Empowered by Grace: Living Righteously in God's Plan
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound message of grace as presented in the Book of Titus, chapter 2. The grace of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to all men, teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. This grace is not just a passive gift but an active force that empowers us to live according to God's plan. Just as Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord and was given a plan to build an ark, we too are given a plan to navigate our lives in alignment with God's will. This involves rejecting ungodliness and embracing a life of righteousness.
We live in a time where truth is often obscured by sensationalism and profit-driven narratives. The only constant truth we can rely on is the Word of God. This truth is not just for a select few but is available to all, reaching even the farthest corners of the world. The new covenant, established through Jesus Christ, offers a better promise than the old, allowing us to boldly enter God's presence and obtain mercy and grace.
Our journey involves a transformation that begins with the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. This transformation is not achieved through our own righteousness but through God's mercy. We are called to be a peculiar people, zealous for good works, and to maintain these good works as a testament to the grace that has been abundantly shed upon us through Jesus Christ.
In a world rife with lawlessness and self-rule, we are reminded that God's government is a theocracy, not a democracy. He desires to rule in our hearts, and it is through submission to His will that we find true freedom and purpose. As we navigate these challenging times, let us hold fast to the truth of God's Word and the hope of eternal life, knowing that His grace is sufficient for us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Grace as an Active Force: God's grace is not merely a passive gift but an active force that empowers us to live according to His plan. Just as Noah was given a plan to build an ark, we are given a plan to live righteously, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. This grace is available to all and requires our active participation. [57:47]
2. The Unchanging Truth of God's Word: In a world where truth is often obscured by sensationalism, the Word of God remains the only constant truth. It is not just for a select few but is available to all, reaching even the farthest corners of the world. This truth guides us in living a life that is pleasing to God. [56:35]
3. Transformation Through the Holy Ghost: Our transformation begins with the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. This is not achieved through our own righteousness but through God's mercy. We are called to be a peculiar people, zealous for good works, as a testament to the grace that has been abundantly shed upon us. [01:12:25]
4. Submission to God's Will: In a world rife with lawlessness and self-rule, God's government is a theocracy. He desires to rule in our hearts, and it is through submission to His will that we find true freedom and purpose. This submission is the opposite of lawlessness and is essential for living a life that honors God. [01:24:49]
5. The Hope of Eternal Life: The new covenant established through Jesus Christ offers a better promise than the old, allowing us to boldly enter God's presence and obtain mercy and grace. This hope of eternal life is a faithful saying that we must affirm constantly, as it is the foundation of our faith and the source of our strength. [01:15:20]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [53:21] - The Grace of God Appears
- [55:25] - Truth in a World of Lies
- [56:35] - God's Plan for All
- [57:47] - Grace and Action
- [58:36] - The New Covenant
- [01:01:12] - Embracing Godliness
- [01:02:35] - Living Righteously
- [01:03:44] - The Power of Forgiveness
- [01:05:11] - Strength in Meekness
- [01:06:48] - Unashamed Faith
- [01:08:34] - Remembering Our Past
- [01:09:42] - God's Love for All
- [01:12:25] - Transformation Through the Spirit
- [01:14:00] - Being a Peculiar People
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Titus 2:11-14
- Micah 6:8
- Jeremiah 31:31-34
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Titus 2:11-14, what does the grace of God teach us to do in this present world? How does this align with the sermon’s message about grace being an active force? [53:21]
2. In the sermon, how is Noah’s experience with grace used as an example for us today? What does this imply about our role in following God’s plan? [57:47]
3. What does the sermon say about the current state of truth in the world, and how does it relate to the unchanging truth of God's Word? [55:25]
4. How does the sermon describe the transformation that occurs through the Holy Ghost, and what is its significance in our lives? [01:12:25]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of grace as an active force challenge or affirm your understanding of grace? What implications does this have for how we live our lives? [57:47]
2. The sermon mentions that God's government is a theocracy, not a democracy. What does this mean for how we should view our relationship with God and His authority in our lives? [01:24:49]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the new covenant through Jesus Christ offers a better promise than the old covenant? How does this impact our approach to faith and salvation? [58:36]
4. How does the sermon’s emphasis on being a peculiar people, zealous for good works, resonate with the call to maintain good works as a testament to God’s grace? [01:14:00]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God’s grace as an active force in your life. How did it empower you to live according to His plan? [57:47]
2. In what areas of your life do you find it challenging to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts? What steps can you take to align more closely with God’s plan? [53:21]
3. How can you ensure that you are holding fast to the unchanging truth of God’s Word in a world filled with sensationalism and false narratives? [55:25]
4. The sermon calls us to be a peculiar people, zealous for good works. Identify one good work you can commit to this week as a testament to God’s grace in your life. [01:14:00]
5. Consider the idea of submission to God’s will as true freedom. How can you practice this submission in your daily decisions and interactions? [01:24:49]
6. The sermon highlights the hope of eternal life as a foundation of our faith. How does this hope influence your perspective on current challenges or struggles? [01:15:20]
7. Reflect on the transformation through the Holy Ghost mentioned in the sermon. How can you seek a deeper renewal of the Holy Ghost in your life? [01:12:25]
Devotional
Day 1: Grace as a Guiding Force
God's grace is not a passive gift but an active force that empowers individuals to live according to His divine plan. This grace, which has appeared to all, teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires, urging us to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Just as Noah was given a plan to build an ark, we too are given a plan to navigate our lives in alignment with God's will. This involves rejecting ungodliness and embracing a life of righteousness. The grace of God requires our active participation, calling us to engage with it daily and allow it to transform our lives. [57:47]
"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: In what specific ways can you actively engage with God's grace today to deny ungodliness and embrace righteousness in your daily life?
Day 2: The Unwavering Truth of God's Word
In a world where truth is often obscured by sensationalism and profit-driven narratives, the Word of God remains the only constant truth. This truth is not exclusive but is available to all, reaching even the farthest corners of the world. It serves as a guide for living a life that is pleasing to God, offering clarity and direction amidst the chaos of modern life. The new covenant established through Jesus Christ offers a better promise than the old, allowing us to boldly enter God's presence and obtain mercy and grace. [56:35]
"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate the truth of God's Word into your daily routine to counteract the false narratives you encounter in the world?
Day 3: Transformation Through the Spirit
Our journey of transformation begins with the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. This transformation is not achieved through our own righteousness but through God's mercy. We are called to be a peculiar people, zealous for good works, as a testament to the grace that has been abundantly shed upon us through Jesus Christ. This transformation is ongoing, requiring us to continually seek the renewing power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. [01:12:25]
"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 is one area of your life where you need the Holy Spirit's renewing power today, and how can you invite Him into that area?
Day 4: Submission to God's Will
In a world rife with lawlessness and self-rule, God's government is a theocracy, not a democracy. He desires to rule in our hearts, and it is through submission to His will that we find true freedom and purpose. This submission is the opposite of lawlessness and is essential for living a life that honors God. By submitting to God's will, we align ourselves with His divine purpose and experience the fullness of life He intends for us. [01:24:49]
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself resisting God's will, and what steps can you take today to submit to His authority?
Day 5: The Hope of Eternal Life
The new covenant established through Jesus Christ offers a better promise than the old, allowing us to boldly enter God's presence and obtain mercy and grace. This hope of eternal life is a faithful saying that we must affirm constantly, as it is the foundation of our faith and the source of our strength. In a world filled with uncertainty, the promise of eternal life provides us with hope and assurance, encouraging us to live with purpose and conviction. [01:15:20]
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (1 Peter 1:3, ESV)
Reflection: How does the hope of eternal life influence your daily decisions and interactions with others, and how can you share this hope with someone today?
Quotes
Here are the selected quotes from the sermon transcript:
1. "We're living in a time when people don't want to receive truth. In fact, we're living in a time where people will call right wrong, and call wrong right. We're living in a time where you don't know what is a lie and what is truth. We're living in a time, we're living in a time where people are listening to voices, hearing news, not knowing what is true. The only thing they're telling you is what is going to sensationalize the news cycle, and make them more advertising profits. Don't think that the news is purely in it for the news. The news is in it for the money. Just follow the money. Hello. There's only one thing we can hang on to that we know is true, and that is the never changing, forever settled authority of the word of God." [3319:53] (76 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God's grace appears to all men, but men have to follow the plan. And God says, this is the plan. Deny ungodliness. You want to know what the ark? Looks like today, deny ungodliness. If it doesn't have anything to do with God, push it out of your life. Now, uh, people call this old fashioned. Um, you know, you know, it's old fashioned to think like this. I, you know, um, anything that's outside of the word, I don't care what it is. It's not going to stand. And so if your idea is that you want to be new fashioned, you're going to have to do it. If you want to be old fashioned, whatever that is, um, I'm just going to give you a hint. There's still only one plan that God gave to us to be saved. It's the same plan for 2000 years and it's not old. It's actually called new. It's called the new covenant." [3478:02] (66 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And I want to help you understand today that the new covenant is better than the old covenant. If you want old fashioned, you got to go back to sacrificing. The blood of bulls and goats. But the new plan is that you can boldly enter in to God's presence when you need help and you can obtain favor. And it doesn't matter how bad you are. It doesn't matter how deep you've dug your hole. Doesn't matter how bad the pit is. Doesn't matter how long you've been entangled in the snares of sin. You can still simply learn to deny ungodliness. What is ungodliness? Well, uh, we could say things that are godly have to do with. God and things that are ungodly don't have to do with God or, uh, things that are ungodly are maybe rejected by God." [3543:76] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "But the grace of God showed up in our lives and said, you can be better than that. We were messed up. We were broken. We were addicted to drugs. We were addicted to pornography. We were addicted to vices. We were addicted to cross -dressing, dear God. We were addicted to all kinds of perversions. But God. But God. Maybe this is not your typical situation. Sunday morning message. But I'm going to tell you right now, God can save the worst of us. And if God can save the worst of us, everybody's worth saving. There's not a sinner in this earth that's outside the reach of God if they will listen to the grace. And that grace looks a lot like a plan." [3869:72] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We won't ever be good enough as a team. Because it's not about what we're doing that makes us righteous. It's his works of righteousness in us. It's his spirit working in us, which we have done. But according to his mercy, everybody say, he saved us. How? By the washing of regeneration. He washed us and he made us new. And the renewing of the Holy Ghost. We were washed and regenerated and we were made new by the power of the Holy Ghost." [4348:33] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "And if you're getting sucked into the politics and you're getting all bent out of shape over this, would you quit getting bent out of shape over politics and who's accusing who of what? And just start praying, God, give us a godly outcome. Give us righteous leaders, overturn the council, the ungodly, give our leaders a heart of peace. We need righteousness in America. And you know what? Prosperity will return. Prosperity will return. Blessing will return. Why? So we can evangelize the world. The sign of the last days and the coming of the Lord. Jesus said, the final one is this. And then this gospel will be preached in all nations. And then the end will come. The sign of the times, the ultimate sign of the times is that we get the message in every country. And we're going into countries right now that are closed to Christianity, but we're sneaking them in undercover. Hallelujah. Amen. We're sneaking them in and they're going in under disguise and they're preaching the truth of the word." [5465:11] (65 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "If you are choosing to live your life your way and you're refusing to live it God's way, you're in denial. You're living in darkness. And all you have to do is let the washing of regeneration. Regeneration. And the renewing of the Holy Ghost. Transform your mind. Bring you out of that pit and bring you into a place where you can actually do God's will. Iniquity is just simply, I'll do what I want. I'm not submitting to God. Anybody ever been there? Who's never been there? Who's always been submitted to God? Thank you. Some of y 'all didn't raise your hands on the first question. Amen. But you answered correctly on the second. We've all walked in self -rule. The question is, who's going to say, today it's over?" [5979:08] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "People are going to be without food. The earth is going to start dying from starvation and from different pestilences. But you know what? The church is going to be all right. The people of God are going to be protected. Why? Because we're not living by the world's standards. We're living by God's standards. Come on, we got nothing to be afraid of. I don't care how dark it gets. God will keep. I don't care how bad it gets. God's got protection for you. And if they kill you, it's just a shortcut to heaven. Hallelujah. Let God rule in your heart. Let's stand together." [6065:56] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "And I think every one of us need to find a place to give before God and say, God, I don't want anything in my life that's out of order. I want to be walking in a place of wholeness with you. Now, this is what the scripture says. It says, It says, If you will give your life to the Lord, then you will be saved. get up. What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized and wash away your sins. Calling on the name of the Lord. Think about it. When you get up out of your, whatever you're in and you make a decision to be baptized, you are stepping into a new dimension. Today, the water is hot and ready. It is spa temperature. It is, it is ozone clean. It is 99 .999 % free of anything. The rest is just all Jesus. And you can wash away your sins." [6125:24] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "You said you would wash my iniquities away. You said you would redeem me from them, my self -rule. And you know what you've got to do? Remember, iniquity is self -rule. Self -rule, which means the opposite of that is God -rule. God's in charge. So you've got to quit submitting to your will and you've got to submit to God's will. That's the change. That's the difference. And now you're following God's will. If you want to follow God's will and you feel like you really need that help and that grace, would you step out of your pew and make your way to an altar? Come with me. We're going to pray for you together. I'm going to pray with you. The church is going to pray together. But if you want to, if you want to line, I would hate to leave this service and not give somebody an opportunity to say, God, I've been terrible. I have made so many mistakes." [6310:93] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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