Understanding God's Love and Grace in Difficult Times

 

Summary

In our time together, we explored some profound and challenging questions that touch on the heart of our faith and our understanding of God. We began with a light-hearted question about a cat, which humorously reminded us that even the most esteemed among us have their quirks and vulnerabilities. This set the stage for a deeper discussion on the nature of God's relationship with His children, especially for those who have experienced abusive earthly relationships. We emphasized the transformative power of the gospel, which allows us to see God as a loving Father, distinct from any flawed human representation.

We delved into the concept of God's discipline, distinguishing it from wrath, which was fully satisfied in Christ at Calvary. This understanding helps us reshape our perception of God from a figure of judgment to one of loving correction. We also addressed the challenge of living with unbelieving family members, emphasizing the importance of living out our faith authentically and lovingly, while holding onto hope and prayer for their salvation.

The discussion moved to the role of the law in a believer's life, clarifying that while the law does not save us, it reveals God's character and what pleases Him. It guides us in our sanctification, helping us live in a way that honors God. We also touched on the importance of church membership, recognizing that while there are exceptional circumstances, being part of a church community is vital for spiritual growth and accountability.

Finally, we addressed the sensitive topic of suicide, affirming that it is not an unforgivable sin. We emphasized the need for compassion and the reassurance of the gospel's promise of forgiveness and grace, even in the face of such tragedies.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding God as Father: For those who have experienced abusive relationships, it can be challenging to view God as a loving Father. The gospel invites us to see God through the lens of Jesus Christ, who perfectly reveals the Father's love and acceptance. This transformation requires us to preach the gospel to ourselves continually, reminding us of our identity in Christ and the unconditional love we receive from God. [03:58]

2. God's Discipline vs. Wrath: God's discipline is an expression of His love, not His wrath. The wrath of God was fully poured out on Jesus at Calvary, freeing believers from condemnation. Understanding this distinction helps us see God's corrective actions as part of our sanctification process, aimed at our growth and maturity in Christ. [08:43]

3. Living with Unbelieving Family Members: When faced with unbelieving family members, our primary responsibility is to live out the covenantal character of our relationship with them. This involves demonstrating love, patience, and prayer, while also being ready to share the gospel when appropriate. Our actions and attitudes can be a powerful testimony of Christ's love. [11:41]

4. The Role of the Law in Christian Life: The law reveals God's character and what pleases Him. While it does not save us, it guides us in living a life that honors God. The New Testament teaches that love fulfills the law, and as believers, we are called to live out this love, which is rooted in the moral law of God. [19:18]

5. Suicide and the Gospel: Suicide is not an unforgivable sin. In times of such tragedy, it is crucial to offer the reassurance of the gospel, which promises forgiveness and grace for all sins. Families affected by suicide need the comfort and hope that only the gospel can provide, affirming that God's love and forgiveness extend even to those who die by suicide. [41:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:18] - Introduction to Questions
- [00:38] - The Paranoid Cat
- [02:27] - Does God Get Angry with His Children?
- [03:09] - Relating to God as Father
- [05:24] - The Role of the Gospel
- [07:04] - Understanding God's Discipline
- [09:44] - Addressing Unbelieving Family Members
- [12:25] - Holding on in Prayer
- [14:19] - Responding to Questions on Sin
- [16:16] - The Law and the Believer
- [18:35] - The Law Written on Our Hearts
- [22:33] - Reflections on Billy Graham
- [25:04] - Church Membership and Its Importance
- [34:41] - Judgment and Accountability
- [39:01] - Suicide and Forgiveness

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 12:5-11 - Discusses God's discipline as an expression of His love.
2. Romans 8:3-4 - Explains how the law is fulfilled in those who walk according to the Spirit.
3. 1 Peter 3:1-2 - Offers guidance on living with unbelieving family members.

---

Observation Questions:

1. How does the sermon describe the difference between God's discipline and His wrath? [08:09]
2. What role does the gospel play in helping individuals who have experienced abusive relationships view God as a loving Father? [03:09]
3. According to the sermon, what is the primary responsibility of a believer living with unbelieving family members? [11:41]
4. How does the sermon address the topic of suicide in relation to the gospel's promise of forgiveness? [39:01]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does understanding God's discipline as an act of love change a believer's perception of difficult circumstances? [07:04]
2. How might the gospel help someone reshape their understanding of God if they have had negative experiences with earthly father figures? [03:58]
3. What are the implications of living out the covenantal character of relationships with unbelieving family members, as discussed in the sermon? [11:41]
4. How does the sermon suggest believers should view the role of the law in their lives, and what does it mean for love to fulfill the law? [19:18]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own experiences with discipline. How can you begin to see God's discipline as an expression of His love rather than punishment? [08:09]
2. If you have experienced an abusive relationship, how can you use the gospel to transform your understanding of God as a loving Father? What steps can you take to preach the gospel to yourself daily? [03:09]
3. Think of a family member who does not share your faith. How can you demonstrate love and patience towards them while being ready to share the gospel when appropriate? [11:41]
4. How can you incorporate the moral law of God into your daily life in a way that reflects love and honors God? [19:18]
5. If you or someone you know has been affected by suicide, how can the reassurance of the gospel provide comfort and hope? What specific actions can you take to support those who are grieving? [39:01]
6. Consider your current church involvement. How can you actively contribute to the community and accountability within your church? [25:04]
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with understanding God's love. How can you use the insights from this sermon to address and overcome this struggle? [03:58]

Devotional

Day 1: Seeing God as a Loving Father
For those who have experienced abusive relationships, it can be challenging to view God as a loving Father. The gospel invites us to see God through the lens of Jesus Christ, who perfectly reveals the Father's love and acceptance. This transformation requires us to preach the gospel to ourselves continually, reminding us of our identity in Christ and the unconditional love we receive from God. [03:58]

"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:15, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a past hurt that makes it difficult for you to see God as a loving Father. How can you invite Jesus into that space to transform your understanding of God's love today?


Day 2: Embracing God's Discipline
God's discipline is an expression of His love, not His wrath. The wrath of God was fully poured out on Jesus at Calvary, freeing believers from condemnation. Understanding this distinction helps us see God's corrective actions as part of our sanctification process, aimed at our growth and maturity in Christ. [08:43]

"My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights." (Proverbs 3:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you felt corrected by God. How can you view this correction as an act of love and an opportunity for growth?


Day 3: Living Out Faith with Unbelieving Family
When faced with unbelieving family members, our primary responsibility is to live out the covenantal character of our relationship with them. This involves demonstrating love, patience, and prayer, while also being ready to share the gospel when appropriate. Our actions and attitudes can be a powerful testimony of Christ's love. [11:41]

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one way you can demonstrate Christ's love to an unbelieving family member today. How can your actions reflect the gospel to them?


Day 4: The Law as a Guide for Believers
The law reveals God's character and what pleases Him. While it does not save us, it guides us in living a life that honors God. The New Testament teaches that love fulfills the law, and as believers, we are called to live out this love, which is rooted in the moral law of God. [19:18]

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome." (1 John 5:3, ESV)

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you struggle to align with God's commandments. What practical steps can you take to live out God's love in this area?


Day 5: Offering Hope in the Face of Suicide
Suicide is not an unforgivable sin. In times of such tragedy, it is crucial to offer the reassurance of the gospel, which promises forgiveness and grace for all sins. Families affected by suicide need the comfort and hope that only the gospel can provide, affirming that God's love and forgiveness extend even to those who die by suicide. [41:22]

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone who may be struggling with despair or hopelessness. How can you offer them the hope and comfort of the gospel today?

Quotes


Coming to faith in Jesus Christ, and being able to say, "Our Father, who art in heaven," that I'm a child of the King, was a recovery for me. And I don't spend the rest of my life in therapy, but the gospel is the cure and therefore, I think for folk who find it difficult to relate to a father figure because of association with the past experience, a particular past experience, need to preach the gospel to themselves hour by hour and minute by minute, that in Christ we are forgiven, that in Christ our sins are no more, that in Christ we are as accepted as it's possible to be and that we are loved. [00:03:25]

We just need to notice that if you hold up your Old Testament, there's basically nobody in the whole Old Testament comes to God, and says, "Our heavenly Father." But the moment you open your New Testament, even if Mark was the first Gospel, Mathew's first Gospel in the New Testament, and you hold up in your hand just the three pages of the Sermon on the Mount, there is like an explosion of reference to what it means to know God as your Father. [00:06:00]

The wrath of God was poured out upon Jesus Christ at Calvary, and I think the language that the Bible uses, when He refers to the children of God, is discipline. And as Dr. Sinclair Ferguson just referred to, and it's a loving discipline. I think one of the concepts, perhaps the first concept that people need to change for them to change, is the concept of God. [00:08:10]

No, what Peter says is your first responsibility is to live out the covenantal character of the relationship that has been established. And I think that is the, that is the first and primary thing, because I find not least with zealous Christian parents, that they have often tied their children to themselves by only one bond, and that's been a religious bond, a teaching bond, and not necessarily a bond of affection and not necessarily a holistic human bond. [00:11:02]

The law shows us the character of God, for one, and the law shows us what pleases God as well. Now that's not going to save us, it's not going to give us any additional credit, but I think it does play a role in our lives, because it's going to show us better that pure character of the God who gave us the law, and it's also showing to us what pleases the Lord. [00:16:21]

The promise of the New Covenant includes that the law will be written in your heart. So, when you ask these kinds of questions, is the law relevant, and do we obey it? Well, it's the quintessence of what happens in regeneration that it's the law that's written on your heart, and there is only one divine law encapsulated in the Decalogue. [00:18:35]

And the glorious thing about Christianity is that there's forgiveness for all sins if you come to Christ and ask for forgiveness. So to try to get back to Christ, to get back to mercy, because the question may be motivated by a desire to prove how intolerant, how unloving, how bad you are if you really believe such things. [00:15:17]

And then, one thinks about how much Jesus was hurt by the church. So if I at that point make the separation, I really am in a subtle way, and probably unconsciously, I'm kind of raising myself above Jesus. You know, if you took being hurt by the church out of Paul's letters, you would probably reduce them by about thirty percent, because so much of what he writes involves the extent to which the church was hurting him. [00:31:43]

I just preached a funeral of a suicide just a few weeks ago, and I think it is absolutely imperative that we convey to the next of kin the gospel, and that suicide is not the unforgivable sin. What they need to hear at that moment is, and in this case a man who loved the Lord Jesus, but some people die of cancer, and some people die of a heart attack, and some people die of a broken mind. [00:39:10]

But it is in entirely wrong, and I think that the most important thing to do at the time of a suicide of somebody who has professed faith is to reassure them that the gospel forgives all sin, including that one. [00:41:11]

And that restoration doesn't take place so long as we remain outside. [00:32:23]

And the third passage, among others, Romans 8:3-4, that God did what the law couldn't accomplish, because it was weakened through our flesh, sending His own Son in the likeness of flesh, of the flesh of sin and for sin, condemns it in the flesh in order that the requirements of the law might be fulfilled in those who walk according to the Spirit, rather than according to the flesh. [00:20:16]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Mar 12, 2018. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?