Embracing Grace: Radical Acceptance This Advent Season

 

Summary

In this Advent season, we explore the profound concept of radical acceptance, rooted in God's grace. This grace is a divine gift that offers us a posture of openness and willingness to embrace life, even amidst our imperfections and struggles. We often find ourselves in moments where we feel overwhelmed by pain, anger, or sadness, and it is in these times that we most need God's grace to guide us and prevent us from faltering. Grace is not just a theological concept; it is a tangible presence in our lives, embodied in the person of Jesus, who comes to us to offer this gift freely.

The story of a famous photograph titled "Grace" serves as a poignant illustration of the messiness and unexpected nature of grace. The image depicts an elderly man in prayer, yet the real story behind the photograph reveals a man with a troubled past, a reminder that grace often comes to us in the most unlikely forms. This narrative echoes the Christmas story, where God chooses the humble and the lowly—Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zechariah, and even shepherds—to be part of the divine plan. It is a testament to how God uses the unexpected to fulfill His purposes.

Dallas Willard's reflections on pity and mercy further illuminate our understanding of grace. He suggests that true life is only possible through God's pity and mercy, which allow us to live despite our flaws. This pity is not demeaning but rather a recognition of our human condition, inviting us to live in an atmosphere of grace. It challenges us to let go of pride and embrace the reality that we are sustained by God's compassion.

As we navigate our lives, we are called to extend this grace to others, recognizing that we are all in need of pity and mercy. By embracing our own pitiful state and accepting God's love, we can become conduits of grace to those around us. This Advent season, let us live in the awareness of God's care, embracing our imperfections and extending grace to others.

Key Takeaways:

1. Radical Acceptance and Grace: Embracing a posture of openness and willingness is rooted in God's grace, which is a divine gift that empowers us to navigate life's challenges. This grace is not just a concept but a living presence in our lives, embodied in Jesus. [00:33]

2. The Messiness of Grace: The story behind the famous photograph "Grace" illustrates how grace often comes in unexpected forms. It reminds us that God uses the humble and lowly to fulfill His purposes, as seen in the Christmas story. [04:21]

3. Pity and Mercy: Dallas Willard's reflections highlight that true life is sustained by God's pity and mercy. This understanding challenges us to let go of pride and embrace our need for divine compassion, which allows us to live fully. [06:18]

4. Living in an Atmosphere of Grace: By recognizing our own pitiful state and accepting God's love, we can create an atmosphere of grace in our lives. This involves extending grace to others, acknowledging that we are all in need of mercy. [07:49]

5. Embracing Imperfection: The Advent season invites us to live in the awareness of God's care, embracing our imperfections and extending grace to others. This is a time to reflect on the divine love that sustains us despite our flaws. [11:16]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:33] - Radical Acceptance and Grace
- [01:08] - The Need for Grace
- [01:43] - The Story Behind "Grace"
- [02:29] - The Reality of Charles Wilden
- [03:44] - The Picture's Impact
- [05:02] - The Unexpected Nature of Grace
- [06:04] - Dallas Willard on Pity and Mercy
- [07:25] - The Challenge of Pride
- [08:03] - The Depth of Pity
- [09:00] - The Need for Divine Compassion
- [10:18] - Embracing Our Pitiful State
- [11:02] - Extending Grace to Others
- [11:16] - Living in God's Care
- [11:28] - Conclusion and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Radical Acceptance and Grace

Bible Reading:

1. Psalm 103:13-14 (NIV) - "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust."
2. James 5:11 (NIV) - "As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."
3. 1 Peter 3:8 (NIV) - "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble."

Observation Questions:

1. How does the story behind the photograph "Grace" illustrate the unexpected nature of grace? What does this reveal about the people God chooses to use? [04:21]

2. According to the sermon, what role does God's grace play in our daily lives, especially during times of pain, anger, or sadness? [01:21]

3. What does Dallas Willard mean when he says that "pity becomes the atmosphere in which we live"? How does this relate to our understanding of grace? [06:46]

4. How does the Christmas story reflect the theme of God using the humble and lowly to fulfill His purposes? [05:02]

Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the concept of radical acceptance challenge our understanding of grace as merely a theological idea? How does it become a tangible presence in our lives? [00:33]

2. How does the story of Charles Wilden and the photograph "Grace" challenge our perceptions of holiness and piety? What does this suggest about the nature of grace? [04:21]

3. How does Dallas Willard's perspective on pity and mercy redefine our understanding of human pride and the need for divine compassion? [07:49]

4. What does it mean to live in an atmosphere of grace, and how can this understanding transform our relationships with others? [07:49]

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's challenges. How did you experience God's grace during that period, and how can you remain open to it in the future? [01:21]

2. The sermon suggests that grace often comes in unexpected forms. Can you identify a situation in your life where grace appeared in an unlikely way? How did it change your perspective? [04:21]

3. How can you practice radical acceptance in your daily life, especially when dealing with your own imperfections and those of others? What steps can you take to cultivate this posture? [00:33]

4. Consider the people in your life who may be in need of grace. How can you extend compassion and mercy to them, acknowledging your own need for the same? [07:49]

5. Dallas Willard speaks about living in an atmosphere of pity and mercy. How can you create such an environment in your home or community? What practical actions can you take? [06:46]

6. During this Advent season, how can you intentionally reflect on God's care and embrace your imperfections? What specific practices can help you stay mindful of divine love? [11:16]

7. Think of a person who has shown you grace in a significant way. How did their actions impact you, and how can you pay it forward to someone else in your life? [10:31]

Devotional

Day 1: Radical Acceptance Through Grace
Embracing a posture of openness and willingness is rooted in God's grace, which is a divine gift that empowers us to navigate life's challenges. This grace is not just a concept but a living presence in our lives, embodied in Jesus. In moments of pain, anger, or sadness, it is God's grace that guides us and prevents us from faltering. This grace invites us to accept our imperfections and struggles, knowing that we are loved and supported by a divine presence. [00:33]

"For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." (John 1:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to accept yourself? How can you invite God's grace into that area today?


Day 2: The Unexpected Nature of Grace
The story behind the famous photograph "Grace" illustrates how grace often comes in unexpected forms. It reminds us that God uses the humble and lowly to fulfill His purposes, as seen in the Christmas story. The photograph depicts an elderly man in prayer, yet the real story reveals a man with a troubled past. This narrative echoes the Christmas story, where God chooses the humble and the lowly—Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zechariah, and even shepherds—to be part of the divine plan. [04:21]

"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:27, ESV)

Reflection: Can you recall a time when grace appeared in an unexpected form in your life? How did it change your perspective?


Day 3: Embracing Pity and Mercy
Dallas Willard's reflections highlight that true life is sustained by God's pity and mercy. This understanding challenges us to let go of pride and embrace our need for divine compassion, which allows us to live fully. God's pity is not demeaning but a recognition of our human condition, inviting us to live in an atmosphere of grace. By acknowledging our need for mercy, we open ourselves to a deeper relationship with God and others. [06:18]

"For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust." (Psalm 103:14, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways does pride prevent you from accepting God's mercy? How can you practice humility today to embrace His compassion?


Day 4: Creating an Atmosphere of Grace
By recognizing our own pitiful state and accepting God's love, we can create an atmosphere of grace in our lives. This involves extending grace to others, acknowledging that we are all in need of mercy. As we navigate our lives, we are called to extend this grace to others, recognizing that we are all in need of pity and mercy. By embracing our own pitiful state and accepting God's love, we can become conduits of grace to those around us. [07:49]

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience grace from you today? What practical step can you take to extend grace to them?


Day 5: Embracing Imperfection in Advent
The Advent season invites us to live in the awareness of God's care, embracing our imperfections and extending grace to others. This is a time to reflect on the divine love that sustains us despite our flaws. As we prepare for the coming of Christ, we are reminded that God's love is not contingent on our perfection but is freely given to us in our brokenness. [11:16]

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you embrace your imperfections this Advent season and allow God's grace to work through them? What steps can you take to extend this grace to others?

Quotes


i want to receive grace this john ortberg and we're learning in this advent season about radical acceptance the power of a posture of openness and willingness and yes to life and that's rooted in god's grace for us god's radical acceptance for us that's why there's such power in that posture [00:22:57]

there'll be days when something happens there's a conversation or something comes in writing and it touches such a point of pain so much anger or sadness inside me then i'm aware i i can't handle this i don't know how to god i need your grace to keep me from messing things up [01:05:44]

and it may be for you there's never a day when we don't need god's grace and when it isn't all around us and that's the message of this season god comes to us in the person of jesus to give us grace so i want to talk about receiving that and the nature of it and the messiness of grace [01:23:68]

and i kind of love the story of that picture because it's a reminder of what a messy thing grace is and how part of the story of christmas is that god doesn't use any of the people that we would expect him to in this story doesn't go to the religious or educational elite in israel [05:02:80]

it is only pity or mercy that makes life possible we don't like to hear it but human beings at their best are pitiable creatures that walk in a vein show psalm 39 only god's mercies keep us from being consumed because of our sins but as a father pities his children so the lord pities us [06:11:68]

he knows what we are made of he remembers that we are dust this is the wonderful healing nature of the kingdom among us once we step into this kingdom and trust it pity becomes the atmosphere in which we live of course it is his pity for us that allows us in to start with [06:36:00]

it is not psychologically possible for us really to know god's pity for us and at the same time be hard-hearted toward others and then dallas goes on today we sometimes speak of people who cannot forgive themselves we've talked about that before usually however the problem is much deeper [07:16:00]

more often than not these are people who refuse to live on the basis of pity the problem is not that they are hard on themselves but that they are proud and if they are hard on themselves it's because they are proud they don't want to accept that they can only live on the basis of pity from others [07:36:00]

i need more than a break i need pity because of who i am if my pride is untouched when i pray for forgiveness i have not yet prayed for forgiveness in the model prayer jesus teaches us to ask for pity with reference to our wrongdoings without it life is hopeless and with it comes the gift of pity [09:00:56]

somehow when i remember how pitiful i am in my ego in my self-centeredness in my fear uh in the way that i'm just consumed with what it is that i want somehow when i remember that and remember that god loves me by his grace then it helps me to live in pity and receive pity [10:08:72]

and so it comes to charles wilden in that old picture called grace so it comes to you and so we can be vehicles of it to other people that is the season we're in that is the god we serve so today live in the pity of god in god's care for you and for me with all of our flaws [10:57:84]

it's like that old man sitting at the table that's me too that's where we live i'll see you tomorrow [11:26:80]

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