Transformative Power of Grace in Our Lives
Summary
### Summary
We serve a good God, and His grace is a powerful force in our lives. Today, we explored Titus 2:11-14, which reveals the transformative power of God's grace. This grace is a free gift, bringing salvation to all people and instructing us to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. Grace is not just leniency but an enabling power that helps us defeat sin and live righteously.
We discussed the importance of not just accepting Jesus but also living a changed life that reflects our faith. Grace teaches us to say no to sin and yes to godly living, transforming us into new people who know God's will. This transformation is like a mentor guiding us away from destructive habits and leading us toward a life that pleases God.
We also focused on the hope of glory, the confident expectation that we will one day see Jesus. This hope should fill us with anticipation and joy, motivating us to live lives that honor God. Finally, we talked about the commitment to good deeds as a natural response to the grace we have received. Our faith should produce good deeds, setting us apart as people who are willing to step up and serve.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Revelation of Grace: God's grace is a free gift that brings salvation to all people. It is unmerited favor, given to us even though we don't deserve it. This grace is transformative, calling us to live lives that reflect our faith. Just as a prisoner on death row is set free by an unearned pardon, we are set free from the penalty of sin through Jesus. [36:21]
2. Grace as Power, Not Just Pardon: Grace is not merely leniency when we sin; it is the enabling gift of God that empowers us to defeat sin. John Piper said, "Grace is power, not just pardon." This means that grace gives us the strength to live righteously, not just to be forgiven. We must educate ourselves in the Word of God to understand and apply this grace in our lives. [41:48]
3. The Instruction Manual for Life: The Bible is our instruction manual for life, guiding us to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. Accepting Jesus as our Savior requires us to live differently, renouncing ungodliness and worldly passions. This ongoing education in God's Word helps us navigate life and live in a way that honors Him. [45:08]
4. The Hope of Glory: As believers, we have a confident expectation that we will one day see Jesus. This hope should fill us with anticipation and joy, motivating us to live lives that honor God. Our confidence lies not in worldly leaders or circumstances but in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. This hope is the anchor of our soul, calling us to action and achievement in God's kingdom. [53:16]
5. Commitment to Good Deeds: Grace compels us to live out our faith through good deeds. Faith without works is dead, and our commitment to good deeds is a natural response to the grace we have received. We should be zealous for good works, serving in various capacities within the church and community. This service not only honors God but also rejuvenates and recharges us, reminding us of the grace we have received. [58:10]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[36:21] - The Power of God's Grace
[37:30] - Revelation of Grace
[38:42] - Free Gift of Grace
[39:37] - Unmerited Favor
[40:15] - Relationship with Jesus
[40:59] - Growing Up in Church
[41:48] - Grace as Power, Not Just Pardon
[42:53] - Instruction Manual for Life
[45:08] - Turning from Sinful Pleasures
[46:32] - Living a Changed Life
[47:49] - Continuous Education in God's Word
[48:43] - Christians and Social Media
[50:02] - Loving People with Grace
[51:00] - Transforming the Way We Think
[52:05] - Grace as a Mentor
[53:16] - The Hope of Glory
[54:30] - Confidence in Jesus
[55:36] - Difference for the Believer
[56:26] - Anticipation for Christ's Return
[57:14] - Hope as an Anchor
[58:10] - Commitment to Good Deeds
[59:16] - Serving in the Church
[01:00:35] - Faith and Good Deeds
[01:01:41] - Life-Saving Grace
[01:02:59] - John Wesley's Call to Action
[01:03:32] - Dealing with People
[01:04:19] - Getting Our Hands Dirty
[01:05:30] - Call to Salvation
[01:06:43] - Prayer for Transformation
[01:07:33] - Living by the Instructions
[01:08:16] - Invitation to Pray
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Titus 2:11-14
- Ephesians 2:8-9
- Romans 12:2
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Titus 2:11-14, what does God's grace instruct us to do in our daily lives?
2. How does Ephesians 2:8-9 describe the nature of salvation and grace?
3. What transformation does Romans 12:2 call for in believers, and how is this related to grace?
4. In the sermon, what analogy is used to describe the gift of grace? ([40:15])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean that grace is not just leniency but an enabling power? How does this change our understanding of living a Christian life? ([41:48])
2. How does the hope of seeing Jesus one day influence the way we live now, according to the sermon? ([53:16])
3. Why is it important for believers to commit to good deeds as a response to grace? ([58:10])
4. How does the Bible serve as an instruction manual for life, and why is it crucial for believers to follow it? ([45:08])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's grace in a transformative way. How did it change your behavior or perspective? ([41:48])
2. The sermon mentioned that grace teaches us to say no to sin and yes to godly living. What specific sins or ungodly habits do you need to renounce in your life? ([45:08])
3. How can the hope of glory, the anticipation of seeing Jesus, motivate you to live a life that honors God? What practical steps can you take to keep this hope alive daily? ([53:16])
4. The pastor emphasized the importance of serving in the church and community. Identify one area where you can start serving or increase your involvement. What steps will you take this week to make it happen? ([58:10])
5. How can you use the Bible as your instruction manual for life more effectively? What specific changes will you make in your daily routine to ensure you are guided by God's Word? ([45:08])
6. Think about someone in your life who needs to experience God's grace. How can you show them grace this week in a tangible way? ([50:02])
7. The sermon highlighted the importance of continuous education in God's Word. What resources or practices can you incorporate into your life to deepen your understanding of the Bible? ([47:49])
Devotional
Day 1: The Revelation of Grace
God's grace is a free gift that brings salvation to all people. It is unmerited favor, given to us even though we don't deserve it. This grace is transformative, calling us to live lives that reflect our faith. Just as a prisoner on death row is set free by an unearned pardon, we are set free from the penalty of sin through Jesus. This revelation of grace should fill us with gratitude and a desire to live in a way that honors God. Understanding that we have been given such a precious gift should motivate us to share this grace with others and to live lives that are marked by love, kindness, and humility.
Grace is not just about being forgiven; it is about being transformed. When we truly grasp the depth of God's grace, it changes us from the inside out. We begin to see ourselves and others through the lens of grace, which leads to a life that is characterized by compassion, forgiveness, and a desire to serve. This transformation is a testament to the power of God's grace in our lives. [36:21]
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: Think of a specific area in your life where you have experienced God's grace. How can you extend that same grace to someone else today?
Day 2: Grace as Power, Not Just Pardon
Grace is not merely leniency when we sin; it is the enabling gift of God that empowers us to defeat sin. John Piper said, "Grace is power, not just pardon." This means that grace gives us the strength to live righteously, not just to be forgiven. We must educate ourselves in the Word of God to understand and apply this grace in our lives. Grace empowers us to overcome the struggles and temptations we face daily, providing us with the strength to live in a way that pleases God.
Understanding grace as power changes our perspective on how we deal with sin. Instead of seeing grace as a safety net for when we fall, we begin to see it as a source of strength that helps us stand firm. This perspective encourages us to rely on God's grace not just for forgiveness but for daily living. It is through this empowering grace that we can live victorious lives, overcoming sin and growing in righteousness. [41:48]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: Identify a recurring sin or struggle in your life. How can you rely on God's grace as a source of power to overcome it today?
Day 3: The Instruction Manual for Life
The Bible is our instruction manual for life, guiding us to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. Accepting Jesus as our Savior requires us to live differently, renouncing ungodliness and worldly passions. This ongoing education in God's Word helps us navigate life and live in a way that honors Him. The Bible provides us with the wisdom and guidance we need to make choices that align with God's will and purpose for our lives.
Living according to the Bible's teachings is not always easy, but it is essential for our spiritual growth and transformation. As we immerse ourselves in God's Word, we learn to discern His voice and follow His leading. This process of continuous education helps us to develop a deeper relationship with God and to live lives that reflect His character. By turning from sinful pleasures and embracing godly living, we become more like Christ and bring glory to God. [45:08]
Psalm 119:105 (ESV): "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to immerse yourself more deeply in God's Word and allow it to guide your daily decisions?
Day 4: The Hope of Glory
As believers, we have a confident expectation that we will one day see Jesus. This hope should fill us with anticipation and joy, motivating us to live lives that honor God. Our confidence lies not in worldly leaders or circumstances but in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. This hope is the anchor of our soul, calling us to action and achievement in God's kingdom. The hope of glory gives us a future perspective that shapes how we live in the present.
This hope is not just a distant dream but a present reality that influences our daily lives. It gives us the strength to endure hardships and the motivation to pursue godliness. Knowing that we will one day see Jesus face to face should inspire us to live in a way that reflects His love and grace. This hope also encourages us to share the gospel with others, so they too can experience the joy and anticipation of seeing Jesus. [53:16]
Colossians 1:27 (ESV): "To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
Reflection: How does the hope of seeing Jesus face to face influence your daily actions and decisions? What can you do today to live in a way that reflects this hope?
Day 5: Commitment to Good Deeds
Grace compels us to live out our faith through good deeds. Faith without works is dead, and our commitment to good deeds is a natural response to the grace we have received. We should be zealous for good works, serving in various capacities within the church and community. This service not only honors God but also rejuvenates and recharges us, reminding us of the grace we have received. Our good deeds are a tangible expression of our faith and a way to demonstrate God's love to others.
Being committed to good deeds means actively looking for opportunities to serve and make a difference. It involves using our gifts and talents to bless others and to advance God's kingdom. This commitment is not about earning God's favor but about responding to the grace we have already received. As we engage in good deeds, we grow in our faith and become more like Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. [58:10]
James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: What specific good deed can you commit to doing today to serve someone in your church or community? How can this act of service reflect the grace you have received from God?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "We don't just read the word of God, but we read it. We absorb. We empower it into our lives, and we put it into action, right? And so that's what I want to do this morning. We're looking at Titus chapter 2, verses 11 through 14, and this is a rich and profound passage focusing on God's grace. This passage beautifully shows the transformative power of God's grace and its implications in our lives." [36:21] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Grace is unmerited favor from God. We didn't own it. We didn't deserve it. We didn't work for it. God gave it to us, even though we didn't deserve it. Imagine a prisoner on death row receiving a punishment. A pardon he didn't earn and being set free. That was us. We were on death row, headed to hell, until we accepted the grace of salvation through Jesus." [40:15] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Grace sets us free from the penalty of sin. John Piper said, Grace is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is the enabling gift of God not to sin. Grace is power, not just pardon. You see, I've been extended grace through salvation of Jesus. And that grace has given me the power to defeat sin, not just keep on sinning and live under God's grace." [41:48] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Grace not only saves, but it transforms. It's like a mentor guiding us away from destructive habits and leading us toward a life that pleases. Samuel Johnson once said, The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good. When's the last time you've helped someone out? Not because they can help you out. But simply because your love for God overshadows anything else, any other concern, any other reason, other than you just want to love on them." [52:05] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Grace gives us a glorious hope for the future. Imagine a bride eagerly preparing for her wedding day. Filled with anticipation and joy. It's one of the most exciting moments of her life. And she just can't wait to start that. That next chapter in her life together. And just overjoyed and can't wait to see her future husband and spend the rest of her life with him. That's how the church should be about Jesus. We are the bride, church. We are the bride waiting for the groom." [56:26] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "It's time for the church, the people in the church, Christians now, I say Christians, to stop living the way we've always lived. And take the grace that God has given us, and live a change. A change life. A life worthy of calling ourselves believers. Grace instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions. The Greek word for instructed is padio, meaning to train or to educate. You thought your education was over. Y'all that are in school, the education doesn't stop. Those of you that are out of school, your education should never stop. We have to educate ourselves in the word of God." [46:32] (65 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Why don't we be like Jesus gave us the example to be and love people with grace, the grace that has been given to us? The very same grace that has been poured out onto our lives, and we're stingy with it. We're selfish with it, and we don't want to share that with people. Why in the world would we not want to share that love with other people? Right. Is God's grace not that good for you? I don't know. And I'm asking myself the same question. What can I do to be better at showing the grace that has been shown to me?" [50:02] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We are called to be zealous. For good works. As an expression of our gratitude for God's grace. James 2.17 says. So you see. Faith by itself isn't enough. Now we're saved by grace right. Our faith in Jesus dying on the cross. We are saved by grace. But it says. Faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds. It is dead and useless. So you can tell me all day long. How much you love Jesus. You can tell me all day long. How much God has changed your life. But if you're refusing to get your hands dirty in ministry." [01:00:35] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Doing good deeds. Our commitment to good deeds is a natural response to the grace that we have received. Set ourselves apart. By being willing to step up. And fill in the gap. When needed. Consider the person who receives the. Life saving organ transplant. They've just received it. They've received a new lease on life. I traveled. When I was pastoring up to St. Louis. And sat in the hospital waiting room for 14 hours. While a friend of mine received a kidney transplant. And a liver transplant. 14 hours. When he got out of surgery. He had a new lease on life. He was all but dead. he's still living for God to this moment." [01:01:41] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We need. To live like that. Would you close your eyes. Everybody bow their heads. And close your eyes. If you're here this morning. And you're not even sure that. You've ever asked Jesus into your life. today you want that to change. You want to receive the grace that God has for you. With nobody looking around. Just lift your hand up as acknowledgement. I see that hand back there. Anybody else see that hand. See that hand. Anybody else see that hand. Several hands going up. Several hands going up in this place." [01:05:30] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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