Embracing Grace: The Gift of Giving and Salvation
Summary
Summary:
Good morning, Community Church. Today, I want to talk about the incredible opportunity we have as a church to participate in the Big Give, which allows us to expand our reach and impact both locally and globally. Last year's Big Give was a record success, enabling us to expand our facilities and impact more lives, including adding 300 new students to Virginia Academy. This year, we aim to continue renovating our children's spaces and invest in our middle and high school ministries. We also support partners who depend on us financially, and I encourage everyone to participate at a level they feel called to.
As we approach the Christmas season, let's remember that Jesus Christ is the greatest gift of all. He is the expression of God's love, our atonement, and the restorer of our relationship with God. In Hebrews 4:14-16, we learn about another gift—God's grace. God's grace is His loving help, and it's like receiving an expensive gift we could never afford. It's unmerited favor, and we all need it for salvation and successful living. Even after salvation, we continually need God's grace to navigate life's challenges.
To access God's grace, we must trust in Jesus, our great high priest who empathizes with our weaknesses. He offers us divine power and a direct connection to God. We must approach God's throne of grace with confidence, recognizing His authority and benevolent intentions. Through prayer and fellowship, we can draw near to God and experience His amazing grace. As we access God's grace, we become conduits of His love and grace to others.
As we celebrate the Christmas season, let's remember the real reason for the season—our need for a Savior. Jesus is the gift that keeps on giving, offering grace upon grace. Let's embrace this gift and share it with others, inviting them to experience God's love and grace.
Key Takeaways:
- The Big Give as an Opportunity: The Big Give is a chance for us to expand our church's impact and love people better. It's not about equal giving but equal sacrifice, as we each participate at the level God calls us to. This initiative allows us to support local and global partners and invest in our children's and youth ministries. [26:57]
- Understanding God's Grace: God's grace is His loving help, an unmerited favor that we all need for salvation and successful living. It's like receiving an expensive gift we could never afford or having a debt forgiven. Grace is transformative, but it requires our openness to receive it. [34:56]
- Trusting in Jesus: Jesus, our great high priest, empathizes with our weaknesses and offers us divine power. By trusting in Him, we gain access to God's grace and strength. Jesus is not just a friend who understands us; He is a Savior who can help and release us from our burdens. [51:09]
- Approaching God's Throne: We must approach God's throne of grace with confidence, recognizing His authority and benevolent intentions. Through prayer, fellowship, and studying God's Word, we draw near to Him and receive His grace. This access is a privilege granted through Jesus' sacrifice. [01:00:08]
- Becoming Conduits of Grace: As we experience God's grace, we are called to share it with others. By living in God's grace, we become conduits of His love, helping others to experience His transformative power. This is especially important during the Christmas season, as we celebrate the gift of Jesus. [01:06:19]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [26:57] - The Big Give Opportunity
- [28:57] - Impact of Last Year's Big Give
- [32:59] - Understanding God's Grace
- [34:56] - Analogies of Grace
- [36:31] - Personal Testimonies of Grace
- [38:43] - The Need for Grace
- [39:56] - Jesus: The Reason for the Season
- [40:59] - Grace Through Jesus Christ
- [42:14] - Continual Need for Grace
- [45:57] - Real-Life Challenges and Grace
- [48:22] - Trusting in Jesus
- [49:38] - Accessing God's Grace
- [51:09] - Jesus, Our High Priest
- [01:00:08] - Approaching God's Throne
- [01:06:19] - Becoming Conduits of Grace
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 4:14-16
- John 1:16-17
- Ephesians 2:8
---
Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of Jesus being described as our "great high priest" in Hebrews 4:14-16? How does this role relate to our access to God's grace? [32:59]
2. In the sermon, Pastor Mike shared several analogies to describe God's grace. Can you recall one of these analogies and explain how it illustrates the concept of grace? [34:56]
3. How did the Big Give initiative impact the church and community last year, according to the sermon? What are the goals for this year's Big Give? [26:57]
4. What does Pastor Mike mean when he says that Jesus is "the gift that keeps on giving"? How does this relate to the Christmas season? [39:56]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of God's grace as "unmerited favor" challenge common perceptions of earning or deserving blessings? [38:43]
2. Pastor Mike mentioned that we need God's grace not only for salvation but also for successful living. How might this understanding affect a person's daily life and decision-making? [42:14]
3. The sermon emphasizes approaching God's throne with confidence. What might prevent someone from doing this, and how can they overcome these barriers? [01:00:08]
4. In what ways does the story of Esther, as mentioned in the sermon, serve as a foreshadowing of the grace we receive through Jesus Christ? [01:02:43]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's grace in a tangible way. How did it impact your life, and how can you share this experience with others to encourage them? [37:48]
2. The Big Give is about equal sacrifice rather than equal giving. How can you determine what level of participation God is calling you to in this initiative? [28:57]
3. Pastor Mike shared personal stories of grace in his life. Identify an area in your life where you need to trust in Jesus for divine power and grace. What steps can you take to rely more on Him? [49:38]
4. Consider the analogy of plugging into the right power source. What are some "false chargers" in your life that you rely on instead of God's power? How can you shift your focus to God's grace? [54:33]
5. As we approach the Christmas season, how can you intentionally share the message of Jesus as the greatest gift with someone who may not know Him? [39:56]
6. Pastor Mike mentioned the importance of prayer in accessing God's grace. What is one specific way you can enhance your prayer life this week to draw nearer to God? [01:00:08]
7. How can you become a conduit of God's grace to others in your community, especially during the Christmas season? Identify one practical action you can take this week. [01:06:19]
Devotional
Understood. I will now create the 5-day devotional based on the provided instructions.
---
Day 1: Embracing Sacrificial Giving
The Big Give is an opportunity for the church community to expand its impact both locally and globally. It is not about equal giving but about equal sacrifice, as each person is encouraged to participate at the level they feel called to. This initiative allows the church to support local and global partners and invest in children's and youth ministries. By participating in the Big Give, individuals can contribute to the growth and outreach of the church, helping to transform lives and communities. The focus is on the collective effort to love and serve others better, reflecting the heart of the church's mission. [26:57]
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (ESV): "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: Consider what sacrificial giving looks like for you. How can you contribute to the Big Give in a way that reflects your commitment to God's work?
Day 2: Receiving God's Transformative Grace
God's grace is described as His loving help and unmerited favor, essential for salvation and successful living. It is likened to receiving an expensive gift that one could never afford or having a debt forgiven. This grace is transformative, but it requires openness to receive it. Understanding God's grace involves recognizing it as a continuous need, even after salvation, to navigate life's challenges. By embracing this grace, individuals can experience a profound change in their lives, leading to a deeper relationship with God and a more fulfilling life. [34:56]
Titus 2:11-12 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's grace in a transformative way. How can you remain open to receiving His grace daily?
Day 3: Trusting in Jesus, Our High Priest
Jesus, as our great high priest, empathizes with our weaknesses and offers divine power. Trusting in Him provides access to God's grace and strength. Jesus is not just a friend who understands but a Savior who can help and release individuals from their burdens. By placing trust in Jesus, believers can experience His power and guidance in their lives, leading to spiritual growth and freedom from the weight of sin and struggles. This trust is foundational to a vibrant and victorious Christian life. [51:09]
Hebrews 7:25 (ESV): "Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you need to trust Jesus more fully. What steps can you take today to deepen your trust in Him?
Day 4: Approaching God's Throne with Confidence
Believers are encouraged to approach God's throne of grace with confidence, recognizing His authority and benevolent intentions. Through prayer, fellowship, and studying God's Word, individuals can draw near to Him and receive His grace. This access is a privilege granted through Jesus' sacrifice, allowing believers to experience God's presence and power in their lives. Approaching God with confidence involves acknowledging His love and desire to help, leading to a more intimate and empowering relationship with Him. [01:00:08]
Ephesians 3:12 (ESV): "In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a more confident approach to God's throne in your daily prayer life? What changes can you make to deepen your fellowship with Him?
Day 5: Becoming Conduits of God's Grace
As individuals experience God's grace, they are called to share it with others. By living in God's grace, believers become conduits of His love, helping others to experience His transformative power. This calling is especially significant during the Christmas season, as it is a time to celebrate the gift of Jesus and extend His grace to those around us. Being a conduit of grace involves actively seeking opportunities to serve and love others, reflecting the heart of Christ in everyday interactions. [01:06:19]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs to experience God's grace. How can you be a conduit of His love and grace to them this week?
Quotes
"Everybody who is a part of this church, who really believes in the vision and mission of this church, we're asking that we participate. We're not asking for everybody to participate on the same level, but to participate at a level that we can and that you hear from God saying, Hey, yes, engage here." [00:30:22] (18 seconds)
"John 1, 16, 17 says, for from his fullness, we have all received grace upon grace. Come on, Jesus is the gift that just keeps on giving. Grace upon grace." [00:40:59] (17 seconds)
"Maybe we think we're just too terrible, unworthy of God's grace. But you know what? That's what God's grace is. Unmerited favor, and we all need it for salvation. You know what? Even after salvation, I have found is that we continually need God's grace for successful living." [00:42:23] (27 seconds)
"Trust in Jesus and the reality that he knows us and can help us. Everybody say trust in Jesus. You all knew that the most of the answers are going to be Jesus, just like in Sunday school, former children's pastor." [00:49:58] (17 seconds)
"Prayer is an opportunity for us to access directly the ear of our designer, the ear of the one who is the giver of grace, who knows us powerfully and is able to help." [01:00:12] (19 seconds)
"As we begin to access God's grace for ourselves, we become people who are able to help others to experience his love and grace." [01:06:19] (11 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?