The Power of Grace

Have you noticed how reluctant people can be to believe in the truth of that phrase? Do you really believe that grace has power? Or are you more comfortable with the conventional wisdom that real power comes from making sure that we enforce what is good and see to it that those who are not are properly punished. Consequences, or the fear of consequences, is the power that motivates people to do what it right, right? But grace? What's motivating about that? How does that motivate or teach us anything? Sounds too soft! . . .

. . . and so goes the same, old, tired, and ultimately sad story that mistakes coercion for power and relies on anxiety for motivation. It is a story that has been told over and over again down through the centuries and is still rehearsed today, and accepted by many as truth.

The good news is that this is not the only story. It's not even the real story. There is another, better, truer, real story that has been told, and continues to be told, in the lives of those who hear it and become a part of it. It is a story that motivates and transforms in ways that those caught in the other story at first can hardly comprehend, but when they do, can hardly find the words to give it expression. It is a story about the power of grace . . . the power of love. It is about a motivation that runs deeper and transforms more completely than those caught in the other story could ever hope for. It is a story that lifts the standard higher, as love always asks much more than does fear. And it is a story about anxiety and uncertainty about where we stand, giving way to assurance and peace, which then empowers us to live like we never could have lived before. It is a story about the incredible power of grace.

That is the story that Pastor Jon explores with us this week. If you would like to listen to the sermon again, or perhaps to hear it for the first time, you can access our sermon library by clicking here.

Titus 2 (TNIV)

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.

Titus 2 (The Message)

11-14God's readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation's available for everyone! We're being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.

Ephesians 2:4-8

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 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.

Our Mission Statement

As we are saved by grace,

so we live, serve, follow and lead by grace.

In response to God’s gracious invitation

to come and enter into His Sabbath rest,

we extend to others that same invitation —

to come to Him,

know and abide in Him,

be equipped to serve Him,

and grow to full maturity in Him—

as we look forward with joyful anticipation to His soon return.

Revelation 22:21

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

So, to what extent, really, is it that grace is central to us? To what extent is it the primary motivating and guiding factor in how we live and how we interact with each other in all areas of our lives? Where do you revert to the "other" story? Where do we hear God reminding us that we need to walk away from the "other" story in all of its forms and embrace God's story, the one we are invited to participate in. . . to live out . . . until it is as much our story as it is His? How's that "other" story working for you? Perhaps it is time to more fully embrace the real story, and discover the power?

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