Embracing Prevenient Grace: Responding to God's Call
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the profound concept of prevenient grace, a cornerstone of our theological understanding, which underscores God's proactive extension of grace to all humanity, enabling us to respond to His call. This grace is not contingent on our actions or merits but is a free and unmerited favor from God, highlighting His love and mercy towards us even before we acknowledge Him.
We began by reflecting on the nature of God's grace, emphasizing that it is an action of God rather than a static attribute of His character. Grace is God's way of confronting our indifference and rebellion with His inexhaustible capacity to forgive and bless. It's crucial to understand that grace is extended universally, to all people, which allows everyone the opportunity to accept or reject the gospel.
The sermon delved into the scriptural basis for prevenient grace, particularly through the teachings of Paul. In Ephesians, Paul discusses how we were once dead in our sins and transgressions but have been made alive through Christ by God's grace. This transformation is solely the work of God's grace, not resulting from our efforts, thus no one can boast in their salvation.
A significant part of the discussion focused on the practical implications of prevenient grace in our daily lives and our mission as a church. We are called to cooperate with this grace, sharing the gospel and our personal testimonies to help others recognize and respond to God's work in their lives. This cooperation with divine grace is not just a passive acceptance but an active participation in the redemptive work of God.
As we celebrate our church's 100th anniversary, the theme "Answer the Call" resonates deeply with our discussion on prevenient grace. Just as Samuel was called by God at a young age, we too are continually called to respond to God's initiatives in our lives. This call to action is not just for our personal spiritual growth but is integral to our communal and societal responsibilities as believers.
In conclusion, prevenient grace is a foundational doctrine that not only informs our understanding of salvation but also compels us to live out our faith actively and share the transformative power of God's grace with the world.
### Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding Grace as Action, Not Attribute:
Grace is not merely a characteristic of God but His active engagement with the world. It confronts our rebellion and indifference, offering forgiveness and blessing. This dynamic nature of grace invites us to rethink how we perceive God's interactions with humanity and challenges us to respond actively to His initiatives. [07:00]
2. The Universal Scope of Prevenient Grace:
Prevenient grace is extended to all, not based on merit but as a free gift of God's love. This universal reach underscores the inclusivity of God's salvation plan and mandates that we, as a church, embrace and proclaim this grace to every person without discrimination or prejudice. [11:06]
3. The Role of Humanity in Responding to Grace:
While grace is a divine initiative, human response plays a crucial role. Our freedom to accept or reject this grace is a testament to the relational nature of God's dealings with us. This aspect of grace calls for a personal and communal reflection on how we engage with God's call in our lives. [21:15]
4. Prevenient Grace in Communal Worship and Testimony:
Sharing our testimonies and engaging in communal worship are practical ways we cooperate with prevenient grace. By doing so, we not only affirm God's work in our lives but also encourage others to recognize and respond to God's grace in their own lives. This cooperative aspect of grace enhances our communal identity and mission. [32:10]
5. Prevenient Grace and the Call to Action:
The doctrine of prevenient grace is not just theological but also missional. It compels us to action, to share the gospel and live out the implications of grace in every aspect of our lives. As we celebrate our church's centenary, we are reminded of the generations who responded to this call, and we are encouraged to do the same. [33:36]
### Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:10] - Introduction to Prevenient Grace
- [07:00] - Nature of God's Grace
- [11:06] - Universal Reach of Grace
- [21:15] - Human Response to Divine Grace
- [32:10] - Sharing Testimonies and Grace
- [33:36] - Call to Action and Church's Legacy
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Prevenient Grace
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 2:1-9 (NIV)
> "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
2. John 3:16-17 (NIV)
> "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
3. 1 Samuel 3:7-10 (NIV)
> "Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. A third time the Lord called, 'Samuel!' And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, 'Here I am; you called me.' Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, 'Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening."' So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' Then Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant is listening.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 2:1-9, what is the state of humanity before receiving God's grace? How does Paul describe the transformation that occurs through grace?
2. In John 3:16-17, what is the purpose of God sending His Son into the world? What does this passage say about the scope of God's grace?
3. How does the story of Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:7-10 illustrate the concept of prevenient grace? What was Samuel's response to God's call? [14:59]
4. What does the term "prevenient grace" mean, and how is it described in the sermon? [11:06]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding grace as an action rather than a static attribute of God change our perception of His interactions with humanity? [07:00]
2. What are the implications of prevenient grace being extended universally to all people, regardless of their actions or merits? How does this shape our mission as a church? [09:08]
3. In what ways does the human response to prevenient grace reflect the relational nature of God's dealings with us? How does this response impact our personal and communal faith journey? [21:15]
4. How can sharing our testimonies and engaging in communal worship serve as practical ways to cooperate with prevenient grace? What effect does this have on our church community? [32:10]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's grace in your life before you were fully aware of His presence. How did this experience shape your faith journey? [14:59]
2. How can you actively participate in sharing the gospel and your personal testimony to help others recognize and respond to God's prevenient grace? [30:31]
3. In what ways can our church embrace and proclaim the universal reach of God's grace to every person without discrimination or prejudice? [09:08]
4. How can you personally respond to God's call in your life, similar to how Samuel responded? What steps can you take to be more attentive and obedient to God's initiatives? [14:59]
5. As we celebrate our church's 100th anniversary, how can you contribute to ensuring that our church continues to respond to God's call for the next 100 years? What specific actions can you take to support this mission? [33:36]
6. Think of someone in your life who may not yet recognize God's grace. How can you be a vessel of God's prevenient grace to them this week? [30:31]
7. How does understanding the concept of prevenient grace inspire you to live out your faith more actively and share the transformative power of God's grace with others? [33:17]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the concept of prevenient grace, understand its implications, and find practical ways to live out this foundational doctrine in your daily lives.
Devotional
Day 1: Grace as Divine Engagement
Grace is not merely a characteristic of God but an active, dynamic force through which He interacts with the world. This understanding shifts our perspective from seeing grace as a passive attribute to recognizing it as God's proactive approach to our lives. Grace confronts our rebellion and indifference, offering forgiveness and blessing, thus inviting us to rethink how we perceive God's interactions with humanity. This dynamic nature of grace challenges us to respond actively to His initiatives, transforming our spiritual lives and our interactions with others. [07:00]
"God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4-5 ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's grace today in a way that transforms not just your life but also impacts those around you?
Day 2: The Universal Reach of God's Grace
Prevenient grace, extended to all humanity, underscores the inclusivity of God's salvation plan. This grace is not based on merit but is a free gift of God's love, highlighting that everyone, regardless of their background or life choices, is offered the opportunity to embrace salvation. This universal aspect of grace mandates that we, as a church, embrace and proclaim this grace to every person without discrimination or prejudice. It calls us to be agents of grace, actively seeking to share this divine gift with others. [11:06]
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people." (Titus 2:11 ESV)
Reflection: Who is someone in your life who may feel excluded or unworthy of God's grace, and how can you extend an invitation to them to experience this grace?
Day 3: Human Response to Divine Grace
While grace is a divine initiative, our response plays a crucial role. We have the freedom to accept or reject this grace, which is a testament to the relational nature of God's dealings with us. This aspect of grace calls for a personal and communal reflection on how we engage with God's call in our lives. It emphasizes that our response to grace is not passive but involves a conscious decision to work in cooperation with God's transformative power. [21:15]
"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:12-13 ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself resisting God's grace, and what steps can you take to open up more fully to His transformative work?
Day 4: Engaging with Grace in Community
Sharing our testimonies and engaging in communal worship are practical ways we cooperate with prevenient grace. By doing so, we not only affirm God's work in our lives but also encourage others to recognize and respond to God's grace in their own lives. This cooperative aspect of grace enhances our communal identity and mission, fostering a shared experience of God's transformative power. [32:10]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)
Reflection: How can you more actively share your personal testimony within your community to inspire others to embrace and respond to God's grace?
Day 5: Called to Action by Grace
The doctrine of prevenient grace is not just theological but also missional. It compels us to action, to share the gospel and live out the implications of grace in every aspect of our lives. As we celebrate significant milestones in our church's history, we are reminded of the generations who responded to this call, and we are encouraged to do the same, actively participating in God's redemptive work in the world. [33:36]
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10 ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can live out the implications of God's grace this week, either at home, in your workplace, or in your community?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God is already working in the lives of the lost through prevenient grace. Why wouldn't we want to cooperate with that? Sometimes we put a burden on us like I just can't talk to people. It doesn't matter, just talk because God's already at work and here's the other thing: you can't save anybody. It's not your job. That's the job of the Holy Spirit. He'll take care of that. Don't worry about that, just share what God has done in your life and watch amazing beautiful things happen." [32:10]
2. "God is wooing you because his relationship is the most important relationship of your life. It supersedes even marriage. Sometimes we get that even wonky. I love Maggie, oh do I love her, but she can't save me. She tries all the time but she can't save me, right? Only God can. Only God can offer us eternal life." [29:39]
3. "The Lord called Samuel again for the third time and he arose and went to Eli and said, 'Here I am, for you called me.' So there's this little kind of cat and mouse, it's a cute fun story where Samuel's a little boy keeps hearing the voice of God and he thinks it's Eli calling to him in the middle of the night. Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy and Eli said to Samuel, 'Go lie down, and it shall be if he calls you that you shall say, Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.'" [13:56]
### Quotes for Members
1. "But God, being rich in mercy because of his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ. By grace, you have been saved and raised up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. So that in the ages to come, he might show the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus." [05:17]
2. "Prevenient grace is the grace God extends to all people that enables them to respond to either accept or reject the gospel. What is distinct to Wesleyan theology is that we believe God's grace is free grace. That is, it is an unmerited gift of God, proveniently given to us. And we were yet sinners. It is a universal, supernatural gift given to all people." [11:06]
3. "Our motto this year is 'Answer the Call.' Southlake only exists today and can only celebrate our 100th anniversary because faithful Nazarenes went before us and answered the call. They understood the amazing act of prevenient grace and they chose to cooperate with God in drawing others close to him. They showed the gospel, they shared their testimonies, they demonstrated the love of Christ on a broken world." [33:36]
4. "Without prevenient grace, there is no salvation. This is a unique Wesleyan concept and it's so important that you get this because this speaks to the love of God. For God so loved the world, yes, he loved the world so he's making a way even as sinners that we have a way to become aware of who he is and of who we are as sinful creatures so that it will lead us towards repentance." [19:27]
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