Faith in Future Grace: The Power of the Cross

In this message, I explore the profound relationship between past grace, demonstrated through the cross, and future grace, which sustains us daily. The cross is not merely a historical event but the foundation of our faith in future grace. Romans 8:32 illustrates this beautifully: if God did not spare His own Son, how will He not also graciously give us all things? This rhetorical question underscores the certainty of God's future provision based on His past actions. The cross, the hardest act of grace, assures us that God will continue to provide for us, making our journey to heaven a "piece of cake" in comparison.

Faith in future grace is not just an intellectual assent but a heartfelt satisfaction in all that God promises to be for us in Jesus. This faith is akin to coming to Jesus as the bread of life, satisfying our deepest spiritual hunger and thirst. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in this process, working through our faith to produce love and obedience. The Spirit's mission is to glorify Jesus, and He does so by binding Himself to our faith, making Jesus look indispensable and good.

Gratitude, while important, is not the primary motivator for Christian obedience. Instead, faith in future grace is the source of radical, risk-taking obedience. Gratitude looks back at past grace, celebrating God's faithfulness, while faith looks forward, trusting in God's promises. The danger of a gratitude-based ethic is that it can lead to a payback mentality, which is contrary to the nature of grace. Grace is free and cannot be repaid; every act of obedience is empowered by grace, not as a repayment but as a response to God's ongoing provision.

Our passion for holiness involves a fight for faith in future grace. This battle against sin is a battle against unbelief, and it requires the support of the community of faith. Exhorting one another daily helps us maintain our faith and avoid the pitfalls of unbelief. The means of grace—prayer, worship, Bible reading, and fellowship—are essential for sustaining our faith and ensuring our perseverance in the journey of faith.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Foundation of Future Grace: The cross is the ultimate demonstration of past grace, providing a solid foundation for our faith in future grace. If God did the hardest thing by giving His Son, He will surely provide for our future needs. This assurance transforms our perspective on life's challenges, knowing that God's omnipotent grace is on our side forever. [02:46]
• 2. Faith as Satisfaction in Christ: True faith is not merely intellectual assent but a deep satisfaction in all that God promises to be for us in Jesus. It is coming to Jesus as the bread of life, satisfying our soul's hunger and thirst. This faith empowers us to overcome sin and live in obedience. [09:36]
• 3. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit works through our faith to produce love and obedience. His mission is to glorify Jesus, making Him look indispensable and good. By binding Himself to our faith, the Spirit ensures that our lives reflect the beauty and sufficiency of Christ. [16:20]
• 4. **Gratitude vs. Faith in Future Grace:** While gratitude is important, it is not the primary motivator for obedience. Faith in future grace, not gratitude, empowers radical obedience. Gratitude celebrates past grace, while faith looks forward, trusting in God's promises for the future. [25:14]
• 5. The Fight for Faith: Our journey of holiness involves a continuous fight for faith in future grace. This battle against sin is a battle against unbelief, requiring the support of the faith community. Engaging in the means of grace—prayer, worship, and fellowship—sustains our faith and ensures our perseverance. [31:01]
  ** [31:01]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:36] - The Function of Past Grace
• [01:17] - Romans 8:32 and Future Grace
• [02:46] - The Logic of Heaven
• [04:04] - The Train and the Mountain
• [05:07] - The Hardest Thing Imaginable
• [06:09] - Faith in Future Grace
• [08:02] - Definition of Faith
• [09:36] - Believing as Coming to Jesus
• [11:24] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
• [14:39] - Why the Spirit Works Through Faith
• [18:38] - The Role of Gratitude
• [22:09] - Gratitude and Faith Conversation
• [25:14] - The Danger of a Payback Mentality
• [30:41] - The Fight for Faith in Future Grace

1. Romans 8:32
2. John 6:35
3. Galatians 5:6

1. How does Romans 8:32 illustrate the relationship between past grace and future grace? What is the rhetorical question posed in this verse, and what is its implied answer? [01:17]
2. In John 6:35, Jesus refers to Himself as the "bread of life." What does this metaphor suggest about the nature of faith and satisfaction in Christ? [09:36]
3. According to Galatians 5:6, what is the relationship between faith and love? How does this verse connect to the role of the Holy Spirit in producing love? [12:11]
4. The sermon mentions a "payback mentality" as a danger in Christian obedience. What does this mean, and why is it considered contrary to the nature of grace? [25:14]

1. Romans 8:32 suggests that if God did not spare His own Son, He will graciously give us all things. How does this assurance impact a believer's perspective on life's challenges and future needs? [02:46]
2. The sermon describes faith as a "heartfelt satisfaction" in all that God promises to be for us in Jesus. How does this understanding of faith differ from merely intellectual belief? [09:36]
3. The Holy Spirit's mission is to glorify Jesus by working through our faith. How does this process make Jesus look "indispensable and good," and why is this important for Christian living? [16:20]
4. The sermon contrasts gratitude with faith in future grace as motivators for obedience. How does this distinction affect the way believers approach their daily walk with God? [25:14]

1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did your understanding of God's past grace influence your trust in His future provision during that time? [02:46]
2. Consider your current spiritual hunger and thirst. In what ways can you actively seek satisfaction in Christ as the "bread of life" this week? [09:36]
3. Identify a situation where you struggled to show love. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to produce love through your faith in that context? [12:11]
4. Have you ever found yourself trying to "pay back" God for His grace? How can you shift your mindset to one of responding to God's ongoing provision rather than repayment? [25:14]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of community in maintaining faith. How can you engage more deeply with your faith community to support your journey of holiness? [31:01]
6. Think of a specific area in your life where unbelief is a struggle. What steps can you take to fight this unbelief and strengthen your faith in future grace? [31:01]
7. How can you incorporate the means of grace—prayer, worship, Bible reading, and fellowship—into your daily routine to sustain your faith and ensure perseverance? [31:01]