Embracing Gratitude: The Power of God's Grace
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the profound gratitude we owe to God for His continuous blessings, healing, and deliverance in our lives. We began by acknowledging God's presence and His role as our Redeemer, Savior, and Healer. We celebrated the many unseen blessings and protections He provides, emphasizing the importance of recognizing His grace and mercy in our daily lives. This gratitude extends to the miraculous works He performs, such as healing and delivering individuals like Mother Fran Reels and Brother Chris Johnson, reminding us of His active presence in our lives.
We then turned to 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, where Paul reminds the Corinthians of the gospel's core message: Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. This passage serves as a reminder of the foundational truths of our faith and the importance of holding firmly to these beliefs. Paul’s humility, acknowledging himself as the least of the apostles, underscores the transformative power of God's grace. Despite his past as a persecutor of the church, Paul’s life exemplifies how God's grace can redefine our identity and purpose.
The message encourages us to remember and share the good news of the gospel, just as Paul did. We are reminded that the gospel is not just a message of salvation but also one of healing and deliverance. It is a call to action, urging us to proclaim this truth to others, ensuring that God's grace in our lives is not in vain. We are encouraged to trust that God will show up in our lives, just as He did for the apostles and the early church, and to believe that He will manifest His power in our current situations.
Key Takeaways:
1. Gratitude for God's Continuous Blessings: Recognizing God's grace and mercy in our lives is essential. We must acknowledge the unseen blessings and protections He provides daily, understanding that His presence is active and transformative. [00:56]
2. The Core Message of the Gospel: The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ are foundational truths that we must hold firmly. These events are not just historical facts but the basis of our faith and salvation. [15:12]
3. The Transformative Power of Grace: Paul's life illustrates how God's grace can redefine our identity and purpose. Despite our past, God's grace can transform us into vessels for His work. [34:26]
4. Sharing the Good News: The gospel is not just for personal salvation but is meant to be shared. We are called to proclaim this truth to others, ensuring that God's grace in our lives is not in vain. [22:11]
5. Trusting in God's Presence: Just as God showed up for the apostles and early believers, He will show up in our lives. We must trust in His power to manifest in our current situations, believing that He will bring healing and deliverance. [39:14]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:56] - Acknowledging God's Presence
- [01:35] - Gratitude for God's Blessings
- [04:43] - Miraculous Works and Healing
- [06:33] - Introduction to 1 Corinthians 15
- [15:12] - The Core Message of the Gospel
- [22:11] - Sharing the Good News
- [24:09] - Remembrance and Proclamation
- [26:37] - God Still Shows Up
- [29:34] - Proving Himself to Many
- [31:18] - Paul's Humility and Grace
- [32:47] - Questioning Titles and Positions
- [34:26] - The Transformative Power of Grace
- [35:20] - God's Grace is Not in Vain
- [39:14] - Trusting in God's Presence
- [49:02] - Declaration of Faith and Gratitude
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Observation Questions:
1. What are the key elements of the gospel message that Paul reminds the Corinthians about in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11?
2. How does Paul describe his own position among the apostles, and what reason does he give for this view? [31:18]
3. What examples of God's miraculous works were mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to the theme of gratitude? [04:43]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Paul's acknowledgment of his past as a persecutor of the church highlight the transformative power of God's grace? [34:26]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the gospel is not only a message of salvation but also one of healing and deliverance? [39:14]
3. How does the sermon encourage believers to share the gospel, and what might be the consequences of not doing so? [22:11]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced an "unseen blessing" in your life. How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude for these moments? [01:35]
2. Paul emphasizes the importance of holding firmly to the gospel message. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of these foundational truths daily? [15:12]
3. Consider a past mistake or failure in your life. How can you allow God's grace to redefine your identity and purpose, as it did for Paul? [34:26]
4. The sermon calls us to share the good news with others. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear about God's grace. How can you share this message with them this week? [22:11]
5. Trusting in God's presence is a recurring theme. What current situation in your life requires you to trust that God will show up, and how can you actively demonstrate that trust? [39:14]
6. How can you ensure that God's grace in your life is not in vain? What specific actions can you take to live out this grace in your community? [35:20]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about God showing up in our lives. How can you be more aware of and responsive to God's presence in your daily routine? [39:14]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing God's Unseen Blessings
In our daily lives, we often overlook the countless blessings and protections that God provides. These are not always visible or tangible, but they are ever-present, shaping our experiences and guiding our paths. Acknowledging these blessings requires a heart of gratitude and an awareness of God's active presence in our lives. By recognizing His grace and mercy, we open ourselves to a deeper relationship with Him, understanding that His love is both transformative and sustaining. This gratitude is not just a feeling but a practice that can redefine how we perceive our circumstances and interact with the world around us. [00:56]
Psalm 68:19-20 (ESV): "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death."
Reflection: What are three unseen blessings in your life today that you can thank God for, and how can you express this gratitude in a tangible way?
Day 2: Holding Firmly to the Gospel's Core Message
The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ are not merely historical events but the foundation of our faith and salvation. These truths are central to the gospel message and serve as the cornerstone of Christian belief. Holding firmly to these truths means living in a way that reflects their significance, allowing them to guide our actions and decisions. This commitment to the gospel is not passive but active, requiring us to continually remind ourselves of its power and relevance in our lives. By doing so, we align ourselves with the transformative message of hope and redemption that the gospel offers. [15:12]
1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
Reflection: How can you actively remind yourself of the core message of the gospel in your daily routine, and what changes might this bring to your life?
Day 3: Embracing the Transformative Power of Grace
Paul's life is a testament to the transformative power of God's grace. Despite his past as a persecutor of the church, he became one of its most influential apostles. This transformation illustrates that God's grace can redefine our identity and purpose, regardless of our past mistakes or failures. Embracing this grace means allowing it to work within us, changing our hearts and minds to align with God's will. It is a journey of continual growth and renewal, where we become vessels for His work, empowered by His love and mercy. [34:26]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to allow God's grace to transform you, and what steps can you take to open yourself to this transformation?
Day 4: Proclaiming the Good News
The gospel is not just a message of personal salvation but a call to action to share this truth with others. We are encouraged to proclaim the good news, ensuring that God's grace in our lives is not in vain. This involves actively seeking opportunities to share our faith, whether through words or actions, and being a living testimony of God's love and power. By doing so, we participate in God's mission to bring healing and deliverance to the world, extending the hope and redemption found in Christ to those around us. [22:11]
Romans 10:14-15 (ESV): "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'"
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the good news of the gospel, and how can you intentionally share it with them this week?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Active Presence
Just as God showed up for the apostles and early believers, He continues to be present in our lives today. Trusting in His presence means believing that He will manifest His power in our current situations, bringing healing and deliverance. This trust is not passive but requires an active faith that seeks God's guidance and intervention in all areas of life. By trusting in His presence, we open ourselves to experiencing His power and love in new and profound ways, knowing that He is always with us, working for our good. [39:14]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: What is one situation in your life where you need to trust in God's presence, and how can you actively seek His guidance and intervention today?
Quotes
Thank you for blessing us and keeping us. Your grace and your mercy shining on us, God. Our Redeemer and our healer. We bless your name. Thank you for saving us, God. Thank you for healing us. Thank you for delivering us. Thank you for being our deliverer. Thank you for being our Savior. Thank you for being. Our Lord. Thank you for being our God. We bless your name. Oh, God. [00:01:08] (28 seconds)
Blessed us again on the day. Kept us again on the day. Amen. Amen. man you somebody you brought out somebody you healed somebody you delivered somebody you set free thank you somebody for somebody you lifted the burden somebody he lifted the care and you we thank you god it's many blessings that we did not even see that you protected us from that you you held back the hand of the enemy god you you kept us god and we thank you for it it was your grace and your mercy it was your your grace and your mercy god it was your grace and your mercy and for this we bless your name we bless your name we bless your name we bless your name we honor your name honoring your presence in this place honoring your presence in this place thank you again for being god thank you again for being god thank you again for being god thank you for being god thank you for being God thank you for being God thank you for being God whoo thank you for being God thank you for being God thank you for being God thank you for being God oh you did it for us you blessed us you kept us you open doors you made ways we and we thank you now whoo we thank you now we thank you now we thank you now we thank you now we thank you now we thank you now we thank you now we thank you now god we thank you now we thank you now we thank you now thank you now thank you now we bless your name we bless [00:01:53] (111 seconds)
for i am the least of the apostles unfit to be called an apostle because i persecuted the church of god but by the grace of god i am what i am and his grace towards me has not been in vain on the contrary i worked harder than any of them though i was not though it was not i but the grace of god that is within me whether then it was i or they so we proclaim and so you have come to believe so we proclaim and so you have come to believe that's first first corinthians chapter 15 verse 1 through 11 i would remind you brothers and sisters of the good news that i proclaim to you which in turn you receive in which you also stand through which also you are able to receive and which also you are able to receive and which also are being saved if you hold firmly to the message that i proclaim to you unless you have come to believe in vain for i handed well i handed on to you as a first importance what i in turn had received that christ died for our sins in accordance to the scripture and that he was buried and that he raised on the third day in accordance to the scripture and that he appeared to cephas then then to the 12 and then to more than 500 brothers and sisters most of our who whom are still alive and some though some are dead then he appeared to james and to the disciples last of all as to one untimely born he appeared to also to me and for for i am the least of the apostles unfit and i think he's talking about his untimely born or being born again unfit to be a called apostle because i persecuted the church because it took him a long time this is paul talking took him a long time to come into the belief of god but now once he got it he got it somebody said i got it now uh -huh but the grace of god i am what i am and by his grace towards me had not been in vain on the contrary i worked harder than any of them though it was not i but the grace of god that that is with me whether then i was it was i or they so we proclaim uh to have believed to have believed listen sometimes you have to be here it is in the text in the first verse 15 and 1 i would remind you brothers and sisters of of the good news that i proclaim in which you in turn receive and also stand i sometimes we got to be reminded of this that god put inside of us sometimes we have to be reminded of this that god of what we have to be reminded of this that god put inside of us sometimes we have to be Th inspiration everyân we have to be reminded of that thing, uh, that the blessings, the good news the the reason why he came the reason why he he him glad side him is unworthy, true god himself, thereby he is, you know, some a woman that we have to be why he came the reason why he he showed himself, the reason why he is who he is, the reason why we walk in this faith, once she has found the King in him again, we need to be reminded of why we walk in this faith, we have to be it glimpse of a beginning вопросы and she very legitimately and he in to hear that chris is not horrible. it is challenging not to believe that jesus is the true father of man he is it can be broken of he can be broken a little by the dawn and his wake and why we are in this faith that we are in. [00:15:22] (0 seconds)
I need you to understand that the very thing that you're standing on is the thing that can help you, the thing that can save you, the thing that can deliver you, the thing that can heal you, the thing that can bring you out. You already have it. You already have it. And if you hold firmly to this message that I proclaim, and you now hold firmly to this message that I proclaim to you, unless you have come to believe in vain, unless somewhere around the road you gave up on this, unless somewhere down the road you turned your back on this, you already got it. [00:22:11] (39 seconds)
I handed on to you the fact that Christ, somebody said he died for me. He died for me. I'm handing it on to you. And not only did he die, but he, this is why he had to die because he was, he died according to the scriptures, the scriptures of old, what was written in the old Testament. He lived out those very things that were already proclaimed in the Old Testament. And he lived out those very things that were already proclaimed in the Old Testament. He lived it out and he died and he was buried and was raised on the third day. Not only did he die according to the, in accordance to the scriptures, but he was buried in accordance to the scriptures and he was raised on the third day in accordance to the scriptures. It was written, it was prophesied, and he did the very thing that was prophesied over his life. He died as many that lived, but it's not many that died and then certainly not was raised from the dead on the third day. And he did that all in accordance with the scriptures that were written that he died and he, he rose from the dead in accordance with the scriptures and that he appeared. [00:25:07] (71 seconds)
somebody say he shows up, if you didn't understand it, if you don't get anything else out of this tonight, I need you to understand and know that God still shows up, I need you to know and understand that God still has the power to show up, he still has to, even some people were crying, some people were upset, some people didn't know how to handle the fact that they had a savior in their midst, but then he needs to let them know that he still lives, sometimes you got to be reminded that God still lives, sometimes you got to be reminded that God still rules, God still reigns, you've got to be, it all started with a remembrance, Paul all starts this whole thing with, I would remind you, I need to remind you, I need to remind you, sometimes you just need to think, I'm telling you, I'm here to help you, I'm here to help you, I'm here to help you, I'm here to help you, I'm here to help you, somebody today. Some of us just need to think about what God has done. Some of us just need to think about who God is. Some of us just need to think or remind ourselves, remind our neighbors, remind our sisters of who God is and the power that God holds. You need to be reminded. Tell your neighbor, say, neighbor, I just need to be reminded sometimes. [00:27:19] (77 seconds)
He showed up for me. He showed up for me. He showed up for me. He'll show up for you. He'll show up for you. If you wait a minute, give him a little. For a little time I know he'll show up for you. Then he appeared to more than 500 brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James and to all the apostles. And last but not least, as one of the untimely born, it took Paul a little while to come into the faith because he was a persecutor of the church. But now he comes into the faith and he says he appeared to me also. [00:31:18] (40 seconds)
It's simply by the grace of God that I am what I am, that I do what I do. It's his grace towards me, and his grace has not been in vain. This is where you need to get to the place of that saying God's grace has not been in vain. God, you show grace on me, and your grace... towards me has not been in vain because now I'm going to carry this gospel now I'm going to preach this word now I'm going to say what you called me to say and I'm going to do what you called me to do your grace has not been in vain [00:35:09] (38 seconds)
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