Embracing the Transformative Power of Grace

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Gratitude and Praise

Reflecting on the story of the ten lepers healed by Jesus, we see that gratitude and praise are essential responses to God's grace. When we acknowledge and thank God for His blessings, we create an atmosphere of faith and expectation, which can lead to further spiritual breakthroughs. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have, fostering a heart of contentment and joy. Praise, on the other hand, magnifies God and His goodness, reminding us of His faithfulness and power.

In our daily lives, it is easy to overlook the blessings we receive and take them for granted. However, cultivating a habit of gratitude and praise can transform our spiritual walk. It helps us to remain humble, recognizing that every good gift comes from God. Moreover, it strengthens our faith, as we recall and celebrate God's past faithfulness, which encourages us to trust Him for the future. Let us make a conscious effort to thank God daily and praise Him for His unending grace and mercy. [33:04]

Psalm 103:2-5 (ESV): "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

Reflection: Think of three specific blessings in your life today. How can you express your gratitude to God for these blessings in a tangible way?

Day 2: Grace is the Core of the Gospel

Grace is not an optional aspect of our faith; it is the very heart of the Gospel. It is through grace that we are saved, and it is by grace that we continue to grow in our relationship with God. Any teaching that adds to or complicates this simple truth is a distortion of the Gospel. Grace is the unmerited favor of God, given to us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is not something we can earn or deserve; it is a gift freely given to all who believe.

Understanding grace is crucial for our spiritual growth. It liberates us from the bondage of legalism and self-righteousness, allowing us to rest in the finished work of Christ. When we fully grasp the concept of grace, we are empowered to live out our faith with confidence and joy, knowing that our salvation is secure in Jesus. Let us anchor ourselves in the truth of the Gospel and resist any attempts to complicate or distort it. [01:18:40]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Reflect on your understanding of grace. How does knowing that your salvation is a gift from God, not based on your works, change the way you live your daily life?

Day 3: Beware of Legalism

Throughout history, there have been those who seek to impose additional rules and rituals on believers, creating confusion and doubt. These "immoral men" are not serving Christ but their own interests. We must be vigilant and guard against such teachings, remaining steadfast in the simplicity of the Gospel. Legalism adds unnecessary burdens to our faith, making us feel that we must earn God's favor through our actions.

Legalism can manifest in various forms, such as strict adherence to religious rituals, moralistic behavior, or the imposition of man-made rules. These practices can lead to a sense of spiritual pride or, conversely, a feeling of inadequacy and failure. However, the Gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to freedom and grace. We are invited to rest in the assurance that our righteousness comes from Christ alone, not from our adherence to rules. Let us be discerning and reject any teachings that seek to complicate the simplicity of the Gospel. [01:19:45]

Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

Reflection: Are there any areas in your life where you feel burdened by legalistic practices? How can you embrace the freedom that comes from knowing your righteousness is in Christ alone?

Day 4: Immersing Ourselves in Grace

Growing in grace is not about acquiring more grace but about fully immersing ourselves in the grace that has already been given to us through Christ. This means rejecting legalistic teachings and resting in the assurance of our salvation, which is based solely on Jesus' finished work on the cross. Immersing ourselves in grace involves a deep and continual reliance on God's unmerited favor, allowing it to shape our identity and actions.

As we immerse ourselves in grace, we become more confident in our salvation and more resilient against deceptive teachings that seek to undermine our faith. This immersion leads to spiritual growth, as we become more aware of God's love and acceptance. It also empowers us to extend grace to others, reflecting the character of Christ in our interactions. Let us make a conscious effort to dwell in the grace of God, allowing it to transform our hearts and minds. [01:43:35]

2 Peter 3:18 (ESV): "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

Reflection: How can you immerse yourself more fully in God's grace today? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of His unmerited favor in your daily life?

Day 5: Freedom in Christ

True freedom comes from knowing and growing in Christ. As we deepen our relationship with Him, we become more confident in His grace and less concerned with the opinions and rules of others. This freedom allows us to live out our faith with joy and assurance, knowing that we are fully accepted and loved by God. Freedom in Christ is not a license to sin but an invitation to live a life that reflects His love and grace.

When we understand the freedom we have in Christ, we are liberated from the need to perform or seek approval from others. Our identity is rooted in Him, and our actions are motivated by love rather than obligation. This freedom empowers us to serve others selflessly and to pursue God's purposes with boldness. Let us embrace the freedom that comes from knowing Christ and live out our faith with confidence and joy. [01:51:12]

Galatians 5:13 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

Reflection: In what ways are you still seeking approval from others? How can you embrace the freedom you have in Christ and live out your faith with confidence and joy?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound and transformative power of grace. We began by reflecting on the story of the ten lepers healed by Jesus, emphasizing the importance of gratitude and praise. This led us to the central theme: the necessity of growing in grace. Grace is not an optional add-on to our faith; it is the very essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Throughout history, and even today, there are those who attempt to dilute or complicate the simplicity of grace with legalism and man-made rules. These "immoral men," as Peter and Paul described them, seek to draw followers to themselves rather than to Christ, creating confusion and doubt among believers.

We delved into 2 Peter 3:17-18, where Peter warns us to be on guard against these deceptive influences and instead to grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Grace liberates us from the bondage of legalism and draws us closer to God. It is not about adding more grace to our lives but about immersing ourselves fully in the grace that has already been given to us through Christ. This immersion in grace allows us to grow spiritually, becoming more confident in our salvation and more resilient against the deceptive teachings that seek to undermine our faith.

We also examined how Paul addressed similar issues in his letters to the Romans, Galatians, and Colossians, where he rebuked those who tried to impose additional requirements for salvation beyond faith in Christ. These teachings remind us that our righteousness and holiness come solely from Jesus, not from our adherence to rituals or traditions. The message is clear: we must remain steadfast in the simplicity of the Gospel, resisting any attempts to complicate or distort it.

In conclusion, growing in grace means continually anchoring ourselves in the truth of Christ's complete and sufficient work on the cross. It means rejecting the lies that tell us we need to earn God's favor and instead resting in the assurance that we are fully accepted and loved by Him. This understanding frees us to live out our faith with confidence and joy, knowing that our salvation is secure in Jesus.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Gratitude and Praise: Reflecting on the story of the ten lepers, we see that gratitude and praise are essential responses to God's grace. When we acknowledge and thank God for His blessings, we create an atmosphere of faith and expectation, which can lead to further spiritual breakthroughs. [33:04]
2. Grace is the Core of the Gospel: Grace is not an optional aspect of our faith; it is the very heart of the Gospel. It is through grace that we are saved, and it is by grace that we continue to grow in our relationship with God. Any teaching that adds to or complicates this simple truth is a distortion of the Gospel. [78:40]
3. Beware of Legalism: Throughout history, there have been those who seek to impose additional rules and rituals on believers, creating confusion and doubt. These "immoral men" are not serving Christ but their own interests. We must be vigilant and guard against such teachings, remaining steadfast in the simplicity of the Gospel. [79:45]
4. Immersing Ourselves in Grace: Growing in grace is not about acquiring more grace but about fully immersing ourselves in the grace that has already been given to us through Christ. This means rejecting legalistic teachings and resting in the assurance of our salvation, which is based solely on Jesus' finished work on the cross. [103:35]
5. Freedom in Christ: True freedom comes from knowing and growing in Christ. As we deepen our relationship with Him, we become more confident in His grace and less concerned with the opinions and rules of others. This freedom allows us to live out our faith with joy and assurance, knowing that we are fully accepted and loved by God. [01:51:12]
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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[33:04] - The Power of Gratitude and Praise
[36:05] - Intimacy with God
[39:25] - A New Season
[40:41] - The Spirit of Grace
[42:33] - Letting God Break Through
[49:16] - The Prophetic in the Early Church
[51:06] - Hearing God's Voice
[51:59] - Generosity and the Spirit
[52:46] - Missionary Strength
[65:40] - Challenges of Starting a Church
[77:44] - Grow in Grace
[78:40] - The Battle Against Grace
[79:45] - Be on Guard Against Legalism
[103:35] - Immersing Ourselves in Grace
[111:12] - Freedom in Christ
[115:50] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What warning does Peter give in 2 Peter 3:17-18 about the influence of unprincipled men? How does he suggest believers should respond? [01:18:40]
According to Romans 16:18, what motivates the actions of the men Paul describes, and how do they deceive others? [01:25:29]
In Galatians 5:1, what does Paul emphasize about the nature of the freedom believers have in Christ? [01:52:38]
How does the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19 illustrate the importance of gratitude and praise in response to God's grace? [33:04]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it significant that Peter emphasizes growing in grace and knowledge rather than just acquiring more grace? How does this relate to the concept of immersing ourselves in grace? [01:43:35]
How do the actions of the "immoral men" described in 2 Peter 3:17-18 and Romans 16:18 create confusion and doubt among believers? What are the implications for the church today? [01:19:45]
What does Paul mean when he says that Christ has set us free "completely and wonderfully" in Galatians 5:1? How does this complete freedom contrast with the bondage of legalism? [01:52:38]
How does the sermon illustrate the dangers of legalism and the importance of maintaining the simplicity of the Gospel? What examples were given to show how legalism can distort the message of grace? [01:24:06]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt pressured to follow additional rules or rituals to feel accepted by God. How did this affect your relationship with Him? How can you focus more on the simplicity of the Gospel and the grace given through Christ? [01:24:06]
The sermon emphasized the importance of gratitude and praise. How can you incorporate more gratitude into your daily life? What specific steps can you take to create an atmosphere of faith and expectation? [33:04]
How can you guard against the influence of legalistic teachings in your own life? What practical steps can you take to ensure you remain anchored in the truth of Christ's complete and sufficient work on the cross? [01:19:45]
In what ways can you immerse yourself more fully in the grace that has already been given to you through Christ? Identify one area of your life where you need to rest more in the assurance of your salvation. [01:43:35]
How does understanding that your righteousness and holiness come solely from Jesus change the way you live out your faith? What specific actions can you take this week to live with more confidence and joy in your salvation? [01:24:06]
Think of a situation where you have been influenced by the opinions and rules of others. How can you shift your focus to deepen your relationship with Christ and find true freedom in Him? [01:51:12]
How can you help others in your small group or community to understand and embrace the message of grace? What are some practical ways you can support each other in growing in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ? [01:18:40]

Sermon Clips

1. "The Spirit of Grace says to tell you, and it's really more of a reminder than it is a revelation. For many of you have known it, but in the hectic pace of life, you've forgotten it. So the Spirit of Grace says to remind you that he can do more in a moment than you can do in a lifetime. And you think that thing ain't never going to break, but you've been trying to break. You've been trying to break it in your strength. You've been hammering away at it, and it's not moving, it's not budging. The Spirit of Grace says literally, let me have a crack at it. By faith, step out of the way and let me have the hammer, and I'll break that thing open in a single blow. For when the man says there is no way, the king says I am the way." [42:33] (64 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Grace frees you from people and draws you closer to God. But men who want followers come up with rules that draw you to them. Y'all ain't even listening to what I'm saying. They come up. Listen, if I want a club called the Jimmy Club, which I don't, but if I did, the way I would do it is I would make rules that if you kept up with the rules, if you did the rules, you performed the rules, you could be part of the Jimmy Club. Men who want followers come up with rules. Men who preach grace don't want followers of self. Because grace will always free you from people and draw you to Jesus because Jesus is the fountainhead, the source of grace rules draw you to people because you got to be around the people that help you keep the rules." [01:26:42] (73 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Grace frees me from all things pagan. Some people just aren't ready for this. Everyone say grow in grace. And then they influence the Colossians. Look at this in Colossians chapter 2 verse 16. It's still talking about verse 17. Who these people were. And what they were doing. They were trying to create high bred Christians. Little bit of law. Little bit of grace. Little bit of freedom. Little bit of slavery. Little bit of pleasure. Little bit of pain. Colossians chapter 2 verse 16. So don't let anyone. Don't let anyone. Everyone say anyone. Condemn you. To eat or drink. Or for not celebrating. Certain holy days. Or new moon ceremonies. Or Sabbaths. If it's written. If you want to worship on the Sabbath. Have at it. But don't tell me I'm a heretic. Because I worship on another day." [01:32:01] (71 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The more you get to know Jesus. The more confident you become. In his grace. Can I give you a couple more verses. One more. Let me just give you one more. Two more. Maybe three more. Colossians chapter 2. The Bible says. Let your roots grow down into him. Let your roots. Grow down. Into him. And let your lives be built. On him. Then your faith will grow strong. In the truth you were taught. And you will overflow. With thankfulness." [01:50:45] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The apostle says, let me be clear about this. The anointed one has set us free. Not partially, but completely. And wonderfully free. We must always cherish this truth. What truth? He set me free. From what? All of it. Those memories that used to haunt me and keep me confined and make me feel like I was insufficient, unlovable, inferior. That the only thing I was worthy of was being beaten. He set me free from that. He set me free from looking in the mirror and hating the image I saw. He set me free from looking at you and thinking, I got to be like you to be somebody. He set me free from sin and all of its ramifications. We must always cherish this truth. Listen to this. And stubbornly, stubbornly refuse to go back into the bondage of our past." [01:52:38] (80 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Grace is not an option. Grace is the message. And if you'll put your faith in Christ. He's got you. He heals all. He forgives all. He loves all. And then as far as holiness is concerned. We live out from who he's made us to be. Instead of trying to become in order to be accepted. So if you're here this morning and you've never met this wonderful Savior. Let today be your day. The greatest life imaginable is a life with Jesus and in Jesus. And if you're here this morning and you say, well, Pastor, I know the Lord. I gave my life to him years ago, but I've struggled. And just knowing that I'm accepted by him. Well, that's where grace comes in. And we would love to pray with you concerning that your success is our honor. We just want to join our faith with you so that you can become all that God has envisioned you would be. And life can take on a whole new view. Life can be beautiful and enjoyable." [01:53:51] (103 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "The message today to you is you've got to be aware just like they were aware. You've got to be on guard just like they were on guard, because if you let somebody come and tell you like I had a guy tell me one time. He heard me. I was preaching about the love of God, and he said, you know, the love of God is good, but you got to preach a judgment sometimes like got to mix a little legalism with the grace, because if I just preach grace, people are going to know that all the restraints are going to be gone. And you know what I tell people is if the message of grace gives you the permission to sin, A, you're not listening to the right message. B, sin was already in you looking for a way out. Grace doesn't give you permission to do anything. It makes you more than who you are." [01:24:06] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "If you're wondering if you've done enough. You've listened to immoral men. Because the gospel of grace. Comes along and says. It doesn't matter what you've done. It only matters what he did. And you might say. But pastor. I don't always live holy. He does. He did. I don't always hit the mark. He always hit it. So this is why the gospel is. In Christ. In Christ. In grace. I'm not trusting in my own holiness. I'm leaning into his. I'm not trusting into my own efforts. I'm leaning into his." [01:36:59] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "So Peter said, be on your guard. Against these enemies. Against these immoral men. Then he said but. We got any English teachers in here? I need to hurry. Okay. But is a conjunction. Combining two thoughts. But one of the things that you need to know. Is that what comes after the but. Is more important than what went in front of the but. Case in point. Your wife comes home with a new dress. And she puts it on. And she says babe does this dress make me look nice? And you look at it and say. Babe that dress is so hot. It makes dragons want to retire man. Hmm. you're doing great. And then you say but. Dude. Put your hand over your mouth. Right now. Be like Job. Don't say nothing else. I see some men shaking their heads. Yeah Pastor I done that. Right. You say but. Makes you look a little chunky. And then you ain't got a clue. Why all the compliments were instantly forgotten. There ain't no more dragon man. All there is. Is chunky man. Right. Because what came after. Matters more than what came before. So when you understand. That Peter was saying. Be on guard against these immoral men. They're going to make you confused in your mind. But. There's something greater. Than these immoral men. Grow in grace. Grow in grace. That's more important." [01:41:31] (105 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "The whole church out. I need you to say this with me because that intimacy is not reserved for one, but it's open to all. And so if you want to know God at a deeper level, you just need to lift your hands right now. This is the spirit of prophecy and declare me too. Say it. Me too. Stand down here. have any idea how proud I am? How proud I am of you, but you need to know something, his pride in you and joy in you eclipses mine by far. And I heard the Lord say, you know, this is a new season. You're stepping into something totally new. But the Lord said to tell you, you only stand part of it. You only understand a portion for he's not joining just a man and a woman. He's joining two anointings. He's joining two calls. And so this is a new season for you. Not just in the natural, not just by matrimony, but by Kingdom decree for of the two. He makes one of the two. He makes one. I want to say it again of the two. He makes one. It's going to be better than you imagined." [39:25] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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