God's Grace looks like Something!

Intro:

Pics of the flooring

In what ways did you keep the grace of God before your eyes this week? To be honest with you, Monday was a hard day for me. Talk about grace as that personal trainer that pushes you even when you don’t want to be pushed. That was me on Monday into Tuesday this week.

Kids were at camp, Emmalee for the first time over night

Said good by on Thursday

Counsel me.

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.

that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.

Definition: GRACE (חֶסֶד, chesed; “grace, mercy, steadfast love, compassion”; חֵן, chen; “grace, graciousness, kindness”; χάρις, charis; “grace, favor, graciousness, goodwill”). Gracious or merciful behavior of a more powerful person toward another.

How do you define it? Ask the people…

“God giving us what we do not deserve”

“God’s undeserved favour”

Passage: Repentance, faith, and newness of life

Illustration: RC Car, Grace is a gift, it doesn’t work if you are not connected to Jesus, it’s appearance captivates us and trains us to desire to be more like Jesus, and most importantly, it is meant to be lived and enjoyed!

Outline:

Grace to Find Comfort: “Repentance” (2 Cor. 7:10-13)

Grace to Suffer: “Faith” (Phil. 1:29)

Grace to Walk: “Newness of Life” (Gal. 5:22)

Summary: God’s grace looks/sounds like something!

Prayer:

Grace to Find Comfort: “Repentance” (2 Cor. 7:10-13)- It is a comforting to repent

Godly grief (v. 10)

For

Godly grief- “lyp-eh” regret, sadness associated with some wrong done or some disappointment. Sadness is not a sin as long as...

Produces- “ergazetai” pres, midd/pass, ind, 3rd, sg, to accomplish, to put something into effect entirely or thoroughly.

a repentance- “metanoian”- repentance, a change of self (heart and mind) that abandons former dispositions and results in a new self, new behaivou, and regret over former behaviour and dispositions.

that leads to (preposition of direction) salvation- “swt-eh-rian”, the state of being delivered or preserved from harm

without regret- “ametamel-eh-ton”, irrevocable, unregretted, feeling no pain of mind on account of something done (or experienced) in the past; especially with no wish that it had been any different.

“I was wrong and see my need to change”

Worldly grief (v. 10)

Whereas

Worldly grief-“lyp-eh” regret, sadness associated with some wrong done or some disappointment. Both words for grief are the exact same, the difference is what comes before the grief, God vs. world.

produces death- “katergazetai” pres, mid/pass, ind, 3rd, sg, do, bring about, produce, to accomplish, there is no directional preposition here, the reality is that worldy grief leaves you in death, it is not leading towards it, it is where you are.

“I am sorry I got caught”

Worldly sorrow is that which turns in on itself and feeds off its ever deepening self-pity. It brings death because it breeds self-destructive resentment and bitterness that eat away at the person (Murphy-O’Connor 1991:71). (Linda L. Belleville, 2 Corinthians, vol. 8, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Westmont, IL: IVP Academic, 1996), 2 Co 7:8–11.)

Worldly grief is caused by the loss or denial of something we want for ourselves. It is self-centered. It laments such worldly things as failing to receive the recognition one thinks one deserves, not having as much money as one wants, not getting something one covets. (David E. Garland, 2 Corinthians, vol. 29, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 355.)

Proof (vs. 11-13 )

for see- “idou” behold! Repentance is supposed to look like something! It is not just something we do in our hearts!

what earnestness- “spoud-eh-n” diligence, excited fervor to do something or accomplish some end.

this godly greif- “Lyp-eh-th-eh-nai” aor, pass, inf, to be sad

has produced- “kateirgasato” aor, mid, ind, 3rd, sg, to accomplish

In you (pl)- the context is Paul calling out the Corinthians for thier sin and need of repentance.

what eagerness to clear yourselves- “apologian” defense, the speech act of attempting to prove some act or belief to be resonable, necessary, or right; especially occuring in a court of law

What arguments and evidence do you have to support the repentance?

what indignation- “aganakt-eh-sin” mental agitation, a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance; perhaps describing righteous indignation or horror and distress.

at the thought process and deception that drew them away

what fear- “phobon” an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger; usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight. Alarm.

what longing- “epipoth-eh-sin” (2x) prolonged unfulfilled desire or need

what zeal- “z-eh-lon” jealousy, excessive fervor to do something or accomplish some end

what punishment- “ekidik-eh-sin”, vengeance, doling justice, the act of meting out justice according to the law.

At every point

you have proved yourself- “synest-eh-sate” aor, act, ind, 2nd, pl, to demonstrate, to provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one’s behaviour, attitude, or external attributes.

innocent (“hagnous” pure) in the matter

So although I wrote to you

it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong

nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong

but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God

Therefore, we are comforted: By God’s Grace we can find comfort in repentance and not just shame and guilt.

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What caught your attention in this section?

Which verses or words would you like to study a little more this week?

Engage the Heart (humility vs. pride):

Four principles from “Tying the Knot” (SLIDE)

You must take responsability for your part of the problem (Matt. 7:3-5)- the Log in your eye

You must repent for your part in the problem (2 Cor. 7:9-10)- Godly grief leads to repentance and deliverance

You must forgive one another (Matt. 18:21-35)- 70x7, the Master and servant, the servant and servant

You must move forward (Phil. 3:13-14)- Press on towards to Goal God has for you, becoming more like Jesus

When was the last time you felt comfort in repentance? God’s grace gives us the desire to turn and live differently.

Is there sin in your life this morning that the Holy Spirit is prompting you to repent of? Who do you need to talk to after the service today?

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

Right away, all the way, with a happy heart

2

3

Transitional phrase: Godly grief does not come but by the grace of God and it produces action! Rementance is an opportunity of Grace to find comfort and connection, not isolation and abandonment. Repentance looks like something. And so does faith...

Grace to Suffer: “Faith” (Phil. 1:29-30)

For the sake of Christ (vs. -)

Having the mind of Christ in Suffering “standing firm in one spirit with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel”

For it has been granted to you- “exaristh-eh”, aor, pass, ind, 3rd, sg, to give graciously, to give something as a sign of one’s beneficent goodwill toward someone.

that for the sake of Christ- not my own sake primarily

you should not only (mono) believe in him

but also suffer for his sake- but also, same level. Sometimes we think that belief in Jesus is meant to alieviate suffering. And it does, but not in the way that some people preach. When you look at Paul and Jesus, their lives are filled with suffering. Belief in Jesus removes us from the wrath of God on our sin, but it does not remove us from the presence of sin or suffering.

Engage (vs. -)

Engage in the same conflict that you saw I had

and now hear that I still have

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What caught your attention in this section?

Which verses or words would you like to study a little more this week?

Engage the Heart (humility vs. pride):

What will it sound like for you to engage grace while suffering this week? What will it sound like for you to engage someone else with grace while they suffer this week for the sake of Christ?

How has God’s grace helped you through times of suffering? What was the most helpful to you during that time?

In this life we will never be removed from the presence of sin and its affects, but by God’s grace, we can press on towards the goal of God’s call on our lives. Remember, it is just as much a gift of grace to believe as it is to suffer.

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

What song will help you suffer well this week? What reminder will help you press on towards God’s goal for your life?

Who are you going to ask for help this week? acknowledging the suffering or sin that you are battling with?

Transitional phrase: We have seen Grace to find comfort in repentance from sin, Grace to suffer by faith, and now we are going to look at Grace to walk: newness of life. All of this cannot happen without Grace. Grace looks like something!

Grace to Walk: “Newness of Life” (Gal. 5:16-22)

Walk by the Spirit (vs. 16-17)

But I say, walk by the Spirit- “peripateite” pres, act, imperative, 2nd, pl to walk

and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh

For the desires of the flesh

are against the spirit

And the desires of the Spirit

are against the flesh

For these are opposed to each other

to keep you from doing the things you want to do

Lead by the Spirit (vs. 18-24)

But if you are led by the Spirit-”agesthe” pres, pass, ind, 2nd, pl, to be led (directed)

you are not under the law

Now the works of the flesh are evident

Sexual immorality

impurity

sensuality

idolatry

sorcery

enmity

strife

jealousy

fits of anger

rivalries

dissensions

divisions

envy

drinkeness

orgies

and things like these: Without God’s grace in your life, it looks like something!

I wanred you, as I warned you before

that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God

But the fruit of the Spirit is:

love

joy

peace

patience

kindness

goodness

faithfulness

gentleness

self-control

against such there is no law

and those who belong to Christ Jesus

have crucifed the flesh with its

passions

and desires.

Keep in step with the Spirit (vs. 25-26)

If we live by the Spirit

let us also keep in step with the Spirit- “stoichwmen” pres, act, sub, 1st, pl, to live carefully, process (march)

Let us not become:

conceited

provoking one another

envying one another

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What caught your attention in this section?

Which verses or words would you like to study a little more this week?

Engage the Heart (humility vs. pride):

instead of saying, “I am not a ____ (patient) person” how about we start saying, “I am seeking to walk by the Spirit and God’s grace is training me to be more...”

In what ways is God’s grace training you to be in step with the Spirit today?

Transitional phrase:

Summary: God’s grace looks/sounds like something

Song: Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus

Benediction/Looking ahead: INVITE PEOPLE TO THE CAFE

Discussion questions

Worship- Renew the Mind (Scripture)

What passage of Scripture did we look at? Summarize it in your own words.

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Grow- Engage the Heart (Conversation)

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Serve- Enlist the Body (Action)

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