Empowered by Grace: The Journey to Christ-likeness

 

Summary

Grace is a profound and transformative force in our lives, acting as God's intervention to accomplish what we cannot achieve on our own. It is not merely unmerited favor but an active presence that empowers us to live beyond our natural capacities. Grace eliminates boasting and self-reliance, reminding us that our achievements are not earned but are gifts from God. This understanding of grace calls us to abide in Christ, to grow in grace, and to engage in spiritual disciplines that align us with God's will.

Grace is not opposed to effort but to earning. It requires us to participate actively in our spiritual journey, acknowledging that while we strive to do our best, our trust is ultimately in God. This dynamic relationship between grace and effort is beautifully illustrated in the life of Paul, who labored more than others yet recognized that it was the grace of God working through him. Grace empowers us to face weaknesses and challenges with a spirit of gratitude, knowing that in our weakness, God's strength is made perfect.

The journey of spiritual growth involves a holistic approach where grace, ordinary life events, and planned disciplines intersect. We are called to embrace our current circumstances, recognizing them as opportunities for God to act. Spiritual disciplines are essential in this process, not as means of earning God's favor but as practices that position us to receive His grace. This transformation requires a vision of the goodness of what we are pursuing, an intention to realize that vision, and the means to achieve it.

Ultimately, the goal of our spiritual journey is not just to accomplish tasks or achieve results but to become more Christ-like. The quality of our lives, the transformation of our inner being, is of utmost importance. As we grow in grace, we become more aligned with the mind of Christ, and our lives reflect His love and power. This transformation begins with us, as individuals, and extends to the community of believers, impacting the world around us.

Key Takeaways:

- Grace is God's active presence in our lives, enabling us to accomplish what we cannot do on our own. It is not just unmerited favor but a transformative force that empowers us to live beyond our natural capacities. [04:07]

- Grace requires our active participation; it is not opposed to effort but to earning. We are called to engage in spiritual disciplines, trusting in God's power rather than our own abilities. [05:42]

- In our weaknesses and challenges, grace becomes an opportunity for God's strength to be revealed. We can embrace our limitations with gratitude, knowing that God's power is made perfect in our weakness. [13:29]

- Spiritual growth involves a holistic approach where grace, ordinary life events, and planned disciplines intersect. We must embrace our current circumstances as opportunities for God to act. [16:15]

- The ultimate goal of our spiritual journey is to become more Christ-like. The transformation of our inner being is of utmost importance, impacting not only our lives but also the community of believers and the world around us. [24:55]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:12] - The Role of Grace
[03:31] - Abiding in the Vine
[04:07] - Defining Grace
[05:23] - Grace and Effort
[07:49] - Paul's Understanding of Grace
[09:15] - Grace and Labor
[11:14] - Grace in Giving
[12:16] - Consuming Grace
[13:12] - Strength in Weakness
[15:10] - Holistic Spiritual Growth
[16:15] - Embracing Ordinary Life
[17:10] - Planned Disciplines
[19:16] - Vision and Intention
[21:13] - The Gospel's Vision
[24:55] - Becoming Christ-like

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. John 15:5 - "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
2. 1 Corinthians 15:10 - "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me."
3. 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to the sermon, how does grace function in our lives beyond being unmerited favor? [04:07]
2. What is the relationship between grace and effort as described in the sermon? [05:42]
3. How does Paul describe his own experience with grace in 1 Corinthians 15:10, and what does this reveal about his understanding of grace?
4. In what way does the sermon suggest that our weaknesses can be opportunities for God's strength to be revealed? [13:29]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of abiding in the vine (John 15:5) relate to the idea of growing in grace as discussed in the sermon? [03:31]
2. What does it mean for grace to be "not opposed to effort but to earning," and how might this understanding affect one's spiritual practices? [05:42]
3. How does Paul's statement in 2 Corinthians 12:9 about boasting in weaknesses challenge common perceptions of strength and success?
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that spiritual disciplines are essential for positioning ourselves to receive God's grace? [16:15]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own strength rather than God's grace. How might you approach a similar situation differently now? [06:45]
2. Identify a spiritual discipline you currently practice. How can you ensure that this practice is a means of receiving grace rather than earning favor? [16:55]
3. Consider a personal weakness or challenge you are facing. How can you view this as an opportunity for God's strength to be revealed in your life? [13:29]
4. What ordinary life events can you embrace as opportunities for God to act, and how can you remain open to His grace in these moments? [16:15]
5. How can you cultivate a vision of becoming more Christ-like in your daily life, and what steps can you take to align your actions with this vision? [24:55]
6. Think of a specific area in your life where you struggle with self-reliance. What practical steps can you take to surrender this area to God's grace? [06:30]
7. How can you actively participate in your spiritual journey while maintaining a posture of trust in God's power rather than your own abilities? [05:42]

Devotional

Day 1: Grace as God's Empowering Presence
Grace is not just unmerited favor; it is God's active presence in our lives, enabling us to accomplish what we cannot do on our own. This transformative force empowers us to live beyond our natural capacities, reminding us that our achievements are gifts from God rather than products of our own efforts. By understanding grace in this way, we are called to abide in Christ and grow in grace, engaging in spiritual disciplines that align us with God's will. This perspective eliminates boasting and self-reliance, as it is through grace that we are able to face life's challenges and opportunities. [04:07]

"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." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on God's grace rather than your own strength? How can you invite His empowering presence into these areas today?


Day 2: The Relationship Between Grace and Effort
Grace requires our active participation; it is not opposed to effort but to earning. We are called to engage in spiritual disciplines, trusting in God's power rather than our own abilities. This dynamic relationship between grace and effort is beautifully illustrated in the life of Paul, who labored more than others yet recognized that it was the grace of God working through him. By participating in our spiritual journey, we acknowledge that while we strive to do our best, our trust is ultimately in God. [05:42]

"For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." (Colossians 1:29, ESV)

Reflection: What spiritual discipline can you commit to this week, trusting that God's grace will empower your efforts? How can you ensure that your focus remains on God's power rather than your own abilities?


Day 3: Embracing Weakness as an Opportunity for Grace
In our weaknesses and challenges, grace becomes an opportunity for God's strength to be revealed. We can embrace our limitations with gratitude, knowing that God's power is made perfect in our weakness. This understanding allows us to face life's difficulties with a spirit of gratitude, recognizing that our limitations are opportunities for God to act. By embracing our weaknesses, we open ourselves to the transformative power of grace, allowing God's strength to shine through us. [13:29]

"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" (James 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one weakness or challenge you are currently facing? How can you shift your perspective to see it as an opportunity for God's grace to be revealed in your life?


Day 4: Holistic Spiritual Growth Through Grace
Spiritual growth involves a holistic approach where grace, ordinary life events, and planned disciplines intersect. We are called to embrace our current circumstances, recognizing them as opportunities for God to act. Spiritual disciplines are essential in this process, not as means of earning God's favor but as practices that position us to receive His grace. This transformation requires a vision of the goodness of what we are pursuing, an intention to realize that vision, and the means to achieve it. [16:15]

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, 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: How can you incorporate both ordinary life events and planned spiritual disciplines into your daily routine to foster spiritual growth? What specific steps can you take to align your life more closely with God's will?


Day 5: Becoming Christ-like Through Grace
The ultimate goal of our spiritual journey is to become more Christ-like. The transformation of our inner being is of utmost importance, impacting not only our lives but also the community of believers and the world around us. As we grow in grace, we become more aligned with the mind of Christ, and our lives reflect His love and power. This transformation begins with us as individuals and extends to the community, creating a ripple effect that impacts the world. [24:55]

"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: In what ways can you actively pursue becoming more Christ-like in your daily life? How can your transformation impact those around you, both within your community and beyond?

Quotes

"Grace is God acting in our lives to bring about what we cannot do on our own. That's grace. That's God's grace. God acting in our lives to bring about what cannot do on our own. Is it unmerited favor? Of course, it's unmerited favor, but if you just say grace is unmerited favor, you don't say what it does." [00:04:13]

"Grace is not opposed to effort but to earning. God acting in our life doesn't mean that we do nothing, but grace means that we never come to the place of saying we've earned what comes out at the end of the process. In earning, out of the question, whether it's earning your way into heaven or earning success in your ministry." [00:05:32]

"I am dependent on you. I am surrendered to you. I am following your direction. I'm expecting your help. I'm gonna do my very best, but I'm not going to trust my best. I will engage in disciplines, but I don't trust disciplines. I will seek to know, to get knowledge. I'll try to keep myself strong and all of that, but I don't trust that. My trust is in God." [00:06:39]

"By the grace of God, I am what I am, and His grace towards me did not prove in vain, but I labored even more than all of them, and then he catches himself as a beautiful expression of the consciousness of how grace and effort worked together in the life of Paul. I labored even more than all of them, whoop, yet not I, but the grace of God with me." [00:09:00]

"God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance of every good word, every good deed. You see what grace is there? Is that guilt? Are we talking about dealing with guilt? No, it's not just for guilt. Grace is for life. Guilt is one of the things we need it for, but when we're done with dealing with that, we still need grace." [00:11:14]

"My grace is sufficient for you. This was not to make up for guilt. It was to supply the strength that Paul needed in his weakness to do the things that he needed to do, and because this was such a wonderful thing, you have the statement of Paul: most gladly, therefore, I would rather boast, here's where boasting comes in, about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me." [00:13:12]

"Therefore, I'm well content with weaknesses, with de-stresses, with persecutions, with difficulties for Christ's sake, for when I'm weak, then I'm strong. Now, wow, we have to put that into ordinary life, and we think about all the things we might suffer from, the attacks that we might imagine, a person who is being attacked in their ministry or their work, and they say thank God for that." [00:14:04]

"This is a kind of holistic picture of spiritual growth, and I have to give it because we want to have all the picture, all the factors in place, and if we have these factors in place, our mind is centered in the mind of Christ, and we will gradually take on that mind and will have it. You start at the top. This is the action of the Holy Spirit." [00:15:10]

"You take where you are, you accept where you are, you say this is the place. This is Jacob saying I did not know who God was in this place. God was in this place, and I didn't know it. This is the gateway of heaven. Well, that's what Paul is saying when he talks about taking pleasure in his weaknesses. He's saying the same thing." [00:15:47]

"What you require in this process of the transformation of the inner person in the righteousness that is beyond the righteousness of the scribes in the Pharisee, what you taught, what you need here is not just trying. You need to put yourself in a position where you can train and receive help, and that is where planned disciplines to put on a new heart come in." [00:16:40]

"You have to have the vision of the goodness of what you're after. You have to be convinced that's a good thing, and the educational illustrations are again the most familiar and I think the most illuminating. Back to our talk about learning algebra or calculus earlier, if you have a vision of the goodness of it, then you're ready to move on to the intention to realize the vision." [00:19:16]

"I actually believe that the more Christ-like I become, the greater my results will be, but that's not why I do it. So now that goes back to the statement I said earlier today that the church problem is never that we need more money, more influence, more people. The problem is always the quality of the people who are there, and that begins with me." [00:24:55]

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Transcript
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