Embracing Grace: Overcoming Guilt Through Jesus' Mercy
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound concept of guilt and the transformative power of Jesus' grace and mercy. We began by discussing the common human experience of guilt, whether it be food guilt, parental guilt, or general guilt about not meeting societal or personal expectations. This guilt often weighs us down and distracts us from living a life of joy and fulfillment.
We then transitioned to the crucifixion of Jesus, focusing on the two criminals who were crucified alongside Him. One criminal mocked Jesus, while the other acknowledged his own guilt and asked Jesus to remember him in His kingdom. Jesus' response, "Today you will be with me in paradise," highlights the essence of grace—receiving what we do not deserve. This criminal could do nothing to earn his salvation; he was physically incapable of performing any good works, yet Jesus promised him eternal life.
This story serves as a powerful reminder that Jesus does not give us what we deserve. Instead, He offers us mercy and grace. Mercy is not receiving the punishment we deserve, while grace is receiving the blessings we do not deserve. This is the cornerstone of our faith: Jesus took upon Himself the punishment for our sins, offering us a relationship with God and eternal life in return.
We concluded by reflecting on Psalm 103, which beautifully encapsulates God's mercy and grace. It reminds us that God does not deal with us as our sins deserve but removes our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. As we approach the sacred season of celebrating Jesus' birth, let us remember that we are people of the resurrection, living in the light of His grace and mercy.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Universality of Guilt: Guilt is a common human experience that manifests in various forms, such as food guilt, parental guilt, and general guilt about not meeting expectations. This guilt can weigh us down and distract us from living a joyful and fulfilling life. Recognizing and addressing this guilt is crucial for spiritual growth. [16:26]
2. The Power of Jesus' Grace: The story of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus illustrates the transformative power of grace. One criminal acknowledged his guilt and asked Jesus to remember him, receiving the promise of paradise. This highlights that salvation is not earned by works but is a gift of grace. [32:26]
3. Mercy and Grace Defined: Mercy is not receiving the punishment we deserve, while grace is receiving the blessings we do not deserve. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross exemplifies both, offering us a relationship with God and eternal life. This understanding should shape our daily lives and interactions with others. [40:51]
4. Living as People of the Resurrection: As Christians, we are called to live as people of the resurrection, continually reminded of Jesus' sacrifice and the new life it brings. This perspective should influence our actions, attitudes, and relationships, leading us to live in gratitude and joy. [42:26]
5. God's Unfailing Love: Psalm 103 reminds us that God's love is as high as the heavens are above the earth, and He removes our sins as far as the east is from the west. This profound love and forgiveness should inspire us to live lives that reflect His grace and mercy. [40:21]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[11:49] - Introduction to Finding Joy
[12:33] - Timing of the Sermon
[13:23] - Things Jesus Didn't Say
[14:13] - Church Attendance and Guilt
[15:43] - The Enemy's Distractions
[16:26] - The Burden of Guilt
[17:44] - Different Types of Guilt
[19:00] - General and Parental Guilt
[21:51] - Only Child Guilt
[22:56] - The Crucifixion Scene
[24:26] - The Horrors of Crucifixion
[27:26] - Jesus' Words on the Cross
[28:59] - Common Phrases About Deserving
[30:13] - Instant Karma Examples
[31:36] - The Criminal's Plea
[32:26] - Jesus' Promise of Paradise
[34:01] - Personal Reflection on Guilt
[36:07] - The Journey to Faith
[36:59] - Ephesians and New Life
[38:05] - Imagining the Criminal's Release
[39:15] - The Gift of Grace
[40:21] - Psalm 103 and God's Love
[41:23] - Prayer and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 23:32-43 - The Crucifixion of Jesus and the Two Criminals
2. Psalm 103:10-12 - God's Mercy and Grace
3. Ephesians 2:4-5, 8 - God's Rich Mercy and Grace
### Observation Questions
1. What were the different reactions of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus? (Luke 23:39-43)
2. How does Psalm 103 describe God's treatment of our sins? (Psalm 103:10-12)
3. According to Ephesians 2:4-5, 8, what is the basis of our salvation?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think one criminal mocked Jesus while the other asked for His mercy? What does this tell us about human nature? [28:08]
2. How does the concept of grace, as illustrated by Jesus' promise to the criminal, challenge our understanding of justice and fairness? [32:26]
3. In what ways does Psalm 103:10-12 provide comfort to those struggling with guilt and shame? [40:21]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by guilt. How did it affect your relationship with God and others? [16:26]
2. The sermon mentioned various types of guilt, such as food guilt, parental guilt, and general guilt. Which type of guilt do you struggle with the most, and how can you address it in light of Jesus' grace? [17:44]
3. How can the story of the criminal who received Jesus' promise of paradise inspire you to extend grace and mercy to others in your life? [32:26]
4. Psalm 103 speaks of God's unfailing love and forgiveness. How can you remind yourself of these truths daily, especially when you feel unworthy or ashamed? [40:21]
5. As people of the resurrection, how can you live out the joy and gratitude that comes from knowing Jesus' sacrifice and grace? What specific actions can you take this week to reflect this in your interactions with others? [42:26]
6. The sermon highlighted that Jesus doesn't give us what we deserve but offers us mercy and grace. How can this understanding shape your perspective on dealing with personal failures and the failures of others? [40:51]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to experience God's grace more fully. What steps can you take to open yourself up to His transformative power in that area? [36:59]
Devotional
Day 1: The Weight of Guilt
Guilt is a universal human experience that can manifest in various forms, such as food guilt, parental guilt, or general guilt about not meeting societal or personal expectations. This guilt often weighs us down and distracts us from living a life of joy and fulfillment. Recognizing and addressing this guilt is crucial for spiritual growth. When we acknowledge our guilt, we open the door to experiencing the transformative power of Jesus' grace and mercy. By bringing our guilt to Jesus, we can find relief and begin to live a more joyful and fulfilling life. [16:26]
Psalm 32:3-5 (ESV): "For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,' and you forgave the iniquity of my sin."
Reflection: Think about a specific area in your life where you feel guilt. How can you bring this guilt to Jesus today and ask for His grace and mercy?
Day 2: The Transformative Power of Grace
The story of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus illustrates the transformative power of grace. One criminal acknowledged his guilt and asked Jesus to remember him, receiving the promise of paradise. This highlights that salvation is not earned by works but is a gift of grace. The criminal could do nothing to earn his salvation; he was physically incapable of performing any good works, yet Jesus promised him eternal life. This story serves as a powerful reminder that Jesus offers us grace, not based on our actions, but on His love and mercy. [32:26]
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God's grace. How can you embrace the truth that His grace is a gift, not something you have to earn?
Day 3: Understanding Mercy and Grace
Mercy is not receiving the punishment we deserve, while grace is receiving the blessings we do not deserve. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross exemplifies both, offering us a relationship with God and eternal life. This understanding should shape our daily lives and interactions with others. When we grasp the depth of Jesus' mercy and grace, we are compelled to extend the same to others, living lives marked by compassion and generosity. [40:51]
Titus 3:4-7 (ESV): "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 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: Think of someone in your life who needs to experience mercy and grace. How can you extend these to them in a tangible way today?
Day 4: Living as People of the Resurrection
As Christians, we are called to live as people of the resurrection, continually reminded of Jesus' sacrifice and the new life it brings. This perspective should influence our actions, attitudes, and relationships, leading us to live in gratitude and joy. By focusing on the resurrection, we are reminded of the hope and victory we have in Jesus, which empowers us to live boldly and joyfully in our daily lives. [42:26]
1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."
Reflection: How does the reality of Jesus' resurrection influence your daily life? What changes can you make to live more fully in the light of His resurrection?
Day 5: God's Unfailing Love
Psalm 103 reminds us that God's love is as high as the heavens are above the earth, and He removes our sins as far as the east is from the west. This profound love and forgiveness should inspire us to live lives that reflect His grace and mercy. When we meditate on God's unfailing love, we are encouraged to trust Him more deeply and to extend His love to those around us. [40:21]
Psalm 103:11-12 (ESV): "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's unfailing love and forgiveness. How can you share this love and forgiveness with someone in your life today?
Quotes
1. "You're going to think that something's going on because today is going to sound like as we finish things, Jesus never said that series. It's going to sound like an Easter sermon. And that's, it's amazing for two reasons. One is that every time we have a message or a sermon, it should sound like an Easter sermon because we are people of the resurrection. We are Easter people." [11:49] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When you come to church. God doesn't care what we look like on the inside, on the outside. He wants to know what we look like on the inside, or he wants us to know what we look like on the inside. Now I'm saying that don't, you know, be sensible. I can be sensible, not don't be sensible. That didn't come out right." [14:13] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "He wants you when you walk through the doors of the sanctuary of a church or when you're on your way to worship God. He wants you distracted, frustrated. You know, angry because the kids were, you know, kicking your seat as you were driving to church or being loud and obnoxious or looking at each other. And you know, that's a big issue too." [15:43] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Luke 23 describes the last hours of Jesus' life here on earth. Now I want to make sure, and we all know this, but I want to make sure I say it because we need to be reminded of it. That Jesus, the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings, instead of wearing a crown of gold and jewels. He wore a crown of thorns. Instead of being surrounded by servants, he was surrounded by thieves. of sitting on a throne, he was hanging on a cross." [21:51] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus did not say this. He did not say, okay, Lord, send down fire from heaven. And burn these turkeys up. He didn't say, Lord, push the smite button on your God keyboard and take them all out. That's what I would have said. But what does Jesus say? He looks up into heaven. And he says, Father, forgive them. Because they don't know what they're doing. That's what Jesus did say." [27:26] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "He can't do anything to earn his standing with God, can he? He can't. He said it to a man who couldn't do anything for God. He couldn't walk the straight and narrow. His feet are nailed to a cross. He couldn't walk. He couldn't perform good works. His hands have spikes in them. He couldn't turn over a new leaf. Because his very life was ebbing from his body as he said those words to Jesus. He couldn't join a church. He couldn't get baptized. He couldn't, you know, serve in any capacity. He couldn't do any of those things. This was his last day to live." [32:26] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Let me tell you what I deserve. I don't deserve to be standing up here in front of you as a pastor, as your preacher, giving a message about this or any other message. I don't deserve to be in a ministry at all. I don't deserve to have a faith family like you all. Because his story is my story. It's your story. His story is just like our lives, our stories. Because we've lied and we've stolen and we've cheated and we've hated people. We've battled with bad thoughts and anger and lust and shame." [34:01] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "God doesn't make bad people good. That's not what God does. God makes dead people alive. He doesn't make bad people good. Because when I made that commitment. And I realized where I was. And that I was dead inside. I was still struggling with all the stupid things that I did. I was not good. But I was alive. He doesn't make bad people good. He makes dead people alive." [36:59] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "He doesn't make bad people good. He makes dead people alive. He shows us mercy and grace. Mercy of course you know is. That we don't get the bad we deserve. Just like that criminal on the cross. And grace. Grace is that we get the good. That we don't deserve. Mercy is not getting the punishment. We deserve. And grace is getting the blessings. And the good things that we don't deserve." [40:51] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Jesus doesn't look at us and say. You get what you deserve. He says. I took what you deserve. And gave you life. Gave you a relationship. With my father. He doesn't make bad people good. He makes dead people. Alive." [40:21] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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