Last Sunday I had the opportunity to speak at Champion Life Church. It was an honor and a privilege! I was wrapping up our “Grace Anatomy” series. Below is the podcast of the message along with my notes. I hope this message challenges you and helps you grow in your walk with God!
Grace = is God’s ability working in and for us to make us able to do and be what we could never do or be on our own!
Notes:
With enough grace, you can do anything and be anything that God’s called you to be!
Misunderstandings of Grace
Misunderstanding #1: All The Benefits of Grace will Happen Automatically if I Pursue God
Nothing has the power to help you, unless you believe it! This Gospel doesn’t have the chance to transform your life, until you believe it!
I am constantly amazed at people who think because we’re under grace and that God wants us to have and has provided good things that it’ll just happen. Just because you’re under grace, it does not indicate that everything is just going to happen in your life!
James 1:22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
It’s the doers that get results!
Ask God: What is about that person that allows you to use them in that capacity?
Misunderstanding #2: Grace means living responsible and godly lives is no longer important.
Godly lives don’t make you right with God, but it should be the result of a relationship of God!
Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.” -Malachi 3:18
Romans 6:1, 2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.
Grace may give us more freedom, but with more freedom comes more responsibility!
Misunderstanding #3: Grace means that sin no longer exists, or that God is not bothered by our sin, or that there is no longer a need to confess sin.
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us!
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death
Sin exists and it will destroy your life! Not only your life, but it will leave an impact on everyone around you that loves you.
Sin causes us to slowly turn our hearts away from God!
How to Deal with Sin and Receive Grace!
I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power[e] within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 7:21-25
There is no sin problem… The problem is people not knowing Jesus!
When you have sin in your life, the tendency is to hide. If you do that, you’ll slowly turn your heart from God, you’ll stop going to church, etc.
Recognize God’s Grace:
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
Confess
Heb 4:16-5:1 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
The greatest time of need is when you fail! Go to God with confidence, He will not turn you away!
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. ~1 John 1:9
ADMIT IT, QUIT IT, FORGET IT!
The Grace Side
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. -Romans 8:1
God has forgiven you, but you need to receive an awareness that you are forgiven!
Don’t let anyone make you feel inadequate or like God doesn’t love you!
