Taught by Grace

Exercise. We all like the idea of being in good shape. We may be less enthusiastic about doing what we need to do to get in shape or stay in shape. Yes, there is that, isn't there?

We have such a difficult time understanding grace, that it can be difficult to have conversations about growth without things getting distorted. Some immediately shelve the idea of grace and revert back to being acceptable by performance or behavior. Others, who are driven by anxiety and fear that somehow they are going to be deceived, begin seeing conspiracy behind every bush and around every corner, and so fail to actually embrace life and grow because they are so fearful of being deceived (which is of course the ultimate deception). It is much more challenging to embrace the amazing generosity and love of God which reminds us of who are really are, and then knowing that, engage the opportunity to grow up into maturity in Christ. We are invited not only to stop fearing grace, and not simply shelve it as something that only has to do with the past, but to let it take root in the present and become what we are all about.

The scriptures invite not only to give a nod to grace, but to embrace it like an athlete embraces an exercise program - to live it, to practice it, to immerse our lives in it. Grace is not only what starts us off, it is what sustains and shapes us was we grow. It is about entering the classroom with Jesus, sitting as His feet, learning from Him. Study, prayer, meditation, spiritual practices -- all of these are opportunities to exercise, grow, and become mature in our walk with Jesus.

That is what Pastor Jon invites us to explore in the sermon this week. If you would like to listen to the sermon once again, or perhaps for the first time, you can access our sermon library here, or the live stream version of he service here.

Ephesians 2:8-10

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Titus 2

2 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older mento be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

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.