Reflecting God's Character Through Grace and Action
Summary
Living in a way that reflects God's character is a profound calling for every believer. We often find ourselves in situations where our intentions are good, but our actions may inadvertently cause harm. This is a common human experience, as illustrated by my own early pastoral misstep when advising a concerned mother about her daughter's marriage. Our good intentions can sometimes lead to unintended consequences, whether in family dynamics, work-life balance, or even in our spiritual leadership. This is why it's crucial to align our actions with the heart of God, as revealed through Jesus Christ.
In our series, "The Applause of Heaven," we explore the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount, which describe the characteristics of those who live close to God. These individuals embody mercy, courage, peace, and meekness, often facing ridicule and rejection for their Christ-like behavior. Jesus, the image of the invisible God, came to restore the marred image of God in humanity. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He fulfilled the law and demonstrated the true nature of God, inviting us to be conformed to His likeness.
The Pharisees of Jesus' time, despite their religious zeal, often missed the heart of God's law, creating a culture of division and fear. In contrast, Jesus calls us to be the salt and light of the world, preserving moral integrity and illuminating truth. Our righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees, not through legalistic adherence, but through grace and the transformative power of Christ's love.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to resist moral decay and illuminate the way for others. This means living out our faith authentically, allowing the gospel to shine through our actions and words. We must embrace our identity as forgiven and loved children of God, free from the burden of legalism, and empowered to love others as Christ loves us. By doing so, we glorify God and offer the world a glimpse of His true nature.
Key Takeaways:
1. Intentions vs. Impact: Our good intentions can sometimes lead to unintended harm. It's essential to align our actions with God's heart, seeking His wisdom and guidance to ensure our efforts reflect His love and truth. [02:40]
2. The Image of God Restored: Jesus is the perfect image of God, sent to restore what was lost in humanity. By conforming to His likeness, we reflect God's character and invite others to experience His love and grace. [04:30]
3. Beyond Legalism: True righteousness surpasses legalistic adherence to the law. It is found in the grace and transformative power of Christ, freeing us to love and serve others authentically. [10:01]
4. Salt and Light: As the salt of the earth, we are called to preserve moral integrity and resist decay. As the light of the world, we illuminate truth and guide others toward God, reflecting His love and grace. [19:49]
5. Living by Grace: Embracing our identity in Christ frees us from the burden of legalism. We are empowered to live by grace, focusing on loving others and glorifying God through our actions and words. [31:40]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:40] - Aligning Intentions with God's Heart
[04:30] - Jesus: The Image of God Restored
[05:42] - Pharisees and Legalism
[07:35] - The Culture of Division
[08:19] - Salt and Light: Our Calling
[10:01] - Fulfillment of the Law
[11:36] - Embracing Forgiveness
[14:06] - The Swim to the Moon Analogy
[15:59] - Living Confidently in Christ
[17:43] - Glorifying God Through Actions
[19:49] - Resisting Moral Decay
[21:26] - The Impact of Transformed Lives
[23:29] - Staying Salty
[24:41] - Illuminating the Way
[27:27] - The Power of the Gospel
[28:39] - Speaking Truth in Love
[30:09] - Trials and Trusting God
[31:40] - Jesus: The Painter and the Portrait
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living in a Way that Reflects God's Character
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 5:13-16
- Colossians 1:15
- Romans 8:1
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Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 5:13-16, what does Jesus mean when He refers to believers as the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world"? How do these metaphors relate to the role of a Christian in society? [08:19]
2. According to Colossians 1:15, how is Jesus described in relation to God? What significance does this have for understanding the nature of God? [04:30]
3. The sermon mentions the Pharisees' approach to the law. How did their focus on legalism create a culture of division and fear, according to the pastor? [07:35]
4. What example from history was given in the sermon to illustrate the impact of Christians resisting moral decay? How did this example demonstrate the role of being "salt" in the world? [19:49]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of Jesus as the "image of the invisible God" challenge or affirm one's understanding of God's character and expectations for believers? [04:30]
2. In what ways might the Pharisees' focus on external righteousness be a temptation for modern believers? How can one ensure their faith is rooted in grace rather than legalism? [11:36]
3. The sermon discusses the importance of aligning intentions with God's heart. How can believers discern whether their actions truly reflect God's love and truth? [02:40]
4. What does it mean for a believer's righteousness to surpass that of the Pharisees, and how does this relate to living by grace rather than by the law? [10:01]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when your good intentions led to unintended harm. How might seeking God's wisdom have changed the outcome? What steps can you take to align your actions more closely with God's heart in the future? [02:40]
2. Consider the areas in your life where you might be tempted to hide your faith like Nicodemus. What practical steps can you take to be more open about your relationship with Jesus? [05:42]
3. How can you actively resist moral decay in your community or workplace? Identify one specific action you can take this week to be a "preservative" in your environment. [19:49]
4. In what ways can you be a light in your current circumstances? Think of a situation where you can illuminate truth and guide others toward God. How will you approach this opportunity? [24:41]
5. Reflect on your understanding of grace. How does embracing your identity in Christ free you from the burden of legalism? What changes can you make to live more authentically by grace? [31:40]
6. Identify a person in your life who might be struggling with understanding God's love. How can you demonstrate Christ-like love and grace to them this week? [18:10]
7. How can you ensure that your trials and challenges become opportunities to glorify God? What mindset or actions will help you trust God more deeply during difficult times? [30:09]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Aligning Intentions with God's Heart
Our intentions often come from a place of goodness, yet the impact of our actions can sometimes lead to unintended harm. This is a common human experience, and it highlights the importance of aligning our actions with God's heart. By seeking His wisdom and guidance, we can ensure that our efforts reflect His love and truth. This alignment requires a deep understanding of God's character, as revealed through Jesus Christ, and a commitment to living out our faith in a way that honors Him. [02:40]
"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out." (Proverbs 10:9, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where your good intentions may have led to unintended consequences. How can you seek God's guidance to align your actions with His heart in similar situations in the future?
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Day 2: Jesus: The Image of God Restored
Jesus Christ is the perfect image of God, sent to restore what was lost in humanity. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He demonstrated the true nature of God and invited us to be conformed to His likeness. By embracing this transformation, we reflect God's character and invite others to experience His love and grace. This restoration is not just a personal journey but a communal one, as we collectively embody the characteristics of those who live close to God, such as mercy, courage, peace, and meekness. [04:30]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you actively conform to the likeness of Christ in your daily interactions, and how might this transformation impact those around you?
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Day 3: Beyond Legalism
True righteousness surpasses mere legalistic adherence to the law. It is found in the grace and transformative power of Christ, which frees us to love and serve others authentically. The Pharisees of Jesus' time often missed the heart of God's law, creating a culture of division and fear. In contrast, Jesus calls us to live by grace, embracing our identity as forgiven and loved children of God. This freedom allows us to focus on loving others and glorifying God through our actions and words, rather than being burdened by legalistic constraints. [10:01]
"For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you may be holding onto legalistic practices. How can you embrace the freedom of grace in this area and allow it to transform your relationships?
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Day 4: Salt and Light
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This means preserving moral integrity and resisting decay, while also illuminating truth and guiding others toward God. Our lives should reflect His love and grace, offering the world a glimpse of His true nature. By living out our faith authentically, we can have a profound impact on those around us, drawing them closer to the heart of God. [19:49]
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." (Matthew 5:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: Consider how you can be a source of light in your community. What specific actions can you take this week to illuminate truth and guide others toward God?
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Day 5: Living by Grace
Embracing our identity in Christ frees us from the burden of legalism and empowers us to live by grace. This grace allows us to focus on loving others and glorifying God through our actions and words. By living in this freedom, we can resist moral decay and illuminate the way for others, offering them a glimpse of God's true nature. Our lives become a testament to the transformative power of the gospel, as we embody the characteristics of those who live close to God. [31:40]
"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." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on how living by grace has transformed your life. How can you extend this grace to others in your daily interactions, and what impact might this have on your community?
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Quotes
1) "You ever try to do something good, and you end up doing, something bad? Maybe for some, you know, you were trying to demonstrate your own independence with parents, but you broke trust a little bit because you were trying so hard, and that created distance. Maybe you're one who, you're really trying to work. You're trying to bring it home for the family, but because you're working so much, you're actually neglecting family, and it's turning out bad, and resentment is beginning to build." [00:55] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "We all know what that's like. We're in this series called The Applause of Heaven. We've been going through so far the first part of the Sermon on the Mount. This was the Beatitudes. Remember what the Beatitudes are? These are truth statements where Jesus is saying, this is what it's like for those who are going to live in proximity to Yahweh. If they're going to get to know him and develop his heart more and more, they're actually going to... They're going to start acting more and more like Jesus. They're going to be merciful when they're tempted to not be." [02:14] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "There's a theologian named Athanasius in the fourth century. He had a great way of explaining how to understand Jesus as the image of God. He said, when Adam was made, he was said to be this. He's made in God's image. And it's kind of like a portrait was made of Adam. And a portrait of Adam was really, in some ways, a portrait of God. You know what God is like because Adam was made in his image. But then the fall happened. And when the fall happened, human nature fell and got corrupted and corroded. And Adam became something that he wasn't at all. He became vicious. He became angry. He became adulterous. He became murderous. He became all these things. And it marred the image of God. In fact, it marred it so much that nobody remembers what the original image looked like." [03:27] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "He is the image of God. And he will show everybody this is what God is like. You've lost the image. Here it is again. It's in the person of Jesus Christ. When we see the image of the invisible God, Jesus Christ, now we understand what God is trying to say. And now we understand this is what we're trying to, with his help, be conformed to. This is what we're supposed to be like. This is the man." [04:33] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "I'm the one who obeys all the laws and explains to you the way God really is. And see, once these people got this, once these people listening to the Sermon on the Mount, once they can get this, they get free. See, now, unlike their instructors and the people that were modeling for them, now they don't have to be preoccupied with getting every little thing right. They don't have to be preoccupied with creating divisions between people because some are better than others. They don't have to be preoccupied with their moral record because Jesus Christ has already solved that problem and fulfilled the law on their behalf. They don't need to go back and now fill up something with regard to the law that's empty. Jesus already did the whole thing. Now you can just walk as someone who is forgiven. You're just forgiven now. If you've trusted Jesus Christ, you are just forgiven. That's your identity." [11:36] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "And what we find is that once kingdom subjects are no longer preoccupied with themselves, and when you're preoccupied with yourself, let's just clarify, you're not serving anybody when you're focused on you. Even if you're kind of playing like you are, even if you're serving somewhere, you're not really serving if you're really just focusing on you. Now, once your focus is not on you, because you don't have to keep your moral record perfect, Jesus is already doing that for you. Once you're there, now you can focus on glorifying God by doing good. Glory means, when we glorify God, that means we do things in such a way that people can tell where it really is. We can tell where it really is. We can tell where it really came from." [16:48] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "You are the salt of the earth. Salt in Jesus' time. It's not that it was never. It was never used for flavoring, but it was primarily used as a preservative. Meaning folks, they didn't have any refrigerator. So if they're gonna have some fish or beef or whatever they've got, they're gonna have to salt it. So salt is understood as this is a preservative. It keeps the moral decay away. And my people, Jesus says, you're going to be that preservative for the world. Let me give you an example. Because you might be, Christians are, kind of have a bad reputation right now in world history, but it has not always been so. And I want to show you one of the reasons why because Christians have consistently improved society." [19:01] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "Guys, do you see your lineage? Do you see where you come from? Do you see the kind of people you are? So it's not time to be quiet right now. Now, you do it with gentleness and you do it with respect, but we speak up and we say, you know, that's just really not the way of God. God doesn't want it to go that way. He wants it to go this way. And we start with us. And when we do that, we begin to leave a Jesus -y taste in people's mouths. That's what he wants. That's how he wants us to be the salt of the earth. He wants people to be around us and they go, go, wow, you're just different. There's something different about you." [21:26] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9) "Here's what else they do. Transform people now. They illuminate the way. They illuminate the way. You're the light of the world. City on the hill can't be hidden. What does light do? Light makes clear what's actually there, and it casts out. It casts out darkness. That's who God says his people are. You make people aware of what's really there, and you cast out darkness. Now, in Jesus' time, remember, there's no, like, street lamps. There's nothing, like, around, you know, the wilderness, like, oh, here's where we are. It's all pitch black, man. So when you see a city at night, it's lit up. So they didn't have street lights there either, but many of the cities were made of limestone, and they were very bright. And so even, like, torchlight, it'd shine off the sides of those buildings, and it would be very bright. You'd be off in the distance, and you'd be like, oh, my gosh, there's a city over there. It's obvious. And that city is telling you something. One of the things it's telling you is, you might want to think twice about going on in the darkness." [25:26] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10) "I'm not gonna try to like, I'm just gonna be salt and never say anything about it. No, there comes a time, pay attention, when Jesus is teeing you up, my precious, you don't have to be like one of these online people. You don't have to know all the answers. You don't have to be right. All you have to do is say, this is what I've seen. This is what I believe. This is what Jesus did for me. And I know he'll do it for anybody. And you let Jesus take that, man. Just let him take it. And the one thing you need to do differently than the Pharisees, I need to do it, you need to do it, is we need to say, Jesus is the way and I am not. I'm not the way. Jesus alone is the way. Our church isn't the way. The way, the way our culture behaves around here isn't the way. The things you've seen at other churches, that's not the way. Jesus is the way. So if you've seen any other ways and it doesn't quite do the portrait right, you're not the way." [28:47] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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