Living The Grace Shaped Life
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Recommended books
What’s so Amazing about Grace? The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey
Grace: More than we deserve, greater than we imagine by Max Lucado
Grace is Greater by Kyle Idleman
Soul Set Free by John Lindell
The Grace Shaped Life: 3 Steps to living the way God wants you to live!
The Grace Shaped Life: 3 Steps to living the way God wants you to live!
I believe that “Grace” is not only the greatest word in all of the Bible, but it is also God’s greatest idea!
The term is used so much that we tend to settle for a wimpy grace.
The bank or creditor may give you a “Grace Period.”
We refer to people as “Gracious” or “Graceful.”
Some address Monarchs as “Your Grace.”
It has been said of many people who have made grave mistakes that they have “Fallen from Grace.”
Someone who has done something terrible, “You’re a Disgrace!”
Do we truly understand it? Philip Yancey states in his book “What’s so amazing about Grace?”, “it is the one grand theological word that has not been (completely) spoiled.”
Yancey refers to a conversation he had with a counselor. This particular counselor said that he could sum up his entire career this way:
“Many years ago I was driven to the conclusion that the two major causes of most emotional problems among evangelical Christians are these: the failure to understand, receive, and live out God’s unconditional grace and forgiveness; and the failure to give out that unconditional love, forgiveness, and grace to other people … We read, we hear, we believe a good theology of grace. But that’s not the way we live. The good news of the Gospel of grace has not penetrated the level of our emotions.”
I will add this: Grace has not penetrated our actions!
What comes to mind when asked: “What is an Evangelical Christian?”
Political beliefs
Religious practice
Taking a stance against something immoral
If we are not identified by an organization that display’s the Grace of God, we are doing something wrong, God’s Grace comes free of charge with no strings attached to people who don’t deserve it and I am one of those people!
It’s with this understanding that Paul wrote to young Timothy:
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
If we are not identified by an organization that display’s the Grace of God, we are doing something wrong, God’s Grace comes free of charge with no strings attached to people who don’t deserve it and I am one of those people!
1600 years ago, Augustine wrote in his Confessions;
“My sin was all the more incurable because I did not think myself a sinner.”
We must come face to face with our terminal
In this message I not only want us to “Get Grace” but more importantly, I want “Grace to Get Us!”
15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
Has Grace changed you / your heart?
Max Lucado asks some deeper questions about Grace. Have you been changed by grace? Shaped by grace? Strengthened by grace? Softened by grace? Snatched by the back of your neck and shaken to your senses by grace? Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off.
Has Grace softened your heart?
15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
Has Grace penetrated your relationships?
Hebrews 12:15
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
(NIV 84)
See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
In Hebrews culture any poisonous plant would be called a “bitter” plant. The author of Hebrews uses “bitter root” as a metaphor to make it clear that when we miss grace things become toxic.
Religion without grace is poisonous. A relationship without grace is poisonous. A church without grace is poisonous. A heart without grace is poisonous.
titus 2.11-
titus 2.11-
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
Paul teaches Titus that Grace has many purposes:
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
3 Steps to “Living the Grace Shaped Life.”
Step # 1 Understand Grace
Step # 1 Understand Grace
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
titus
The Bible is full of narratives that teach us about grace.
Adam & Eve ()
Joseph & his brothers ()
Jonah (, )
Paul uses the word grace more than a 100 x’s in his letters.
The word translated "grace" in the New Testament comes from the Greek word charis, which means “favor, blessing, or kindness.”
God shows both mercy and grace, but they are not the same. Mercy withholds a punishment we deserve; grace gives a blessing we don’t deserve.
Jesus, on the other had, never used the word grace. Instead he showed us what it looked like.
“God’s grace is compelling when explained but irresistible when experienced.” Grace is Greater by: Kyle Idleman
Grace is God choosing to bless us rather than curse us as our sin deserves. Our ability to appreciate grace is in direct correlation to the degree to which we acknowledge our need for it. The more we recognize the ugliness of our sin, the more we can appreciate the beauty of God’s grace.
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
is
1600 years ago, Augustine wrote in his Confessions;
“My sin was all the more incurable because I did not think myself a sinner.”
We must come face to face with our terminal diagnosis = we all have a sickness called “Sin.”
12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.
21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
I have a difficult understanding Grace!
God’s Grace is not limited by our understanding of it!
God’s Grace is not limited by our understanding of it!
God’s Grace is not limited by our understanding of it.
Step # 2 Receive Grace
Step # 2 Receive Grace
**not sure about this scripture
16 So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe.
16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
“A man whose hands are full of parcels can’t receive a gift.” C.S. Lewis
We’ve all been diagnosed with sin and our condition is terminal - the wages of sin is death. But Paul introduces us to an antidote called GRACE!
We’ve all been diagnosed with sin and our condition is terminal - the wages of sin is death. But Paul introduces us to an antidote called GRACE!
We’ve all been diagnosed with sin and our condition is terminal - the wages of sin is death. But Paul introduces us to an antidote called GRACE!
15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.
Our sin shows us that we don’t deserve to enter God’s presence, but Grace invites us
16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Mercy is God not punishing us for our sins, grace is God blessing us despite the fact that we don’t deserve it!
**Perhaps the greatest display of Grace was the woman caught in the act of adultery
4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Grace teaches us a new way to live.
12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. 18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
titus 2.
God’s grace is ALWAYS greater no matter what!
God’s grace is ALWAYS greater no matter what!
Step # 3 Give Grace
Step # 3 Give Grace
38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Give what? Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who mistreat you. ()
Practical ways to Give Grace:
Show grace with your words: Kind & gentle, when correction is needed - find a gentle way to say it, don’t be hateful or mean spirited. *Clean up your language!
Look for ways to meet the needs of others: find little ways, hold a door, help a friend, meet a need.
Respond with Grace: Criticized by someone, treated unfairly - respond with Grace. A quick response with anger is the opposite of Grace.
Keep a very short record of wrongs & forgive often.
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
70x7 scripture
Peter wishing to seem benevolent says 7x’s? (Rabbi’s at the time taught 3x’s is more than necessary)
The context = restoring a Christian brother or sister who has sinned
Jesus responds 70 times 7 representing an unlimited amount of times.
Although they had been with Jesus for some time they were still thinking in terms of the law, where Jesus was thinking in terms of God’s grace.
Gordon MacDonald once said: “You need not be a Christian to build houses, feed the hungry, or heal the sick. There is only one thing the world cannot do. It cannot offer grace.”
3 Steps to a Grace Shaped Life
3 Steps to a Grace Shaped Life
Extra material:
# 1 Understand
# 1 Understand
# 2 Receive
# 2 Receive
God shows both mercy and grace, but they are not the same. Mercy withholds a punishment we deserve; grace gives a blessing we don’t deserve.
#3 Give
#3 Give
Repeat, repeat, repeat!!!
Repeat, repeat, repeat!!!
Example: I went to the gym once this week can you tell?
