Embracing Jesus: Love, Grace, and Transformation
Summary
Jesus is alive, available, and ready to embrace you just as you are. This is the central truth that we celebrate today. Jesus, who defeated death and rose from the grave, offers us the same victory over our own struggles and sins. We don't have to be perfect or clean ourselves up before coming to Him. He meets us in our brokenness and offers us His love and grace. This is the essence of the Gospel: that Jesus, through His death and resurrection, has made a way for us to be reconciled with God, to live in freedom, and to fulfill the unique purpose He has placed within each of us.
We are reminded of the power of the spoken word, as seen in Genesis, where God spoke creation into existence. Similarly, our declarations of faith and truth have power. Declaring that "God is not mad at me" is a powerful reminder of His love and grace. Jesus' resurrection is not just a historical event but a present reality that empowers us to live transformed lives. We are called to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves, even when it's difficult.
The resurrection of Jesus is the greatest reversal of a curse ever known. It broke the power of sin and death, offering us abundant freedom. This freedom is not just from the penalty of sin but also from the power of sin in our lives. Jesus' sacrifice was once and for all, and His blood cleanses us completely. We are invited to live out this freedom by embracing our identity in Christ and walking in the gifts and anointing He has given us.
As we reflect on the resurrection, we are reminded that Jesus is our advocate, standing before God on our behalf. Nothing can separate us from His love. We are called to live lives of love, service, and sacrifice, allowing Jesus full access to our hearts. This is how we influence the world for His kingdom, rather than being influenced by it. Jesus' victory on the cross is complete, and we are invited to rise with Him, embracing the life He has for us.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus' resurrection is a present reality that empowers us to live transformed lives. We don't have to be perfect to come to Him; He meets us in our brokenness and offers His love and grace. [01:01:32]
- The power of the spoken word is significant. Just as God spoke creation into existence, our declarations of faith have power. Declaring truths like "God is not mad at me" can transform our perspective and align us with His love. [01:10:44]
- Jesus' resurrection is the greatest reversal of a curse, breaking the power of sin and death. We are offered abundant freedom, not just from the penalty of sin but also from its power in our lives. [01:17:03]
- Jesus is our advocate, standing before God on our behalf. Nothing can separate us from His love. We are called to live lives of love, service, and sacrifice, allowing Jesus full access to our hearts. [01:23:52]
- The cross of Jesus opens the door for our complete transformation and healing. We are invited to rise with Him, embracing the life He has for us and influencing the world for His kingdom. [01:32:41]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Jesus' Transformative Power
- [02:00] - Prayer for Healing
- [04:00] - God's Involvement in Our Lives
- [06:00] - Power of Spoken Declarations
- [08:00] - Generosity and Tithing
- [10:00] - Embracing Jesus as We Are
- [12:00] - Resurrection Story from Matthew
- [14:00] - The Angel's Message
- [16:00] - Jesus' Commission to the Disciples
- [18:00] - Love as the Greatest Commandment
- [20:00] - Jesus' Advocacy and Love
- [22:00] - Freedom Through Jesus' Sacrifice
- [24:00] - Our Eternal Inheritance
- [26:00] - Invitation to Embrace Jesus
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:1-20 - The Resurrection of Jesus
2. Romans 8:31-39 - God's Everlasting Love
3. Hebrews 9:11-17 - The Blood of Christ
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#### Observation Questions
1. What does the angel tell the women at the tomb in Matthew 28, and how do they react to the news of Jesus' resurrection? [01:06:00]
2. According to Romans 8:31-39, what assurances do we have about God's love and Jesus' advocacy for us?
3. How does Hebrews 9:11-17 describe the significance of Jesus' sacrifice compared to the old covenant sacrifices?
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does the resurrection of Jesus serve as a "reversal of a curse," as mentioned in the sermon? [01:17:03]
2. How does the concept of Jesus being our advocate, as described in Romans 8, influence our understanding of our relationship with God? [01:23:52]
3. What does it mean to live in the freedom offered by Jesus' resurrection, and how does this freedom manifest in our daily lives? [01:32:41]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God's love. How can the message that "Jesus is alive, available, and ready to embrace you just as you are" change your perspective? [01:10:44]
2. The sermon emphasizes the power of spoken declarations. What is one truth about God's love or grace that you can declare over your life this week? [01:10:44]
3. Jesus' resurrection empowers us to live transformed lives. Identify one area in your life where you desire transformation and discuss practical steps to pursue it.
4. How can you embrace your identity in Christ and walk in the gifts and anointing He has given you? Consider specific actions you can take to live out this calling.
5. The sermon calls us to love our neighbors, even when it's difficult. Think of a challenging relationship in your life. What is one way you can show love to that person this week? [01:08:43]
6. Jesus' victory on the cross invites us to rise with Him. What is one "grave" or struggle you need to rise from, and how can your small group support you in this journey? [01:32:41]
7. How can you allow Jesus full access to your heart, and what might be holding you back from doing so? Discuss ways to overcome these barriers. [01:32:41]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Meets Us in Our Brokenness
Jesus' resurrection is not just a historical event but a present reality that empowers us to live transformed lives. We don't have to be perfect to come to Him; He meets us in our brokenness and offers His love and grace. This is the essence of the Gospel: that Jesus, through His death and resurrection, has made a way for us to be reconciled with God, to live in freedom, and to fulfill the unique purpose He has placed within each of us. The resurrection of Jesus is the greatest reversal of a curse ever known. It broke the power of sin and death, offering us abundant freedom. This freedom is not just from the penalty of sin but also from the power of sin in our lives. [01:01:32]
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15, ESV)
Reflection: What broken area of your life do you need to bring to Jesus today, trusting that He will meet you with love and grace?
Day 2: The Power of Faith Declarations
The power of the spoken word is significant. Just as God spoke creation into existence, our declarations of faith have power. Declaring truths like "God is not mad at me" can transform our perspective and align us with His love. Our words have the ability to shape our reality and influence our spiritual journey. By speaking words of faith and truth, we align ourselves with God's promises and open our hearts to His transformative power. [01:10:44]
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." (Proverbs 18:21, ESV)
Reflection: What truth about God's love and grace do you need to declare over your life today?
Day 3: Freedom from the Power of Sin
Jesus' resurrection is the greatest reversal of a curse, breaking the power of sin and death. We are offered abundant freedom, not just from the penalty of sin but also from its power in our lives. Jesus' sacrifice was once and for all, and His blood cleanses us completely. We are invited to live out this freedom by embracing our identity in Christ and walking in the gifts and anointing He has given us. This freedom allows us to live a life that reflects His love and grace to the world. [01:17:03]
"For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:14, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to embrace the freedom from sin that Jesus offers?
Day 4: Jesus as Our Advocate
Jesus is our advocate, standing before God on our behalf. Nothing can separate us from His love. We are called to live lives of love, service, and sacrifice, allowing Jesus full access to our hearts. This is how we influence the world for His kingdom, rather than being influenced by it. Jesus' victory on the cross is complete, and we are invited to rise with Him, embracing the life He has for us. [01:23:52]
"My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (1 John 2:1, ESV)
Reflection: How can you allow Jesus full access to your heart today, trusting Him as your advocate?
Day 5: Embracing Transformation and Healing
The cross of Jesus opens the door for our complete transformation and healing. We are invited to rise with Him, embracing the life He has for us and influencing the world for His kingdom. As we reflect on the resurrection, we are reminded that Jesus is our advocate, standing before God on our behalf. Nothing can separate us from His love. We are called to live lives of love, service, and sacrifice, allowing Jesus full access to our hearts. [01:32:41]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: What step can you take today to embrace the transformation and healing that Jesus offers through His resurrection?
Quotes
``"because Jesus is alive, we have an awesome certainty that our God is actively involved in our lives, that he cares about every single detail of your life. We know he's alive. We know he's available. He sees every hair on your head, and he knows the number. So I'm telling you, he cares about the details. There's nothing too big and nothing too small for him. Some people go, oh, I can't bring that to him. It doesn't really matter. It matters to him. If he's your father, if he's your savior, it matters to him because he loves you, has a great plan for you, has created and put anointing and power and giftings inside of you so that you can do something to change the world for him and his kingdom today." [00:43:41] (46 seconds)
"my main point for today is a little bit of what rich said jesus is alive available and ready to embrace to embrace you just the way you are. Okay? Jesus is alive, available, and ready to embrace you just the way you are. You don't have to clean up. You don't have to get rid of all your sin. You don't have to be perfect. You don't have to dress a certain way. You don't have to look a certain way. You don't have to know the Bible backward and forwards. He is ready right now to embrace you just the way you are. Isn't that awesome? That's awesome." [00:59:54] (38 seconds)
"He knew Sunday was coming. He knew he would rise. He knew he had a battle to go down to hell and beat the devil once and for all. And praise God, he did. Because he rose again on the third day. And he rose so that each of you in this room can rise to whatever he's calling you to do. Because all of you have a gift. All of you have an anointing. All of you have something that the world needs. If you didn't have something the world needs, then you would not be here today. Did you hear that?" [01:01:32] (27 seconds)
"The angel spoke to the woman, there's nothing to fear here. I know you're looking for Jesus, the one they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He is not here. They were, even though he had been warning them, I'm going to die and I'm going to rise again three days later. I'm going to die and I'm going to die. I don't know. I don't know, but I know you're looking for Jesus, the one they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised just as he said, come and look at the place where he was placed." [01:03:51] (48 seconds)
"God authorized and commanded me to commission you, to commission you. Go out and train everyone you meet far and near in this way, marking them by baptism in the threefold name, Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Then, instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day, right up to the end of the age. Instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day, right up to the end of the age." [01:08:25] (37 seconds)
"He said, love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself. Love your neighbor who you don't really like. Love your coworker who drives you crazy. Love that person who cuts you off in traffic. Love that person who is rude to you at church of all places. Right? Love that person who seems critical or judgy of you. Love that person who you asked to do something and they just didn't do it. Those are all your neighbors. Love your neighbor as yourself." [01:09:49] (43 seconds)
"Can anyone possibly convince the Lord, the creator of the universe, not to love you, to be against you, to forsake you, to let you go, to give up on you, to say he's too far gone? Nothing, nothing you can do, say, or act like, or look like will keep his love from you. There's nothing that can keep him from you. There is no way. Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in scripture." [01:13:45] (42 seconds)
"He's ready to embrace you just the way you are. And I am absolutely convinced that nothing, nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable, absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus, our master, has embraced us. Nothing. That is good news. It's worth clapping for. It's worth celebrating. It's worth standing up and jumping around and screaming from the top of your lungs." [01:14:57] (34 seconds)
"Every single one of us need the Lord's forgiveness. And he, in his great love, meets us, listen, with compassion instead of judgment. He meets us with love instead of hate. He meets us with mercy instead of condemnation. He meets us with grace instead of criticalness. Forgiveness instead of unforgiveness. He meets us that way. Forgiveness and not unforgiveness. Grace and not condemnation. Mercy. That's how he meets us. And that's how we should meet other people." [01:18:56] (47 seconds)
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