Reflection: What specific doubts or questions do you have about God? How can you seek answers through Scripture this week?


Day 4: Balancing Sorrow and Grace
Balancing godly sorrow over sin with embracing God's grace is essential for spiritual health. Preaching the gospel to oneself daily and understanding the difference between the indicative and the imperative in the gospel helps maintain this balance. While it is important to feel sorrow for sin, it should not undermine one's acceptance with God, as justification is by faith alone in Christ alone. This understanding allows believers to live in the freedom of grace while acknowledging their need for ongoing repentance. [08:25]

2 Corinthians 7:10 (ESV): "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent sin that has caused you sorrow. How can you embrace God's grace and forgiveness while committing to repentance and change?


Day 5: Understanding Our Union with Christ
Being "in Christ" signifies a saving relationship with Him, where His grace and resources become our possession. This profound truth is foundational to our identity as believers and shapes our daily walk with God. Understanding this union helps believers live out their faith with confidence and assurance, knowing that what is true of Christ is true of them. This identity in Christ empowers believers to face life's challenges with the assurance of His presence and provision. [10:58]

Colossians 3:3-4 (ESV): "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Reflection: How does your understanding of being "in Christ" influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? What changes can you make to live more fully in this identity?

Quotes


No, they should not be hidden, though we need to understand they are not the gospel in and of themselves; it's how the gospel works. But having said that, Jesus preached sovereign grace to unconverted people, to thousands of unconverted people. He did it in John 6. He did it in John 8. He does it in John 10. "I lay down My life for the sheep." His audience was the Pharisees. [00:00:20]

So, Peter on the day of Pentecost preached the doctrines of grace, the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God. "As many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." So, to follow the pattern and example of Scripture, we would not withhold these doctrines from unconverted people. There have been times when I've even preached on the doctrine of reprobation and double predestination, and people have been converted, unbelievers. [00:00:57]

Every witnessing situation is unique. When you read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the manner with which Jesus addressed the woman at the well was different from Nicodemus, was different from the scribe, different from the rich young ruler. So, there's a different approach angle with the one true gospel in different situations with different people. [00:01:28]

Since the question is asking about a family situation, I think that family devotions are an essential feature of raising a family. I know that's complicated and difficult with school and after school, and so on. We raised our children in Britain, and our children were not sent to post-school activities like every day of the week. [00:03:40]

We would eat. We would talk. We would ask the children about their day. I would read some portion of Scripture, ask for prayer requests. And at different stages in their growth and development from little children to teenagers, you know, and awkward moments and stuff, you know, we took turns to pray and I usually closed. [00:04:39]

I would encourage that college student to turn toward the Scriptures. The reading of God's Word, study of God's Word shows us that God is a speaking God, who primarily is not revealing Himself through visual arts. He is a speaking God and His Word is true. And the character and the nature and the purposes of God are found in the Word of God. [00:06:50]

I think it's very important to preach the gospel to yourself every day, to remind yourself every day, every morning, "Nothing in my hands I bring. Simply to Thy cross I cling," that there is absolutely nothing that I can do to improve my status of justification, that I am justified by faith alone in Christ alone. [00:08:15]

To be in Christ, first of all means that we have a relationship with Christ, a saving relationship with Christ and are brought into union and communion with Him and in such a way that as we are in Christ what is true of Christ becomes true of us, that His grace and His resources become our experience and possession. [00:10:46]

And so, the life of Christ is now in us by virtue of our being in Christ. And the fact of the matter is, and Christ is in us. So, it's a double union, if you will. My entire life is now lived for Christ, but the life that I live is lived by virtue of being in Christ, and His grace, His sufficiency, the riches of His mercy are now available to me. [00:11:38]

I think that a lot of modern Reformed commentaries on Romans disagrees with that view, but I see absolutely no reason to. It is certainly my experience. You know, apart from the logistical argument of what Paul might be saying in Romans 7, the fact is that that language coincides remarkably closely to my experience of what it is to wrestle with sin every day. [00:16:22]

I think there are some people who cannot pinpoint exactly when they were converted. For one reason, they were sitting under such shallow preaching they weren't receiving enough of the truth to actually have a strong sense of evaluating their own experience and what was happening. So, I think someone can be saved and many people are saved who cannot pinpoint that exact moment. [00:19:14]

I think it simply is saying that true saving faith is you come to the end of yourself and that Christ begins and you are under the authority of Christ. And you are now stepping out of the world and stepping out of the slave market of sin, and you are now following Christ by putting one foot in front of another. [00:28:00]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Oct 20, 2020. Do you have any questions about it?

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