Embracing Grace: Responding to God's Call
Summary
The sermon begins with the speaker, David Scott, sharing a personal anecdote about teaching his son, Judah, about grace. He uses a moment of disobedience as an opportunity to demonstrate grace, explaining that it is receiving something you don't earn or deserve. The speaker then transitions into the main theme of the sermon, emphasizing the importance of taking action as followers of Jesus. He references Jesus' command to go out into the world, make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey all that he has commanded. The speaker also highlights the significant role parents play in shaping their children's faith, stating that there is a 93% chance that a child will follow Jesus if their father plays the role of a dad in their life.
The speaker then delves into the story of the prodigal son, a parable that illustrates the concepts of pursuit, grace, and celebration. The prodigal son, who squandered his inheritance, decides to return to his father and offer to work for him as an employee. However, he is met with compassion and love from his father, who celebrates his return. The speaker emphasizes the importance of seeing zero lost in our own homes and relationships as a starting point for spreading the message of Jesus.
The speaker also discusses the role of the Holy Spirit in drawing and inviting people to experience God. He acknowledges that some may feel tired, empty, frustrated, or angry, but reminds them that they don't have to rely on their own strength. They can rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. The speaker encourages the audience to recognize the lost and broken people in their lives, including themselves, and reminds them that the message of Jesus is for everyone.
The speaker addresses the doubts and insecurities that may arise when it comes to raising children to follow Jesus and reaching out to lost people. He believes that God invites us to experience His heart and pursue what matters most to Him. The speaker compares different roles in the story of the prodigal son, highlighting that some may feel like the rebellious younger brother while others may relate to the older brother who is upset by the actions of lost people.
The sermon concludes with the speaker emphasizing the importance of responding to God's invitations and promptings. He suggests that individuals should consider what the Holy Spirit is inviting them to do in the present moment. The speaker creates a space for prayer and invites the congregation to let the Holy Spirit lead them. He acknowledges the pain and brokenness in people's lives and expresses the desire for God's presence and closeness.
Key Takeaways:
- Grace is receiving something you don't earn or deserve. This concept is not just to be taught but also to be experienced and understood. This understanding of grace is crucial in our interactions with others, especially those who are lost or broken. #!!02:05!!#
- The story of the prodigal son illustrates the concepts of pursuit, grace, and celebration. These three truths are essential in our relationships and in spreading the message of Jesus. The father's response to his son's return demonstrates the depth of God's love and grace. #!!09:45!!#
- The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in drawing and inviting people to experience God. We don't have to rely on our own strength but can rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. This reliance on the Holy Spirit is crucial in our pursuit of lost individuals. #!!32:16!!#
- Doubts and insecurities may arise when it comes to raising children to follow Jesus and reaching out to lost people. However, God invites us to experience His heart and pursue what matters most to Him. Understanding and accepting this invitation can help us navigate these challenges. #!!30:04!!#
- Responding to God's invitations and promptings is important in our spiritual journey. We should consider what the Holy Spirit is inviting us to do in the present moment. This responsiveness to the Holy Spirit can lead to a deeper experience of God's presence and closeness. #!!35:16!!#
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 15:20-24 (NIV)
> "So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate."
2. 1 Corinthians 2:3-5 (NIV)
> "I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power."
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did the father take when he saw his son returning from a distance? (Luke 15:20)
2. How did the father respond to the son's prepared speech of repentance? (Luke 15:21-24)
3. According to 1 Corinthians 2:3-5, what did Paul rely on instead of persuasive words in his preaching?
4. In the sermon, what personal anecdote did David Scott share to illustrate the concept of grace? [00:25]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the father's reaction to his son's return tell us about God's nature and His response to our repentance? (Luke 15:20-24)
2. How does the story of the prodigal son illustrate the concepts of pursuit, grace, and celebration? [09:45]
3. Why is it significant that Paul relied on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than his own strength or wisdom in his preaching? (1 Corinthians 2:3-5)
4. How does the role of the Holy Spirit in drawing people to God, as discussed in the sermon, impact our approach to evangelism? [32:16]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced grace in a way that you did not earn or deserve. How did that impact your understanding of God's grace? [02:05]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of taking action as followers of Jesus. What specific steps can you take this week to pursue someone in your life who is lost or broken? [12:07]
3. David Scott mentioned that there is a 93% chance that a child will follow Jesus if their father plays an active role in their life. How can you, as a parent or mentor, model a Christ-like life to those you influence? [14:02]
4. The sermon discussed the doubts and insecurities that may arise when raising children to follow Jesus. What are some of your own doubts or insecurities, and how can you seek God's guidance to overcome them? [30:04]
5. Consider the different roles in the story of the prodigal son. Do you relate more to the younger son or the older brother? How does this perspective shape your understanding of grace and forgiveness? [28:59]
6. The sermon concluded with an invitation to respond to God's promptings. What is the Holy Spirit inviting you to do in this present moment? How will you act on this invitation? [35:16]
7. How can you rely more on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than your own strength in your daily life and spiritual journey? [32:16]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Gift of Grace
Grace is a gift that we neither earn nor deserve. It is a profound concept that should not only be taught but also experienced and understood. This understanding of grace is pivotal in our interactions with others, particularly those who are lost or broken. It is through grace that we can extend compassion and love, mirroring the love that God has for us. [02:05]
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you could have extended grace. How can you show grace in a similar situation today?
Day 2: Pursuit, Grace, and Celebration in Relationships
The story of the prodigal son beautifully illustrates the concepts of pursuit, grace, and celebration. These three truths are vital in our relationships and in spreading the message of Jesus. The father's response to his son's return demonstrates the depth of God's love and grace. This parable serves as a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God's love and forgiveness. [09:45]
Luke 15:20 - "So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."
Reflection: Is there someone in your life who you feel is lost? How can you demonstrate pursuit, grace, and celebration towards them?
Day 3: Relying on the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in drawing and inviting people to experience God. We don't have to rely on our own strength but can rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. This reliance on the Holy Spirit is essential in our pursuit of lost individuals. It is through the Holy Spirit that we can find strength and guidance in our spiritual journey. [32:16]
John 14:26 - "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit? How can you invite the Holy Spirit into these areas today?
Day 4: Navigating Doubts and Insecurities
Doubts and insecurities may arise when it comes to raising children to follow Jesus and reaching out to lost people. However, God invites us to experience His heart and pursue what matters most to Him. Understanding and accepting this invitation can help us navigate these challenges. We are not alone in our struggles; God is with us, guiding us every step of the way. [30:04]
Psalm 34:4 - "I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears."
Reflection: What doubts and insecurities are you currently facing? How can you invite God into these areas of your life today?
Day 5: Responding to God's Invitations
Responding to God's invitations and promptings is important in our spiritual journey. We should consider what the Holy Spirit is inviting us to do in the present moment. This responsiveness to the Holy Spirit can lead to a deeper experience of God's presence and closeness. It is through our obedience to God's invitations that we can truly experience His love and grace. [35:16]
Revelation 3:20 - "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."
Reflection: What is the Holy Spirit inviting you to do today? How can you respond to this invitation?
Quotes
1. "Maybe you were taught about Grace but what you caught was you ultimately will get what you deserve." [03:06]
2. "What are the people around you that maybe don't have a relationship with Jesus catching from you? What conclusions about Jesus are they arriving at because of their relationship with you?" [04:11]
3. "Jesus invites us into pursuing what matters most to him because we're also a part of that group." [28:26]
4. "What Jesus is inviting his disciples into is the same thing that he's inviting us into, is that he is actually at work, he's the one that's working in the lives of people all around us." [29:30]
5. "If you play the role of Dad in anybody's life, do you know there's a 93% chance that the child that you father, whether that's biologically or relationally, whatever it is, there's a 93% that that child will follow Jesus if you do. That's stunning." [14:02]
6. "When you follow Jesus, when you're reading your Bible, when you're on your knees in prayer, when you're serving in the church, when you're giving generously, your kids don't get what you just teach, they catch what you live. And in our culture, whether you like it or not, whether you want to fight it or not, apparently 93% of those children, when they see Dad model it, they say, 'I will too.' That's stunning." [14:41]
7. "Here's why I tell you this right some things in life are taught other things are caught you know the difference... hopefully what he can look back on someday is is he can say I wasn't just taught about Grace but I actually caught what Grace actually means I actually experienced it I understood it I felt it I was rewarded by it things that I didn't earn that I didn't uh deserve that I didn't create" #!!02:05!!#
8. "The same message that we get to Steward for the people that are lost in our lives is also the same message of Grace that we get to experience... the message of Jesus is this while we were still sinners Christ died for us and he went to the Cross he was nailed there he died the death that we deserved and three days later he rose again from the dead." (#!!32:16!!#)
9. "What is the holy spirit inviting you to do right now...maybe it's to take a risk and to be bold...what's God inviting you to do to the power of His holy spirit right now?" (#!!33:30!!#)
10. "Lostness looks different...they come from the same mom and the same dad, they're in the same home, they have the same rules, they have the same provision, they have the same everything. They're very different." #!!17:36!!#
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