Guarding Grace: Cultivating a Healthy Church Culture
Summary
In today's message, we explored the critical importance of guarding the grace of God within the church. We began by acknowledging the presence of "problem people" who can disrupt the church's environment, much like a problem child in a classroom. Paul warns Timothy about such individuals, emphasizing the need to defend against their influence. These people are often insubordinate, refusing to submit to God's authority, and are characterized as idle talkers and deceivers. They can derail the church's mission by promoting false doctrines and a critical spirit, hindering the flourishing of grace.
Paul's letter to Titus underscores the necessity of a grace-driven church culture. The term "sound" in the faith, derived from the Greek word for "hygienic," highlights the need for a healthy church environment. To achieve this, leaders must be willing to confront and correct those who spread false teachings or foster division. This requires a balance of love and firmness, ensuring that grace remains the foundation of the church's culture.
We also delved into the dangers of legalism, both in teaching and practice. Legalism adds human works to the gospel, distorting the message of salvation by grace through faith. Paul warns against those who impose Jewish customs on Gentile believers, emphasizing that salvation is not contingent on adherence to the Mosaic law. Similarly, being legalistic involves accepting others based on their works rather than God's grace, which is equally detrimental to the church's unity.
To counter these challenges, we must live lives motivated by grace. This involves extending grace to others, fostering a culture of acceptance based on God's grace rather than human standards. A grace-driven life is marked by humility, peace, and a commitment to sharing the gospel. By doing so, we create an environment where grace flourishes, and the church remains a beacon of God's love and truth.
Key Takeaways:
- Guarding Against Problem People: Just as a problem child can disrupt a classroom, individuals who refuse to submit to God's authority can derail the church's mission. Leaders must be vigilant in addressing these influences to maintain a healthy church environment. [02:44]
- Defending the Doctrine of Grace: Legalism distorts the gospel by adding human works to salvation. We must uphold the truth that salvation is by grace through faith, rejecting any teaching that imposes additional requirements. [09:21]
- Contending for a Culture of Grace: A grace-driven church culture rejects legalistic relationships, where acceptance is based on works. Instead, we should embrace others based on God's grace, fostering unity and love within the church. [16:40]
- Living a Life of Grace: Our lives should be motivated by God's grace, extending grace to others and reflecting Christ's love. This approach brings peace and purity to the church, countering division and confusion. [24:15]
- Evaluating Our Motives: We must examine our motivations for serving and worshiping God. If our actions are driven by anything other than love for God, they may not align with His grace. Our lives should be a response to His love, not a means to gain status or approval. [35:15]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:44] - Problem People in the Church
- [05:48] - The Role of Church Leaders
- [09:21] - Defending the Doctrine of Grace
- [13:38] - The Dangers of Legalism
- [16:40] - Contending for a Culture of Grace
- [18:11] - Legalism vs. Legalistic Behavior
- [21:17] - Preferences and Standards
- [24:15] - Embracing a Culture of Grace
- [27:45] - Living a Life of Grace
- [31:02] - The Impact of Impure Motives
- [35:15] - Evaluating Our Motives
- [36:08] - Signs of a Grace-Driven Church
- [38:00] - Final Reflections and Questions
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Titus 1:10-16
- Ephesians 2:8-9
- James 3:13-18
---
Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what characteristics define "problem people" in the church, and how do they affect the church environment? [02:44]
2. What does Paul mean by the term "sound" in the faith, and how is it related to the concept of a grace-driven church culture? [05:48]
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between legalism and being legalistic? [16:40]
4. What are some of the specific actions Paul advises church leaders to take against those who spread false teachings? [05:48]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the impact of legalism on the message of salvation by grace through faith? [09:21]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a culture of grace can be fostered within the church community? [24:15]
3. How does the sermon interpret James 3:13-18 in the context of living a life of grace? [36:08]
4. What are the potential consequences for the church if a culture of grace is not maintained, according to the sermon? [31:02]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own experiences in church. Have you encountered "problem people," and how did it affect your spiritual journey? How can you contribute to a healthier church environment? [02:44]
2. Consider your understanding of grace. How can you ensure that your actions and beliefs align with the doctrine of grace rather than legalism? [09:21]
3. Think about your interactions with others in the church. Are there ways you might be unintentionally fostering a legalistic attitude? How can you shift towards a more grace-driven approach? [16:40]
4. Evaluate your motives for serving and worshiping God. Are they driven by love for God, or are there other influences at play? How can you realign your motivations with God's grace? [35:15]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you can extend grace to others. What practical steps can you take this week to foster a culture of grace in your relationships? [24:15]
6. How can you actively participate in defending the doctrine of grace within your church community? What conversations or actions might this involve? [09:21]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about the next generation. How can you help create a church culture that attracts and retains younger members by emphasizing grace over legalism? [31:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Guarding Against Disruptive Influences
In any community, there are individuals who can disrupt harmony and derail the mission. Within the church, these "problem people" often refuse to submit to God's authority, characterized by idle talk and deception. They can promote false doctrines and foster a critical spirit, hindering the flourishing of grace. Leaders are called to be vigilant, addressing these influences to maintain a healthy church environment. This requires a balance of love and firmness, ensuring that grace remains the foundation of the church's culture. By confronting and correcting those who spread false teachings or foster division, the church can protect its mission and nurture a grace-driven environment. [02:44]
Titus 1:10-11 (ESV): "For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach."
Reflection: Who in your life might be influencing you away from God's grace? How can you lovingly address this influence to protect your spiritual growth?
Day 2: Upholding the Doctrine of Grace
Legalism poses a significant threat to the purity of the gospel message by adding human works to the equation of salvation. This distortion can lead believers away from the truth that salvation is by grace through faith alone. Paul warns against those who impose additional requirements, such as Jewish customs, on Gentile believers. This legalistic approach not only distorts the gospel but also creates division within the church. Upholding the doctrine of grace involves rejecting any teaching that imposes additional requirements for salvation and embracing the truth of God's unmerited favor. By doing so, the church can maintain its unity and focus on its mission. [09:21]
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 areas in your life where you are adding unnecessary requirements to your faith? How can you return to the simplicity of grace today?
Day 3: Cultivating a Culture of Grace
A grace-driven church culture rejects legalistic relationships, where acceptance is based on works. Instead, it embraces others based on God's grace, fostering unity and love within the church. This culture of grace is marked by humility, peace, and a commitment to sharing the gospel. By extending grace to others and reflecting Christ's love, the church can create an environment where grace flourishes. This approach counters division and confusion, allowing the church to remain a beacon of God's love and truth. Leaders and members alike are called to contend for this culture, ensuring that grace remains at the heart of all interactions and relationships. [16:40]
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to a culture of grace in your church community today? What specific actions can you take to foster unity and love?
Day 4: Living a Life Motivated by Grace
Our lives should be motivated by God's grace, extending grace to others and reflecting Christ's love. This approach brings peace and purity to the church, countering division and confusion. A grace-driven life is marked by humility, peace, and a commitment to sharing the gospel. By living in this way, believers can create an environment where grace flourishes, and the church remains a beacon of God's love and truth. This involves examining our motivations for serving and worshiping God, ensuring that our actions are driven by love for Him rather than a desire for status or approval. [24:15]
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (ESV): "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."
Reflection: What motivates your actions and service in the church? How can you ensure that your life is driven by God's grace and love?
Day 5: Evaluating Our Motives
It is essential to evaluate our motives for serving and worshiping God. If our actions are driven by anything other than love for God, they may not align with His grace. Our lives should be a response to His love, not a means to gain status or approval. By examining our motivations, we can ensure that our actions are rooted in grace and reflect Christ's love. This self-reflection allows us to align our lives with God's purposes and create an environment where grace flourishes. By doing so, we can counter division and confusion, allowing the church to remain a beacon of God's love and truth. [35:15]
1 Corinthians 4:5 (ESV): "Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God."
Reflection: What are your true motives for serving and worshiping God? How can you align your actions with His grace and love today?
Quotes
1. "And the same is true in the church, okay? We'll see that in our passage today. I want you to note that Paul is telling Timothy there will be some problem people that arise, and you need to be ready to defend against them, to guard against them and the things that they try to bring into the church. So one thing that we need to note, though, from this passage is that it flows from the previous section that we covered last week. Section that we read this morning starts out with that word, for. It's a transitional word. So what Paul is saying is the reason that we should be striving to live out grace -driven lives with all of the good character traits that we talked about last week, the reason those should be displayed in our lives is because we need to hold fast to the faithful word of God and do all those things because it's inevitable that problem people will arise in the church. And notice what it says about these kinds of people. He says they're insubordinate. They have a problem." ([00:00:55] (65 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
)
2. "See, Paul's goal in this letter, as we'll see as we go through, and as we've titled the, series, Grace Driven, Paul's goal in this letter is that grace would be flourishing and evident in the church. That's his goal, is that grace would be flourishing and evident in the church. That individual believers, would be growing in grace, flourishing in grace, and that the culture of the church would be one of grace, a healthy environment. In fact, the word sound there that says that they may be sound in the faith. We're gonna see it come up four different times, I believe. It's five times in just a few short sections of this letter, but we're gonna see it next week said several times in how he talks about the culture of a church. That word sound there, it actually comes from a Greek word where we get our word hygienic." ([00:03:53] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
)
3. "Paul, he tells Titus that allowing problem people to go unchecked will ultimately cause huge problems for the church and for individual believers. So, I hope each one of us will this morning glean something in how we can be guardians of grace from what Paul tells Titus here in this passage. How do we do this? How do we guard? How do we guard grace? Number one, I think first of all, we must defend the doctrine of grace. Number one there, defend the doctrine of grace. Now, to understand this point, we need to know a little bit of background information that Paul refers to here. He warns against those of the circumcision in verse number 10. So, the thing that started to happen when Christianity spread so quickly is that people were converting to Christianity. They were putting their faith and their trust in Jesus for salvation from all sorts of lifestyles, from all sorts of faith backgrounds, from all sorts of religious backgrounds, from all sorts of familial backgrounds." ([00:06:13] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
)
4. "And here's the problem with that. The Bible teaches very clearly that salvation comes by grace, through faith, and it's not of any works that we could do. Anything that requires doing something to be saved is called legalism. That's what it's called, legalism. And anything that requires doing something for salvation is legalism. And in their day, they saw people coming and teaching, again, they had to be circumcised, or you had to stop eating certain meats, or you had to follow the sacrificial system, or you had to ceremonially cleanse your hands or yourself in some way before eating food, that you had to do all of these things to be saved. But even in our day, there are some who try to teach a form of legalism. They say you must get baptized to be saved. If you don't get baptized, it's believe in Jesus, but it's also get baptized. You have to do this in order to be saved. Some of them would add you have to speak in tongues in order to be saved. You have to experience holy laughter in order to be saved, or that you have to take communion to receive God's grace, that you have to go to confession, that you have to say certain prayers, that you have to attend church, that you believe in Jesus, yes, but you also have all these things you have to do to keep your salvation and to be saved. That's what many, we have this taking place even in modern Christianity in America, that people would teach these things. But all of those who teach these things are teaching that you have to do something in order to be saved. And God tells us there is nothing we can do to be saved, nothing that we can do in and of ourselves. God tells us the work has already been done by Jesus." ([00:10:43] (100 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
)
5. "Paul doesn't just say that we need to beware of those who might teach legalism, but he also warns us of people who would be legalistic, or as it's worded in our second point, this, we must contend for our culture of grace. So first he says we must defend the doctrine of grace. But second, he says, we must contend for a culture of grace. You might be asking, Michael, what did you mean when you said there's a difference between teaching legalism and being legalistic? Well, here's the difference. Legalism teaches that God accepts you by your works. That's unbiblical. But being legalistic says this, God accepts you by grace, but I accept you by your works. That's being legalistic. So legalism says God accepts you by your works. That's unbiblical. Being legalistic says God accepts you by grace, but I accept you by works. And that's unethical." ([00:16:40] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
)
6. "And so, and we talked a little bit about this in our study in Leviticus, much of what they did ceremonially or what they did civilly became an area of preference. Once Jesus fulfilled all of it and did his finished work on the cross, all of these things that they were practicing in ceremony and in ritual became areas of preferences. And Paul deals with that in Romans chapter 14 and 1 Corinthians 8, 9, and 10. If you want to just eat certain kinds of meat, he says, then do it. Follow your conscience. But don't you dare impose your conscience on somebody else with something that isn't a clear biblical matter. That's what he was teaching them in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8, 9, and 10. He says, don't take things that are preferential or cultural and preach them as if they're ways to be holy." ([00:19:40] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
)
7. "Is it okay to have a preference on what kinds of songs to sing and what kind of instruments to use? Yes. Is it okay to have a strong opinion on the political candidates and platforms and such? Of course it is. It's absolutely acceptable to have opinions on these areas. Everyone should have opinions. They shouldn't just let one person think for them. Everyone should have opinions. That's how I, you know, if you're actually thinking for yourself often is if you agree with one person 100 % of the time, you're not doing any thinking. They're doing the thinking for you, okay? We're all going to disagree on something. It's good to have opinions. It's even good to have standards, to have certain standards. I think that some people who struggle with a specific vice of some kind should put protections in place in their life to keep them away. To keep them away from that sin. They should. That should be a good thing in their life. The problem comes when those standards or those preferences become institutionalized and become a culture of the church or a metric by which we used to make sure that we're going to partner and fellowship and be nice to and accept other Christians based upon these kinds of things. That's when it becomes a problem. It's okay to have standards and opinions and preferences, but what's not okay is to base your acceptance, your treatment, your attitude, or your fellowship with other Christians upon these things. Paul says here in verse number 14, no, no, no, no, no. Don't allow yourself to take heed to Jewish fables or to commandments of men." ([00:22:00] (91 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
)
8. "Therefore, I am perfectly willing and able to accept you based upon God's grace and Jesus' finished work on the cross. That's a culture of grace, that we accept and we love and we treat others within the church with the dignity that they are worth by being creations of God and being children of God because we are basing our partnership, our fellowship, and our treatment of them, our acceptance of them, not upon what they do, but upon what Jesus has done. That's a gospel culture. That's a culture of grace in the church. If you profess, if you profess to know Christ, if you are a child of God, then I'm with you and I'm for you. That's a culture of grace. I'm not here to compete against other Christians. I'm not here to compare myself to other people in the church. In fact, the Bible expressly forbids us to compete and compare ourselves among ourselves in that way." ([00:24:15] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
)
9. "I don't need to measure your performance. Why? Because the same Jesus that saved me by grace saved you by grace. He accepts me. I accept you. I accept you. Okay. He accepts me. He accepts you. We accept each other. It's taking the status or the position we have in Christ that Paul talks about in Ephesians that we are accepted in the beloved, in Christ, and we're taking that and fleshing it out or displaying it in our relationships with each other. He accepts me. He accepts you. So we accept each other. We need to contend for a culture of grace in the church. And if it sounds like, I'm being a little sharp today about these things, I would say I apologize, but I don't because Paul says here, rebuke this sharply." ([00:25:19] (46 seconds)
)
10. "How do we come against these types of things and defend the doctrine of grace or contend for a culture of grace? What's the most effective way to do that? Well, point number three is this. Live a life of grace. What's the most effective way to do this? Live a life of grace. Live a life of grace. Now, first of all, we see this being true because, as I noted at the beginning of the message, This passage flows from the truths of the previous thoughts we covered last week. So Paul says this, one of the ways, one of the reasons that it's so important to have these characteristics, a grace -driven life, the reason it's so important to have a life of grace in all of these character traits in your life, these qualities, is because this is going to take place and you can't effectively defend and rebuke against these things if you're not living a life that pictures the gospel." ([00:27:45] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?