Living by Faith: Embracing Future Grace

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as the Catalyst for Love and Obedience

Faith is not just a backward glance at the cross but a forward-looking assurance in God's ongoing provision and power. It is the great worker, producing love and obedience as it flows from a deep trust in God's promises. This faith is active and dynamic, as seen in scriptures like 1 Thessalonians 1:3 and Galatians 5:6, where works of love and obedience naturally flow from faith. When we trust in God's future grace, we are empowered to live lives that reflect His love and commands. This faith is not passive; it is a catalyst that transforms our actions and attitudes, enabling us to live in a way that honors God. [00:57]

Hebrews 10:35-36 (ESV): "Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."

Reflection: Think of a specific promise of God that you find challenging to trust. How can you actively rely on this promise today to produce love and obedience in your life?

Day 2: Grace as a Continuous Empowerment

Grace is an ever-arriving power that enables us to act in reliance on God. It is the strength to act for Christ's sake, moment by moment, and the key to the Christian life is learning to live in this grace continuously. Paul exemplifies this in 1 Corinthians 15:10, where he acknowledges that his labor is due to the grace of God with him. This grace is not a one-time event but a continuous empowerment that sustains us in our daily walk with Christ. It is a moment-by-moment enablement that allows us to act in reliance on God, trusting in His provision and strength. [05:17]

2 Timothy 2:1 (ESV): "You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Identify a moment today where you can consciously rely on God's grace for strength. How can you remind yourself to seek His empowerment in that moment?

Day 3: The Flow of Grace in Our Lives

Paul's letters consistently emphasize grace, beginning with "grace to you" and ending with "grace be with you," signifying that grace flows to us through God's word and remains with us as we live out our faith. This grace is not static; it is dynamic and ever-present, accompanying us in our journey of faith. It does not remove affliction or poverty but produces joy and liberality, as seen in the Macedonian churches. Grace abounds, providing all sufficiency for every good deed, enabling us to live lives that reflect God's love and generosity. [07:02]

2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge or difficulty. How can you see God's grace flowing through that situation, and how can it lead you to act generously or joyfully?

Day 4: Liberation from Anxiety through Future Grace

Faith in future grace liberates us from anxiety and the sins it produces. It assures us that God's grace is sufficient, even in weakness, as Paul learned when he pleaded for the removal of his thorn in the flesh. This grace magnifies Christ when we trust in it, meeting all our needs and enabling us to seek first the kingdom of God. By trusting in God's future grace, we are freed from the burdens of worry and fear, knowing that His grace is sufficient for every situation we face. [13:30]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where anxiety tends to take hold? How can you actively trust in God's future grace to liberate you from that anxiety today?

Day 5: Faith's Future Orientation and Dependence on God

Faith is future-oriented, trusting in God's promises for every moment of our lives. It is tested in trials, leading us to depend on God who raises the dead. We are called to pray for whatever it takes to be free from pride, lust, and self-reliance, trusting in God's wise and good physician wisdom to shape us into His likeness. This future-oriented faith is not just about salvation but about trusting God in every aspect of our lives, especially during trials and challenges. [19:17]

2 Corinthians 1:9 (ESV): "Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead."

Reflection: Consider a current trial or challenge you are facing. How can you shift your focus from self-reliance to trusting in God's future grace and promises?

Sermon Summary

Living by faith in future grace is a profound journey that calls us to trust in God's ongoing provision and power. Faith is not merely a backward glance at the cross but a forward-looking assurance in God's promises. This faith is the great worker, as seen in scriptures like 1 Thessalonians 1:3 and Galatians 5:6, where works of love and obedience flow from faith. Faith is the agent of sanctification, transforming our lives as we trust in God's future grace.

Grace is not just God's disposition to save the unworthy but an ever-arriving power that enables us to act in reliance on Him. Paul exemplifies this in 1 Corinthians 15:10, where he labors more than others, yet attributes his efforts to the grace of God with him. This grace is a moment-by-moment enablement, a strength to act for Christ's sake, and the key to the Christian life is learning to live in this grace continuously.

Paul's letters consistently begin with "grace to you" and end with "grace be with you," signifying that grace flows to us through God's word and remains with us as we live out our faith. This grace does not remove affliction or poverty but produces joy and liberality, as seen in the Macedonian churches (2 Corinthians 8:1-3). It is a grace that abounds, providing all sufficiency for every good deed (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Faith in future grace liberates us from anxiety and the sins it produces. It assures us that God's grace is sufficient, even in weakness, as Paul learned when he pleaded for the removal of his thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:9). This grace magnifies Christ when we trust in it, and it meets all our needs, enabling us to seek first the kingdom of God.

Faith is future-oriented, as Hebrews 11:1 describes it as the assurance of things hoped for. It is a trust in God's promises, not just for salvation but for every moment of our lives. This faith is tested in trials, as Paul experienced, leading us to depend on God who raises the dead (2 Corinthians 1:9). We are called to pray for whatever it takes to be free from pride, lust, and self-reliance, trusting in God's wise and good physician wisdom to shape us into His likeness.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith is the great worker, producing love and obedience as it flows from a deep trust in God's promises. It is not just a backward glance at the cross but a forward-looking assurance in God's ongoing provision and power. [00:57]
2. Grace is an ever-arriving power that enables us to act in reliance on God. It is the strength to act for Christ's sake, moment by moment, and the key to the Christian life is learning to live in this grace continuously. [05:17]
3. Paul's letters consistently emphasize grace, beginning with "grace to you" and ending with "grace be with you," signifying that grace flows to us through God's word and remains with us as we live out our faith. [07:02]
4. Faith in future grace liberates us from anxiety and the sins it produces. It assures us that God's grace is sufficient, even in weakness, and it magnifies Christ when we trust in it. [13:30]
5. Faith is future-oriented, trusting in God's promises for every moment of our lives. It is tested in trials, leading us to depend on God who raises the dead, and we are called to pray for whatever it takes to be free from pride and self-reliance. [19:17]
** [19:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introduction to Faith and Future Grace
[00:57] - Faith as the Great Worker
[01:49] - Faith and Sanctification
[02:18] - Love Flowing from Faith
[02:54] - Abraham's Faith in Future Grace
[03:30] - Understanding Grace as Present Power
[04:02] - Paul's Labor and Grace
[05:17] - Grace as Moment-by-Moment Enablement
[06:04] - Paul's Letters and Grace
[07:17] - Grace to You and Grace with You
[09:26] - Grace in Affliction and Poverty
[11:59] - Believing in Future Grace
[13:30] - Sufficient Grace in Weakness
[16:21] - Future Orientation of Faith
[19:17] - Trials and Trust in Future Grace

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading

1 Thessalonians 1:3 - "We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."
2 Corinthians 12:9 - "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

Observation Questions

What does 1 Thessalonians 1:3 suggest about the relationship between faith, love, and hope? How are these elements interconnected in the life of a believer? [00:57]
In 2 Corinthians 12:9, what does Paul learn about God's grace in relation to his weaknesses? How does this shape his response to his own limitations? [13:30]
According to Hebrews 11:1, how is faith described in terms of its orientation towards the future? What does this imply about the nature of faith? [16:21]

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of "faith as the great worker" in 1 Thessalonians 1:3 challenge or affirm your understanding of faith's role in a believer's life? [00:57]
In what ways does Paul's experience with his "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:9) illustrate the sufficiency of God's grace? How might this apply to personal struggles? [13:30]
How does the future orientation of faith, as described in Hebrews 11:1, influence a believer's daily decisions and actions? What does it mean to live with assurance in things hoped for? [16:21]

Application Questions

Reflect on a recent situation where you relied on your own strength rather than God's grace. How might you approach a similar situation differently in the future? [13:30]
Consider a current challenge or weakness you are facing. How can you apply the truth of 2 Corinthians 12:9 to find strength in God's grace rather than your own abilities? [13:30]
Identify an area in your life where you struggle with anxiety. How can faith in future grace help you find peace and trust in God's provision? [13:30]
Think of a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's demands. How can the promise of God's sufficiency in 2 Corinthians 9:8 encourage you to trust in His provision for every good deed? [11:59]
How can you cultivate a future-oriented faith in your daily life, as described in Hebrews 11:1? What practical steps can you take to focus on God's promises for your future? [16:21]
Reflect on a personal goal or aspiration. How can you ensure that your pursuit of this goal is aligned with seeking first the kingdom of God, as encouraged in the sermon? [15:10]
What specific prayer can you incorporate into your daily routine to ask God for the grace to overcome pride, lust, or self-reliance? How can this prayer shape your spiritual growth? [21:17]

Sermon Clips

Faith is the great worker that's what I have assumed and that's what these texts teach first Thessalonians 1 3 constantly bear in mind your work of faith labor of love steadfastness of hope in our lord Jesus Christ in the presence of God our father that phrase work of faith same down here in second Thessalonians 1 11 fulfill every desire for goodness and work of faith I take that to mean work that flows from faith when you have faith a work those works flow from it. [00:54:10]

The grace we have faith in is not only God's disposition to save the unworthy but the power of God exerted to bless us in the future with all that we need I didn't think of grace in those terms when I was growing up I just thought of grace as the disposition of God to send his son to die for me but I never thought of it as a present power arriving moment by moment from God. [03:11:16]

By the grace of God Paul says I am what I am and his grace toward me was not in vain but I labored even more than all of them yet not I but the grace of God that is with me so there you have first Peter 4 11 all over again Paul faces a challenge in his life and he knows that if God is going to get glory has to do it in the strength that God supplies. [03:59:35]

Paul knows that as he writes these letters they get read in churches in fact he requires that they're read in churches and so somewhere in the service maybe near the beginning I don't know where Paul as it were begins to speak as they read his letter and he stands there in the letter and says grace be to you as this letter is being read I offer grace to you grace is flowing to you now through this letter this is grace coming to you. [07:22:56]

We wish to make known to you you Corinthians the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia those are the ones up as Philippi that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in a wealth of liberality for I testify that according to their ability and beyond their ability they gave of their own accord. [09:19:36]

God is able to make all grace abound to you that always having all sufficiency in everything you may have an abundance for every good deed that's got to be one of the most amazing promises in the Bible God is able to lavish grace upon you minute by minute by minute so that you have all sufficiency for everything he wants you to do in everything that you may have an abundance for every good deed. [11:43:07]

Living by faith in future grace is believing that's going to be true at ten o'clock tonight and three o'clock tomorrow during the MRI and ten years from now when the Alzheimer's has taken its full course that's true and in it I rest what would your life look like what an amazing thing that's what I want more than anything I want my life to be a resting in that grace. [12:38:00]

He has said to me my grace is sufficient for you my power is perfected in weakness remember this is because Paul is saying would you please take away this thorn in my flesh it hurts he asked three times and he gets a no every time and Christ says to him my grace is sufficient for you my grace is sufficient for you power power is perfected in weakness. [13:30:00]

Grace magnifies Christ when we trust in it therefore though grace was given to us in eternity past II Timothy and was the disposition of God that moved him to send his son to die for us Romans 3 24 it is also power exerted by God in every arriving moment from the future to meet all our needs to meet all our needs seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you. [14:20:24]

Faith is future oriented and embraces a future governed by God's grace and therefore superior to the future promised by sin. [22:15:38]

Faith in future grace liberates us from anxiety and all the sins that anxiety produces and anxiety kills a lot of marriages and kids and ministries here it is again he has said to me my grace is sufficient for you my power is perfected in weakness remember this is because Paul is saying would you please take away this thorn in my flesh it hurts he asked three times and he gets a no every time and Christ says to him my grace is sufficient for you my grace is sufficient for you power power is perfected in weakness. [13:30:00]

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for the conviction of things not seen so that's one definition of faith in regard to the future faith is resting and assured in things that our future hoped for that's a long text from Romans 4 it's so long I think I'm going to pass over it because it's obvious that Abraham's faith there is future oriented but it would take too long to look at it so let's just jump to Colossians 1 22-23. [16:56:32]

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Living by Faith: Embracing Future Grace

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as the Catalyst for Love and Obedience

Day 2: Grace as a Continuous Empowerment

Day 3: The Flow of Grace in Our Lives

Day 4: Liberation from Anxiety through Future Grace

Day 5: Faith's Future Orientation and Dependence on God

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Living by Faith: Embracing Future Grace

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