Embracing Grace: The Invitation We Don't Deserve
Summary
In today's message, I explored the profound theme of receiving an invitation we do not deserve, as illustrated in the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. I took us through Luke chapter 22, where we witnessed the stark contrast between the invitation to sin, accepted by Judas and the religious leaders, and the invitation to grace, extended by Jesus to His disciples.
I began by recounting the Passion Week, highlighting the events of Palm Sunday and the cleansing of the temple on Monday. I then delved into the plot against Jesus, where the religious leaders and Judas Iscariot chose to partake in sin for the sake of power and money. This choice led to Judas betraying Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave, which later bought a field for a cemetery.
I emphasized the disturbing reality that Satan entered Judas, a man who walked with Jesus yet did not have God within him. This serves as a stark reminder that where God is, Satan cannot reside. I contrasted this with the assurance found in 1 John 5:18, which promises that Jesus holds His children securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.
I shared a personal story about receiving a car as a gift during a financially challenging time and being invited to a gala event where my wife and I felt out of place. This story paralleled the spiritual invitation we receive from Jesus—an invitation to grace and redemption, despite our unworthiness.
I then described the Passover meal, where Jesus redefined the traditional elements to point towards His sacrifice, offering a new covenant confirmed with His blood. This meal was an invitation to grace, which Judas missed, choosing instead to betray Jesus.
I concluded by urging us to lay our burdens at the feet of Jesus, to accept His invitation to grace, and to turn away from sin. I emphasized that every invitation requires a response, and I prayed that we would choose the invitation to grace and repentance.
Key Takeaways:
- The invitation to sin is pervasive, but as followers of Christ, we must recognize that where God is present, Satan cannot remain. This truth should embolden us to live in such a way that our lives are filled with God's presence, leaving no room for darkness to take hold. [49:33]
- Judas's betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver is a sobering reminder of the cost of valuing the things of this world over our relationship with Christ. We must be vigilant in guarding our hearts against the subtle temptations that can lead us astray and be willing to forsake all for the sake of following Jesus. [27:43]
- The Passover meal that Jesus shared with His disciples was a powerful foreshadowing of His sacrifice on the cross. As we partake in communion, we should remember that it is more than a ritual; it is a profound declaration of our deliverance from the bondage of sin and an affirmation of the new covenant in His blood. [31:05]
- Serving others, as Jesus did when He washed His disciples' feet, is a tangible expression of His love and grace. When we serve, we follow in the footsteps of our Savior, extending His invitation to grace through our actions and reflecting His heart to a world in need. [38:41]
- The tragic end of Judas's life serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of rejecting Jesus' invitation to grace. It is a call to each of us to examine our lives, to repent of our sins, and to fully embrace the redemption and healing power that comes only through Christ's sacrifice. [43:27]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 22:1-6 - The plot to kill Jesus and Judas's betrayal.
2. 1 John 5:18 - Assurance of Jesus's protection.
3. Matthew 27:3-5 - Judas's remorse and tragic end.
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the motivations behind the religious leaders' and Judas's decision to betray Jesus? ([22:00])
2. How does 1 John 5:18 provide assurance to believers about their security in Jesus? ([24:02])
3. What actions did Judas take after realizing the gravity of his betrayal, and what was the outcome? ([40:05])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Satan entered Judas, and what does this reveal about Judas's spiritual state? ([23:24])
2. How does the Passover meal that Jesus shared with His disciples foreshadow His sacrifice on the cross? ([31:05])
3. What does the story of Judas teach us about the dangers of partial surrender to Jesus? ([29:00])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt out of place or undeserving of an invitation. How did that experience shape your understanding of grace? ([19:16])
2. The sermon emphasized that where God is present, Satan cannot remain. How can you ensure that your life is filled with God's presence, leaving no room for darkness? ([23:46])
3. Judas's betrayal for thirty pieces of silver is a reminder of the cost of valuing worldly things over our relationship with Christ. What are some subtle temptations in your life that you need to guard against? ([22:57])
4. Jesus redefined the Passover meal to point towards His sacrifice. How can you approach communion with a deeper understanding of its significance? ([34:30])
5. Serving others, as Jesus did when He washed His disciples' feet, is a tangible expression of His love and grace. What are some practical ways you can serve others in your community this week? ([36:00])
6. The tragic end of Judas's life serves as a cautionary tale. How can you ensure that you fully embrace the redemption and healing power that comes through Christ's sacrifice? ([40:47])
7. The sermon concluded with a call to lay our burdens at the feet of Jesus. What specific burdens are you carrying that you need to surrender to Him today? ([43:39])
Devotional
Day 1: Presence Overcomes Darkness
The pervasive nature of sin can often feel overwhelming, but believers are called to cultivate a life where God's presence is so profound that darkness cannot find a foothold. This is not merely about avoiding sin but about actively seeking to fill one's life with the light of God's truth, love, and holiness. It is in this pursuit that one finds the strength to resist the temptations that come their way. The presence of God is a sanctuary, a place where the enemy cannot reach, and it is the believer's task to remain within this sanctuary, to live in such a way that their life becomes a testament to the light that overcomes darkness. [49:33]
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:7-8 ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively cultivate God's presence in your daily routine to ensure that darkness finds no room in your life?
Day 2: The True Cost of Betrayal
The story of Judas Iscariot serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of prioritizing worldly gain over spiritual integrity. The betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver symbolizes the tragic exchange of eternal treasures for fleeting, earthly ones. Believers must remain vigilant, constantly examining their hearts for signs of compromise, and be willing to forsake all that glitters for the unmatchable worth of a relationship with Christ. The allure of wealth, power, or status can subtly shift one's focus from God's kingdom to temporal satisfactions, but the true cost of such a shift is far greater than any earthly price. [27:43]
"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" (Mark 8:36 ESV)
Reflection: What worldly temptations are you most susceptible to, and how can you guard your heart against them?
Day 3: Communion as Covenant Renewal
The Last Supper was a transformative moment where Jesus established a new covenant with His followers, redefining the Passover meal to signify His impending sacrifice. This was not just a ritual but a profound invitation to experience liberation from sin and to enter into a new relationship with God through Jesus' blood. As believers partake in communion, they are called to remember the sacrifice of Christ and to reflect on the deliverance and new life it affords. This sacred act is a declaration of faith and a personal affirmation of the covenant that Jesus has sealed with His blood. [31:05]
"This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood." (Luke 22:20 ESV)
Reflection: How does your understanding of communion deepen your appreciation for the sacrifice Jesus made for you?
Day 4: Serving in the Footsteps of Jesus
Jesus demonstrated the full extent of His love and humility by washing His disciples' feet, an act of service that exemplifies the heart of the gospel. Believers are called to emulate this example, serving others not out of obligation but out of the overflow of grace they have received. In serving, they extend the invitation to grace that Jesus offers, becoming His hands and feet in a world that desperately needs His touch. Service is a tangible expression of love, a way to demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel in practical, life-changing ways. [38:41]
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you serve someone in your community this week as a reflection of Jesus' love?
Day 5: Embracing Grace Over Judgement
The end of Judas's life is a tragic example of the consequences of rejecting the grace offered by Jesus. It is a sobering call to self-examination, repentance, and the embracing of the grace and healing that is found only in Christ. Believers are reminded that while judgement is deserved, grace is offered, and it is in the acceptance of this grace that true freedom and redemption are found. The invitation to grace is open to all, and it is the responsibility of each person to respond, to turn away from sin, and to step into the fullness of life that Jesus offers. [43:27]
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16 ESV)
Reflection: Can you identify an area of your life where you need to accept Jesus' invitation to grace and what steps will you take to do so?
Quotes
"maybe you open your soul up and you read one verse in there that's gonna make you feel better all the things that we're supposed to do friends but we miss Jesus in them and what Judas did is that he realized that none of those things that he had done to get rid of his burden had actually gotten rid of his burden he went on to hang himself from a tree if he had just waited a little bit longer there was another man that was gonna hang on a tree so that he wouldn't have to and friends so many of us are laying our burdens in the wrong place when we need to lay them down at the feet of the cross and at the feet of Jesus and how do we do this friends is we start accepting the invitation to accept grace and we start forgiving ourselves from the mistakes of our past because Jesus Christ forgives us of them and then we repent of our sin meaning we turn around from our sin and our mistakes so that we can start experiencing the redemption and the healing power that only comes from the blood of Jesus Christ that would happen on a Friday friend every invitation requires a response from us and I hope that you would accept the right one because just like my wife and I didn't belong in that fundraising this invitation to accept grace and repentance we certainly don't deserve it but it's the beauty of the gospel that God and his love and his mercy" [44:31]
"because maybe we don't have literally thirty pieces of silver are not the things that we think of like, oh man, I'm gonna partake in sin so I'm gonna just take thirty pieces of silver it's not necessarily what we think of but these pieces of silver represent the things of this world that we think are just gonna satisfy our life completely and for some of us maybe it's something like pornography or maybe sex outside of marriage maybe for some of you really it's greed maybe it's pride maybe you have harvested so much anger in your heart towards somebody else and you have not forgiven a family member a close friend from the things that they have done to you maybe it's greed greed, really who knows what your sin is but what you start noticing is that all of the things that you thought were gonna satisfy your soul have left you with a big burden and what Judas did when he realized that he had a burden that he couldn't bear is that he tried to take matters into his own hands so he returned the money into the temple" [42:27]
"extends that invitation to all of us and if you haven't placed your faith and your trust in Jesus my prayer is that today you would start turning away from the invitation to be a part of the world and to be a part of the redempting power of the grace of Jesus would you pray with me Father we thank you for what you have done at the cross for us Father that we can experience grace that we can experience restoration for what you have done for us Father we thank you for this lesson Lord and I pray for every single person in this room today Lord that we would just take this as a learning lesson and nothing else that it would not be a part of our story God but that you would be a part of our story Father we love you and we thank you for what you have done for us in Jesus name we all pray" [45:33]
"and he had a burden for that and he knew that one of his disciples was about to betray him and he gets on his knees and he still goes around through Peter and through Bartholomew and he washes their feet and through Philip and Thomas and Thaddeus and Matthew and then he gets to Judas and he looks at him in the eye and he wants him so deeply to accept grace and to repent from his sin but maybe Judas thinks that he's far too gone in his sin and his mistakes and friend, there are so many of us in this place like that because forgiving other people is already such a big chore but forgiving ourselves from our past mistakes is even harder and what we don't realize is there's a savior who is wanting to kneel at our feet to serve us and to begin to allow us to accept grace and redemption and restoration and my prayer today is that you guys would begin to accept this invitation to receive grace and we actually have to look forward to see what happened to Judas after he wasn't able to accept this invitation to accept grace" [40:05]
"because the people of Israel had to leave Egypt so quickly that they couldn't even allow the bread to rise because they had to leave in such a hurry. But there's also four cups that are had in this meal, and the third cup is a cup that is had right after supper, and it represents redemption in the Passover meal. All of the disciples at this point, they would have known what the Passover meal was because after every element they also said very, very specific blessings. So after partaking of the unleavened bread, they would say this specific blessing. They would say, Blessed are you, God our Lord, King of the universe, who brings forth the bread from the earth. And then after taking every cup, they would have said this blessing. They would have said, Blessed are you, God our Lord, King of the universe, creator of the fruit of the vine. So everybody at this point, all the disciples are looking at Jesus, and they're probably thinking, okay, this is the time where we're going to say this blessing. It's kind of like when you go to a birthday party and they bring out the cake and everybody knows that you're singing happy birthday, and everybody knows happy birthday at that place. It was kind of similar in this situation. But Jesus doesn't do that. Instead, Jesus takes the bread, and he says this. He says this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. And then he takes a cup of redemption, and he says this cup is the new covenant between God and his people. An agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you. The disciples were probably shocked, but what Jesus was doing at this point was what he was saying. I'm redefining this Passover meal, because up to this point, this Passover meal was looking backwards to the deliverance from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. But today, I'm redefining this meal, and now it's pointing forward towards me from an even greater deliverance, which is the deliverance of the bondage of sin, so that when the wrath and the judgment of God passes through," [34:29]
"where they're going to have the Passover meal, in verse 14 it says this, that when the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. And Jesus said, I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. So he took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, this is my body, which is given for you. So do this in remembrance of me. Then after supper, he took another cup of wine and said, this cup is the new covenant between God and his people, an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you. And here we're going to see an invitation that we don't deserve. It's an invitation to accept grace. Jesus had invited all of his disciples, including Judas, to this meal, and this Passover meal goes back to the time where the people of Israel were in the bondage of slavery in Egypt, and they had cried out for 430 years to God. They had cried out for help. And so God raised this man named Moses, who alongside his brother Aaron went over to Pharaoh, who had them captive in slavery. And he went, and the way that God was going to deliver his people was by sending 10 plagues. And it was on the 10th plague that Pharaoh decided that he would command the people of Israel to actually leave. And why? Because this plague was the plague of death, where God said that I'm going to go through all of Egypt and I'm going to take the life of every firstborn on every single household, including the animals. But the way that the people of Israel were going to be protected from this, and he told Moses, tell the people to do this, was that they were going to kill a lamb, and they were going to grab some of that blood, and they were going to put it on the doorposts of every single household so that when God would come through, the wrath and the judgment of God would come through all of Egypt, he would see the blood on the doorposts of every household, and he would literally pass over that household, hence the name of the Passover meal. So the people of Israel, even to today, the Jewish people are still celebrating this Passover meal, but it is a meal that has a lot of very symbolic elements throughout it. I have some close friends here at Crosspoint that have invited my wife and I to be a part of this meal, and it's a beautiful thing. There's a lot of different elements. One of them is the unleavened bread in this meal, and that bread kind of represents being unleavened" [33:24]
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