Grace Over Achievement: Embracing God's Gift
Summary
### Summary
Today, we reflected on the profound truth that the very best of human achievements fall short of what God requires. Using the imagery of Olympic athletes, we were reminded that no matter how strong or capable we feel, our efforts alone cannot make us right with God. Paul’s message in Philippians 3 and Acts 15 underscores that God has made a way for us to be in a right relationship with Him, not through our own merits but as a gift received with empty hands.
We delved into a critical moment in the early church, where Gentile converts were being pressured to adopt Jewish customs, particularly circumcision, to be considered true Christians. Paul and Barnabas vehemently opposed this, emphasizing that such requirements diluted the gospel of grace. Circumcision, while historically significant, was never meant to be a prerequisite for salvation. Instead, the true marker of belonging to God’s people is a heart set apart for Him.
Paul’s passionate language in Philippians 3 highlights the danger of "Jesus plus" thinking, where additional requirements are added to the simple gospel of Christ. This thinking diminishes the centrality of Jesus and spoils the beauty of the gospel. Paul uses his own life as an example, showing that even his impeccable religious credentials and achievements were worthless compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ.
The essence of Paul’s message is that God does not seek stellar achievements or a flawless spiritual resume. He desires fallen people with open hands, ready to receive His grace. This liberating truth allows us to rejoice continually in the Lord, setting our compass for life not on personal glory or recognition but on the joy of being known and loved by Jesus Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. Human Achievements vs. God’s Requirements: No matter how impressive our achievements, they fall short of what God requires. Our efforts alone cannot make us right with God. Instead, we must receive His grace with empty hands, acknowledging our need for Him. [32:38]
2. The Danger of "Jesus Plus" Thinking: Adding requirements to the gospel, such as circumcision or other religious practices, dilutes the centrality of Jesus. The gospel of grace is about what Christ has done, not about our additional efforts. [39:00]
3. Paul’s Example of Humility: Paul’s impeccable religious background and achievements were considered worthless compared to knowing Christ. This teaches us that our spiritual resumes are insignificant in light of the surpassing greatness of Jesus. [42:26]
4. God’s Desire for Open Hands: God does not seek perfect people but those who come to Him with open hands, ready to receive His grace. This liberates us from the need for personal glory and allows us to rejoice in God’s generosity and love. [44:54]
5. The Joy of Being Known by Christ: Our identity and worth are found in being known and loved by Jesus, not in our achievements or recognition from others. This joy is deeper and more precious than any self-righteous glow from our accomplishments. [49:55]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[31:40] - Olympic Athletes and Human Achievement
[32:09] - Inspiration or Intimidation
[32:38] - The Central Truth: God’s Requirements
[33:12] - God’s Way for Us
[33:41] - The Crunch Point in Acts 15
[34:07] - The Pressure on Gentile Converts
[35:33] - Symbolism of Circumcision
[36:06] - The Challenge for Gentile Converts
[37:03] - Early Church Leaders’ Decision
[38:01] - Paul’s Harsh Language
[39:00] - The Problem of "Jesus Plus" Thinking
[41:26] - Paul’s Spiritual CV
[45:24] - Paul’s Accountancy Mode
[46:53] - The Surpassing Greatness of Jesus
[49:55] - The Joy of Being Known by Christ
[50:55] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Philippians 3:4-11 - Paul's spiritual CV and the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ.
2. Acts 15:1-11 - The debate over circumcision and the gospel of grace.
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul consider as "loss" compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ? (Philippians 3:7-8)
2. In Acts 15, what were the Gentile converts being pressured to do, and why was this significant? (Acts 15:1)
3. How does Paul describe those who were insisting on circumcision for Gentile converts in Philippians 3? [38:01]
4. What does Paul mean by receiving God's way "with empty hands"? [33:12]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul use such strong language to describe those who promote "Jesus plus" thinking? [38:01]
2. How does the concept of "circumcision of the heart" in the Old Testament relate to Paul's argument in Philippians 3? (Acts 15:8-9)
3. What does Paul’s own life example teach us about the value of religious achievements and credentials? [42:26]
4. How does the early church's decision in Acts 15 reflect the core message of the gospel of grace? (Acts 15:10-11)
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own achievements and credentials. How do they compare to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ? [46:53]
2. Have you ever felt pressured to add something to your faith to be considered a "true" Christian? How did you handle it? [39:00]
3. In what ways might you be holding onto a "spiritual CV" rather than coming to God with open hands? [44:54]
4. How can you ensure that your focus remains on the centrality of Jesus rather than on additional religious practices or achievements? [40:29]
5. Think of a time when you felt liberated by God's grace. How did that experience change your perspective on personal glory and recognition? [48:24]
6. Identify one area in your life where you might be seeking recognition or honor. How can you shift your focus to the joy of being known and loved by Christ? [49:55]
7. How can you practically rejoice in the Lord's generosity and love this week, setting aside the need for personal glory? [48:24]
Devotional
Day 1: The Insufficiency of Human Achievements
Description: Human achievements, no matter how impressive, fall short of what God requires. This truth is illustrated by the imagery of Olympic athletes, who, despite their strength and capabilities, cannot achieve righteousness before God through their efforts alone. The message is clear: our efforts cannot make us right with God. Instead, we must come to Him with empty hands, acknowledging our need for His grace. This is a humbling realization that shifts our focus from self-reliance to dependence on God's mercy. [32:38]
Isaiah 64:6 (ESV): "We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away."
Reflection: Think of an area in your life where you have been relying on your own efforts to gain approval or success. How can you shift your focus to rely more on God's grace in this area today?
Day 2: The Danger of "Jesus Plus" Thinking
Description: Adding requirements to the gospel, such as circumcision or other religious practices, dilutes the centrality of Jesus. This "Jesus plus" thinking undermines the gospel of grace, which is solely about what Christ has done for us, not about our additional efforts. Paul and Barnabas opposed the pressure on Gentile converts to adopt Jewish customs, emphasizing that salvation is a gift of grace, not a result of human works. This teaches us to guard against any additions to the simple gospel of Christ. [39:00]
Galatians 5:1-2 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you."
Reflection: Are there any traditions or practices you have added to your faith that you believe are necessary for salvation? How can you refocus on the simplicity of the gospel of grace today?
Day 3: Paul’s Example of Humility
Description: Paul’s impeccable religious background and achievements were considered worthless compared to knowing Christ. This teaches us that our spiritual resumes are insignificant in light of the surpassing greatness of Jesus. Paul’s life is a powerful example of humility, showing that true worth is found not in our accomplishments but in our relationship with Christ. This perspective helps us to prioritize knowing Jesus above all else. [42:26]
Philippians 3:7-8 (ESV): "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ."
Reflection: Reflect on your own achievements and accolades. How can you view them in light of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ? What steps can you take to prioritize your relationship with Jesus today?
Day 4: God’s Desire for Open Hands
Description: God does not seek perfect people but those who come to Him with open hands, ready to receive His grace. This liberating truth frees us from the need for personal glory and allows us to rejoice in God’s generosity and love. It emphasizes that our worth is not based on our achievements but on God’s grace. This understanding transforms our approach to life, shifting our focus from self-centered pursuits to a joyful reception of God’s love. [44:54]
Psalm 51:17 (ESV): "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel the need to be perfect? How can you come to God with open hands, ready to receive His grace and love today?
Day 5: The Joy of Being Known by Christ
Description: Our identity and worth are found in being known and loved by Jesus, not in our achievements or recognition from others. This joy is deeper and more precious than any self-righteous glow from our accomplishments. Understanding this truth allows us to live with a sense of peace and contentment, knowing that we are fully known and fully loved by Christ. This perspective helps us to find our true identity in Him. [49:55]
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"
Reflection: How does knowing that you are fully known and loved by Jesus change the way you view yourself and your achievements? What practical steps can you take to find your identity and worth in Christ today?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "God has made a way for every single one of us. However weak or strong. We feel. God has made a way for us. To be right with him. To be friends with him. To walk gladly with him. We receive this way. As a gift. Of incredible value. But we can only receive it. With empty hands." [33:12] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The gospel of grace is for broken. Rebellious people. Who know. Nothing to cling to. But the grace of God. And Paul spends the rest of the passage. Filling out this thought. In two. Really memorable ways." [41:26] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "As Christians. We don't need. Glory. We don't need the praise of others. We just need Christ. Paul says it here. We need glory. In Christ Jesus. And we know. That Jesus holds us. He doesn't hold us. Because we are splendid. Or we are brilliant." [49:24] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We friends are set free. We are liberated. From needing recognition. And needing honor. And needing to have our name. And lights. And needing people to speak well of us. And to see how wonderful we are. This joy. This joy. That Paul will speak of again and again. And again in this letter. This joy is greater. It's deeper. And it's more precious. Than the self righteous glow. Of celebrating. What great people we have become." [50:25] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "The very best. The cream. Of human achievements. Still falls. Far short of what God requires. And what God asks for. And that's what we're going to concentrate on today. And we're going to see. That Paul argues very strongly. That God has made a way. For every single one of us." [32:38] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Paul's point. Is that any. Jesus plus thinking. Only does one thing. It diminishes. The centrality of Jesus. It dilutes the good news. It spoils. What is beautiful. Think back to chapter 2. Which we did a couple of weeks ago. If Jesus. If Jesus is fully God. One who humbled himself. One like us. One whose obedience and humility. Took him all the way to the cross. One who was exalted. To the right hand of God. One before whom each one of us will bow. One whom we will all. Acknowledge as Lord." [39:28] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Heaven. Is not a reward. For the upright. Your mission is not to be good enough. For God. You don't need to be focusing. On the people who are a little. Less good than you. In order to feel good enough. If you've gradually. Over the years. Slipped back into the old. Accounting rules. You have to pass. Enough air miles. To travel first class. On the Jesus Express. Think again. Your efforts. Your tireless work. Is not required. It's not asked for. It's just making you love God less." [47:23] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "It doesn't mean that God. Won't call you to great things. I hope and pray that he does. But God starts with open hands. Not a proud heart. As Christians. We don't need. Glory. We don't need the praise of others. We just need Christ. Paul says it here. We need glory. In Christ Jesus." [48:54] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "It's only because of what Paul describes as. The surpassing greatness of Jesus. That is. His own life. And his own achievements. Look suddenly. So frail and so dull. And so empty. Before he was ticking along really nicely. He was doing great. But now he's seen the surpassing greatness. And the love. And the compassion of Christ. It all looks rubbish." [46:53] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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