Living in Grace: The Power of Prayer and Relationship
Summary
In our journey through the Sermon on the Mount, we have been challenged to live out the radical teachings of Jesus. These teachings are not merely suggestions; they are the blueprint for a life that honors God and reflects His kingdom on earth. As we approach the conclusion of this series, we return to the heart of our relationship with the Father, recognizing that our ability to live rightly with others stems from our connection with Him.
Jesus, in His wisdom, anticipated the struggles we would face in living out His commands. He knew we would grapple with the temptation to judge others and the difficulty of removing hypocrisy from our own lives. It is precisely at the point of our weakness that Jesus directs us back to the Father, emphasizing our need for divine grace to accomplish anything of eternal value.
The essence of our sinful nature is not found in the individual wrongs we commit, but in the inherent sinfulness we are born with. This sinfulness separates us from a holy God, whose wrath is justly directed towards sin. Yet, in His great love and mercy, God provided a way out through Jesus Christ. By His sacrifice on the cross, we are saved not just from hell, but from the wrath of God Himself.
Jesus teaches us to ask, seek, and knock—to approach God with the persistence of a parent searching for a lost child. This persistence in prayer is not about informing God of our needs or convincing Him to act, but about aligning our hearts with His will. It is in the asking that we express our dependence on Him, and it is in His response that we find our faith strengthened and our character refined.
Prayer is not a mere formality; it is the lifeline of our relationship with God. It is through prayer that we receive not only the gifts of creation but also the gifts of redemption—forgiveness, deliverance, peace, love, and the Holy Spirit. These gifts are not given indiscriminately but are available to those who call upon the name of Jesus.
As we consider the Golden Rule, we are reminded that the way we treat others should reflect the grace and mercy we desire for ourselves. This principle encapsulates the entirety of God's law and the teachings of the prophets. To love God and love others is the fulfillment of all that Scripture commands.
In light of these truths, I challenge you to identify your "big ask" prayer—the thing you need to persistently bring before God, trusting that He knows what is truly good for you, for others, and for His kingdom. Share this prayer with others, and let it be a testament to your faith in a God who is not intimidated by the magnitude of our requests.
Key Takeaways:
- Our ability to live in harmony with others is directly connected to our relationship with God. It is only through His grace that we can overcome judgment and hypocrisy. We must continually turn to Him for the strength to live as He has called us to live. [05:14]
- We are born with a sinful nature that separates us from God. Salvation through Jesus Christ is the only means by which we are saved from God's wrath. This profound truth should shape our understanding of what it means to be a Christian and the gravity of Christ's sacrifice. [15:26]
- The persistence in prayer that Jesus commands—asking, seeking, knocking—is about deepening our dependence on God and aligning our desires with His will. It is not about changing God's mind but about transforming our own hearts. [11:28]
- Prayer is essential for receiving God's redemption gifts. These gifts, including salvation and the Holy Spirit, are not given to everyone but are available to those who earnestly seek God and call upon the name of Jesus. [21:20]
- The Golden Rule is not a call for passive or reactive behavior but an active command to extend the same grace, mercy, and love to others that we hope to receive ourselves. By doing so, we fulfill the essence of God's law and the teachings of the prophets. [26:03]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 7:7-12 (NIV)
> "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three actions Jesus commands us to take in Matthew 7:7? How do these actions escalate in urgency? [07:49]
2. According to the sermon, why does Jesus emphasize the need for persistence in prayer? [11:28]
3. How does Jesus illustrate the goodness of God in Matthew 7:9-11? What comparison does He use? [12:06]
4. What does the Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12 summarize, according to Jesus? [26:03]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus describe our nature as "evil" in Matthew 7:11, and how does this relate to our understanding of God's goodness? [12:41]
2. How does the concept of asking, seeking, and knocking reflect our dependence on God? What does this teach us about the nature of prayer? [11:28]
3. In what ways does the Golden Rule challenge us to actively reflect God's grace and mercy in our interactions with others? [26:03]
4. How does the sermon explain the difference between God's creation gifts and His redemption gifts? Why is this distinction important? [21:20]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with judgment or hypocrisy. How did your relationship with God help you overcome these challenges? [05:14]
2. Identify a persistent prayer you have been bringing before God. How can you increase your urgency and persistence in this prayer, similar to searching for a lost child? [08:32]
3. How can you align your desires with God's will in your prayers? What steps can you take to ensure your prayers are not just about changing God's mind but transforming your own heart? [11:28]
4. Think of a specific situation where you can apply the Golden Rule this week. How can you extend the same grace, mercy, and love to others that you hope to receive yourself? [26:03]
5. What is your "big ask" prayer that you need to persistently bring before God? Share this prayer with your small group and discuss how you can support each other in prayer. [31:41]
6. How can you cultivate a deeper dependence on God in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to make prayer a first priority rather than a last resort? [05:49]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s challenge to pray big, bold prayers that might scare you. What is one specific, bold prayer you can start praying today, trusting in God's power and goodness? [30:15]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on the importance of prayer, dependence on God, and living out the Golden Rule. Use these questions to foster meaningful discussion and personal application.
Devotional
Day 1: Grace Overcomes Judgment and Hypocrisy
In the walk of faith, one's ability to live in harmony with others is deeply rooted in the relationship with God. It is a common struggle to judge others and to act hypocritically, yet these are the very areas where grace is most needed. The divine grace that flows from a vibrant relationship with God empowers believers to rise above these tendencies. It is not by human effort alone that one can live out the high calling of Christ, but through the continual turning to God for strength and guidance. This grace is the cornerstone of living a life that reflects the teachings of Jesus and honors God. [05:14]
James 4:6-8 ESV
"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: How can you actively seek God's grace today to overcome any judgmental thoughts or hypocritical actions in your life?
Day 2: The Gravity of Christ's Sacrifice
Salvation is not merely a rescue from eternal damnation; it is deliverance from the wrath of a holy God against sin. This key truth underscores the gravity of what it means to be a Christian and the profound nature of Christ's sacrifice. Born into sin, humanity stands separated from God, but through Jesus Christ, there is a path to reconciliation. This salvation is a gift of such magnitude that it should continually shape one's understanding and gratitude for the life and freedom found in Christ. [15:26]
Hebrews 10:19-22 ESV
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."
Reflection: In what ways can you live out a deeper appreciation for the sacrifice of Jesus in your daily interactions and personal spiritual practices?
Day 3: Transforming Hearts Through Persistent Prayer
The command to ask, seek, and knock is an invitation to a deeper dependence on God and an alignment of one's desires with His will. Persistent prayer is not about changing God's mind but about transforming the believer's heart. It is in the very act of asking that dependence on God is expressed, and through His response, faith is strengthened and character refined. This process of prayerful persistence is a journey of growth, where the soul learns to trust in God's goodness and sovereignty. [11:28]
Colossians 4:2 ESV
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
Reflection: What specific area of your life do you need to persistently bring before God in prayer, and how can you express your dependence on Him through this practice?
Day 4: Receiving Redemption's Gifts Through Prayer
Prayer is the vital communication channel through which believers receive the gifts of redemption. These gifts, which include forgiveness, deliverance, peace, love, and the Holy Spirit, are not distributed without discernment but are available to those who earnestly seek God and call upon the name of Jesus. Through prayer, one not only petitions for these gifts but also opens the heart to receive and be transformed by them. [21:20]
1 John 5:14-15 ESV
"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."
Reflection: How can you more intentionally use prayer as a means to receive and embrace the gifts of redemption in your life?
Day 5: Active Extension of Grace and Mercy
The Golden Rule is a proactive command to extend grace, mercy, and love to others in the same measure one desires to receive. This principle is not just a moral guideline but encapsulates the essence of God's law and the teachings of the prophets. To love God and love others is to fulfill the heart of Scripture, and it is through this active extension of grace that one truly lives out the Christian faith. [26:03]
Micah 6:8 ESV
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: What is one practical way you can apply the Golden Rule in your interactions today, showing the same grace and mercy to others that you hope to receive?
Quotes
1) "God's giving does depend on our asking, but not like you think it does. It doesn't depend on our asking because God is ignorant of what we need until we ask him, and it doesn't depend on it because God is reluctant to give us anything until we persuade him." [18:08] (Download | )
2) "Prayer is God's chosen method for us expressing our total dependence on him. God, you just called me to be a judge and a hypocrite to my friends and neighbors and I can't do that. I need you. Will you give me the divine grace to be able to do this every day with everybody?" [19:33] (Download | )
3) "God does not just lavish blessing upon blessing upon blessing for those of his kids that aren't ready to receive those blessings. Instead, he waits until we recognize our need and then we turn to him in humility." [18:52] (Download | )
4) "God does not award salvation to everyone; he awards it to those who call upon the name of Jesus. These Redemption gifts are things like forgiveness, deliverance from Evil, peace in this world, and hope in this world, and love, and His Holy Spirit." [21:20] (Download | )
5) "If your prayers don't scare you to death, listen, you may be praying safe prayers, and those safe prayers could potentially be offensive to God because what are you saying when you say safe prayers? You're saying, 'God, I don't think you're powerful enough to accomplish the crazy thing that's in my head.'" [30:15] (Download | )
6) "We are born with a sinful nature from day one; we are in our nature evil, wicked, opposed from God... and there's only one way out of that, and that one way would be Jesus on the cross." [14:43] (Download | )
7) "When you do this, Jesus said you actually fulfill all of scripture, the law and the prophets... Love God, love others, sum it up. So what are we to do with this? Ask, what is your big ask prayer?" [27:30] (Download | )
8) "It's in the asking that you are tying yourself to the father and you are tying your dependence to the father. Didn't Jesus model this? 'God, if there's another way for this to happen, can we do that other way?'" [29:38] (Download | Download cropped video)
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