Embracing Grace: The Gospel's Transformative Power
Summary
Today we celebrated both our high school graduates and the gift of new life through baptism, marking significant milestones in our community and in the lives of individuals. These moments remind us of God’s faithfulness across generations and His ongoing invitation to each of us to seek Him first, to trust Him in seasons of joy and struggle, and to walk in the freedom and grace He offers. As we honored our grads, we prayed that they—and all of us—would pursue more of God’s kingdom, listening for His voice and relying on His nearness in every circumstance.
Reflecting on our life together, I shared how easy it is, especially in a city like ours, to slip into a mindset where doing things the “right way” becomes more important than doing the right things. This is the heart of religion: a system of control, order, and self-justification that can actually keep us from experiencing the transforming power of Jesus. The gospel, however, is not about religion or irreligion. It is not about moralism or relativism. It is something altogether different—a dynamic, grace-filled relationship with Jesus that dismantles both our attempts to control God through rule-keeping and our desire to control our own lives by rejecting all restraint.
Looking at Mark 2, we saw Jesus as both a friend of sinners and a threat to religion. He called Levi, a despised tax collector, into new life, showing that no one is beyond the reach of His grace. Jesus’ willingness to eat with tax collectors and sinners scandalized the religious leaders, who believed that purity and acceptance before God were earned by strict adherence to the law. But Jesus made it clear: those who know their need receive more grace. He did not demand righteousness before coming near; He came near to make us righteous by His gift.
Jesus also challenged the religious practices of His day, teaching that spiritual disciplines like fasting are meant to express our need for God, not to prove our devotion or earn His favor. He brought something radically new—new wine that cannot be contained by old wineskins. The gospel flips the script: we are accepted by God, and therefore we obey—not the other way around. Our identity and security are rooted in what Jesus has done, not in our performance.
We are called to let Jesus question and redeem the “why” behind all we do, to be friends of sinners as He was, and to live out the ongoing transformation of the gospel in our relationships and our worship. Let us go forward, not striving for approval, but living from the approval already given to us in Christ.
Key Takeaways
- The Gospel Dismantles Both Religion and Irreligion
True transformation comes not from controlling God through religious rule-keeping or from rejecting all restraint in irreligion, but from surrendering to the grace of Jesus. The gospel exposes our need for control and invites us to release it, finding freedom in Christ’s acceptance and power to change us from the inside out. [27:10]
- Jesus Welcomes Those Who Know Their Need
Jesus’ friendship with tax collectors and sinners reveals that God draws near to those who recognize their brokenness. Grace is not for the self-sufficient, but for those who admit their need and long for new life. This is the heart of the gospel: Jesus comes close, not to the “righteous,” but to those who know they are sick and in need of a physician. [36:52]
- Spiritual Disciplines Are About Need, Not Performance
Practices like fasting are not meant to showcase our devotion or earn God’s favor, but to express our hunger and dependence on Him. When spiritual disciplines become a means of self-justification, they lose their power. Instead, they are invitations to encounter God’s presence and grace in our weakness and longing. [43:31]
- The Gospel Reverses the Order of Acceptance and Obedience
Religion says, “I obey, therefore I am accepted.” The gospel says, “I am accepted, therefore I obey.” Our identity and worth are not based on our performance, but on Christ’s finished work. This frees us from striving and shame, and empowers us to live in grateful joy and obedience. [47:37]
- Let Jesus Redeem the “Why” Behind Your Actions
It is easy to slip into religious thinking, measuring ourselves and others by behavior or performance. Jesus invites us to examine our motives: Are we serving, worshiping, or praying to earn approval, or because we are already loved? Letting the gospel reshape our “why” leads to authentic transformation, deeper relationships, and a life marked by grace. [54:03]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Graduation and Baptism Celebrations
[03:30] - Praying for the Next Generation
[06:10] - Announcements and Accessibility Updates
[09:00] - Entering a Season of Rest and Reflection
[11:30] - Observations on Religion and Control
[15:00] - The Gospel Versus Religion and Irreligion
[18:30] - Romans 1:16 and the Power of the Gospel
[21:00] - What Does God Require? Faithfulness and Obedience
[22:30] - Mark 2: Jesus, Friend of Sinners
[27:10] - Tax Collectors, Pharisees, and Social Barriers
[32:54] - Jesus’ Radical Call to Levi
[36:52] - Grace for Those Who Know Their Need
[41:52] - Fasting: Devotion or Dependence?
[44:30] - New Wine, New Wineskins: The Gospel’s Disruption
[47:37] - Religion vs. Gospel: A Comparison
[54:03] - Examining Our Motives and Living by Grace
[56:02] - Responding in Worship and Going in Grace
[01:10:35] - Closing Blessing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide
---
### Bible Reading
Mark 2:13-22 (CSB)
> 13 Jesus went out again beside the sea. The whole crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them.
> 14 Then, passing by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him.
> 15 While he was reclining at the table in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who were following him.
> 16 When the scribes who were Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
> 17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
> 18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. People came and asked him, “Why do John’s disciples and the Pharisees’ disciples fast, but your disciples do not fast?”
> 19 Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot fast while the groom is with them, can they? As long as they have the groom with them, they cannot fast.
> 20 But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.
> 21 No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new patch pulls away from the old cloth, and a worse tear is made.
> 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost as well as the skins. No, new wine is put into fresh wineskins.”
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Mark 2, who does Jesus invite to follow him, and what is significant about this person’s background?
([29:38])
2. What was the reaction of the religious leaders when they saw Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners?
([35:51])
3. According to Jesus, why were his disciples not fasting like the Pharisees and John’s disciples?
([41:52])
4. What does Jesus mean by the illustration of new wine and old wineskins?
([44:30])
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to spend time with people like Levi and his friends, rather than focusing on the religious leaders?
([34:13])
2. What does Jesus’ response to the Pharisees reveal about who receives God’s grace?
([36:52])
3. How does Jesus’ teaching about fasting challenge the way people sometimes use spiritual disciplines?
([43:31])
4. What is the difference between the order of acceptance and obedience in religion versus the gospel, according to the sermon?
([47:37])
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon talked about how easy it is to slip into a mindset where doing things the “right way” becomes more important than doing the right things. Can you think of an area in your life where you focus more on appearances or routines than on the heart behind your actions? What would it look like to let Jesus question your “why”?
([11:30])
2. Jesus welcomed Levi, a tax collector, and ate with people considered “sinners.” Is there someone in your life or community who you tend to avoid or judge? What would it look like to be a “friend of sinners” as Jesus was?
([34:13])
3. The sermon said, “Those who know their need receive more grace.” Are there areas in your life where you struggle to admit your need or weakness? How might admitting your need open you up to experiencing more of God’s grace?
([36:52])
4. Spiritual disciplines like fasting are meant to express our need for God, not to prove our devotion. Are there any practices in your life (prayer, Bible reading, serving, giving, etc.) that have become more about performance than about relationship? How could you shift your focus?
([43:31])
5. The gospel says, “I am accepted, therefore I obey.” How does this truth challenge the way you think about your identity and worth? Are there ways you still try to earn God’s approval?
([47:37])
6. The sermon encouraged us to let Jesus redeem the “why” behind all we do. What is one area this week where you want to invite Jesus to reshape your motives?
([54:03])
7. The pastor said, “Let us go forward, not striving for approval, but living from the approval already given to us in Christ.” What would change in your daily life if you truly believed you are already fully accepted by God?
([56:02])
---
Close in prayer, asking God to help you live out of His grace and acceptance, and to be a friend to those who need Him most.
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of the Gospel Transforms Both the Religious and Irreligious
The gospel is not about following religious rules or rejecting them, but about the transforming power of God that reaches both those who try to control God through religion and those who try to live without Him. The message of Jesus is that grace is available to everyone, regardless of their background or attempts at self-justification. True transformation comes not from our efforts, but from surrendering control and allowing God’s grace to change our hearts. The gospel demands that we let go of both self-righteousness and self-determination, and instead trust in the power of God for salvation and new life. [27:10]
Romans 1:16 (ESV)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Reflection: In what area of your life are you still trying to control your relationship with God—either by striving to be “good enough” or by resisting His guidance—and how can you surrender that control to Him today?
Day 2: Jesus Welcomes Sinners and Offers New Life
Jesus intentionally sought out those who were considered outcasts and sinners, inviting them into relationship and offering them a new identity and hope. He did not let social labels or reputations keep Him from extending grace, but instead called people like Levi out of their old lives and into the freedom of following Him. Jesus changes society by changing hearts, and He draws near to those who know their need for Him, offering friendship and transformation rather than condemnation. [34:13]
Mark 2:13-17 (ESV)
He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Reflection: Who in your life might feel like an outsider or unworthy of God’s love, and how can you extend the friendship and welcome of Jesus to them this week?
Day 3: The Gospel Brings a New Way, Not Just New Rules
Jesus did not come to patch up old religious systems, but to bring something entirely new—a relationship with God based on grace, not performance. The gospel is incompatible with religion that focuses on external behaviors; instead, it targets the heart, offering belonging and acceptance before behavior changes. Jesus’ teaching about new wine in new wineskins reminds us that following Him means embracing a new way of living, where transformation starts from the inside out and is sustained by His presence and power. [44:30]
Mark 2:21-22 (ESV)
No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.
Reflection: Are there old patterns or mindsets in your spiritual life that you are trying to fit Jesus into, rather than letting Him bring true transformation? What would it look like to let go of those today?
Day 4: Our Motivation: Grateful Joy, Not Fear or Duty
The difference between religion and the gospel is not just what we do, but why we do it. Religion says, “I obey, therefore I’m accepted,” but the gospel says, “I’m accepted, therefore I obey.” Our motivation for prayer, worship, and service should be grateful joy for what God has already done, not fear of rejection or a desire to earn His favor. When we understand that our identity and worth are rooted in Christ’s love and finished work, we are freed from striving and can live out of gratitude and security. [47:37]
Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Reflection: What is one area of your spiritual life where you have been acting out of duty or fear rather than gratitude? How can you shift your motivation to grateful joy today?
Day 5: Letting Jesus Dismantle Our Religious Tendencies
Even as followers of Jesus, we can slip into religious thinking—judging others, seeking security in our performance, or letting criticism define us. The gospel invites us to let Jesus question and redeem the “why” behind our actions, to rest in His unconditional love, and to extend grace to others. True worship and service flow from knowing we are fully loved and accepted, not from trying to earn God’s approval. Letting Jesus dismantle our religious tendencies opens us to deeper transformation and empowers us to be friends of sinners, just as He was. [54:57]
Ephesians 2:8-10 (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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Reflection: When you notice yourself judging others or feeling insecure about your own spiritual performance, how can you remind yourself of God’s grace and let that shape your response to yourself and those around you?
Quotes
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