Transformative Grace: Finding Hope in God's Work

Devotional

Day 1: God's Surprising Work in Turmoil

Sometimes, the turmoil and resistance observed in loved ones may be a sign of God's transformative work. This process often begins in unexpected ways, much like the astonishment Mary felt when the angel announced God's plan for her. The initial resistance or struggle can be the precursor to profound change, as God works in mysterious ways to bring about transformation. This understanding can offer comfort and hope to those who are anxious about the spiritual journeys of their loved ones, reminding them that God's hand is at work even in the midst of chaos. [24:21]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: Think of a loved one who seems to be straying from God. How can you trust in God's surprising work in their life today, even if it seems chaotic?

Day 2: Astonishment Leading to Humility

True Christian experience is marked by a sense of astonishment at God's work in our lives. This amazement leads to humility, as individuals recognize their unworthiness and the greatness of God's mercy. The transformation that occurs is not of human doing but is the work of God within, leading to a humble acknowledgment of His grace. This humility aligns with the Beatitudes and the teachings of Jesus, reminding believers of their lowly state and the greatness of God's mercy. [26:10]

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."

Reflection: Reflect on a moment when you were astonished by God's work in your life. How did it lead you to a place of humility, and how can you cultivate that humility today?

Day 3: Gratitude as a Response to Grace

When individuals grasp the magnitude of what God has done for them through Christ, their hearts are filled with gratitude and praise. This thanksgiving is a natural response to the grace and mercy received, leading to a life that magnifies the Lord and rejoices in the Savior. Recognizing that salvation is entirely by God's grace, believers are called to live in a state of continual gratitude, acknowledging the depth of God's love and mercy. [38:50]

Colossians 3:16-17 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Reflection: Identify one specific blessing in your life that you often take for granted. How can you express your gratitude to God for this blessing today?

Day 4: Reverent Fear and Holiness

A healthy and hopeful fear of the Lord is a recognition of His holiness and majesty. This reverence compels believers to live in a way that honors God, acknowledging that they are always in His presence. Such fear is not about being afraid but about having a deep respect and awe for God's power and holiness, which leads to a life of obedience and worship. [42:03]

Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV): "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you struggle to live in reverence to God. What practical steps can you take today to honor His holiness in that area?

Day 5: Hope and Joy Centered on Christ

Believers' hope and joy are centered on Jesus Christ, who reconciles them to God and gives them a new nature. Faith rests in Him alone, and glory is found in the cross, where He atoned for sins. As individuals navigate their spiritual journeys, they are reminded that it is God's work in them, and they should submit to His leading, trusting that He will complete the good work He has begun. [45:52]

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."

Reflection: Reflect on how your hope and joy are centered on Christ. What is one way you can deepen your trust in Him today, especially in an area where you feel uncertain?

Sermon Summary

In this message, I want to offer comfort to those who are anxious about loved ones who seem to be straying further from God. Sometimes, the turmoil and resistance we observe in them might be the very sign of God's hand at work. God often begins His transformative work in ways that are surprising and astonishing, much like Mary's reaction to the angel's announcement. She was filled with amazement and humility, recognizing her lowly state and the greatness of God's work in her life. This astonishment is a hallmark of true Christian experience, as seen in the lives of Mary, the Apostle Paul, and countless others who have been transformed by God's grace.

As we reflect on our own spiritual journeys, we should be filled with a sense of wonder at the changes God has wrought in us. The things we once dismissed, like the Bible and prayer, become central to our lives. This transformation is not of our own doing but is the work of God within us. It leads us to humility, as we recognize our unworthiness and the greatness of God's mercy. This humility is essential to the Christian life, as it aligns with the Beatitudes and the teachings of Jesus.

Gratitude and praise naturally flow from this humility. When we truly grasp the magnitude of what God has done for us through Christ, our hearts are filled with thanksgiving. We are called to magnify the Lord and rejoice in our Savior, acknowledging that our salvation is entirely by His grace. This gratitude is accompanied by a reverent fear of the Lord, a recognition of His holiness and majesty that compels us to live in a way that honors Him.

Finally, our hope and joy are centered on Jesus Christ. He is the one who reconciles us to God and gives us a new nature. Our faith rests in Him alone, and we glory in the cross, where He atoned for our sins. As we navigate our spiritual journeys, we must remember that it is God's work in us, and we should submit to His leading, trusting that He will complete the good work He has begun.

Key Takeaways

1. God's Transformative Work: The turmoil and resistance in a loved one's life may be a sign of God's hand at work. Often, God's transformative work begins in surprising and astonishing ways, leading to a profound change in one's life. [24:21]
2. Astonishment and Humility: True Christian experience is marked by a sense of astonishment at God's work in our lives. This amazement leads to humility, as we recognize our unworthiness and the greatness of God's mercy. [26:10]
3. Gratitude and Praise: When we grasp the magnitude of what God has done for us through Christ, our hearts are filled with gratitude and praise. This thanksgiving is a natural response to the grace and mercy we have received. [38:50]
4. Reverent Fear of the Lord: A healthy and hopeful fear of the Lord is a recognition of His holiness and majesty. This reverence compels us to live in a way that honors Him, acknowledging that we are always in His presence. [42:03]
5. Hope Centered on Christ: Our hope and joy are centered on Jesus Christ, who reconciles us to God and gives us a new nature. Our faith rests in Him alone, and we glory in the cross, where He atoned for our sins. [45:52]
** [45:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[24:21] - Comfort for the Anxious
[24:46] - The Element of Surprise
[25:34] - Mary's Astonishment
[26:55] - Transformation and Change
[28:35] - Apostle Paul's Example
[31:08] - Personal Reflection
[32:42] - Humility and Lowliness
[35:59] - Isaiah's Vision
[37:29] - Unworthiness and Forgiveness
[39:10] - Gratitude and Praise
[41:44] - Fear and Reverence
[44:57] - Rejoicing in Christ
[47:40] - Encouragement for the Troubled
[50:37] - Submission to God's Work

Sermon Clips

Sometimes, the turmoil and resistance we observe in them might be the very sign of God's hand at work. God often begins His transformative work in ways that are surprising and astonishing, much like Mary's reaction to the angel's announcement. She was filled with amazement and humility, recognizing her lowly state and the greatness of God's work in her life. [00:24:21]

Mary couldn't believe this thing that was happening to her it was so remarkable it was so astonishing she knew it was happening she could scarcely credit should this happen to me my low estate a handmaiden is it happening yes it is but she can scarcely contain as the surprise and the amazement at it. [00:25:34]

You never will be of course until you're conscious that God is doing something to you oh you can be very moral there's no amazement in that you decided to do it and you're doing it intellectual interest all the rest of them there's nothing to amaz a man in that he's aware of what he's doing. [00:26:55]

I live yet not I now that's that's Christianity here's a man who's amazed at himself he can't understand himself there's only one solution I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and he couldn't get over it what was it well it was this you see that the Son of God the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:28:35]

The moment we realize something of The Nearness and the presence and the character of God's being we see ourselves as we are in all our nakedness all our sinfulness all our unrighteousness and all our unworthiness you remember Isaiah he was a very good man but he was given that Vision that glimpse of God. [00:35:59]

If you feel you deserve to be forgiven I don't think you are forgiven if you feel you deserve to be blessed by God I'm sure you're not being blessed by God oh these are the people that this should happen to me humility unworthiness sense therefore of it all coming from God in spite of our wretchedness. [00:37:29]

Have you a sense of gratitude to God at this last Sunday night of this old year is there a glimmering of Praise in your heart somewhere is there something within you that makes you desire to praise God and to magnify his grace is it possible to be a Christian without feeling something that do you believe. [00:39:10]

Do you really believe that Jesus of Nazareth the babe of Bethlehem first of all was in reality the son of God do you really believe in the Incarnation do you really believe that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son sent him into the world sent him into the virgin's womb. [00:41:44]

The Christian is not only a man who believes in God he's a man who believes in God through Christ your Mohammad and your Jew believe in God what makes a man a Christian not to believe in God only but to believe in God through Christ to realize that it is Christ Alone who can bring him to God. [00:45:52]

If you're conscious that God has started something in your life I say stop trying to understand just turn to him and say go on go on submit allow him to go on speaking allow him to go on acting simply do what he tells you obey what you're beginning to feel within you go on I say. [00:50:37]

You'll be amazed at yourself astonished surprised you'll be humbled feel humiliated and yet you'll rejoice in it and glory in it you'll praise God and you'll give all the glory to his dearly beloved only begotten son who though he was equal with God and thought it not robbery to be equal with God. [00:51:44]

You will give him all the glory and you will say I am amazing though it is I am what I am by the grace of God thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift amen we do hope that you've been helped by the preaching of Dr Martin lyd Jones all of the sermons contained within the mlj trust. [00:52:03]

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