Stewarding God's Grace: Living with Purpose and Discipline

Devotional

Day 1: Recognize God's Daily Grace

Each day we wake up is a testament to God's grace. It is not because we deserve it but because of His mercy. This realization should lead us to live each day with gratitude and purpose, acknowledging that God is not done with us yet. Recognizing God's daily grace means understanding that every breath we take, every moment we experience, is a gift from Him. This awareness should inspire us to live intentionally, making the most of the opportunities we have to serve and glorify God.

When we start our day with the recognition of God's grace, it sets the tone for how we interact with others and approach our tasks. It reminds us that we are not self-sufficient but dependent on God's continuous provision and mercy. This perspective can transform our daily routines into acts of worship and gratitude, helping us to see God's hand in every aspect of our lives. [19:33]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Reflection: How can you start your day tomorrow with a conscious acknowledgment of God's grace? What specific actions can you take to live out this gratitude throughout the day?

Day 2: Live a Disciplined Life for Effective Prayers

1 Peter 4:7-11 calls us to be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of our prayers. Discipline and sound-mindedness ensure that our prayers are not hindered, allowing us to communicate clearly and effectively with God. Living a disciplined life means being intentional about our actions, thoughts, and habits, aligning them with God's will and purpose. This discipline is not about legalism but about creating a life that is conducive to spiritual growth and effective prayer.

When we are self-controlled and sober-minded, we are better able to focus on our relationship with God and discern His will. This clarity enhances our prayer life, making our prayers more aligned with God's desires and more powerful. It also helps us to avoid distractions and temptations that can hinder our spiritual growth. By living a disciplined life, we create an environment where our prayers can thrive and be more effective. [27:54]

1 Peter 4:7 (ESV): "The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers."

Reflection: What areas of your life need more discipline to enhance your prayer life? How can you implement changes to become more self-controlled and sober-minded?

Day 3: Use God's Varied Grace Wisely

God's grace is available for every aspect of our lives, from personal challenges to professional endeavors. We must recognize the specific grace needed for each situation and use it to glorify God, understanding that every good thing we have is a result of His grace. This means being aware of the different ways God's grace manifests in our lives and being intentional about using it for His glory. Whether it's in our relationships, work, or personal growth, God's grace is there to support and guide us.

Using God's varied grace wisely involves being good stewards of the gifts and opportunities He provides. It means not taking His blessings for granted but using them to serve others and advance His kingdom. By recognizing the specific grace we need in different situations, we can better navigate life's challenges and make decisions that honor God. This awareness helps us to live purposefully and gratefully, always mindful of God's continuous provision and support. [31:18]

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to recognize and use God's grace more wisely? How can you be a better steward of the gifts and opportunities He has given you?

Day 4: Forgiveness as a Stewardship of Grace

Joseph's story teaches us that a good steward of God's grace is one who can forgive others. Forgiveness reflects our appreciation of the grace we have received from God and is essential for advancing His kingdom. Joseph's ability to forgive his brothers, despite their betrayal, is a powerful example of how we can extend God's grace to others. Forgiveness is not always easy, but it is a crucial aspect of being a good steward of God's grace.

When we forgive others, we demonstrate our understanding of the grace we have received from God. It shows that we are willing to extend the same mercy and compassion that God has shown us. Forgiveness also frees us from the burden of bitterness and resentment, allowing us to live more fully in God's grace. By choosing to forgive, we align ourselves with God's will and open the door for healing and reconciliation. [50:31]

Colossians 3:13 (ESV): "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?

Day 5: Grace Empowers Us to Live Holy Lives

Grace is not a license to sin but a power that enables us to live holy lives. It helps us overcome sin and live in a way that pleases God. We must continually seek God's grace to navigate the challenges and temptations we face. Understanding that grace empowers us to live righteously is crucial for our spiritual growth. It is through God's grace that we find the strength to resist temptation and pursue holiness.

Living a holy life means being set apart for God's purposes, and this is only possible through His grace. Grace gives us the ability to overcome our weaknesses and live in a way that reflects God's character. It is not about striving in our own strength but relying on God's power to transform us. By seeking God's grace daily, we can grow in holiness and live lives that glorify Him. [47:42]

Titus 2:11-12 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age."

Reflection: What areas of your life do you need God's grace to help you live more holy? How can you seek His grace daily to overcome challenges and temptations?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today's sermon focused on the profound and multifaceted grace of God. We began by acknowledging the presence of Jesus in our lives and the importance of recognizing His continuous work in us. We were reminded that waking up each day is a testament to God's grace, and we should never take it for granted. The central theme was being a "Good Steward of God's Grace," emphasizing that as recipients of God's grace, we must manage it wisely and use it to glorify Him.

We explored 1 Peter 4:7-11, which calls us to be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of our prayers. This passage underscores the importance of living a disciplined life to ensure our prayers are effective. We were encouraged to love one another earnestly, be hospitable without complaint, and use our God-given gifts to serve others. The grace of God is varied, meaning it is available for every aspect of our lives, whether it be marriage, career, or personal challenges.

The sermon also highlighted the importance of understanding the value of God's grace. Everything we have, from our breath to our possessions, is a result of His grace. We must not take these blessings for granted but instead use them to bring glory to God. We were reminded that grace is not a license to sin but a power that enables us to live a holy life.

Two biblical examples were given to illustrate good stewardship of God's grace: Joseph and David. Joseph's ability to forgive his brothers and remain faithful to God despite numerous trials exemplifies a good steward of grace. David, despite his flaws, knew how to realign himself with God and showed kindness to others, demonstrating the importance of appreciating those God uses to bless us.

In conclusion, we were encouraged to ask for more grace in our daily lives, to overcome challenges, and to be effective stewards of God's grace. The grace of God is the foundation upon which our faith is built, and it empowers us to live lives that glorify Him.

###

Key Takeaways

1. 11 calls us to be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of our prayers. Discipline and sound-mindedness ensure that our prayers are not hindered, allowing us to communicate clearly and effectively with God. [27:54]
3. Use God's Varied Grace Wisely: God's grace is available for every aspect of our lives, from personal challenges to professional endeavors. We must recognize the specific grace needed for each situation and use it to glorify God, understanding that every good thing we have is a result of His grace.

4. Forgiveness as a Stewardship of Grace: Joseph's story teaches us that a good steward of God's grace is one who can forgive others. Forgiveness reflects our appreciation of the grace we have received from God and is essential for advancing His kingdom.

5. Grace Empowers Us to Live Holy Lives: Grace is not a license to sin but a power that enables us to live holy lives. It helps us overcome sin and live in a way that pleases God. We must continually seek God's grace to navigate the challenges and temptations we face.

### [27:54]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[17:54] - Acknowledging Jesus in Our Lives
[19:33] - The Grace of Waking Up
[20:10] - Prayer and Healing
[23:43] - Year of Greater Grace
[26:05] - Good Steward of God's Grace
[27:06] - Importance of Self-Control
[29:16] - Living a Purposeful Life
[31:18] - Varied Grace for Different Needs
[32:21] - Serving with God's Strength
[33:15] - Appreciating God's Grace
[35:53] - Exercising Dominion
[36:51] - Hunger for Souls
[38:12] - Grace for Forgiveness
[41:26] - Grace for Daily Living
[44:25] - Grace and the Law
[46:16] - Grace for Grace
[47:42] - Grace and Sin
[50:31] - Joseph: A Steward of Grace
[52:01] - Faithfulness in Trials
[55:03] - God's Prominence in Foreign Lands
[57:24] - David: A Steward of Grace
[60:15] - Using Gifts for Others
[64:03] - The God of All Grace
[66:21] - Completing God's Work
[68:46] - Asking for More Grace
[73:44] - Manifesting Grace in Daily Life

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to 1 Peter 4:7-11, what are the specific instructions given to believers for living a disciplined life?
How does 2 Timothy 1:9 describe the reason for our calling to a holy life?
What does Romans 6:1-2 say about the relationship between grace and sin?
In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate good stewardship of God's grace? ([49:27])

Interpretation Questions

Why is self-control and sober-mindedness important for the effectiveness of our prayers according to 1 Peter 4:7-11? ([27:54])
How does understanding the varied nature of God's grace help us in different aspects of our lives, such as marriage, career, or personal challenges? ([31:18])
What does it mean to be a good steward of God's grace, and how did Joseph and David exemplify this in their lives? ([50:31])
How does the sermon explain the role of grace in empowering us to live holy lives and overcome sin? ([47:42])

Application Questions

Reflect on your daily routine. How can you better recognize and appreciate God's grace each morning when you wake up? ([19:33])
In what ways can you practice self-control and sober-mindedness to ensure your prayers are effective? Are there specific distractions you need to address? ([27:54])
Identify a personal challenge you are currently facing. How can you seek and apply God's specific grace to this situation? ([31:18])
Think of a person you need to forgive. How can you follow Joseph's example of forgiveness as a good steward of God's grace? ([50:31])
Grace is not a license to sin but a power to live a holy life. Are there areas in your life where you have been misusing grace? How can you seek God's help to overcome these areas? ([47:42])
How can you use your God-given gifts to serve others in your community or church? Identify one specific action you can take this week. ([30:10])
Reflect on the relationships in your life. How can you show appreciation to those God has used to bless you, following David's example? ([58:24])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We thank God for seeing us through the week. You know, each day when we wake up, it is not because we deserve to wake up; it is just pure grace of God. Hallelujah. It is God who chooses to wake us up, and we must not take anything for granted. When God wakes you up, all He's trying to tell you is that it is not over, it is not done with you, and that whatever you are going through, there is still going to be a way out for you. Hallelujah." [19:03](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "God's grace is still available to us. Tell somebody God's grace is available to you. Hallelujah. We are all products of God's grace. And we are beneficiaries of God's grace. And the grace of God is not just one time, but it is something that we need on a regular basis. We need it every day of our life. And it is my prayer that God will grant us more grace to go through the challenges and the obstacles that we face in this life. Hallelujah." [23:43](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We are not here by chance. We have not come this far by chance. It is not by anything but by the grace of God. His grace has brought us this far. And it is my prayer that the grace of God will speak for you today. In the name of Jesus." [24:17](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah. So through the grace, we have received grace to be saved by faith. And what that means is that we are beneficiaries of God's grace. We do whatever God wants us to do to bring glory to His name. And that makes us good stewards of God's grace." [34:49](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Grace is not a license to continue to live in sin. Hallelujah. Grace is not a license to continue to sin or to live in sin. Romans 6 verse 1 and 2. What shall we say then? Shall we continue to sin that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein? So the grace helps you not to continue to live in sin." [47:42](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "We must understand the value and the importance of this grace so that we can be good stewards of it. We must understand the value and the importance of this grace so that we can be good stewards of it. We what this grace has brought to us. The benefits we have received from this grace. And if we understand that, we will not take it for granted. Because sometimes we take a lot of things that God does for us for granted. The ability to breathe in and breathe out. Somebody is struggling in the hospital just to be able to do so. It is the grace of God for you to breathe this natural air in and out." [33:15](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We need grace to remain self-controlled. We need grace to remain disciplined. We need grace to remain sound-minded. Hallelujah. So that you are not living your life according to chance. You are not just existing, you know, just like that. But you are living a life of purpose. You are living a life properly guided. Hallelujah. Because you want to see results in your life. We are beneficiaries of the grace of God, so that it will benefit us in the end." [29:16](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "A good steward of God's grace is one that is able to forgive others when others offend them. Praise the Lord. If you are not able to forgive, you are not a good steward of grace. Because you are able to forgive, means that you appreciate the forgiveness you have received by grace from God. Because I appreciate the forgiveness I have received by grace from God, because of Him. And as He has instructed for me to forgive others, I forgive them also. For the advancement of the kingdom." [50:31](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When you go to the fire, when you go to the water, He is with you. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace, God was with them. But I believe that the three who were in the fire did not see. So God is with you. You may not see that He is with you, going through what you are going through. But I want you to know that God will never take the back of you." [56:50](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, will Himself complete every good work that God has begun in your life to be completed. Hallelujah. God will not do work halfway and leave it. Whatever God has begun in your life, may it be perfected in the name of Jesus. Just confirm, strengthen, and establish you. May you be established in the name of Jesus, establishing making you what you ought to be." [01:06:21](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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