Living Out Our Faith: Grace, Purpose, and Mission

 

Summary

In my sermon, I began by reflecting on the profound need for believers to be reminded of Christ's work and the ongoing work in His church. I shared the encouragement we receive from the testimonies of fellow believers, which underscore our call to know Christ and make Him known. This morning, I had the privilege of teaching a life group, delving into Genesis chapter 1, where we discussed being created in God's image, with the responsibility to be fruitful and multiply. This responsibility extends beyond physical procreation to spiritual multiplication through discipleship.

I emphasized the distractions that can lead us away from our God-given purpose. I used the analogy of winning Powerball numbers to illustrate the certainty of Christ's victory and the value of orienting our lives around the proclamation of this truth. I reminded us that the book of Romans centers on the gospel, calling us to community and commissioning us to make Jesus known. I highlighted the importance of faith over works, as Paul reminded the Jewish people of their need for salvation through grace, received by faith.

I then addressed the tendency to try to earn God's grace through our own efforts, which is impossible. I urged the congregation to repent and believe, trusting in the work already accomplished by Jesus Christ. I offered ways to respond: by coming forward to affirm one's salvation, by laying down burdens at the altar, and by committing to God's mission, possibly through short-term mission trips or a deeper calling.

I prayed for the congregation, asking God to work in our hearts, reminding us of the gospel of grace, freeing us from sin, and sending us on His mission. I concluded by reflecting on the example of Abraham, whose faith was credited to him as righteousness before any works, and how this principle applies to us today. We are justified by grace through faith, not by works, and this truth should lead us to live out our faith in obedience.

Key Takeaways:

1. Our creation in God's image comes with the responsibility to know Him and to make Him known through discipleship. This purpose transcends all distractions and is the essence of our calling as believers. We must prioritize our relationship with God and the mission to multiply spiritually, which is the true measure of fruitfulness in the kingdom of God. [46:09]

2. The certainty of Christ's victory and the vision of all nations worshiping before God's throne should be the focal point of our lives. This truth is more valuable than any earthly treasure and should guide our every decision and action. As believers, we are to live with the end in mind, ensuring that our lives reflect the gospel we proclaim. [48:20]

3. Justification by faith is a foundational truth that must be grasped to understand the gospel fully. It is not through our works but through faith in Jesus Christ that we are saved. This understanding should lead us to a life of faith-driven obedience, where our actions are a response to the grace we have received, not a means to earn it. [49:33]

4. The gospel is not a starting point that we move beyond; it is the continual source of our strength and motivation. We must regularly return to the grace of God, allowing it to transform us from the inside out. This transformative power is what enables us to live out our faith authentically and effectively in the world. [01:23:16]

5. Our mission as the church is to proclaim the good news to the least and the lost in every corner of the earth. This mission requires a response, whether through prayer, short-term missions, or a lifelong commitment to go wherever God calls. Our obedience to this call is a testament to the grace we have received and the faith that sustains us. [01:25:03]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 1:26-28 (ESV)
> Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

2. Romans 4:1-12 (ESV)
> What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Genesis 1:26-28 say about the purpose of humanity being created in God's image?
2. According to Romans 4:1-12, what was the basis of Abraham's righteousness before God? ([53:21])
3. How does Paul use the example of Abraham to explain the concept of justification by faith? ([55:00])
4. What are the two main responsibilities given to humanity in Genesis 1:26-28? How do these responsibilities extend beyond physical procreation? ([46:09])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that we are created in God's image influence our daily lives and responsibilities as believers? ([46:09])
2. In what ways can the certainty of Christ's victory and the vision of all nations worshiping before God's throne impact our priorities and decisions? ([48:20])
3. Why is it important to grasp the concept of justification by faith rather than by works? How does this understanding affect our relationship with God and others? ([49:33])
4. How does the gospel serve as a continual source of strength and motivation for believers, rather than just a starting point? ([01:23:16])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily life. Are there specific distractions that pull you away from your God-given purpose? How can you minimize these distractions to focus more on knowing God and making Him known? ([46:50])
2. How can you orient your life around the proclamation of Christ's victory and the vision of all nations worshiping before God's throne? What practical steps can you take this week to live with the end in mind? ([48:20])
3. Have you ever found yourself trying to earn God's grace through your own efforts? What steps can you take to fully trust in the work already accomplished by Jesus Christ? ([49:33])
4. In what ways can you regularly return to the grace of God to allow it to transform you from the inside out? Identify one area of your life where you need this transformative power. ([01:23:16])
5. How can you actively participate in the mission of proclaiming the good news to the least and the lost? Is there a specific person or group you feel called to reach out to? ([01:25:03])
6. Think about the example of Abraham's faith being credited as righteousness. How can you cultivate a similar faith-driven obedience in your own life? ([55:00])
7. What are some practical ways you can live out your faith in obedience to God's call, whether through prayer, short-term missions, or a deeper lifelong commitment? ([01:25:03])

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Our Divine Purpose
In the beginning, humanity was created in the image of God, imbued with a divine purpose that transcends the mundane distractions of life. This purpose is not merely about physical procreation but extends to spiritual multiplication through discipleship. As image-bearers, individuals are called to know God intimately and to reflect His character by making Him known to others. This calling is the essence of what it means to be fruitful in the kingdom of God. It is a call to prioritize one's relationship with the Creator and to engage in the mission of spiritual multiplication, nurturing others in their faith journey and guiding them towards a deeper understanding of their own divine purpose.

"Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:26-27 ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively participate in spiritual discipleship this week, and who in your life could benefit from your guidance and support? [07:40]

Day 2: Living with Eternal Perspective
The certainty of Christ's victory is a profound truth that should shape the way believers live their lives. Just as the winning Powerball numbers would drastically alter one's life decisions, the knowledge of Christ's triumph over sin and death should guide every action and decision. Believers are called to live with the end in mind, with a vision of all nations worshiping before God's throne. This eternal perspective is more valuable than any earthly treasure and should be the focal point of life, ensuring that the gospel is reflected in every aspect of one's existence.

"And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.'" (Revelation 5:9 ESV)

Reflection: What is one decision you can make today that aligns with the eternal perspective of Christ's victory and the proclamation of the gospel? [07:40]

Day 3: Justified by Faith Alone
Justification by faith is a cornerstone of the gospel message. It is not through human efforts or works that salvation is attained, but through faith in Jesus Christ. This foundational truth must be fully grasped to understand the gospel. Recognizing that salvation is a gift of grace, received by faith, should lead to a life of obedience driven by faith. Actions become a response to the grace received, not a means to earn it. This understanding liberates individuals from the futile attempt to earn God's favor and allows them to live in the freedom of His grace.

"For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law." (Romans 3:28 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you been trying to earn God's grace, and how can you shift your focus to living out of the grace you've already been given through faith? [07:40]

Day 4: The Gospel as Our Lifelong Source
The gospel is not merely a starting point for the Christian life; it is the continual source of strength and motivation. Believers must regularly return to the grace of God, allowing it to transform them from the inside out. This transformative power enables authentic and effective living out of one's faith in the world. The gospel's truth is not something to move beyond but rather something to be deeply rooted in, providing the foundation for all growth and the wellspring of all spiritual vitality.

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6 ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally remind yourself of the gospel's transformative power in your daily life, and what practical steps can you take to allow it to shape your actions today? [07:40]

Day 5: Responding to the Mission
The church's mission is to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to the least and the lost in every corner of the earth. This mission requires a response from each believer, whether through prayer, participation in short-term missions, or a lifelong commitment to go wherever God calls. Obedience to this call is a testament to the grace received and the faith that sustains. It is an active participation in the unfolding story of redemption that God is writing throughout history.

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15 ESV)

Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to engage more deeply with the mission of the church, and how can you incorporate this into your regular routine? [07:40]

Quotes

"Well, I don't know about your heart, but my heart needed that. There are times where we need to be reminded of what Christ has done for us and what the Lord is continuing to do in his church. There's encouragement as we hear the testimony of believers. Reminding us of the call that he has given to every single follower of Jesus. To know him and to make him known." [46:09]( | | )

"I made the joke. Preface it with that joke. That if I had come up to any of you yesterday and gave you those winning Powerball numbers. And I assume none of you won. You'd be foolish not to cash in on those. But here's what Jesus has done. He has given us the end. He has given us the picture of his victory." [48:20]( | | )

"We said at the very beginning of the book of Romans. That Romans is all about the gospel. It is all about the reminder of what Christ has done for us. And it's out of that reminder of the gospel that Paul will call the people of God. Though diverse in background and to community with one another. And commission them to go out to the very ends of the earth together to make Jesus known." [49:33]( | | )

"If I could earn my way into God's presence. Then I could take the credit. And God knows. If we could take the credit. We would take. The credit. But folks. We can't take the credit. We couldn't. If we tried. We must live in his grace. Now we might then live out. In his grace." [01:10:29]( | | )

"But what does Jesus say? He says. There are going to be many. Who show up. At heaven's gates. And say Lord, Lord. Didn't I do all of these things? And he's going to look at them. And say. Depart from me for. I never knew you. It's only falling upon. His grace through faith." [01:05:51]( | | )

"God. Has saved by faith. From the beginning. And he will save the one by faith. All the way until his return. I fear that in our day. There is this cultural Christianity. That looks saved. That looks good. On the outside. But it's a group of people. Who are not right with God." [01:04:01]( | | )

"God's perfect law. And every other religion in the world. Would tell me there's no way. To know if I could have. The hope of heaven. They would say to me. Maybe my good works can outweigh. My bad ones. But how is there hope. How is there hope. In such insecurity. But God." [01:15:38]( | | )

"Is this blessing then only for the circumcised. Or for the uncircumcised. For we say that faith. Was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him. Was it before or after he had been circumcised. It was not after. But before he was circumcised." [01:17:22]( | | )

"Abraham had faith. In God's ability to lead. Abraham had faith. In God's ability to provide. Abraham had faith. In God's ability to protect. Abraham had faith. In God's ability to bless. Abraham had faith. In God's ability to cause him to have offspring. Abraham had faith. In God's ability to save." [01:01:21]( | | )

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Transcript
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