Finding Grace and Hope Amidst Grief and Doubt

Devotional

Day 1: Abiding in Christ is the Source of True Life

Remaining in Jesus is the only way to bear fruit and find true satisfaction; apart from Him, we can do nothing. When we abide in Christ, He welcomes our questions, our doubts, and our struggles, drawing us into His presence and revealing His love and faithfulness. Even in seasons of brokenness, uncertainty, and pain, Jesus invites us to dwell with Him, to listen, and to trust that He is enough for every need. He is not afraid of our questions or our doubts; instead, He uses them to draw us closer, to speak to us, and to remind us that His arms are always open. [43:18]

John 15:5 (ESV): "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been trying to manage on your own strength instead of abiding in Jesus? How can you intentionally invite Him into that area today?

Day 2: God’s Grace Freely Forgives All Who Turn to Him

Every one of us has sinned and fallen short, but God’s grace is not limited or exhausted by our failures. Through Jesus Christ, God offers redemption and forgiveness as a free gift, not something we can earn or lose by running out of “spiritual credit.” No matter how many times we have failed, the well of God’s grace never runs dry; the cross is an endless source of mercy for all who come to Him. The real question is not whether we have sinned, but whether we have received the cure that Jesus offers—His forgiveness and new life. [01:00:27]

Romans 3:23-24 (ESV): "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Is there a past mistake or sin you keep replaying in your mind, doubting God’s forgiveness? What would it look like to lay that burden down and trust in His endless grace today?

Day 3: The Unforgivable Sin Is Persistent Rejection, Not a Single Mistake

The only sin that cannot be forgiven is a continual, hardened rejection of the Holy Spirit’s testimony about Jesus—a heart that persistently says “no” to God’s invitation of grace. It is not a careless word or a one-time failure, but a willful, ongoing refusal to accept the cure that God offers. If you are worried about having committed the unforgivable sin, your very concern is evidence that your heart is still open to God and that the Spirit is at work in you. God’s arms remain open, and His grace is available to all who turn to Him. [01:09:40]

Matthew 12:31 (ESV): "Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven."

Reflection: Have you ever feared that you’ve gone too far for God’s forgiveness? How does knowing the true meaning of the unforgivable sin change the way you approach God with your failures?

Day 4: Confession and Openness Lead to Freedom and Restoration

Bringing our sins, doubts, and struggles into the light—confessing them to God—opens the door to forgiveness, cleansing, and restored relationship. God is faithful to forgive every sin when we come to Him honestly, and He desires to free us from the shame and fear that keep us isolated. Confession is not just about admitting wrongs; it is about trusting God’s promise to cleanse us and make us whole, and it is the pathway to deeper fellowship with Him and with others. [01:10:26]

1 John 1:9 (ESV): "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Reflection: Is there something you have kept hidden out of fear or shame? What step can you take today to bring it into the light—before God or a trusted believer—and experience the freedom of forgiveness?

Day 5: Share Grace Boldly and Keep Your Heart Soft

God calls us not only to receive His forgiveness but also to share His grace boldly with others, especially in a world marked by division, pain, and hardened hearts. As we respond to the Spirit’s prompting, we are invited to let go of fear, resist the hardening of our hearts, and become agents of reconciliation and hope. The Lord wants to use you, just as you are, to point others to the answer found in Jesus. Will you make yourself available, keeping your heart pliable and ready to respond to His leading? [01:16:42]

Hebrews 3:13 (ESV): "But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear or experience the hope of Christ’s forgiveness through you? How can you intentionally share grace and encouragement with them today?

Sermon Summary

In John 15:5, Jesus reminds us that He is the vine and we are the branches—apart from Him, we can do nothing. This truth is especially poignant in seasons of grief, confusion, and tragedy, like the one our community is facing after the violent and senseless death of Charlie Kirk. We are left with hard questions: Why didn’t God intervene? Why do some prayers go unanswered? These are not just theological puzzles; they are deeply personal struggles that touch our hearts and challenge our faith. Yet, God is not afraid of our questions or our doubts. He welcomes them, inviting us to bring our pain, confusion, and even our anger into His presence.

Throughout Scripture, we see that God’s grace is not limited by our understanding or by the depth of our sin. The cross is not a bank account that runs dry; it is an endless well of forgiveness. The real danger is not in asking hard questions, but in allowing our hearts to become hardened—toward God, toward others, and even toward ourselves. Jesus warns about the unforgivable sin, not as a trap for the unwary, but as a caution against a persistent, hardened rejection of the Spirit’s invitation. The only sin that cannot be forgiven is the one for which we refuse to seek forgiveness.

If you are worried that you have committed the unforgivable sin, take heart: the very fact that you care, that you long for forgiveness, is evidence that the Spirit is still at work in you. God’s grace is available to all who turn to Him, no matter how dark the past or how heavy the guilt. Our calling is to keep our hearts soft, to confess freely, to respond to the Spirit’s prompting, and to boldly share the hope of forgiveness with a world weighed down by shame and fear.

In a culture marked by division and hardened hearts, we are invited to be people of grace—open, responsive, and willing to stand for the truth that Jesus is the answer. Today is an opportunity to lay down fear, to trust in God’s promise, and to walk in the freedom and security of His love. Let us be available for God to use us, just as we are, to point others to the hope and forgiveness found in Christ alone.

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Key Takeaways

1. God Welcomes Our Hard Questions God is not intimidated by our doubts or the difficult questions that arise from tragedy and suffering. He invites us to bring our confusion and pain into His presence, knowing that honest wrestling with God can deepen our faith rather than diminish it. The act of asking is itself an act of trust, and God meets us in our vulnerability with compassion and understanding. [44:01]
2. The Cross Is an Endless Well of Grace Forgiveness is not a limited resource that can be exhausted by repeated failure or deep sin. The grace of God, poured out through Jesus, is inexhaustible and freely given to all who seek it. Our past does not disqualify us from God’s love; rather, it is the very context in which His mercy shines brightest. [60:27]
3. The Unforgivable Sin Is Persistent Rejection, Not a Single Act Jesus’ warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not about a careless word or a momentary lapse, but about a heart that persistently and finally rejects the Spirit’s testimony about Christ. The only sin that cannot be forgiven is the refusal to accept the forgiveness that is offered. If you are concerned about your standing with God, that concern itself is evidence that your heart is still open to Him. [67:49]
4. A Hardened Heart Is the Real Danger The greatest threat to spiritual life is not doubt or even failure, but a heart that becomes closed off—toward God, toward others, and toward the Spirit’s prompting. In a divided and hurting world, we must guard against the subtle hardening that comes from fear, pride, or unresolved pain. Keeping our hearts soft and responsive is essential for growth, healing, and unity. [73:02]
5. Live and Share Grace Boldly We are called not only to receive God’s forgiveness but to extend it to others, especially in a culture weighed down by guilt and shame. Sharing the hope of Christ’s complete forgiveness is both a privilege and a responsibility. As we confess freely, respond to the Spirit, and stand for Jesus, we become living witnesses to the power of grace that can transform even the hardest heart. [76:07]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[42:34] - Opening Prayer: God Welcomes Our Questions
[43:18] - Abiding in Christ Amid Doubt
[44:01] - Jesus and the Power of Asking Questions
[47:19] - Processing Tragedy and Community Grief
[49:49] - Wrestling with God’s Intervention
[51:04] - Personal Stories of Loss and Unanswered Prayer
[52:19] - The Mystery of God’s Choices
[53:33] - Introducing “Asking for a Friend” Series
[54:44] - The Hardest Questions We Carry
[55:59] - Is There an Unforgivable Sin?
[57:16] - The Gospel’s Radical Forgiveness
[59:48] - Romans 3: The Universality of Sin and Grace
[61:03] - Have I Received the Cure?
[67:07] - What the Unforgivable Sin Is—and Isn’t
[69:40] - Refusing the Cure: Persistent Rejection
[71:05] - Assurance for the Worried Heart
[73:02] - The Danger of Hardened Hearts
[74:17] - Next Steps: Living in Freedom and Grace
[76:42] - Invitation to Respond and Worship
[79:52] - Standing for Jesus in a Divided World
[81:48] - Closing Hymn: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 15:5 (ESV) — > “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Romans 3:23-24 (ESV) — > “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Matthew 12:31 (ESV) — > “Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.”

Observation Questions

In John 15:5, what does Jesus say about our ability to do anything apart from Him? How does this connect to the idea of “abiding” or “remaining” in Him? ([43:18])
According to Romans 3:23-24, what is true about every person, and what does God offer in response? ([59:48])
In Matthew 12:31, what does Jesus say about forgiveness and the “blasphemy against the Spirit”? What makes this sin different from others? ([01:06:31])
The sermon mentioned that God is not afraid of our hard questions or doubts. What examples did the pastor give of questions people are asking in times of tragedy? ([49:49])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus uses the image of the vine and branches to describe our relationship with Him? What does it mean to “abide” in Christ, especially during times of grief or confusion? ([43:18])
The sermon says that God’s grace is “an endless well” and not a limited bank account. How does this change the way we think about forgiveness, especially when we feel like we’ve failed repeatedly? ([01:00:27])
What is the real danger according to the sermon: asking hard questions, or allowing our hearts to become hardened? Why is a hardened heart so serious? ([01:13:02])
How does the pastor explain the “unforgivable sin”? Why is persistent rejection of the Spirit’s invitation so different from a single mistake or doubt? ([01:07:49])

Application Questions

The pastor said God welcomes our hard questions and doubts. Is there a question or doubt you’ve been afraid to bring to God? What would it look like to honestly bring that to Him this week? ([44:01])
When you think about God’s grace as an “endless well,” does that challenge any beliefs you have about your own forgiveness or the forgiveness of others? Is there a past failure or sin you still struggle to believe God can forgive? ([01:00:27])
The sermon warns about the danger of a hardened heart. Are there areas in your life where you feel your heart has become closed off—to God, to others, or even to yourself? What might be causing that, and what step could you take to soften your heart? ([01:13:02])
The pastor said that if you’re worried about having committed the unforgivable sin, that’s actually a sign your heart is still open to God. Have you ever struggled with this fear? How does this truth bring you comfort or challenge you? ([01:11:05])
In a culture marked by division and shame, how can you be a person who boldly shares grace and forgiveness? Is there someone in your life who needs to hear about the hope and forgiveness found in Christ? ([01:16:07])
The sermon encouraged us to confess freely and respond to the Spirit’s prompting. Is there something you need to confess to God or to someone else? What is holding you back? ([01:14:52])
The pastor invited everyone to be “available for God to use us, just as we are.” What is one way you can make yourself available to God this week, even if you feel weak or unqualified? ([01:19:13])

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