“Amazing Grace” Series

“The Gift of Grace” – Romans 3:23-24

Romans 3:23-24

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” 
 
This is a powerhouse of a verse. It is one of the most widely used passages in explaining how justification and salvation work. You could spend hours digging into the terms in this verse,  like “glory”, “justified” and “redemption.” One of the resources that we recommend, the Bible Project, does a beautiful job explaining God’s grace, the central idea of this verse, as well as the whole book of Galatians. Click on the image below to watch a short video about this amazing characteristic of God. And check out some of the other great videos while you’re there!     
 
Read Romans 3:23-24 again after watching the video to get the full concept of God’s grace, and then spend a little time looking at this wonderful verse through the lens of the HEAR method: 
 
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond? 
 
bibleproject.com 
https://youtu.be/ABPVVw_aw44

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“That’s a Real Weight Off” – Romans 5:1

Romans 5:1
 
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
 
The weight loss industry makes over $72 billion a year. And if you’re like me, you might have contributed a bit to that number. Diet after diet promises to melt away the pounds by one means or another – no carbs, or no fat, just bananas or no bananas, counting points, counting calories, or counting steps. It’s a frustrating cycle that seems to make a difference for some, but most simply end up back where they began. 
 
People start diets for many reasons – they’re uncomfortable, embarrassed, in pain, stressed out, facing health problems, or having relational issues. If you’ve had success losing weight, you might attest to the increased energy, concentration, health and healing that comes with it. 
 
When we think about our spiritual well-being, we know that life provides constant challenges that pack on the stress and pressure, threatening to bring us to our knees. We know that this sense of overwhelm can be crushing and effect every area of our life – our health, our relationships, our outlook and effectiveness. We long for something to come and lift all of that weight off of our shoulders. Just like the serial dieter, we might jump from strategy to strategy, finding a little release, but nothing long lasting.  
 
When we attempt to gain peace with God through our works, we find it a treadmill with no clear finish line. I mean really, how good is good enough? Through this paradigm, we struggle to read enough, pray enough, attend, give and volunteer enough so that we can get “close to God.” But it’s only through our faith in Christ that we truly find peace. And there is no close second to the peace that God offers. It is a peace of knowing we can drop the never-ending quest to be “close to God” because our faith brings us into an everlasting fellowship that makes us “in Christ.” You can’t get any closer than “in.” Experiencing the lightness of living by faith, means that we are letting God do all the heavy lifting, and we are freed up to feel like (and be) a whole new person.  
*for more on this idea, we recommend the book “Learning to Live and Love Like Jesus” by Brandon Cook
 
While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:  
  • What are some stresses or circumstances that are weighing you down?   
  • How can being “in Christ” bring you peace? 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond? 

Today’s post is by Jon Price, Associate Pastor

 
Photo by i yunmai on Unsplash

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“How Do You Identify?” – Gal. 2:20-21

Galatians 2:20-21 

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” 
 
The question, “How do you identify?” is ever-present in our post-Christian culture as what was once taken at face value is now less so. But in a general sense, how we identify is an important question to nail down. It gets to the root of our narrative. Our narrative is what we tell ourselves about ourselves. Our self-identity is the filter through which we measure and make sense of the world around us. We might find our identity in our heritage, our nationality, race, sexual orientation, religious affiliation or political party. We might find our identity through something that we’ve done or that has been done to us.
 
Paul found his identity in Christ. This narrative of identifying with Christ was all-encompassing, to the point that he had to empty himself to make room. He saw his life as no longer his own. He had exchanged his anemic, temporal, and mundane desires and ambitions for something incomparably greater. The “gift” he was willing to give compared to the gift that Christ offered through love and sacrifice would be similar to swapping roadkill for a mansion. 
 
When we find our identity in Christ, we can experience a life full of love, generosity, freedom, and grace. Why would we ever choose to spurn such a gift for some broken thing we might duct tape together on our own? How do I identify? I’m with Him. 
 
While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:  
  • What are various ways that you might identify and how do they shape your perspective? (ie. a southerner, an only child, a widow, a millionaire, a veteran)
  • If you identify with Christ, what are some results you’ve experienced through living this narrative? Consider sharing in the comments below.  

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond? 

Today’s post is by Jon Price, Associate Pastor
 

Photo by Alex Iby on Unsplash
 

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“What’s in Your Wallet?” – Galatians 2:15-16

Galatians 2:15-16
“We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”
 
“Membership has its privileges” – touted American Express in the ’90s. Paul was drawing on his privilege as a member of the “Jews by birth” club, identifying with those who looked down on the “Gentile sinners” because they lacked the millennia of background and context common to God’s chosen people. Paul was saying, “Take it from me, I’m one of you. But as one of you, I can tell you, the old ways no longer work.” 
 
Sometimes the old ways can get in the way. The Old Testament reveals a path to redemption through a promised messiah. Understanding this gives richer significance to what Jesus did through his life, teachings, death, and resurrection. But prior knowledge of the Old Testament background or adherence to the old covenant laws weren’t a prerequisite to benefitting from a new life offered through Christ. The law – the old way, was to be left at the door upon entering the new covenant. 
 
Faith is the currency of the new covenant. Works are no longer accepted as credit. So as we consider what we bank on to put us in the right relationship with God, we might go to another card slogan and ask, “What’s in your wallet?”  
 
While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:  
  • What old ways are getting in your way of living in faith, the currency of the new covenant?
  • What “membership” do you hold that gives you access to speak truth to those within your influence?  

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you?
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond? 

Today’s post is by Jon Price, Associate Pastor
 
Photo by Avery Evans on Unsplash

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“Future Neighbors” – Revelation 7:9

Revelation 7:9

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,”

As we reflect on unity this week, it’s fitting to end with a look to the future. In the book of Revelation, John is given a glimpse of those who will stand at the throne worshipping the lamb together. People from every tribe, nation, and language. This vision of our future is a testimony of God’s sweeping love and a reminder that our spiritual family extends far beyond those who are just like us. Part of revealing and reveling in God’s Kingdom here on earth is showing love and grace to our diverse brothers and sisters that will one day be our eternal neighbors.  
 
While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • What is the significance of white robes? What about the palm branches? 
  • Revelation was a letter of encouragement for the persecuted church in John’s day. How would this image have encouraged them? How might it encourage you? 
  • What can you do this week (prayer or action) to lift up your future neighbors?   

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you?

Explain – what does the passage mean?

Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?

Respond – how is God leading you to respond?


Today’s post is by Jon Price, Associate Pastor

 

photo by monkeybusiness from elements.envato.com

 

 

 

 

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“Preparing Your Heart” – Psalm 131:1

Psalm 131:1

“O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.”

This short psalm (just 3 verses) is labeled A Song of Ascents. Of David. It is one of a group of ascent psalms attributed to King David. There are several possibilities for the original use of these short psalms. Some suggest that they were sung by those making pilgrimage up to Jerusalem for the festivals, some suggest they were recited by the priests ascending the stairs into the temple courtyard. Either way, they can be seen as psalms to prepare the heart and mind for worship.
 
One of the elements of worship is humility – having the right perspective of who we are in relation to who God is. We are coming into the presence of the Most High. The more we focus on this truth, the more we remember our place. We are finite, He is infinite. We are fallen, He is perfection.
 
In our access to God through Christ, we are brought into the family and made co-heirs with Christ. However, we must make sure that the familiarity we are afforded through God’s mercy and grace is tempered with honor and respect.
 
While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • What do you think David meant by “my eyes are not raised too high?”
  • Is this psalm suggesting we shouldn’t pursue the big questions in life? 
  • What are some things that you can do to prepare your heart for worship? List one or two in the comments below.  

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you?

Explain – what does the passage mean?

Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?

Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Jon Price, Associate Pastor

 

Photo by Alain Wong on Unsplash

 

 

 

 

 

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