True Grace: A Call to Holiness and Obedience
Summary
In the heart of our faith lies a profound truth that Jesus Christ died for our sins, offering us the gift of salvation. This gift, however, is not a license to sin but a call to a transformed life. The essence of my message today is to awaken the church to the dangers of false grace—a deceptive teaching that undermines the necessity of repentance and sanctification in the believer's life.
False grace suggests that since Jesus died for our sins—past, present, and future—we need not worry about sinning anymore. This belief dangerously implies that confession, repentance, and the convicting work of the Holy Spirit are no longer necessary. But this is a grave misunderstanding. While it is true that Jesus' sacrifice covers all our sins, we must actively engage in repentance and maintain a life of holiness. The Holy Spirit does convict us of sin, and we must respond with a contrite heart.
The prodigal son's story illustrates God's readiness to forgive. Yet, this does not mean we can presume upon God's grace and continue in sin. Hebrews 10:26 warns us that if we deliberately keep on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there is no sacrifice left for sins, only a fearful expectation of judgment.
I shared a personal encounter with hell that God used to impress upon me the reality of eternal damnation and the urgency of living a life that honors God. This vision was not just for me but for the church—to warn believers that it is possible to fall away from the faith and face eternal separation from God.
The message of false grace is prevalent and dangerous. It lulls believers into complacency, suggesting that they are secure in their salvation regardless of their lifestyle. But Scripture is clear: our salvation is evidenced by our obedience to Christ. Works of righteousness are not about earning salvation but are the fruit of a life transformed by the true grace of God.
As we stand firm in the true grace of God, we must reject any teaching that diminishes the fear of the Lord or suggests that we can live in habitual sin without consequence. Our response to God's grace should be one of deep reverence, passionate love, and unwavering obedience.
Key Takeaways:
- True grace empowers us to live a life of holiness and obedience, not to excuse sin. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross calls us to a higher standard of living, one that reflects our love and gratitude for what He has done. [36:46]
- The fear of the Lord and the love of God are both essential in our walk with Christ. They are not mutually exclusive but work together to draw us closer to God and away from sin. The fear of the Lord leads to wisdom and life, while the love of God assures us of our value and His commitment to us. [47:45]
- Salvation is not a passive experience but requires our active participation. We must take up our cross daily, surrendering our will to God's and living out our faith through works of righteousness that demonstrate our obedience to Christ. [38:05]
- The doctrine of false grace is a serious threat to the church, as it can deceive many into believing they are saved while they live in disobedience to God. We must be vigilant in upholding the truth of the gospel, which calls for repentance and a life transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. [21:48]
- Our eternal destiny is at stake, and we cannot afford to be casual about our faith. We must earnestly contend for the faith, resist the enemy's lies, and pursue a deep, intimate relationship with God that is marked by genuine repentance and a zealous pursuit of His will. [01:01:37]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 10:26-27: "For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries."
2. Titus 2:11-14: "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, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."
3. Matthew 7:21-23: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 10:26-27, what is the consequence of deliberately continuing in sin after knowing the truth?
2. In Titus 2:11-14, what does the grace of God train us to do?
3. What does Jesus say in Matthew 7:21-23 about those who call Him 'Lord' but do not do the will of His Father?
4. What personal experience did the pastor share to illustrate the reality of hell and the urgency of living a life that honors God? ([01:32])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "false grace" as described in the sermon conflict with the teachings in Hebrews 10:26-27? ([45:56])
2. What does it mean to live a life that is "self-controlled, upright, and godly" as mentioned in Titus 2:11-14, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message about true grace? ([05:29])
3. In Matthew 7:21-23, why does Jesus reject those who performed works in His name? How does this passage challenge the idea that actions alone can secure salvation? ([40:35])
4. How does the pastor's vision of hell serve as a warning to the church about the dangers of complacency and false assurance of salvation? ([18:33])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on Hebrews 10:26-27. Are there areas in your life where you might be deliberately continuing in sin? What steps can you take to address this? ([45:56])
2. Titus 2:11-14 speaks about renouncing ungodliness and worldly passions. Identify one worldly passion you struggle with. What practical steps can you take this week to renounce it? ([05:29])
3. Considering Matthew 7:21-23, how can you ensure that your relationship with Jesus is genuine and not just based on outward actions? What changes might you need to make in your daily walk with Christ? ([40:35])
4. The pastor emphasized the importance of repentance and the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. How can you cultivate a heart of genuine repentance in your daily life? ([01:32])
5. The sermon warns against the complacency that false grace can bring. How can you stay vigilant in your faith and avoid becoming complacent? ([21:48])
6. Reflect on the pastor's personal encounter with hell. How does this vision impact your understanding of the urgency of living a life that honors God? ([18:33])
7. The pastor mentioned the importance of both the fear of the Lord and the love of God in our walk with Christ. How can you balance these two aspects in your spiritual life? ([47:45])
Devotional
Day 1: Grace Calls for Holiness
True grace is not a mere cover for sin but a divine empowerment to pursue a life of holiness. It is a transformative force that compels believers to live in a manner worthy of the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ. This grace is not static; it is active and dynamic, leading to a continuous process of sanctification. As recipients of this grace, individuals are called to reflect on the profound love and mercy they have received and to respond by striving for a higher standard of living that aligns with the teachings and example of Christ. This pursuit of holiness is not about legalism or earning favor with God, but about a heartfelt response to the grace that has been freely given. It is about living a life that is set apart, marked by the fruits of the Spirit, and characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. [36:46]
"But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'" - 1 Peter 1:15-16 ESV
Reflection: How does understanding true grace as a call to holiness challenge the way you approach habitual sins in your life?
Day 2: Balancing Fear and Love
The fear of the Lord and the love of God are not opposing forces but complementary aspects of a mature faith. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, leading to a life of reverence and awe for the Almighty. It is not a paralyzing fear but a respectful acknowledgment of God's power, majesty, and holiness. This fear motivates believers to avoid sin and to live in a way that honors God. On the other hand, the love of God is the assurance that believers are deeply valued and cherished by their Creator. It is the foundation of their identity and the source of their security in Christ. Together, these two elements create a balanced and robust Christian walk, where obedience is fueled by reverence and gratitude, and where the relationship with God is deepened through an understanding of His immeasurable love. [47:45]
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." - Proverbs 9:10 ESV
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a healthy fear of the Lord while also resting in the assurance of His love for you?
Day 3: Active Participation in Salvation
Salvation is not a passive receipt of a ticket to heaven but an active engagement in a relationship with God. It requires a daily commitment to take up one's cross, to die to self, and to live for Christ. This active participation is demonstrated through obedience to God's commands and a life that bears fruit in keeping with repentance. It is a journey marked by continual surrender, where believers are called to align their will with God's will and to manifest their faith through actions that reflect the character of Jesus. This process is not about striving in one's own strength but about relying on the Holy Spirit to produce works of righteousness that are evidence of a transformed life. [38:05]
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." - Philippians 2:12-13 ESV
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to actively participate in your salvation and demonstrate your obedience to Christ?
Day 4: Guarding Against False Grace
The doctrine of false grace is a subtle yet dangerous distortion of the gospel that must be vigilantly guarded against. It suggests that believers can live in habitual sin without consequence, undermining the need for repentance and a transformed life. True grace, however, leads to a genuine change of heart and a departure from sin. Believers must be discerning, holding fast to the truth of the gospel that calls for a life of obedience and surrender to the Holy Spirit's transforming power. The church must stand firm in the face of deceptive teachings, always returning to the Scriptures as the ultimate authority and guide for faith and practice. [21:48]
"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." - Titus 2:11-12 ESV
Reflection: How can you ensure that your understanding of grace leads to a life of obedience rather than a license to sin?
Day 5: Contending for the Faith
The Christian faith is not a casual commitment but a fervent pursuit of God and His will. Believers are called to earnestly contend for the faith, resisting the lies of the enemy and the temptations of the world. This involves a deep, intimate relationship with God, characterized by genuine repentance and a zealous pursuit of His will. The stakes are high, as the eternal destiny of each person hangs in the balance. Therefore, it is imperative to live with an awareness of the reality of heaven and hell and to make choices that reflect the gravity of that reality. The call to contend for the faith is a call to vigilance, perseverance, and a passionate love for God that refuses to settle for anything less than His best. [01:01:37]
"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." - 1 Timothy 6:12 ESV
Reflection: What does contending for the faith look like in your daily life, and how can you more actively pursue God's will?
Quotes
- "The false Grace message Majors on the idea that any sense of works is a stench to God. True biblical grace empowers us to respond rightly to what God's calling us to do." [06:12] (Download | )
- "This whole getting saved following Jesus thing, it's not casual. We need to understand that He's calling us to a higher standard." [57:08] (Download | )
- "The issue of Salvation is incredibly offensive to people because it challenges their view of God and their own position in God." [57:51] (Download | )
- "All burdens weren't meant to be laid down. His burden is light, not non-existent." [59:38] (Download | )
- "We cannot be halfhazard, casual. If we've been playing with sin, we got to fix that. We got to surrender all if we want to walk in Revival." [01:00:19] (Download | )
- "The doctrine of false grace is a serious threat to the church, as it can deceive many into believing they are saved while they live in disobedience to God." [21:48] (Download | )
- "The false Grace movement does not believe the Holy Spirit convicts of sin. They wrongly conclude that as Believers we no longer have to deal with sin." [44:36] (Download | )
- "We absolutely can lose our salvation due to a decision to sin. If we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins." [45:56] (Download | )
- "Our works apart from the cross are meaningless, but in response to the Cross of Christ, our obedience is beautiful indeed." [51:36] (Download | )
- "We cannot reject the sacrifice of Jesus in favor of making it to heaven in our own ability. There's a huge difference between works of the Flesh and works of righteousness." [25:09] (Download | )
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?