Embracing Grace: The Call to Holiness and Obedience

In today's message, we explored the profound implications of living under the New Covenant and the seriousness of sin. We began by examining the Old Covenant's strict laws, such as the stoning of rebellious children and adulterous women, to highlight the gravity of sin. This comparison serves as a backdrop to understand the depth of grace offered through Jesus Christ. Many Christians today claim to be under grace but live as if they are under no covenant at all, failing to grasp the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. This has led to a diluted form of Christianity where sin is taken lightly, and the fear of God is absent.

We delved into the life of Jesus as our ultimate example, who, despite being tempted like us, did not sin. His life was marked by obedience, reverence, and a deep fear of God, which is often misunderstood in contemporary Christianity. The fear of God is not about doubting His love but about respecting His holiness and hating sin. This fear should drive us to live lives that reflect the grace we have received, not as a license to sin but as a call to holiness.

The message also addressed the dangers of false grace, which has crept into many churches, turning the grace of God into a license for sin. This false teaching leads believers away from the true gospel and the necessity of overcoming sin. The New Testament is clear that overcoming is essential for eternal life, and those who continue in willful sin are in danger of judgment.

We concluded by emphasizing the importance of returning to our first love and the seriousness of neglecting such a great salvation. The call is to remember the early days of our faith when we were zealous for holiness and to return to that fervor. True worship is not just about singing songs but about living a life of obedience and sacrifice, as exemplified by Abraham's willingness to offer Isaac.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Seriousness of Sin: The Old Covenant's harsh penalties for sin highlight its seriousness. Under the New Covenant, grace does not diminish this seriousness but calls us to a higher standard of holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit. We must not take sin lightly, as it is a grave matter before God. [15:49]
• 2. The Fear of God: Jesus exemplified the perfect balance of love and fear of God. His fear was not about doubting God's love but about respecting His holiness. Our love for God should be measured by our hatred for sin and our desire to live in obedience to Him. [23:27]
• 3. False Grace: Many have turned the grace of God into a license to sin, leading to a diluted form of Christianity. True grace empowers us to overcome sin, not indulge in it. We must be vigilant against teachings that downplay the seriousness of sin. [31:46]
• 4. The Call to Overcome: The New Testament repeatedly emphasizes the need to overcome sin. Eternal life is promised to those who overcome, and we must strive to live victoriously over sin, the world, and the devil. [47:19]
• 5. Returning to Our First Love: We are called to remember the zeal and devotion of our early days in faith. This involves a radical attitude towards sin and a commitment to holiness. True worship is about living a life of obedience and sacrifice, not just singing songs. [33:28]
  ** [33:28]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [15:18] - Understanding Covenants
• [17:06] - The Problem of False Grace
• [18:21] - Jesus as Our Example
• [20:11] - The Superiority of Grace
• [21:38] - The Fear of God in Jesus' Life
• [23:27] - Measuring Our Love for God
• [25:05] - Treating Sin Seriously
• [27:17] - The Spirit of Grace
• [29:09] - Willful Sin and Its Consequences
• [31:33] - Insulting the Spirit of Grace
• [33:28] - Remembering Our First Love
• [37:08] - The Kindness and Severity of God
• [45:14] - The Call to Overcome
• [54:11] - Abraham's Example of Worship
• [62:36] - Learning the Fear of God

1. Hebrews 4:15 - "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin."
2. Hebrews 5:7 - "During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission."
3. Revelation 2:7 - "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."

1. What examples from the Old Covenant were used in the sermon to illustrate the seriousness of sin? [15:49]
2. How did Jesus demonstrate the fear of God during His life on earth according to Hebrews 5:7? [21:38]
3. What does the sermon say about the concept of "false grace" and its impact on Christianity today? [20:11]
4. According to Revelation 2:7, what is promised to those who overcome? [45:14]

1. How does the sermon describe the relationship between grace and the seriousness of sin under the New Covenant? [15:49]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the fear of God should influence a believer's life and actions? [23:27]
3. What are the dangers of "false grace" as mentioned in the sermon, and how can believers guard against it? [31:33]
4. How does the sermon interpret the call to "overcome" in the context of Revelation 2:7, and what implications does this have for believers? [45:14]

1. Reflect on your current understanding of grace. How does it align with the sermon’s teaching that true grace empowers us to overcome sin rather than indulge in it? [20:11]
2. Consider your personal attitude towards sin. How can you cultivate a deeper fear of God that leads to a greater hatred of sin in your life? [23:27]
3. Have you ever encountered teachings or beliefs that might be considered "false grace"? How did you respond, and what steps can you take to ensure you are grounded in true biblical grace? [31:33]
4. Think back to the early days of your faith. What practices or attitudes did you have then that you might have neglected over time? How can you return to that first love and zeal for holiness? [33:28]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel challenged to overcome sin. What practical steps can you take this week to address this challenge and live victoriously? [45:14]
6. How can you incorporate the example of Jesus’ reverent submission and prayer life into your own spiritual practices? [21:38]
7. In what ways can you engage with your church community to encourage a collective return to a biblical understanding of grace and holiness? [20:11]