Empowered by Grace: Living Righteously in God's Kingdom
Summary
Grace is the divine action in our lives, enabling us to achieve what we cannot accomplish on our own. It is not merely a tool to alleviate guilt but a vital force for living. Even if we had never sinned, we would still require grace because it supplies our needs from God, allowing us to rule and reign under Him. Grace is indeed forgiveness, but it extends beyond that. After forgiveness, we still need to live, and grace empowers us to do good in situations where it seems impossible, especially in relation to people who are not good. It is the key to both God's kingdom and the human kingdom.
Righteousness, a gift of grace, is not just about being justified and forgiven; it is about living a life that aligns with God's kingdom. It is the simple ability to do the right thing, which can make a tremendous difference wherever we are. This gift of righteousness allows us to reign in life, living with a power that enables us to accomplish the good that needs to be done in any situation. Righteousness affects all dimensions of human life, including economic, legal, educational, and military systems. God calls us into these areas, inviting us to live there by His grace, and in doing so, we reign.
Key Takeaways:
1. Grace is more than forgiveness; it is the divine empowerment to live a life that accomplishes good in seemingly impossible situations. It is essential for ruling and reigning under God, supplying our needs and enabling us to live by His standards. [00:46]
2. Righteousness is a gift of grace that goes beyond justification. It is an active life of doing the right thing, which significantly impacts our surroundings and aligns us with God's kingdom. [02:05]
3. Living in righteousness allows us to reign in life, providing us with the power to accomplish good wherever we are. This power is transformative, affecting all areas of human life and society. [02:38]
4. God's grace calls us into various dimensions of life, such as economic, legal, educational, and military systems, inviting us to live there by His grace. In doing so, we bring His kingdom into these areas. [03:14]
5. The abundance of grace is crucial for living a life that reflects God's kingdom. It is not just a one-time gift but a continuous supply that enables us to live righteously and reign in life. [01:31]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:27] - Understanding Grace
[00:46] - Grace Beyond Forgiveness
[01:02] - Living with Grace
[01:16] - Grace in Impossible Situations
[01:31] - Abundance of Grace
[01:50] - Righteousness as a Gift
[02:05] - Righteousness in Action
[02:23] - Impact of Righteousness
[02:38] - Reigning in Life
[02:56] - Righteousness in Society
[03:14] - Living in God's Kingdom
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Grace and Righteousness
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 5:17 - "For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ."
2. 2 Corinthians 12:9 - "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."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, how does grace function beyond forgiveness in our daily lives? [00:46]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the role of righteousness in our lives and its impact on society? [02:56]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between grace and the ability to do good in difficult situations? [01:16]
4. In what ways does the sermon indicate that grace is essential for ruling and reigning under God? [00:46]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of grace as a continuous supply, rather than a one-time gift, change the way believers might approach their daily challenges? [01:31]
2. What might it mean for a believer to "reign in life" through the gift of righteousness, as discussed in the sermon? [02:38]
3. How does the sermon’s view of righteousness as an active life align with the biblical passages provided? [02:05]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that grace and righteousness can transform societal systems like the economic or legal systems? [02:56]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt it was impossible to do good. How might understanding grace as divine empowerment change your approach next time? [01:16]
2. Consider an area of your life where you struggle to do the right thing. How can the gift of righteousness help you make a positive impact in that area? [02:05]
3. Identify a specific system or community you are part of (e.g., workplace, school, neighborhood). How can you bring God’s kingdom into that area through grace and righteousness? [03:14]
4. Think about a time when you felt overwhelmed by guilt. How can the understanding of grace as more than just forgiveness help you move forward? [00:46]
5. How can you actively seek to receive an "abundance of grace" in your life, and what practical steps can you take to ensure you are living by it daily? [01:31]
6. Reflect on a relationship where you find it challenging to show grace. What specific actions can you take to demonstrate grace in that relationship this week? [01:16]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to live by grace and righteousness, and what role can you play in supporting them? [02:56]
Devotional
Day 1: Grace as Divine Empowerment
Grace is not just a means to alleviate guilt; it is a divine empowerment that enables individuals to live a life that accomplishes good, even in seemingly impossible situations. This empowerment is essential for ruling and reigning under God, as it supplies our needs and allows us to live by His standards. Grace is a continuous force that helps us navigate life's challenges, especially when dealing with difficult people or circumstances. It is the key to both God's kingdom and the human kingdom, providing the strength and ability to do what we cannot accomplish on our own. [00:46]
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a situation in your life where you feel powerless. How can you invite God's grace to empower you to act in this situation today?
Day 2: Righteousness as Active Living
Righteousness, a gift of grace, extends beyond mere justification and forgiveness. It involves living a life that aligns with God's kingdom by actively doing the right thing. This active life of righteousness can significantly impact our surroundings, as it reflects God's standards and values. By embracing this gift, individuals can reign in life, living with a power that enables them to accomplish the good that needs to be done in any situation. Righteousness is not passive; it is a transformative force that affects all dimensions of human life. [02:05]
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." (Matthew 5:6, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an area in your life where you struggle to do the right thing. What steps can you take today to align your actions with God's righteousness?
Day 3: Reigning in Life through Righteousness
Living in righteousness allows individuals to reign in life, providing them with the power to accomplish good wherever they are. This power is transformative, affecting all areas of human life and society. By living righteously, individuals can bring about positive change in their communities and environments. This reign is not about dominance but about serving others and reflecting God's kingdom in every aspect of life. It is a call to live with purpose and intention, using the gift of righteousness to make a difference. [02:38]
"For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a specific area in your community where you can make a positive impact. How can you use your influence to bring about change in this area today?
Day 4: Grace in All Dimensions of Life
God's grace calls individuals into various dimensions of life, such as economic, legal, educational, and military systems, inviting them to live there by His grace. By doing so, they bring His kingdom into these areas, transforming them with His values and principles. This call is an invitation to engage with the world in a way that reflects God's love and justice. It is a reminder that grace is not confined to personal spirituality but extends to every aspect of society, challenging individuals to be agents of change. [03:14]
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area of society where you feel called to make a difference. How can you begin to engage with this area through the lens of God's grace today?
Day 5: The Continuous Supply of Grace
The abundance of grace is crucial for living a life that reflects God's kingdom. It is not just a one-time gift but a continuous supply that enables individuals to live righteously and reign in life. This continuous supply of grace empowers believers to face challenges and overcome obstacles, providing the strength and wisdom needed to navigate life's complexities. It is a reminder that God's grace is always available, ready to support and guide those who seek to live according to His will. [01:31]
"And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." (John 1:16, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you experience God's grace in that situation, and how can you rely on His continuous supply of grace in future challenges?
Quotes
now grace is god acting in your life to accomplish what you can't accomplish on your own. that's what grace is abundance of grace, uh lots of it not just a little bit to sort of get you off the guilt hook. grace is meant for us to live by. [00:00:15]
we would have had to have grace if we had never sinned, because grace is what supplies the need from god to those who are ruling and reigning under him. grace, god acting in our lives to accomplish what we can't accomplish on our own, is that forgiveness you bet your life it is forgiveness. [00:00:40]
after you've forgiven you still have to live don't you you might need a little grace with that, grace to accomplish the good that needs to be accomplished in the place where you are, the good in relation to people who aren't good, the good in relation to things that are impossible for you to do. [00:01:05]
that's what grace is those who receive abundance of grace, grace is the key to god's kingdom and the key to the human kingdom, and of the gift of righteousness now righteousness is a gift of grace, but notice he's not just talking about righteousness in the sense of being justified. [00:01:28]
he's talking about righteousness as a life as an activity, as something we live in wherever we are and whatever we're doing, righteousness just the simple ability to do the right thing, and you just think of what a tremendous difference that makes wherever we might be the gift of righteousness. [00:01:57]
righteousness is forgiveness yes but righteousness as a life that accords with the kingdom of god and those who have that will reign in life, they will be able to live their lives in a power that enables them to accomplish the good that needs to be done wherever they are. [00:02:28]
and that righteousness then would affect the economic system the legal system, the educational system, the military system all of the dimensions of human life, god calls us into those areas and invites us to live there in his kingdom by his grace and in so doing, we reign. [00:02:56]
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