Living Evidence: Peace, Gratitude, and God's Transformative Grace

 

Summary

In a sermon titled "Show Me the Evidence," based on Colossians 3:15-16, the speaker introduced a mini-series called "One Another: God's people acting like God's people," focusing on how believers should interact with each other. The speaker used an analogy of being late to a lunch meeting to stress the importance of evidence in demonstrating one's faith. They argued that the transformative power of God's grace in a person's life should be visible through their actions and attitudes. The speaker then delved into the significance of peace and thankfulness, stating that believers are called to be peaceful because Christ's sacrifice made peace possible. They connected this to the idea of walking in a manner worthy of one's calling, maintaining unity and peace, and avoiding behaviors that disturb peace. The speaker also addressed the issue of entitlement, urging the congregation to adopt a grateful attitude, recognizing that salvation is a gift rather than something owed.

The sermon further emphasized the need for believers to act like God's people by being peaceful, thankful, biblical, and worshipful. The speaker confessed their own shortcomings and encouraged the congregation to seek forgiveness and strive for spiritual virtues. They highlighted the urgency for those without peace with God to trust in Jesus. The speaker also clarified that baptism is a symbol of faith and not a means to salvation. The evidence of a person's salvation was outlined as being peaceful, with the speaker explaining the three types of peace: peace with God through faith in Jesus, the peace of God that transcends circumstances, and the peace of Christ that rules in one's heart.

The speaker used a courtroom analogy to describe how the peace of Christ can overrule fear in our lives, assuring us of God's sovereignty. They also emphasized the importance of peace among God's people, highlighting the relational aspect of peace within the church body. The sermon addressed the problem of entitlement among believers, emphasizing that everything is by God's grace and that believers should be humbly grateful. The speaker also stressed the importance of letting the Word of God dwell richly within believers, using the analogy of a spouse moving into a pre-existing home to illustrate the need for the Word to fully inhabit every aspect of one's life.

The speaker discussed the responsibility of teaching and admonishing one another in love and grace, sharing personal experiences of being admonished and the discomfort that can come with it. They encouraged the congregation to let the word of Christ dwell in them richly, enabling them to instruct and admonish others. The sermon concluded with the importance of singing with a theology of God's sovereign goodness, even in times of difficulty, and the role of music in expressing our love and understanding of God.

Key Takeaways:

- The evidence of God's transformative grace in a believer's life should be as clear and undeniable as the necessity to explain one's tardiness to an important meeting. This transformation is marked by a life that radiates peace and gratitude, hallmarks of a person who has been deeply touched by divine grace. The peace that Christ offers is not merely an absence of conflict but a profound sense of well-being that stems from reconciliation with God through faith in Jesus Christ. [24:05]

- True peace among believers is not simply the avoidance of conflict; it is an active pursuit of harmony that reflects the peace Christ secured through His sacrifice. This peace acts as an arbitrator in our hearts, guiding our interactions and decisions. When disturbances arise, whether in families, workplaces, or within the church, it is a believer's duty to seek restoration and unity, mirroring the peace that Christ established between God and humanity. [33:54]

- Gratitude is not an optional accessory to the Christian life; it is a fundamental posture that distinguishes believers from a world steeped in entitlement. Recognizing that we deserve nothing but judgment for our sins, yet have received the unmerited gift of salvation, should fill our hearts with ceaseless thanksgiving. This gratitude is a potent antidote to the pervasive sense of entitlement that can creep into our hearts, even as followers of Christ. [37:20]

- The Word of God should not merely visit our lives but take up permanent residence, influencing every room of our being. Just as a spouse moving into a home brings about significant changes, so too should the Word of Christ transform every aspect of our lives. This indwelling leads to a rich tapestry of teaching, admonishing, and wisdom that shapes our character and interactions with others. [41:40]

- Singing is a powerful expression of our theology and an emotional response to the truths of God's sovereignty and goodness. In times of joy and sorrow, our songs should reflect the depth of our understanding of God's character and works. As we sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, we not only connect with God personally but also support and encourage our fellow believers, bearing one another's burdens and celebrating God's faithfulness together. [57:14]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Colossians 3:15-16
- Romans 5:1
- Philippians 4:7

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Colossians 3:15-16, what are the two main instructions given to believers?
2. What analogy did the speaker use to illustrate the importance of evidence in demonstrating one's faith? ([22:31])
3. How does the speaker describe the peace of Christ in relation to fear and anxiety? ([29:11])
4. What are the three types of peace mentioned in the sermon, and how are they different from each other? ([26:52])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the peace of Christ act as an arbitrator in our hearts according to the sermon? ([29:11])
2. What does it mean for the Word of Christ to "dwell richly" in a believer's life, and how should this manifest in their actions? ([41:40])
3. Why is gratitude considered a fundamental posture for believers, and how does it counteract a sense of entitlement? ([37:48])
4. How does the speaker suggest believers should handle situations where they need to admonish one another? ([46:53])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt anxious or fearful. How can you apply the concept of the peace of Christ overruling fear in that situation? ([29:11])
2. Think about your daily interactions. How can you actively pursue peace and unity in your family, workplace, or church community this week? ([33:05])
3. Identify an area in your life where you might feel entitled. How can you shift your perspective to one of gratitude, recognizing God's grace in that area? ([37:48])
4. How can you let the Word of Christ dwell more richly in your life? Are there specific habits or practices you can adopt to ensure it influences every aspect of your being? ([41:40])
5. Have you ever had to admonish a fellow believer? How did you approach it, and what did you learn from that experience? How can you ensure that your words are filled with love and grace in future situations? ([46:53])
6. Singing is described as a powerful expression of our theology. How can you incorporate more worshipful singing into your personal or family devotions, especially during difficult times? ([50:23])
7. The speaker mentioned the importance of teaching and admonishing one another in love. How can you create an environment in your small group or church where this is done effectively and lovingly? ([44:32])

Devotional

Day 1: Living Evidence of Divine Grace
True transformation through God's grace is evident in a believer's life, radiating peace and gratitude that are unmistakable signs of a heart changed by God. This transformation is as necessary and evident as the need to explain one's tardiness to an important meeting, showcasing a life that is in harmony with God's will. [24:05]

James 2:18 - "But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds."
Reflection: How do your actions and attitudes provide evidence of God's transformative work in your life?

Day 2: Pursuing Relational Peace
The peace Christ secured is actively pursued within the community of believers, reflecting His sacrifice and the harmony He established. This peace is not passive but an active arbitrator in our hearts, guiding interactions and decisions towards unity. [33:54]

Ephesians 4:2-3 - "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to actively pursue peace and unity in your relationships with fellow believers?

Day 3: Gratitude Over Entitlement
Gratitude is a defining characteristic of a believer's heart, countering the world's entitlement with a recognition of God's unmerited favor. This ceaseless thanksgiving is born from the understanding that salvation is a gift, not a right, and it transforms our perspective on life and God's grace. [37:20]

Colossians 2:6-7 - "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude today, especially in areas where you may feel entitled?

Day 4: The Indwelling Word of God
The Word of God should permeate every aspect of our lives, transforming us just as a spouse transforms a home. This indwelling leads to wisdom and character that shape our interactions and enable us to teach and admonish one another in love. [41:40]

Colossians 3:16 - "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."
Reflection: In what ways can you allow the Word of God to take up more space in your life today?

Day 5: Singing as Theology and Response
Our songs reflect our theology and emotional response to God's sovereignty and goodness. Singing in times of joy and sorrow, we express our understanding of God's character and encourage one another, bearing burdens and celebrating His faithfulness. [57:14]

James 5:13 - "Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise."
Reflection: What song or hymn can you sing today that reflects your current season of life and your understanding of God's nature?

Quotes

"Christ died to make peace possible. We must strive to keep peace protected. This is for all of us, eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." [33:54] (Download)

"Be a thankful person. The latter part of verse 16 tells us that our worship should be always with thanks, thankfulness in your hearts to God." [37:20] (Download)

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another. And don't think, well, I can't do that. Scripture says differently." [48:01] (Download)

"When fear tries to establish its demoralizing, paralyzing presence in your life, the peace of God, if you'll listen, if you'll be still and listen, it says overruled, overruled." [29:53] (Download)

"And my dear brothers and sisters, if you and I are not careful, we can have a sense of entitlement. But for the Lord, I'm not entitled to anything. I'm thankful for his grace." [39:22] (Download)

"The rightful place for your Bible is not on your coffee table. The rightful place for your Bible is in you. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." [40:35] (Download)

"The peace of God is a state of tranquility or quietness of spirit that transcends circumstances and transcends all understanding. It can be experienced through storms, stress, and even sorrows." [28:22] (Download)

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body and be thankful." [25:54] (Download)

"Letting the word of Christ dwell richly in you leads not only to instruction and admonition, but emotion. If you're letting the word of Christ dwell richly in you, you're going to be discovering glorious truths about God's majesty and his sovereignty." [49:45] (Download)

"When God's people act like God's people, and when God's people sing their Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to one another and to the sovereign God of heaven, regardless of life circumstances, it's a marvelous way of bearing burdens together." [57:14] (Download)

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Transcript
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