Living in the Power of Grace and Truth

In today's reflection, we delved into the profound transformation that Jesus Christ brought into the world, marking the beginning of a new era with His coming and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This new age is characterized by the realization of grace and truth through Jesus, as opposed to the law given through Moses. We explored the concept of truth as living a life without pretense, free from the idolatry of seeking human approval, which is a form of idolatry that disqualifies us from being true servants of Christ.

We also examined the multifaceted nature of grace, which is often misunderstood as merely forgiveness. Grace indeed begins with forgiveness, but it extends far beyond that. It is the power that enables us to live a life free from the dominion of sin. This grace is not just a covering of our sins but a cleansing, a complete removal, allowing us to stand justified before God as if we had never sinned. This justification is a profound gift that should inspire us to live with boldness and confidence in our relationship with God.

Furthermore, we discussed the seriousness of sin and the immense cost of forgiveness, which was paid by Jesus through His suffering and separation from the Father on the cross. This understanding should lead us to a deeper appreciation of the sacrifice of Christ and a greater hatred for sin in our lives. We are called to live in the reality of this grace, which empowers us to overcome sin and live victoriously.

Lastly, we touched on the grace that sustains us through physical weaknesses and trials. Even when God does not remove our afflictions, His grace is sufficient to carry us through, enabling us to live triumphantly despite our circumstances. This grace is a testament to God's strength being perfected in our weakness, allowing us to be a testimony of His power and love.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Idolatry of Human Approval: Seeking the approval of others over God's approval is a form of idolatry that disqualifies us from being true servants of Christ. We must prioritize God's opinion above all else, recognizing that our worth and identity are found in Him alone. [02:51]
• 2. The Depth of Grace: Grace is not merely forgiveness; it is the power to live a life free from the dominion of sin. This grace cleanses us completely, allowing us to stand justified before God, as if we had never sinned. [27:27]
• 3. The Seriousness of Sin: Understanding the seriousness of sin and the immense cost of forgiveness should lead us to a deeper appreciation of Christ's sacrifice and a greater hatred for sin. We must see sin as the grave offense it is, recognizing that it was our sin that nailed Jesus to the cross. [22:40]
• 4. Grace in Weakness: God's grace is sufficient to sustain us through physical weaknesses and trials. Even when God does not remove our afflictions, His grace enables us to live triumphantly, demonstrating His strength perfected in our weakness. [09:05]
• 5. Forgiveness and Mercy: We are called to forgive others as God has forgiven us, choosing not to remember their offenses. This forgiveness is an act of the will, not dependent on forgetting or reconciling, but on releasing others from the debt of their wrongs against us. [29:44]
  ** [29:44]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:26] - The New Age of Grace and Truth
• [01:00] - Understanding Truth and Idolatry
• [03:11] - The Realization of Grace
• [05:12] - The Riches of Grace in Forgiveness
• [07:49] - The Seriousness of Sin
• [09:21] - The Cost of Forgiveness
• [11:40] - The Cup of Suffering
• [13:49] - The Break of Fellowship
• [15:29] - The Punishment for Sin
• [17:29] - The Choice of Gethsemane
• [19:51] - The Preciousness of Grace
• [22:40] - Hating Sin
• [27:27] - Justification by Grace
• [29:44] - Forgiveness and Mercy
• [40:55] - Grace Overcoming Sin
• [47:49] - The New Covenant Promise
• [51:25] - Living Under Grace
• [59:49] - Following Jesus' Example
• [69:31] - Grace in Weakness and Trials

1. John 1:17 - "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."
2. Galatians 1:10 - "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."
3. Ephesians 1:7 - "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace."

1. What does John 1:17 suggest about the difference between the law given through Moses and the grace and truth realized through Jesus Christ? [01:00]
2. According to Galatians 1:10, what is the consequence of seeking human approval over God's approval? [02:51]
3. How does Ephesians 1:7 describe the role of grace in our redemption and forgiveness? [05:12]
4. What are some examples given in the sermon of how grace is more than just forgiveness? [04:06]

1. How does the sermon explain the concept of idolatry in relation to seeking human approval, and why is it considered a serious sin? [02:33]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that grace empowers believers to live victoriously over sin? [40:55]
3. How does the understanding of the seriousness of sin and the cost of forgiveness deepen one's appreciation for Christ's sacrifice? [09:21]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between grace and physical weaknesses or trials? [09:05]

1. Reflect on a time when you sought human approval over God's. How did it affect your relationship with God, and what steps can you take to prioritize God's opinion in the future? [02:51]
2. The sermon describes grace as a power to overcome sin. Identify a specific sin you struggle with and discuss practical ways you can rely on God's grace to overcome it. [40:55]
3. Consider the cost of forgiveness as described in the sermon. How does this understanding influence your view of sin and your daily walk with Christ? [09:21]
4. How can you cultivate a deeper appreciation for the sacrifice of Christ in your daily life, especially when faced with temptations or trials? [19:51]
5. The sermon mentions that God's grace is sufficient in our weaknesses. Share a personal trial or weakness you are currently facing and discuss how you can rely on God's grace to sustain you. [09:05]
6. Forgiveness is described as an act of the will. Is there someone you need to forgive, and how can you take steps to release them from the debt of their wrongs against you? [29:44]
7. How can you ensure that your understanding of grace remains fresh and impactful in your life, similar to how it is described in the sermon? [20:39]