Grace is Living Discipleship 2

Waiting is tough but possible

What does it mean to wait well? How do we do it?

Paul makes it clear we must know doctrine, the direction it gives us and the dynamic it is teaching us in order to wait well.

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The Doctrine behind Waiting

Matt 24:29-31; Matt 25:31-40

1 Thess 1:9-10

2 Thess 2:7-8

Revelation 19:11–16 ESV

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Jesus teaches that he’s going to return and judge the wicked and save the righteous because of his death and its redeeming value.

Parable of the virgins

The Direction of Grace

Soberly, Righteously and Godly through the Waiting of Discipleship

One step at a time

Isaiah

Singing/Talking

2 Peter 3:11-13 - Living soberly righteously and godly hastens the return … it doesn’t delay it

The direction of grace brings a dynamic that you must pursue.

The Dynamic between waiting and denying

Denying and Waiting are 2 sides of one coin - pursuing grace by living soberly, righteously and godly

Waiting without denying is self-indulgent

Denying without waiting is self-punishing

James 5:7-12

Diagram - Doctrine…Direction…Dynamic…Health

Application: Letting grace parent you

The grace of belonging - parenting even through sin

The grace of perseverance (denying and waiting) - confidence and courage and joy

What’s your talk about?

Small Group Questions:

How do you wait on Jesus’ return in everyday life?

Why is the doctrine behind waiting so important?

How do you let that doctrine affect your motivations?

Which do you tend toward self-indulgence or self-punishing?

How can you be a part of the grace of belonging in someone else’s life?

Where do you need the grace of perseverance? How can you talk about that grace with others?