Spreading Grace, Peace, and Truth
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INTRODUCTION
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ()
These days, the world is full of people arguing over the truth. This past week, I heard with my own ears a dialogue between a news correspondent and a politician that went like this:
Todd & Giuliani
"Truth is truth," Newsman [Todd] said in response.
"No, no, it isn't truth," Politician [Giuliani] said. "Truth isn't truth.”
Mohandas Gandhi, "An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it"
Pearl Bailey, “You never find yourself until you face the truth.”
These days, the world is full of people arguing over the truth. People argue about “truth” on social media. In politics, our nation is divided over what is “true.” Sadly, international terrorists are willing to kill, in order to promote their “truths.”
Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain't goin' away.
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley, “Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain't goin' away.”
Jesus Christ, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
People argue about “truth” on social media. In politics, our nation is divided over what is “true.”
But the opening of John’s gospel reminds us of what is special about Jesus. He came from the Father, “full of grace and truth.” In Jesus Christ, grace and truth are joined. His life and his message show the beauty and the power of grace and truth, walking hand-in-hand. From Jesus, we can learn something about how to walk and speak in the world today, through grace and truth.
But the opening of John’s gospel reminds us of what is special about Jesus.
He came from the Father, “full of grace and truth.”
Jesus did something WITH TRUTH that most people are willing to do—HE IMMERSED HIMSELF in its consequences!
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
When I joined the Marines during Vietnam, I had friends who joined the peace demonstrations. I honestly has little respect for most of them because I felt it was an escape from truth. They weren’t really protesting war, they were protecting themselves from potential harm. They were unwilling to LIVE the consequences of truth. When they got draft notices, they fled to Canada.
I met Pvt Piper in boot camp, a skinny frail man who was also a demonstrator who got drafted and showed up as a Conscientious Objector. He said, “I abhor war, so I came to serve as a Medic.” [He planned to go Navy and serve Marines after boot camp]
Especially when others who objected joined the military
His “protest” was heard louder than all the others because he was willing to live the consequences in service to others”
In Jesus, grace and truth are joined inseparably together to serve others! His life and his message show the beauty and the power of grace and truth. From Jesus, we can learn something about how to walk and speak in the world today, through grace and truth.
This morning, in the final week of our four-week series on God’s grace, it seems appropriate to end the series with the Master of both...
We learn from Jesus about the power of a message spoken in grace, peace, and truth. Jesus showed us that apart from grace, we cannot really speak the truth, and apart from the truth, we are not really speaking words of grace.
The peace of God comes when grace and truth are joined in action. And in Jesus, we see our perfect example.
John’s gospel continues...
Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.
A more literal reading is:
For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift.
“From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” ( NRSV). The NIV substitutes “one blessing after another” for “grace upon grace.” But why argue over translation? I believe John was searching for a way to communicate that God’s grace is multi- layered. If we walk with him 50 years, we will discover again and again the God who beckons us (in C.S. Lewis’ happy phrase) to come “farther up and farther in.” But take note: if we are determined to think of grace as merely a ticket to heaven, there is no farther up and farther in, either in this life or the next. Why come to the shores of God’s grace only to dip our toes in the ocean?
The NIV says “grace in place of grace.” But John is communicating much more to us. God’s grace is multi- layered!
“From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” ( NRSV). The NIV substitutes “one blessing after another” for “grace upon grace.” But why argue over translation? I believe John was searching for a way to communicate that God’s grace is multi- layered. If we walk with him 50 years, we will discover again and again the God who beckons us (in C.S. Lewis’ happy phrase) to come “farther up and farther in.” But take note: if we are determined to think of grace as merely a ticket to heaven, there is no farther up and farther in, either in this life or the next. Why come to the shores of God’s grace only to dip our toes in the ocean?
The depth of grace is greater than a one time salvation event, or a series of sins being forgiven, or even the strength to live day to day—it is multi-layered and included all these PLUS much more. Grace is FOREVER; it extends INTO ETERNITY!
God’s grace is multi- layered. If we walk with him 50 years, we will discover again and again the God who beckons us (in C.S. Lewis’ happy phrase) to come “farther up and farther in.” But take note: if we are determined to think of grace as merely a ticket to heaven, there is no farther up and farther in, either in this life or the next. Why come to the shores of God’s grace only to dip our toes in the ocean?
If we walk with God 50 years, we still continue to discover depths of grace again and again!
that God’s grace is multi- layered. If we walk with him 50 years, we will discover again and again the God who beckons us (in C.S. Lewis’ happy phrase) to come “farther up and farther in.” But take note: if we are determined to think of grace as merely a ticket to heaven, there is no farther up and farther in, either in this life or the next. Why come to the shores of God’s grace only to dip our toes in the ocean?
If we walk with him 50 years, we will discover again and again the God who beckons us (in C.S. Lewis’ happy phrase) to come “farther up and farther in.” But take note: if we are determined to think of grace as merely a ticket to heaven, there is no farther up and farther in, either in this life or the next. Why come to the shores of God’s grace only to dip our toes in the ocean?
One author asked, "Why do so many children of God come to the shores of God’s grace only to dip their toes in the ocean?”
It is because people close their minds to God after becoming His child! One sure indicator of a mind is the firm conviction that we have this “Jesus thing” figured out. The religiously-closed mind is only interested in exporting its own brand of spirituality.
One sure indicator of a religiously-closed mind is the firm conviction that we have this “Jesus thing” figured out. The religiously-closed mind is only interested in exporting its brand of spirituality. We need to discover that it’s impossible to drink in God’s grace if we do nothing but tell others how to live.
The religiously-closed mind is only interested in exporting its brand of spirituality. We need to discover that it’s impossible to drink in God’s grace if we do nothing but tell others how to live.
reminds us,
reminds us, “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” More grace. Greater grace. All the more grace. I believe James was speaking from experience, not theory. I think he discovered the multi-layered grace of God as he learned to humble himself again and again. When we humble ourselves, we position ourselves for greater grace. And when we humble ourselves, we create an atmosphere of peace that allows us to speak the truth, filled with grace.
God continues to give us more grace. That’s why Scripture says, “God opposes those who are proud. But he gives grace to those who are not.”
James was speaking from experience, not theory.
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” More grace. Greater grace. All the more grace. I believe James was speaking from experience, not theory. I think he discovered the multi-layered grace of God as he learned to humble himself again and again. When we humble ourselves, we position ourselves for greater grace. And when we humble ourselves, we create an atmosphere of peace that allows us to speak the truth, filled with grace.
James talks in a Greek word picture of about grace having “many coats and many colors”
"More grace” is better translated, “multi-layered” and it is implies grace is received and learned only when we humble ourselves before God!
Did you know that the apostle Paul opened each one of his letters with the very same greeting? Thirteen times he says, “Grace and peace to you.” Each one of Paul’s letters opens with these words. Thirteen times! Whether Paul was writing to the people of a church, to his “true son in the faith,” like Titus, or even when he was writing to discuss the difference between slavery and brotherhood, his blessing was always “grace and peace.”
Did you know the apostle Paul opened each one of his letters with the very same greeting? Thirteen times he says, “Grace and peace to you.”
Did you know that the apostle Paul opened each one of his letters with the very same greeting? Thirteen times he says, “Grace and peace to you.” Each one of Paul’s letters opens with these words. Thirteen times! Whether Paul was writing to the people of a church, to his “true son in the faith,” like Titus, or even when he was writing to discuss the difference between slavery and brotherhood, his blessing was always “grace and peace.”
Each one of Paul’s letters opens with these words. Thirteen times! Whether Paul was writing to the people of a church, to his “true son in the faith,” like Titus, or even when he was writing to discuss the difference between slavery and brotherhood, his blessing was always “grace and peace.”
Why would this man of God greet everyone in this manner? What is so important about grace and peace that Paul feels the need to speak the words immediately? Perhaps we could start here: Paul greeted everyone with “grace and peace” because he understood our ongoing need for both of them. He was writing to believers, yet he wished for them more grace and more peace.
Why would Paul open every letter this way? Perhaps he understood our ongoing need for both of them. He was writing to believers, many of them troubled and living hard lives.
Why would this man of God greet everyone in this manner? What is so important about grace and peace that Paul feels the need to speak the words immediately? Perhaps we could start here: Paul greeted everyone with “grace and peace” because he understood our ongoing need for both of them. He was writing to believers, yet he wished for them more grace and more peace.
I believe Paul gave each congregation grace and peace because they were his to give. Paul did have a biblical precedence for giving away peace!
I believe Paul gave each congregation grace and peace because they were his to give. Jesus had instructed the original twelve, “Whatever house you enter, let your first words be, ‘peace to this house’” (). Jesus had in mind something more than words. He observed that a greeting of peace could rest upon the people in that house or return to the one that gave the greeting. This peace Jesus instructed the disciples to give was something real, something tangible, no less tangible than handing someone a loaf of bread. Decades later, Paul, a follower of Jesus, wrote to the churches of God scattered across the Roman world, and his first words are “grace and peace.”
Jesus instructed the original twelve in :
“When you enter a house, first say, ‘May this house be blessed with peace.’
). Jesus had in mind something more than words. He observed that a greeting of peace could rest upon the people in that house or return to the one that gave the greeting. This peace Jesus instructed the disciples to give was something real, something tangible, no less tangible than handing someone a loaf of bread. Decades later, Paul, a follower of Jesus, wrote to the churches of God scattered across the Roman world, and his first words are “grace and peace.”
“Whatever house you enter, let your first words be, ‘peace to this house’” (). Jesus had in mind something more than words. He observed that a greeting of peace could rest upon the people in that house or return to the one that gave the greeting. This peace Jesus instructed the disciples to give was something real, something tangible, no less tangible than handing someone a loaf of bread. Decades later, Paul, a follower of Jesus, wrote to the churches of God scattered across the Roman world, and his first words are “grace and peace.”
Jesus had in mind something more than words.
Jesus instructed the disciples to provide a greeting of peace to all the houses they visited; or, remove the greeting when they departed!
Or, remove the greeting when they departed.
The PEACE was something real, tangible, no less tangible than handing someone a loaf of bread. The decades later, Paul, a follower of Jesus, wrote to the churches of God scattered across the Roman world, and his first words are “grace and peace.”
Paul extended a blessing of grace and peace to all the churches he started and visited. He wrote to encourage what was good in these churches and offer correction when they failed to live up to God’s standards.
Do you see corrections as grace, opportunities to correct deficiencies?
Grace is not just receiving the blessings; it’s receiving the corrections!
Many of Paul’s churches faced persecution from the outside, and some experienced disagreements on the inside. All of them needed grace and peace. They were so important that Paul presented these gifts up front, just as a guest would before entering a house.
Paul wanted his friends to experience God’s grace and peace, and when necessary he brought powerful words of correction!
How often does God’s grace and peace appear to us in some form of correction and we toss it aside?
How often does God’s grace or peace appear to us in some form we may not recognize? We should ask ourselves: Do we receive the words of loved ones as God’s grace in our lives? Do we ever consider that the instruction we receive from those in authority has the potential to bring God’s peace?
I accept that every criticism has a at least a seed of truth which requires me to evaluate criticism before God! Only then can I hope to grow!
When Jesus sent out His disciples He said, “freely you’ve received, therefore freely give” ().
Paul’s words were not only about receiving; his greetings were examples of what we have to give. Have we received some measure of grace? Of peace? Jesus had straightforward instructions to his followers, “freely you’ve received, therefore freely give” (). If we have received any grace from God, then we have grace to give.
Paul’s words were not only about receiving; his greetings were examples of what we have to give.
Have we received some measure of grace? Of peace? If we have received any grace from God, then we have grace to give.
If we have received any grace from God, then we have grace to give.
Paul’s famous words from
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
Many believers quoted this verse on their own behalf in order to fight off guilt and condemnation. Have we ever quoted them on behalf of others?
Paul’s famous words from , “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” were not words he claimed exclusively for himself. He was speaking them over those who were listening to his letter. Many believers have quoted this verse on their own behalf in order to fight off guilt and condemnation. Have we ever quoted them on behalf of others?
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” were not words he claimed exclusively for himself. He was speaking them over those who were listening to his letter. Many believers have quoted this verse on their own behalf in order to fight off guilt and condemnation. Have we ever quoted them on behalf of others?
When God gives us peace in our lives, we can give that peace to others...
I.e. Some of you may disciple may have learned the secret of contentment. Another, how to place everyday fears at the feet of Jesus. Another, how to grow through discouragement and suffering.
Have you thought about giving away what you’ve learned?
Do we ever consider that the peace we’ve received in our walk with God might be the very thing we can teach others? He blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others.
Our everyday lives are no different than the times in which Paul wrote his letters. Words of grace and peace are not mere formalities, they are ours to give.
We live in a troubled world that use a bit of grace and peace—and you can give it away for free!
And yet there are obstacles to grace...
OBSTACLES TO GRACE AND PEACE
OBSTACLES TO GRACE AND PEACE
I HAVE FOUND two primary opponents!
Our conflicts with grace are like storm fronts in our hearts. I’ve had a few such storms in my own heart. Here are two examples of obstacles to grace. I wonder if either of these applies to you today.
Bitterness
Bitterness
Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.
Bitterness is an obstacle to grace!
“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled” (). Bitterness is an obstacle to grace. The wounded heart draws inward and avoids even grace itself. I want to be alone, alone in my pain. But this aloneness is an illusion. This passage from Hebrews warns us that, apart from the grace of God, our bitterness and unsettled scores seep into those around us. My bitterness can defile others. We need grace to endure suffering, even in the everyday slights of life. In our pain, when we refuse grace, we defile many. All the while, we think we are suffering in silence and solitude, unaware that when one member of the body suffers, the whole body is in pain.
We get spiritually wounded and we withdraw from God and His people.
“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled” (). Bitterness is an obstacle to grace. The wounded heart draws inward and avoids even grace itself. I want to be alone, alone in my pain. But this aloneness is an illusion. This passage from Hebrews warns us that, apart from the grace of God, our bitterness and unsettled scores seep into those around us. My bitterness can defile others. We need grace to endure suffering, even in the everyday slights of life. In our pain, when we refuse grace, we defile many. All the while, we think we are suffering in silence and solitude, unaware that when one member of the body suffers, the whole body is in pain.
I handle this by withdrawal—I put a wall and won’t let anyone in—I want to control my pain.
But withdrawal is just an illusion.
This passage from Hebrews warns us that failing to receive God’s grace to work through our problems becomes bitter poison that corrupts our soul!
Are you bitter at someone?
The word bitter is translated: pungent taste; angry, hurt, resentful, sour lemon, green raw cucumber, a vicious mixture, and in one instance is used to describe a poor road surface!
When I am bitter, I defile others! We need grace to endure suffering, even in the everyday slights of life. In our pain, when we refuse grace, we defile everyone around us.
We think we are doing it silently—but we are really affecting everyone who encounters us!
Just like when one limb on our body suffers the whole body suffers; so it it when we are bitter!
Scarcity
“Scarcity” is a terrible word, except that I can think of no other. This second opponent of grace is my fear that grace is a zero-sum game; that somehow, grace comes prepackaged in fixed amounts.
When we fail to see God’s grace as an unlimited supply; we tend to hoard it rather than give it away!
Part of the good news of Jesus Christ, is that there is more grace; grace for today and grace for tomorrow. Grace for more than forgiveness. Grace that gives power to live. Grace that offers it to friend and enemy. Grace to endure suffering. Grace to learn. Grace to love. Grace to care. Grace to be human! GRACE AND PEACE WE GIVE AWAY!
My mind has yet to inform my heart that “his mercy endures forever,” and comes in limitless supply. I am the frightened sparrow who thinks his own small breaths will consume all the air in the sky. I think whatever grace I find, I must keep for myself. Who knows where I’ll find more? Yet, if the Father clothes the flowers of the field and feeds the birds of the air, how much more will he provide the life-giving freedom of grace? Here is the supply of heaven: when I share the grace I’ve received, I discover the Source of all grace, who gives the Spirit without limit.
When we think we have to hoard grace
whatever grace I find, I must keep for myself. Who knows where I’ll find more? Yet, if the Father clothes the flowers of the field and feeds the birds of the air, how much more will he provide the life-giving freedom of grace? Here is the supply of heaven: when I share the grace I’ve received, I discover the Source of all grace, who gives the Spirit without limit.
whatever grace I find, I must keep for myself. Who knows where I’ll find more? Yet, if the Father clothes the flowers of the field and feeds the birds of the air, how much more will he provide the life-giving freedom of grace? Here is the supply of heaven: when I share the grace I’ve received, I discover the Source of all grace, who gives the Spirit without limit.
Part of the good news is that there is more grace; grace for today and grace for tomorrow. Grace for more than forgiveness. God wants to provide grace in the everyday; grace for growth and grace to sustain. Grace and peace represent more than our need. They are the need of everyone we meet. Do we wish grace and peace on others? Do we have it to give?
God wants to provide grace in the everyday; grace for growth and grace to sustain. Grace and peace represent more than our need. They are the need of everyone we meet. Do we wish grace and peace on others? Do we have it to give?
CLOSING: We are Community of Grace!
CLOSING: We are Community of Grace!
Community of Grace
Finally, we should understand that there is a place to cultivate grace, peace, and truth. Grace grows in community, but not just any community.
It grows in places like this! Places where the people of God meet and share and pray and worship!
The same Father God who adopted us into his family, longs for us to live together as family.
Unfortunately we aren’t always a good family! Otherwise we would not have over 50k denominations who war against one another!
This is a difficult message for many people these days because by community I mean church. The same Father God who adopted us into his family intends that we should live together as family. This is a difficult message because in modern times, the church of Jesus is largely out of joint. We have created a Christendom where we can choose churches the way most people choose restaurants, according to our individual tastes. By most estimates, there are more than 25,000 Christian denominations worldwide. Not individual churches, denominations. How can we grow in grace when we are free to wander from one family to another?
But it doesn’t have to be like this. Listen carefully to the apostle Peter:
Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
It’s an old story. Ask nearly any Christian and you’ll hear stories of church drama, church fights, and church splits. But it doesn’t have to be like this. Listen carefully to the apostle Peter:
It’s easy to miss the word grace in this passage, but you’ll find it right in the middle, which is where grace always belongs.
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. ()
Our words and actions are the practical expressions of God’s grace.
It’s easy to miss the word grace in this passage, but you’ll find it right in the middle, which is where
grace always belongs. Our words and actions are the practical expressions of God’s grace. God wants to show his grace through the love, hospitality, encouragement, and service in the community of faith. We extend grace to others precisely because we’ve received grace from God. Among our families at home— and among the family of God—we are called to be caretakers of grace. Too often, we have become merely consumers of grace, and it has led to a church for every taste and preference the consumers can imagine.
God wants to show his grace through the love, hospitality, encouragement, and service in the community of faith.
We extend grace to others precisely because we’ve received grace from God. Among our families at home— and among the family of God—we are called to be caretakers of grace. Too often, we have become merely consumers of grace, and it has led to a church for every taste and preference consumers can imagine.
Not only does grace grow in the community we call church, it grows in the most unlikely places of the church, among our shortcomings, our hypocrisies, and failings.
NEARLY EVERY WEEK I close out the service by saying:
“May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you.”
Do you know why? Because I want you to leave, receiving His grace and peace.
You will be hearing rumors that I am leaving in November—they are not rumors. That is the truth.
All of us have failed and all of us need grace! All of us have received grace and need to give it away. Church, it’s not a treasure to be hidden and hoarded, it a an endless gift God gave to yo, so you can give to another!
Best of all is our reward. In Matthew’s version of the parable, the master not only praises the good stewards, he extends an invitation, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” says the master. “Come and share your master’s happiness!” When we distribute the grace of God, we will receive his praise, and something more, an invitation to enter into his joy. Through grace, joy increases for everyone.