Embracing Grace: Trusting God's Plan and Love
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of grace and its transformative power in our lives. We began by reflecting on the Last Supper, where Jesus introduced the first communion, a moment that the disciples did not fully comprehend at the time. This act of communion is a reminder of the covenant and promise that Jesus' sacrifice has secured our eternity. It is a call to trust in God's plan, even when we don't understand our current circumstances.
We delved into the idea that religious rituals, like communion, can become mere routines if we lose sight of their significance. It's crucial to seek God earnestly, not just out of habit, but with a genuine desire for His presence in every aspect of our lives. This includes our families, jobs, health, and communities. The blood of Jesus, which atones for our sins, is a testament to His unwavering love and faithfulness.
We also discussed the importance of voting our values, acknowledging that while political candidates come and go, God's sovereignty remains constant. Our trust should be in Him, who works all things together for good for those who love Him.
The heart of today's message was about grace. We examined Galatians 5, where Paul warns against relying on religious practices to earn favor with God. Instead, we are called to live by the Spirit, expressing our faith through love. The church has often been seen as a rule-keeper, but we are reminded that grace should be at the forefront of our interactions. We apologized for the times the church has failed to extend grace and emphasized the need to choose love over fear.
We are all sinners in need of grace, and it's not something we can earn. It's a gift from God, packaged in love. We are encouraged to partner with love rather than fear, understanding that God's grace is sufficient for us. This grace is not a license to sin but a call to righteous living. We are reminded that we will carry a yoke, either of sin or righteousness, and we must choose wisely.
In closing, we are challenged to receive God's grace for ourselves and extend it to others. This grace empowers us to live in freedom and to be a light to those around us. As we continue to worship and seek God, may we carry the yoke of righteousness and experience the fullness of His love and purpose in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Communion is a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and the covenant He established. It calls us to trust in God's plan, even when we don't understand our circumstances. This act is not just a ritual but a profound expression of faith and remembrance. [10:42]
- Grace is a gift from God, not something we can earn through religious practices. It is packaged in love and calls us to live by the Spirit, expressing our faith through love. This grace empowers us to live in freedom and righteousness. [40:01]
- We must choose to partner with love rather than fear. Perfect love expels fear, and when we live in fear, we have not fully experienced God's perfect love. This choice impacts how we interact with others and how we perceive God's love for us. [43:41]
- God's grace is sufficient for us, but it is not a license to sin. We are called to righteous living, understanding that we will carry a yoke, either of sin or righteousness. Our choices determine the yoke we bear and the fruit it produces in our lives. [55:56]
- We are challenged to receive God's grace for ourselves and extend it to others. This grace empowers us to live in freedom and to be a light to those around us. As we continue to worship and seek God, may we carry the yoke of righteousness and experience the fullness of His love and purpose in our lives. [01:12:43]
YouTube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[10:42] - Reflecting on Communion
[11:34] - Seeking God Beyond Rituals
[12:39] - Trusting God in Uncertainty
[33:29] - Embracing Grace
[36:22] - The Gift of Grace
[40:01] - Living by the Spirit
[42:03] - Apologizing for Church Failures
[43:41] - Choosing Love Over Fear
[46:02] - Understanding God's Love
[47:55] - Grace and Righteous Living
[49:52] - The Law and Grace
[55:56] - The Yoke of Sin and Righteousness
[57:44] - Freedom to Choose
[01:12:43] - Extending Grace to Others
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Galatians 5:1-6
- 1 John 4:18
- Romans 6:15-18
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Observation Questions:
1. In Galatians 5:1-6, what does Paul say about the relationship between freedom in Christ and the law? How does this relate to the concept of grace discussed in the sermon? [36:22]
2. According to 1 John 4:18, what is the effect of perfect love on fear? How was this concept illustrated in the sermon? [43:41]
3. In Romans 6:15-18, what choices are presented regarding what we can be slaves to? How does this relate to the idea of carrying a yoke mentioned in the sermon? [55:56]
4. How did the pastor describe the potential pitfalls of religious rituals becoming mere routines, and what was the suggested remedy? [11:34]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to live by the Spirit and express faith through love, as mentioned in Galatians 5? How does this contrast with relying on religious practices to earn favor with God? [40:01]
2. How can the church's historical focus on rules over grace impact individuals' perceptions of Christianity? What changes might be necessary to align more closely with the message of grace? [42:03]
3. How does the concept of choosing love over fear, as discussed in 1 John 4:18, apply to personal relationships and community interactions? [43:41]
4. What are the implications of being a slave to righteousness versus a slave to sin, as described in Romans 6:15-18? How does this choice affect one's daily life and spiritual journey? [55:56]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current understanding of communion. How can you ensure that it remains a meaningful expression of faith rather than a routine ritual? [11:34]
2. Identify an area in your life where you might be relying on religious practices rather than grace. What steps can you take to shift your focus to living by the Spirit? [40:01]
3. Think of a situation where you have partnered with fear instead of love. How can you apply the principle of perfect love expelling fear in that context? [43:41]
4. Consider a relationship where you have struggled to extend grace. What practical steps can you take to choose love over judgment in that relationship? [42:03]
5. Reflect on the yoke you are currently carrying. Is it one of sin or righteousness? What changes can you make to ensure you are choosing the yoke of righteousness more consistently? [55:56]
6. How can you actively receive God's grace in your life and extend it to others, especially those who may not feel worthy of it? [01:12:43]
7. Identify a specific fear or insecurity that prevents you from fully experiencing God's love. What is one action you can take this week to confront and overcome that fear? [43:41]
Devotional
Day 1: Communion as a Covenant of Trust
In the Last Supper, Jesus introduced communion as a profound act of remembrance and faith. This sacred ritual is not merely a routine but a powerful reminder of the covenant established through His sacrifice. It calls believers to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances are unclear or challenging. Communion invites us to reflect on the eternal promise secured by Jesus' blood and to embrace the assurance that God is working for our good, even when we cannot see it. As we partake in communion, we are reminded to seek God's presence earnestly in every aspect of our lives, moving beyond mere rituals to a genuine relationship with Him. [10:42]
"For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Matthew 26:28, ESV)
Reflection: How can you approach communion with a renewed sense of trust and gratitude for God's plan in your life today?
Day 2: Grace as a Gift of Love
Grace is a divine gift, not something that can be earned through religious practices or rituals. It is a manifestation of God's love, calling us to live by the Spirit and express our faith through love. This grace empowers believers to live in freedom and righteousness, moving beyond the constraints of legalism. In Galatians 5, Paul warns against relying on religious practices to earn favor with God, emphasizing that true faith is expressed through love. As recipients of grace, we are encouraged to extend this love to others, understanding that grace is not a license to sin but a call to live righteously. [40:01]
"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." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you express your faith through love today, recognizing grace as a gift rather than something to be earned?
Day 3: Choosing Love Over Fear
The choice to partner with love rather than fear is transformative. Perfect love expels fear, and when we live in fear, we have not fully experienced God's perfect love. This choice impacts how we interact with others and perceive God's love for us. By choosing love, we align ourselves with God's heart and purpose, allowing His love to guide our actions and relationships. This decision requires intentionality and a willingness to trust in God's love, even when fear seems overwhelming. As we embrace love, we become conduits of God's grace and light to those around us. [43:41]
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." (1 John 4:18, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a fear that is holding you back today. How can you invite God's perfect love to cast out that fear and guide your actions?
Day 4: The Yoke of Righteousness
God's grace is sufficient for us, but it is not a license to sin. We are called to righteous living, understanding that we will carry a yoke, either of sin or righteousness. Our choices determine the yoke we bear and the fruit it produces in our lives. Embracing the yoke of righteousness means aligning our lives with God's will and purpose, allowing His grace to empower us to live in freedom. This choice requires daily commitment and a willingness to surrender our desires to God's greater plan. As we choose righteousness, we experience the fullness of God's love and purpose in our lives. [55:56]
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:29-30, ESV)
Reflection: What yoke are you currently carrying in your life? How can you choose the yoke of righteousness today, and what changes might that require?
Day 5: Extending Grace to Others
We are challenged to receive God's grace for ourselves and extend it to others. This grace empowers us to live in freedom and to be a light to those around us. As we continue to worship and seek God, we are called to carry the yoke of righteousness and experience the fullness of His love and purpose in our lives. Extending grace to others requires humility, compassion, and a willingness to forgive, recognizing that we are all recipients of God's unmerited favor. By sharing this grace, we reflect God's love and become agents of transformation in our communities. [01:12:43]
"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience God's grace through you today? How can you intentionally extend grace and kindness to them?
Quotes
1. "And how many of us in the middle of our circumstances right now don't know what God is doing? He's making a way where there seems to be no way. And we can trust him. We can trust him because of this covenant, this promise, that his blood that was shed for you, he's already determined your eternity. His body broken for you so that you can be free." [00:11:09] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I sought the Lord, and he heard and he answered. Amen. Amen. Amen. I might be seeking the Lord right now, and because we do this every month, it can just become religious. And that's one of the things I'm afraid of, that this just becomes religious. Oh, we always do this in the beginning of the month. But I want you to seek the Lord right now." [00:11:46] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God, I'm seeking you for my family. I'm seeking you for my country. I'm seeking you for my church. I'm seeking you for my job. I'm seeking you for my health. And as you're seeking God, I want you to partake of these elements, saying, God, I receive your promise, the promise of your broken body. Thank you, Jesus, for dying for me. Thank you, Jesus, for taking my punishment so that I can be free." [00:12:16] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Next week's going to be gnarly. So I want you to come prepared for next week. And when I say prepared, I want you to bring a bunch of people, especially people who are sick, people who need healing because the Holy Spirit's going to move like crazy next week. My message may not be very long because we're going to let the Holy Spirit do what he wants to do." [00:36:19] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Grace is packaged in love. It's packaged in love. It's this gift that he gave us. It's this gift that he gave us. It's this gift that he gave us. This is my grace. This is my son. You don't deserve him. Come on. Go ahead and tell your neighbor right now. You don't deserve Jesus. Oh, that was hard. You had a hard time saying that, didn't you? That's a hard thing to say, but it is the truth." [00:48:49] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "If you choose to protect your relationship with the rules, then you negate your relationship with Jesus. I'll say that again I just want to make sure you heard it I wrote it down in my notes I want to make sure you heard it if you choose to protect your relationship with the rules then you negate your relationship with Jesus." [01:01:14] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Thank God once you were slaves to sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey his teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin and you have become slaves to righteous living." [00:56:13] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "You start to see that you are more than a conqueror wait me I always lose I always give into my my flesh I always fall short me I'm more than that's what the word of God says when you start to live according to his purpose you'll start to live righteous are you with me and you you pick up that yoke and you watch what God can do in and through somebody who just says I'm going to be obedient to him." [01:00:27] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Keep picking up that yoke of righteousness. Keep picking it up. If you keep picking it up, you will be a different man. You will be a different woman if you keep picking it up. Are you with me? You keep saying, God, I know I went and picked up that sin and I'm sorry. I'm throwing it down as fast as I can right now. I'm going to go pick up your yoke of righteousness. I want to be a slave to righteousness. I want to see what you can do in and through my life." [01:05:17] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "I will receive God's grace in my life, and I will extend God's grace for your life. That's heavy. I will receive God's grace for my life, and I I will extend God's grace for your life, for your life, for your life, for your life, for the people's lives that have never been in this building, for the people's lives that are scared to come here, but they'll watch on that camera right there." [01:12:43] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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