Living by Faith: Embracing Future Grace

In reflecting on the transition from a 33-year pastoral ministry, I am filled with gratitude for God's guidance and the relief of a significant pressure being lifted. This new phase allows me to share insights on living a life of faith, particularly focusing on the concept of "future grace." The essence of this teaching is about living under pressure, battling sin, and pursuing holiness by relying on God's promises for the future. This approach is not merely theoretical but deeply practical, aiming to transform how we handle everyday temptations and challenges.

The foundation of living by faith in future grace is rooted in the belief that God's grace is not only a past event but an ever-present and future reality. This grace empowers us to overcome sins such as anxiety, covetousness, and impatience by providing a superior satisfaction in God's promises. The key is to trust in God's continuous provision and to live in a way that reflects His glory. This involves a moment-by-moment welcoming of Christ as our supreme treasure, which severs the root of sin by offering a deeper satisfaction than sin's fleeting pleasures.

The practical outworking of this faith is seen in how it produces love and good works, not as a means of earning salvation, but as evidence of genuine faith. This faith-driven life is essential for final salvation, as it demonstrates the reality of our relationship with Christ. The judgment will assess our works, not as the basis of our salvation, but as evidence of our new life in Christ. This understanding challenges us to live authentically, relying on God's power to transform our lives and glorify Him in all we do.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Living by Faith in Future Grace: Embrace the concept of future grace, which is God's ongoing provision and promise for our lives. This grace empowers us to live under pressure and battle sin by providing a superior satisfaction in God's promises. Trusting in this grace transforms our daily lives and reflects God's glory. [06:01]
• 2. The Power of a Superior Satisfaction: Sin's power lies in its promise of immediate pleasure, but true faith severs this by offering a deeper satisfaction in God's future grace. This faith-driven satisfaction breaks the hold of sin and leads to a life of holiness and purity. [47:12]
• 3. Evidence of Genuine Faith: Our works are not the basis of our salvation but serve as evidence of genuine faith. A life lived by faith in future grace produces love and good works, demonstrating the reality of our relationship with Christ and our readiness for final salvation. [38:40]
• 4. The Role of Grace in Sanctification: Grace is not only God's disposition to save but also His power to bless us with all we need for a life of holiness. This grace arrives moment by moment, empowering us to live in a way that glorifies God and fulfills His purposes. [59:14]
• 5. Trusting in God's Ever-Arriving Power: Living by faith in future grace involves trusting in God's continuous provision and power. This trust enables us to face challenges, make difficult decisions, and live a life that reflects God's glory and satisfies our deepest needs. [01:00:23]
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:23] - Transition Reflections
• [01:02] - Feeling the Change
• [02:11] - Pressure Lifted
• [03:11] - Living as a Pastor
• [04:03] - Pursuing Holiness
• [05:20] - Tackling Sin
• [06:19] - Preparing by Faith
• [07:32] - Striving with God's Power
• [09:54] - Future Grace Explained
• [12:00] - Past and Future Grace
• [14:13] - Faith and Future Grace
• [17:44] - Serving by God's Strength
• [20:35] - Glorifying God in All
• [23:17] - Joy in Suffering
• [26:58] - Holiness and Salvation
• [38:40] - Faith as the Agent of Works
• [46:10] - Faith Severs Sin's Root
• [50:43] - Faith Produces Holiness
• [59:14] - Grace as Future Power
• [63:06] - Closing Prayer

1. Colossians 1:28-29
2. Hebrews 11:1
3. 1 Peter 4:11

1. In Colossians 1:28-29, what does Paul say is his goal in proclaiming and teaching? How does he describe the effort involved in this task? [07:13]
2. According to Hebrews 11:1, how is faith defined, and what does this suggest about the nature of faith in relation to the future? [15:41]
3. In 1 Peter 4:11, what is the purpose of serving by the strength that God supplies, and how does this relate to glorifying God? [17:44]
4. How does the sermon describe the concept of "future grace," and what role does it play in overcoming sin? [06:01]

1. What might Paul mean when he talks about "striving according to His energy" in Colossians 1:29, and how does this relate to the idea of relying on God's power rather than our own? [09:27]
2. How does the definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1 challenge or expand the common understanding of faith as merely belief in past events? [15:41]
3. In what ways does serving by God's strength, as mentioned in 1 Peter 4:11, differ from serving in our own strength, and why is this distinction important for glorifying God? [21:23]
4. The sermon suggests that faith in future grace provides a "superior satisfaction" that breaks the power of sin. How might this concept change one's approach to dealing with temptation? [47:12]

1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed by pressure. How might embracing the concept of future grace have changed your response? [02:49]
2. Identify a specific sin or temptation you struggle with. How can the idea of a "superior satisfaction" in God's promises help you combat this struggle? [47:12]
3. Consider a time when you served others. How can you ensure that your service is done in the strength that God supplies, rather than relying solely on your own abilities? [21:23]
4. Think about a decision you need to make soon. How can trusting in God's continuous provision and power guide you in making this decision? [01:00:23]
5. How can you cultivate a moment-by-moment welcoming of Christ as your supreme treasure in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to make this a reality? [14:32]
6. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. How can you incorporate the concept of future grace to deepen your faith and reliance on God? [06:01]
7. Identify one area of your life where you feel anxious or impatient. How can trusting in God's future grace help you find peace and patience in this area? [05:20]