Outlandish Grace: Unmerited Love for All

Devotional

Day 1: The Unmerited Gift of Grace

God's grace is a profound and transformative gift that is freely given to all, regardless of our past actions or current state. This grace is vividly illustrated in the story of the thief on the cross, who, despite his criminal past, received Jesus' promise of paradise. This story challenges the notion that we must earn our way into God's favor through good deeds or specific prayers. Instead, it emphasizes that grace is unearned and unmerited, a gift that God extends to everyone.

This understanding of grace can be liberating, especially for those who struggle with feelings of unworthiness or fear of not measuring up. It reminds us that God's love and acceptance are not contingent on our actions but are freely given. This universal grace invites us to rest in the assurance that we are loved and accepted by God, no matter our past or present circumstances. [04:38]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt unworthy of love or acceptance. How does the story of the thief on the cross change your perspective on God's grace and your own worthiness?

Day 2: The Bias of Human Grace

Human grace is often selective and biased, extended more readily to those we find attractive or similar to ourselves. Studies have shown that people tend to show more grace to those who fit their personal preferences or social circles. This selective grace stands in stark contrast to God's universal grace, which is extended to both the righteous and the unrighteous alike.

Jesus' teachings, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount, highlight this difference. He teaches that God's blessings, like the sun and rain, fall on everyone equally, regardless of their actions or status. This challenges us to examine our own biases and strive to extend grace more universally, reflecting God's unconditional love. [08:39]

James 2:1-4 (ESV): "My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, 'You sit here in a good place,' while you say to the poor man, 'You stand over there,' or, 'Sit down at my feet,' have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"

Reflection: Reflect on a recent interaction where you may have shown partiality. How can you begin to extend grace more universally, as God does, in your daily interactions?

Day 3: Beyond the Sinner's Prayer

The story of the thief on the cross challenges the formulaic approach to salvation that many of us grew up with, where saying the "sinner's prayer" was seen as a ticket to heaven. The thief did not utter any such prayer, yet Jesus assured him of his place in paradise. This story emphasizes that grace is not about reciting specific words but about God's unconditional love and acceptance.

This understanding can be transformative, especially for those who have been taught that salvation is contingent on specific actions or prayers. It invites us to trust in God's grace and love, rather than relying on our own efforts or rituals. This shift in perspective can bring a sense of peace and assurance, knowing that our salvation is secure in God's hands. [11:34]

Luke 23:42-43 (ESV): "And he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' And he said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.'"

Reflection: Consider your own beliefs about salvation. How does the story of the thief on the cross challenge or affirm your understanding of God's grace and love?

Day 4: Letting Go of Fear and Anxiety

Understanding the true nature of God's grace allows us to let go of the fear and anxiety about the afterlife for ourselves and our loved ones. The assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of God, as Paul writes in Romans 8, provides a foundation of peace and security. This assurance invites us to rest in the power of Christ, who commands our destiny from life's first cry to final breath.

This understanding can be particularly comforting for those who struggle with fear and anxiety about their own salvation or the salvation of their loved ones. It reminds us that God's love is steadfast and unchanging, and that we can trust in His grace and mercy. This assurance allows us to live with confidence and peace, knowing that we are held securely in God's hands. [17:56]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: What fears or anxieties do you have about your own salvation or the salvation of your loved ones? How can you begin to trust more fully in God's grace and love?

Day 5: The Power of Christ in Our Lives

The lyrics from the hymn by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend remind us that from life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands our destiny. No power of hell or scheme of man can ever pluck us from His hand, giving us the confidence to stand in the power of Christ. This assurance allows us to live boldly and confidently, knowing that we are secure in Christ's love and power.

This understanding can be empowering, especially for those who feel overwhelmed by the challenges and uncertainties of life. It reminds us that we are not alone, and that Christ is with us, guiding and protecting us every step of the way. This assurance allows us to live with courage and confidence, knowing that we are held securely in Christ's hands. [18:53]

Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Reflection: What challenges or uncertainties are you facing in your life right now? How can you begin to trust more fully in the power of Christ to guide and protect you?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound and often misunderstood concept of God's grace, which I have termed "outlandish grace." I began with a personal story from my college days, where I experienced unmerited grace from a police officer after recklessly driving my father's El Camino. This anecdote served as a prelude to our main focus: the thief on the cross who received Jesus' promise of paradise despite his criminal past. This story exemplifies the essence of grace—unearned, unmerited, and freely given.

We delved into the nature of God's grace, contrasting it with human grace, which is often selective and biased. Studies show that humans tend to extend more grace to those they find attractive or similar to themselves. However, God's grace is universal, extending to both the good and the bad, the righteous and the unrighteous. This is vividly illustrated in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where He teaches that God's blessings, like the sun and rain, fall on everyone equally.

The thief on the cross challenges the formulaic approach to salvation that many of us grew up with, where saying the "sinner's prayer" was seen as a ticket to heaven. This thief did not utter any such prayer, yet Jesus assured him of his place in paradise. This story has been transformative for me, especially in dealing with the fear and anxiety about the afterlife for myself and my loved ones. It underscores that God's grace is not something we can earn; it is a gift freely given to all.

In closing, I emphasized that nothing can separate us from the love of God, as Paul writes in Romans 8. This assurance allows us to let go of fear and rest in the power of Christ, who commands our destiny from life's first cry to final breath.

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Key Takeaways

1. God's Grace is Unmerited and Universal: The story of the thief on the cross illustrates that God's grace is not something we can earn. It is freely given to all, regardless of our past actions or current state. This challenges our human tendency to be selective in extending grace. [04:38]
2. Human Grace is Often Biased: Studies show that humans extend more grace to those they find attractive or similar to themselves. This selective grace is in stark contrast to God's universal grace, which is extended to both the righteous and the unrighteous. [08:39]
3. The Thief on the Cross and the Sinner's Prayer: The thief on the cross did not say the "sinner's prayer," yet Jesus promised him paradise. This challenges the formulaic approach to salvation and emphasizes that grace is not about reciting specific words but about God's unconditional love. [11:34]
4. Letting Go of Fear and Anxiety: Understanding the true nature of God's grace allows us to let go of the fear and anxiety about the afterlife for ourselves and our loved ones. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, as Paul writes in Romans 8. [17:56]
5. The Power of Christ in Our Lives: The lyrics from the hymn by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend remind us that from life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands our destiny. No power of hell or scheme of man can ever pluck us from His hand, giving us the confidence to stand in the power of Christ. [18:53]
### [18:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:04] - Personal Story: The El Camino
[02:10] - Demonstrating Power and Getting Pulled Over
[03:55] - Encounter with Grace
[04:38] - Introduction to Outlandish Grace
[05:45] - The Thief on the Cross
[06:43] - God's Grace for All
[07:31] - Jesus' Sermon on the Mount
[08:39] - Human Selective Grace
[09:32] - Eye for an Eye vs. Turning the Other Cheek
[10:54] - The Sinner's Prayer and Salvation
[12:42] - The Thief's Unmerited Grace
[14:02] - The Fear-Mongering Faith
[14:55] - Personal Struggles with Faith and Family
[15:53] - Assurance of Universal Grace
[16:52] - Romans 8: Nothing Can Separate Us
[17:56] - Letting Go of Fear
[18:53] - Hymn: The Power of Christ

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What did the thief on the cross ask Jesus, and what was Jesus' response? (Luke 23:39-43)
According to Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, how does God show His grace to both the righteous and the unrighteous? (Matthew 5:45)
What does Paul say in Romans 8:38-39 about what can separate us from the love of God?
In the sermon, what personal story did the pastor share to illustrate unmerited grace? [04:38]

Interpretation Questions

How does the story of the thief on the cross challenge the traditional formulaic approach to salvation? [11:34]
What does Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:45 reveal about the nature of God's grace compared to human grace? [07:31]
How does understanding God's grace as described in Romans 8:38-39 help alleviate fear and anxiety about the afterlife? [17:56]
Why is it significant that God's grace is described as "unmerited" and "universal"? How does this contrast with human tendencies to be selective in extending grace? [08:39]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you received unmerited grace from someone. How did that experience affect you, and how can you extend similar grace to others? [04:38]
The sermon mentioned that humans often extend more grace to those they find attractive or similar to themselves. How can you be more intentional about extending grace universally, as God does? [08:39]
How does the story of the thief on the cross change your perspective on what it means to be saved? Does it challenge any preconceived notions you had about salvation? [11:34]
In what ways can you let go of fear and anxiety about the afterlife for yourself and your loved ones, knowing that nothing can separate you from the love of God? [17:56]
The pastor shared personal struggles with fear-mongering faith and concerns about loved ones' salvation. How can you support someone in your life who might be experiencing similar fears? [14:55]
How can the assurance of God's inseparable love in Romans 8:38-39 empower you to live more confidently and boldly in your faith? [16:52]
The hymn lyrics mentioned in the sermon speak of Jesus commanding our destiny from life's first cry to final breath. How can this truth influence your daily decisions and actions? [18:53]

Sermon Clips

1. "What I earned that day was a ticket. What I got was grace. And I was relieved and I was grateful for that grace. In our series about grace that I've called outlandish grace, we've been looking at how God's grace manifests in our lives. We've been looking at what it means. It's unmerited favor. It's unearned mercy." [04:38] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The thing about God's grace is that God's grace is poured upon the good and upon the bad. And apparently if you're sitting on this side of the sanctuary you're among the bad. Because that's where my hands went. God's grace is for the good and for the bad. Is that better?" [06:43] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Here's the thing about God's grace. It's not like our human grace. You see, us humans, we extend grace to those we like. Or maybe people like us. In fact, there are studies that say we extend more grace to people who are attractive." [07:31] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We humans, want to pay an eye for an eye. This is in the Old Testament, right? An eye for an eye. And we humans kind of like that kind of retribution. But Jesus, in the same sermon on the mount, said, You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also." [09:32] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "This thief on the cross, he did everything to earn a place in hell. He did nothing to earn a place in And Jesus told him that's where he'd be later that day. You and me, we can do nothing to earn a place in heaven and we can do nothing to earn a place in hell. You see, God's grace is so outlandish that we can't understand it. We can't fathom it. We can't imagine a God that isn't selective." [12:42] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Unless grace is universal, unless grace is given freely to all, then we make God in our image. If God's grace is selective, right, I choose this person and not this person, that's what we do. When we do that, we make God's grace impotent. It's impotent. And that's not the kind of God I serve. And I hope that's not the kind of God you serve either." [14:02] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Today, I am not worried about where my dad is hanging out in the afterlife. I'm not worried one little iota. I'm not worried about where any of my loved ones are hanging out in the afterlife. I'm not worried one little iota. I'm not worried about where any of your loved ones are hanging out in the afterlife. Because I believe in a grace that's universal, not like our grace, selective. You're attractive? Oh, you get more grace. No, God's grace matters not what we've done, who we are, or whether we're supermodel. God's grace is there for all. Thanks be to God." [15:53] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "So friends, mostly what I want you to take away from this sermon today letting go of the fear. The fear of what the afterlife holds. Letting go of the fear and the angst for yourself. Letting go of the fear and the angst for those that you love and hold dear. Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Can I get an amen?" [17:56] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?