Embracing Suffering: The Power of God's Grace

Devotional

Day 1: Saved by Grace, Not by Our Own Works

The heart of the gospel is that we are saved not by our own efforts, morality, or self-righteousness, but by the grace and purpose of God through Jesus Christ. We were spiritually dead, unable to rescue ourselves, but God, in His great love, made us alive in Christ. This salvation is not something we can earn or maintain by our own striving; it is a gift that transforms us from death to life, offering us true freedom and security that cannot be shaken by our failures or the shifting standards of culture. [19:06]

Ephesians 2:1-5 (ESV)
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But 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.

Reflection: Where in your life are you still trying to earn God’s approval or prove your worth, rather than resting in the truth that you are already fully loved and saved by His grace?

Day 2: Called to a Holy, Free Way of Life

God not only saves us but also calls us to a holy calling—a way of life that is set apart, distinct from the patterns of the world, and marked by true freedom. This calling is not a burden to repay God or to maintain our salvation, but an invitation to walk in the freedom and life that Jesus has already secured for us. As we live out this calling, we experience more of the freedom and joy that comes from aligning our lives with God’s design, even when it means standing out or facing discomfort in our culture. [30:37]

2 Timothy 1:9 (ESV)
[God] who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.

Reflection: What is one area where you sense God inviting you to live differently from the culture around you, and how might stepping into that “holy calling” bring you greater freedom?

Day 3: Jesus Is the Only Source of True Life

When faced with the choice between the way of Jesus and the easier paths offered by the world, we remember that only Jesus has the words of eternal life. Like Peter, we come to know that there is nowhere else to go for true life, meaning, and freedom. Even when following Jesus is hard or costly, we can trust that His way leads to the deepest and most lasting life, far beyond what any other path can offer. [36:08]

John 6:68-69 (ESV)
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Reflection: When you are tempted to choose an easier or more popular path over Jesus’ way, what helps you remember that only He offers true life—and how can you remind yourself of this today?

Day 4: The Gospel Is God’s Plan from the Beginning

The good news of Jesus is not a last-minute fix or a fairy tale, but the fulfillment of God’s plan from before time began. Throughout all of history, God was preparing and promising the coming of Jesus, and in Christ’s appearing, the truth of God’s love and salvation was made clear and proven beyond doubt. This gives us confidence that our faith is rooted in reality, not wishful thinking, and that God’s purposes for us are secure and trustworthy. [40:08]

2 Timothy 1:9-10 (ESV)
[God] who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Reflection: How does knowing that God’s plan for your salvation and calling was set before the world began change the way you view your present circumstances and future?

Day 5: Jesus Abolished Death and Offers Daily Freedom

Jesus didn’t just promise us eternal life after death; He abolished death’s power and brought real, abundant life into our everyday experience. Like a perfect immune system, Jesus consumed the “virus” of sin and shame that was killing us, setting us free to live in increasing freedom now. As we trust Him and walk in His way, we experience more and more of this freedom, even when it means letting go of things that once seemed to offer life but ultimately lead to bondage. [49:26]

Romans 10:9-10 (ESV)
Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Reflection: What is one area of shame, fear, or bondage that you need to bring to Jesus today, trusting that He alone can consume it and lead you into greater freedom?

Sermon Summary

In the midst of a culture that prizes self-reliance, prosperity, and the pursuit of personal freedom, the call to follow Jesus can feel increasingly out of step—sometimes even offensive—to the world around us. This was true for the church in Ephesus, shepherded by Timothy, and it remains true for us today. Paul, writing from prison and facing the end of his life, urges Timothy not to distance himself from the gospel or from those who suffer for it, but to hold fast and embrace—even the suffering that comes with faith—by the power of God.

This power is not something we muster up through sheer willpower or religious effort. Rather, it is rooted in two profound realities: first, that Jesus has saved us—not by our works, but by his grace and purpose; and second, that he has called us to a holy calling, a way of life that is set apart, free, and truly alive. The gospel is not a vague hope or a fairy tale, but a precise, historical, and logical reality, woven through the entire story of Scripture and culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Paul reminds us that this was God’s plan from before time began, not a last-minute fix, and that Jesus’ appearing is the manifestation—the proof—of God’s saving work.

To be saved, as Paul unpacks, is not simply to be made better or more moral, but to be made alive when we were dead. Sin is not just a set of bad behaviors, but a deadly virus within us, one that only Jesus can consume and abolish. The symptoms may be dulled by prosperity or culture, but the underlying disease remains until Christ intervenes. And once he does, we are not only given eternal life (immortality), but also a new way of living—one that brings increasing freedom as we walk in his ways.

This holy calling is not a burden to repay God or to earn his favor, but an extension of the freedom and life he has already given. Grace is not opposed to effort, but to earning; our obedience flows from gratitude and trust, not from fear or shame. Even when the way of Jesus is costly, it is the only path that leads to true life and freedom. For those who do not yet know Jesus, the invitation is simple: believe in your heart, confess with your mouth, and receive the life only he can give. For those who do, the encouragement is to keep choosing his way, knowing that it is the way of life, even when it is hard.

Key Takeaways

1. The power to endure and embrace suffering for Christ does not come from our own strength, but from remembering and holding fast to what Jesus has done: he has saved us and called us to a holy calling. This is not a call to grit our teeth, but to live in the reality of God’s power, which enables us to transcend suffering rather than merely endure it. [06:26]
2. Salvation is not about self-improvement or moral achievement; it is about being made alive when we were dead in our sin. The gospel is clear: our problem is not just bad behavior, but a deep spiritual death that only Jesus can remedy by consuming and abolishing the “virus” of sin within us. [19:06]
3. The holy calling we receive is not a repayment plan for what Jesus has done, nor is it a way to earn or keep God’s favor. Rather, it is a way of life that extends the freedom and life we have already received, inviting us to live in increasing freedom as we walk in the way of Jesus. Grace opposes earning, not effort; our obedience is a response to grace, not a prerequisite for it. [30:37]
4. The story of Jesus is not a last-minute solution or a myth, but the fulfillment of a plan set in motion before time began and woven throughout all of Scripture. The gospel is historically and logically grounded, and Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are the manifestation—the proof—of God’s saving work, offering us both eternal life and a new way to live now. [40:08]
5. True freedom is not found in self-governance, cultural conformity, or the absence of suffering, but in knowing Jesus and walking in his way. Even when the way of Jesus is costly or countercultural, it is the only path that leads to real life and lasting freedom. For those who do not yet know him, the invitation is open: believe, receive, and begin the journey of freedom that only Christ can give. [54:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Setting the Scene: Paul, Timothy, and Ephesus
[04:30] - The Challenge of Cultural Pressure
[06:26] - Embracing Suffering by the Power of God
[09:45] - Saved and Called: Two Distinct Gifts
[12:16] - The Futility of Self-Righteousness
[19:06] - Dead in Sin, Made Alive in Christ
[24:00] - The “Saving Private Ryan” Syndrome
[27:33] - Freedom, Shame, and the Gospel in Culture
[30:37] - Grace, Effort, and the Holy Calling
[36:08] - The Words of Life: Why Follow Jesus?
[38:03] - God’s Plan from Before Time
[40:08] - The Gospel Manifested in History
[45:22] - The Virus of Sin and the Work of Christ
[49:26] - The Danger of Dull Symptoms
[51:56] - Living by Faith: The Way of Life and Freedom
[54:15] - Invitation to Receive Jesus
[56:04] - The Only Solution to Shame
[58:49] - Prayer and Response

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

2 Timothy 1:8-10 (ESV) — > Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Ephesians 2:1-5 (ESV) — > And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But 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.

John 6:68-69 (ESV) — > Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Observation Questions

In 2 Timothy 1:8-10, what two distinct things does Paul say God has done for us through Jesus? How does Paul describe the source of our salvation and calling? [09:45]
According to Ephesians 2:1-5, what is the human condition before Christ intervenes? What does it mean to be “dead in our trespasses”? [19:06]
In John 6:68-69, what reason does Peter give for continuing to follow Jesus, even when others are leaving? [36:08]
The sermon describes sin as a “virus” that only Jesus can consume and abolish. What does this metaphor help us understand about the nature of sin and salvation? [45:22]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul emphasizes that our salvation and holy calling are “not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace”? How does this challenge common ideas about religion and self-improvement? [09:45]
The sermon says that the “holy calling” is not a repayment plan or a way to earn God’s favor, but an extension of the freedom and life we’ve already received. How does this reshape the way we think about obedience and effort in the Christian life? [30:37]
The metaphor of sin as a “virus” suggests that the problem is deeper than just bad behavior. How does this affect the way we view ourselves and others who struggle with sin? [45:22]
Paul and the sermon both stress that the gospel is not a myth or last-minute fix, but the fulfillment of a plan set in motion before time began. How might this truth give us confidence or assurance in our faith? [40:08]

Application Questions

The sermon points out that our culture values self-reliance and personal freedom, which can make following Jesus seem strange or even offensive. In what specific ways have you felt this tension in your own life, and how have you responded? [04:30]
Paul urges Timothy not to distance himself from the gospel or from those who suffer for it. Are there situations where you have been tempted to “distance” yourself from your faith or from other believers because of cultural pressure or fear of suffering? What would it look like to “hold fast” in those moments? [06:26]
The idea that grace is “opposed to earning, not effort” is a key point in the sermon. Can you think of an area in your life where you are trying to earn God’s favor rather than responding to his grace? What would it look like to shift from earning to gratitude-driven effort? [30:37]
The sermon describes salvation as being made alive when we were dead, not just becoming better people. How does this understanding affect the way you view your own story and your need for Jesus? [19:06]
The “virus” of sin can have its symptoms dulled by prosperity or culture, making us unaware of our true need. Are there comforts or distractions in your life that might be masking your need for Jesus? How can you become more aware of your spiritual condition? [49:26]
For those who do not yet know Jesus, the invitation is to “believe in your heart, confess with your mouth, and receive the life only he can give.” If you are not sure where you stand with Jesus, what questions or hesitations do you have? What would it look like to take a step toward him today? [54:15]
For those who already follow Jesus, the encouragement is to keep choosing his way, even when it is hard. What is one area where you sense God calling you to greater faithfulness or freedom? What practical step can you take this week to walk in that direction? [51:56]

Sermon Clips

Not taking us who were bad and making us good. Not taking us who were wrong and making us right. Not taking us who were broken and making us better. Taking those of us that were dead and making us alive. That's the clarity we gain. Now, here's the thing. You and I can choose to believe whether or not that's true, whether or not Jesus did what he said he did, is who he said he was, whether all this is even valid, we can choose to believe or not believe. But the Bible is so precise, so clear on the meaning, reality, intricacy, layers of the gospel, that what we can't do is say it's something other than that. [00:20:08] (41 seconds) #FromDeathToLifeInJesus

And what Jesus is saying is this, I not only saved you, but I gave you a way of life. I called you into it, and as you live in it, you will not only experience eternal life instead of eternal death because I've made you alive, but you will progressively experience freedom in life here as you live my way. Because anything that is opposed to my way will ultimately not lead you to life. [00:33:53] (30 seconds) #LifeAndFreedomInJesusWay

And he comes into my life and my story by the work he's done, and he has a power I do not have. He comes in and he consumes that virus, that wrath, that sin that's in me, and he takes it onto himself. That's what the Bible says. When he died, he took my sin onto himself. He absorbed it. He consumed it. And he let it do to him what it was trying to do to me, except that he had the power to overcome it and annihilate it or abolish it. And then, because he does, my virus problem in my soul is gone when I know Jesus as my Savior. [00:50:40] (37 seconds) #LiveByFaithNotFear

When you're choosing to live by faith, when it's hard to choose, remember that the reason you're choosing to live by faith is not because God is looking at you saying, you better do it. I'm gonna be super disappointed if you don't. You're kind of terrible. It's because he has saved you to eternal life so you have nothing to lose and his way is an extension of that freedom. You have everything to gain right here. Live by faith. Trust Jesus and do that. [00:52:17] (34 seconds) #ChooseLifeChooseFreedom

If you are here today and you know Jesus as your Savior, you've come to understand all this and you've at some point said to Jesus, yup, I want that. It's crazy. In the book of Romans, in chapter 10, the book I told you intricately unpacks how the gospel works. In Romans 10, it says this. If you wanna be someone who's...Sin, who's disease, that may be hidden under all the wonder of our culture, actually gets consumed and removed. Here's how it works. 19 days following a protocol, and then 29 years. No, you don't have to, like, get your hair cut off or do religious things or spin on your head. All you have to do, this is what it says, is once you have what Peter said we believed. We sort of looked at this and said, that sounds important. That sounds right. And then we stepped out, and it says, if you believe in your heart, you know, and then you confess with your mouth. All that means is that there is a version of then pursuing in community in a public way this journey with Jesus, this way of Christ. If you do that, then you are instantly saved. The virus is gone. He doesn't consume it over time. It happens. [00:52:51] (73 seconds) #JesusIsLifeAndFreedom

Choose the way of God. Why? Because it is the way of life. It is the way of freedom. And even when everything in you says it's not, it is. It is. And what you will discover is greater and greater freedom. I really, I, that is the way we ought to live. [00:54:30] (19 seconds) #JesusConsumesSinSetsFree

And then the reason we like tell you about Jesus, like you should get to know Jesus, you should come to know Jesus, you should receive Jesus, you should accept Jesus, is because I'm telling you, like Peter, we have believed and now know that Jesus is life itself. And if you don't have him, the deadly virus in you will kill you eventually. It's killing you now. And you may not know that. You may not even believe that. But if that's what we know and believe, then we would be the worst person on planet Earth not to at least tell you that regularly, wouldn't we? Even if we're wrong, frankly, and we're not. [00:55:30] (37 seconds)

But there is one who can consume your sins, set you free from shame. And no matter how many times in the future you do things that are shameful, this saving that he's done will always transcend that. And then the journey in his way will always set you more free. What you need is Jesus, please, I beg you. [00:56:49] (20 seconds)

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