“Grace Is Not a License”

Text:

Romans 6:14–16 CSB

For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under the law but under grace. What then? Should we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Absolutely not! Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey—either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness?

HOOK

Illustration:

"Imagine you’re given a company credit card with no spending limit and told, ‘Use it responsibly.’ What’s your first thought? Freedom! But what happens if you misuse it? That freedom comes with accountability."

Question:

Ask: “If you had that card, what’s the first thing you’d buy?”

Follow-up: “Now imagine the consequences if you used it recklessly—how does that change your sense of freedom?”

“When you hear the word ‘grace,’ what’s the first feeling or thought that comes to mind?”

(responses—freedom, forgiveness, relief, etc.)

Mercy vs. Grace

Mercy is NOT GETTING what you DO DESERVE.

Grace is GETTING what you DON’T DESERVE.

Transition:

Grace is amazing, but Paul is warning us: GRACE is NOT a license to sin…

BOOK

Key Points from Romans 6:15–16 (CSB):

The Question: “Should we sin because we are not under the law but under grace?”

Paul anticipates a misunderstanding:

Grace doesn’t mean moral chaos or lawlessness.

Many times today, and even back in Paul’s day, that since we have been forgiven, that means we can do any and everything we want to…

That simply is NOT true.

We follow Holy Spirit.

We also need to TEST THE SPIRITS to see if they be from God…

Many spirits are talking to you each day, in addition to your flesh.

Flesh should be killed daily.

Walking in the Spirit helps EVERYTHING.

Grace is not permission for rebellion; it is empowerment for obedience.

Why this matters:

Many people today think, “God forgives me anyway, so what’s the harm?”

That mindset cheapens grace and misunderstands its purpose.

Empowerment for obedience is a POWERFUL GIFT!

Obedience and submission to authority is our CORE ISSUE…

We have been fully equipped, enabled, and empowered to OBEY CHRIST!

2 Peter 1:3–4 CSB

3 His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 By these he has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire.

QUESTION: Why do you think people are tempted to misuse grace?

(Possible answers: comfort, convenience, cultural pressure.)

The Reality: “You are slaves of the one you obey.”

What do you think Paul means by ‘slaves’?

Does that word make you uncomfortable?

Why?”

Quick poll:

If you had to pick—are most people today more likely to think:

they’re free or;

admit they serve something or someone?

For us, Freedom is never absolute;

Only God has Absolute Freedom. He is the ONLY SOVEREIGN who reigns.

on the other hand…

we always serve something—whether we admit it or not.

Two masters…two outcomes

Sin—Death/Destruction

Obedience—Growing in Holiness

Growing into the righteousness that has been declared as yours.

Obedience isn’t about legalism; it’s about loyalty and love.

Legalism makes up rules that Jesus didn’t give you to keep.

We SHOULD ask, “will this thing HELP or HINDER my loyalty and love to Jesus??

It is NOT a sin to have things in your life, but it IS a sin when a thing has you.

Nothing should HAVE US more than Jesus.

Ask:

What are some things people think make them free but actually enslave them?

(Examples: addictions, approval, materialism.)

The Choice: Sin leads to death; obedience leads to righteousness.

Every decision moves us toward one master or the other.

Small choices matter: habits shape and empower masters.

Sin promises freedom but delivers bondage.

Obedience feels EXPENSIVE, but leads to life and peace.

Illustration:

Sports analogy: “If you join a team, you wear their jersey, follow their playbook, and represent them. You can’t play for two teams at once.”

LOOK —So What?

Interactive Activity:

1. Identify Modern Masters

Ask: “What are some modern ‘masters’ that people serve without realizing it?”

Career ambitions

“Work becomes identity instead of worship.”

Money and possessions

“We serve what we fear losing.”

Approval and image

“Social media can become a throne.”

Habits and addictions

“Comfort can become a cage.”

Question: “Which of these do you see most in our culture?

Which one do you personally wrestle with?”

2. Examine Your Daily Choices

Choices reveal allegiance more than words do.

Time and attention are indicators of what we serve.

Ask: “If someone checked your calendar and bank account, who or what would they say you serve?”

3. Understand the Ripple Effect

Serving sin doesn’t just affect you—it impacts:

relationships

integrity

future

Serving Jesus brings life, peace, and influence for good.

Illustration: “Think of a domino chain—one small choice can set off a cascade.”

4. Count the Cost of Each Master

Sin promises freedom but ends in bondage.

Obedience feels costly but leads to joy and righteousness.

Question:

“Which is harder in the short term—sin or obedience?

Which pays off in the long term?”

Application:

What’s one area where you’ve been living like grace is a license?

TOOK (Call to Action)

Big Takeaway:

"Grace doesn’t free us to sin; it frees us to serve God wholeheartedly."

Grace changes our position (from slaves of sin to servants of God).

Grace empowers obedience, not excuses…

True freedom is found in surrendering to Christ.

Submitting to Him on a daily basis

Knowing what to submit and how to submit, through:

His Word

Talking with Jesus

Action Step:

Challenge:

This week, identify one area where you’ve been living like grace is a license.

Surrender it to God and choose obedience.

Be specific: name the area (habit, attitude, relationship).

Replace sin with obedience: what’s one practical step you can take?

Ask for accountability: share with LG

Start each day with an honest prayer of surrender: “Father, I want to love you well and I choose to serve You today. Guide my steps.”

Vision for the Future

Imagine the ripple effect of obedience in your family, workplace, and community.

Serving God, in humility and love, leads to walking in righteousness, peace, and influence for good.

Your obedience today shapes your legacy tomorrow.

Closing Illustration:

“Think of grace like a safety net for a trapeze artist—it’s there to catch you when you fall, not to encourage you to jump recklessly.”

Ask: “What’s one word you’ll take with you today—grace, obedience, freedom, or something else?”

Prayer