Embracing Grace: The Journey of Imperfect Saints

Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the theme of "Saints Perfected but Not Perfect," emphasizing that while we are not perfect, we are on a journey of continuous improvement through God's grace. Life is designed by God to be lived to the fullest in the present moment, filled with peace, joy, and love. We discussed the importance of journeying well and judging less, extending and expecting grace, and understanding that we are deeply loved by God, not just lucky.

Living life to the fullest means having peace and joy that transcend our circumstances, much like Paul and Silas singing hymns in prison. It also means loving well—loving God with all our heart and loving our neighbors as ourselves. This love is not just a command but a way to live fully in the present.

We also talked about the importance of extending grace to others as freely as it has been extended to us by God. This means being kind, patient, and loving, even when others make mistakes. In return, we should surround ourselves with people who will extend grace to us, allowing us to be transparent and honest about our struggles.

Finally, we delved into the profound truth that we are loved by God. This love is not conditional on our actions but is a constant, unchanging reality. Paul’s struggle in Romans 7 highlights the human condition of wanting to do good but often failing. The remedy is not trying harder but looking to Jesus and remembering how loved we are. This love frees us from condemnation and empowers us to live life to the fullest.

### Key Takeaways

1. Journey Well, Judge Less: Life is a journey with an upward trajectory, filled with ups and downs. Instead of judging others, focus on your own journey and strive to live well. Judging often places us above others, but journeying well means walking alongside them, offering support and love. [40:57]

2. Extend Grace, Expect Grace: Extend grace to others as freely as it has been given to you by God. This means being kind, patient, and loving, even when others make mistakes. Surround yourself with people who will extend grace to you, allowing for transparency and honesty in your struggles. [49:04]

3. Live in the Present Moment: Life is designed by God to be lived to the fullest in the present moment. This involves having peace and joy that transcend circumstances and loving well. Worrying about the future or dwelling on the past robs us of the fullness of life that God intends for us right now. [37:06]

4. You Are Loved, Not Lucky: Understand that you are deeply loved by God, not just lucky. This love is unconditional and constant, freeing you from condemnation and empowering you to live life to the fullest. The love of Christ constrains us and helps us overcome our struggles. [56:55]

5. No Condemnation in Christ: There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. This truth liberates us from the weight of our past mistakes and empowers us to live freely and fully in the love of God. Nothing can separate us from this love, which is a game-changer in how we live our lives. [01:01:48]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[32:00] - Opening Prayer
[32:43] - Fireworks Experience
[34:49] - Importance of Fellowship
[35:21] - Saints Perfected but Not Perfect
[35:59] - Life's Journey and Upward Trajectory
[37:06] - Living Life to the Fullest
[39:01] - Loving Well
[40:57] - Journey Well, Judge Less
[49:04] - Extend Grace, Expect Grace
[56:55] - You Are Loved, Not Lucky
[01:01:48] - No Condemnation in Christ
[01:07:13] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Romans 7:15-25 (Paul’s struggle with sin)
2. Romans 8:1-2 (No condemnation in Christ)
3. Romans 8:35-39 (Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ)

### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul describe as his struggle in Romans 7:15-25? How does he express his frustration with his own actions?
2. According to Romans 8:1-2, what is the significance of there being "no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"?
3. In Romans 8:35-39, what are some of the things Paul lists that cannot separate us from the love of Christ?
4. How did Paul and Silas demonstrate peace and joy in their circumstances, as mentioned in the sermon? ([38:29])

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul feel conflicted about his actions in Romans 7:15-25? How does this passage reflect the human condition?
2. How does the truth of "no condemnation in Christ" (Romans 8:1-2) empower believers to live differently? ([01:01:16])
3. What does it mean to live life to the fullest in the present moment, according to the sermon? How does this relate to the peace and joy described in Romans 8:35-39? ([37:14])
4. How does understanding that we are deeply loved by God, not just lucky, change our perspective on our struggles and failures? ([56:51])

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you judged someone instead of journeying well with them. How can you focus more on your own journey and offer support and love to others? ([40:15])
2. Think of a situation where you found it difficult to extend grace. How can you practice being more kind, patient, and loving in similar situations in the future? ([48:22])
3. How can you cultivate peace and joy in your life that transcends your circumstances, much like Paul and Silas did in prison? ([38:29])
4. Identify a person in your life who extends grace to you. How can you be more transparent and honest with them about your struggles? ([52:37])
5. How does knowing that you are deeply loved by God, not just lucky, affect your daily life and decisions? ([56:51])
6. What steps can you take to live more fully in the present moment, rather than worrying about the future or dwelling on the past? ([39:50])
7. How can you remind yourself of the truth that there is no condemnation in Christ when you feel weighed down by past mistakes? ([01:01:16])

Devotional

Day 1: Journey Well, Judge Less
Life is a journey with an upward trajectory, filled with ups and downs. Instead of judging others, focus on your own journey and strive to live well. Judging often places us above others, but journeying well means walking alongside them, offering support and love. When we judge less, we create a community of grace and understanding, where everyone feels valued and supported. This approach not only helps others but also enriches our own spiritual journey, making it more fulfilling and aligned with God's will.

In our daily lives, we encounter numerous situations where we might be tempted to judge others. However, it's crucial to remember that everyone is on their own unique journey, facing their own challenges and struggles. By choosing to journey well and judge less, we can foster a more compassionate and loving environment, reflecting the grace that God has extended to us. [40:57]

Romans 14:13 (ESV): "Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you judged someone. How can you approach similar situations in the future with more grace and understanding?

Day 2: Extend Grace, Expect Grace
Extend grace to others as freely as it has been given to you by God. This means being kind, patient, and loving, even when others make mistakes. Surround yourself with people who will extend grace to you, allowing for transparency and honesty in your struggles. Grace is a powerful tool that can transform relationships and create a supportive community where everyone feels safe to be themselves.

When we extend grace, we mirror the unconditional love and forgiveness that God has shown us. This not only helps others but also allows us to experience the joy and peace that come from living in a grace-filled environment. Expecting grace from others means being open about our own imperfections and trusting that we will be met with understanding and compassion. [49:04]

Colossians 3:13 (ESV): "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

Reflection: Is there someone in your life who needs your grace today? How can you extend kindness and patience to them in a tangible way?

Day 3: Live in the Present Moment
Life is designed by God to be lived to the fullest in the present moment. This involves having peace and joy that transcend circumstances and loving well. Worrying about the future or dwelling on the past robs us of the fullness of life that God intends for us right now. By focusing on the present, we can experience the richness of God's blessings and make the most of every opportunity to love and serve others.

Living in the present moment requires a conscious effort to let go of anxieties about the future and regrets about the past. It means trusting that God is in control and that His plans for us are good. When we embrace the present, we can fully engage with the people and experiences around us, finding joy and contentment in the here and now. [37:06]

Matthew 6:34 (ESV): "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Reflection: What is one thing you can do today to fully embrace the present moment and experience God's peace and joy?

Day 4: You Are Loved, Not Lucky
Understand that you are deeply loved by God, not just lucky. This love is unconditional and constant, freeing you from condemnation and empowering you to live life to the fullest. The love of Christ constrains us and helps us overcome our struggles. Knowing that we are loved by God gives us the confidence to face life's challenges and the assurance that we are never alone.

God's love is not based on our performance or achievements; it is a steadfast and unchanging reality. This profound truth can transform the way we see ourselves and others, leading us to live with greater purpose and joy. When we truly grasp the depth of God's love for us, we can extend that love to others, creating a ripple effect of grace and compassion. [56:55]

Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV): "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: How does knowing that you are deeply loved by God change the way you view yourself and your circumstances today?

Day 5: No Condemnation in Christ
There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. This truth liberates us from the weight of our past mistakes and empowers us to live freely and fully in the love of God. Nothing can separate us from this love, which is a game-changer in how we live our lives. Embracing this truth allows us to move forward with confidence and hope, knowing that we are forgiven and accepted by God.

Living without condemnation means letting go of guilt and shame and embracing the freedom that comes from being in Christ. It means trusting that God's grace is sufficient and that His love covers all our shortcomings. This freedom empowers us to live boldly and joyfully, knowing that we are secure in God's love. [01:01:48]

Romans 8:1-2 (ESV): "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."

Reflection: What past mistake or regret do you need to let go of today? How can you embrace the freedom and forgiveness that comes from being in Christ?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Life is designed by God to be lived to the full in this present moment. That's what life is designed for, that right now we can live our life to the fullest with each other. And what does it mean to live life to the fullest? I think if we look at scripture, we can name a few things... I have peace in this moment. I have peace. Another thing would be I have joy. I have joy in this moment." [37:14] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When we judge what we're doing is we're getting in their lane. But when we love well and we journey well and we do that, what happens is we earn a seat at the table so people say, 'Hey, I'm struggling with this. How do I get over this?' And we can use our experience to love instead of judging." [46:12] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Extend grace. Be gracious. You know how much grace has been given to us that we are able to freely and knowingly worship the creator of the universe? That we who aren't perfect but are getting better, we can recognize, talk to, speak to, beg, cry to, get mad at, have a conversation with God and see him working in our lives." [48:22] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. No condemnation in Jesus. There's no, I want to tell you that again. You are feeling the weight of condemnation because of your actions, and Jesus is saying, drop that burden off and realize how much I love you right now, right where you're at, right in the junk, right in the middle of it all, right in the middle of your messing up. I love you right there." [01:02:14] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? You say, well, I don't have all things. Not yet. Not yet. It's coming, though." [01:05:16] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "The beautiful thing about being a part of this family of God is that it is in fact a journey with an upward trajectory. Sometimes you have some downs, sometimes you have some ups, sometimes you're in the middle, sometimes it's very ordinary and plain for a while, but it's always on the way up. We're all journeying together and we're all in different spots and in different places on the journey, but we're doing it together and that's the main thing. That's what church is all about." [36:08] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "I love scripture because I think it makes it simple even though it's not easy. Jesus gets asked and Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead bodily. If we're going to see anything about the character of God, we look to Jesus. And when Jesus was asked what's the most important commandment, he makes it kind of easy, doesn't he? He says love God with all your heart, love your neighbor as yourself." [43:22] (95 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We want to be a place where you can be real, where you can be honest about who you are, what you need, what you're struggling with, and we can stop playing the silly games of acting like we're okay when we're really not, acting like we don't need help when we really do, acting like we're not struggling when we really are. That's why we're here together. The admission of coming to a place like this is that we are trusting God in the middle of our journey because we need him." [53:08] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "You know what causes Paul to walk the straight and narrow, if you want to call it that way, or to be able to love when it's hard to love, to be able to extend grace when it's hard to extend grace, to be able to overcome some of the besetting issues that he has of anger or bad thoughts or whatever it is that's causing him to talk like that? You know what it is. It's the love of Jesus Christ, our Lord, that constrains him, that changes him, that brings him to the point that he's like, oh, man, if I'm going to live life to the fullest right now, I need to realize how loved that I truly am, not because of anything I've done, but because of everything he's done." [01:00:26] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. It's all working out somehow, some way. The masterpiece is being completed. And guess what? We're a part of it. The messy people, us who aren't perfect, but we're getting better. We're a brush stroke in the masterpiece. And not only that, we're going to get to behold the masterpiece when it's all put together and done. Because we are loved by God." [01:04:24] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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