Grace Sermons

What is the real meaning of Matthew 5:17?  Jesus said that He didn't come to abolish the law, so does that mean that we still live by the law today?  No!  Jesus fulfilled the righteous demands of the law, and now under the New Covenant, we are dead to the law and no longer live by the written code but by the Spirit. Matthew 5:17-20 explained... “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or...

Many people today try to use 2 Chronicles 7:14 to say that if we as a country humble ourselves, pray, seek God, and turn from our wicked ways that our country will turn around.   Maybe we'll have less natural disasters, less violence, and less immorality.  The political landscape will get better, our economy will get better, and we will begin to prosper again. It’s become a verse that we use as ou...

1 John 1:9 is often taught to be a verse about believers and their need for ongoing confession of sin to be forgiven or to regain fellowship with Jesus. But that is not what that verse means.  John is writing to confront Gnostic unbelievers and is saying that if they confess that they are sinners then they will be forgiven have fellowship with God and other believers. https://thegraceblog.com/blog

What is the real meaning of Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me?  Many have taken this verse out of context and used it as an inspirational slogan for motivation to accomplish all of their hopes and dreams.  In it's proper context, Philippians 4:13 is about contentment.  Paul is saying that Jesus gives him strength to be content in whatever situation or circumst...

Team ministry is the theme for Colossians 4:7-18.  As Paul makes his final greetings to the church at Colossae, we see how many ordinary people were a part of God's Kingdom work in the early church.  As we make ourselves available to Jesus, He leads us into various roles we will play in the church as He accomplishes His Kingdom work today! Colossians 4:7-18... 7 Tychicus will tell you all the news...

How do we react to the secularization of our society?  Christians are becoming the minority within our culture, but the early church was the minority in their culture as well.  In this section of Colossians, Paul shares teaches us to be wise in the way we act towards outsiders, and to let our conversations always be full of grace and seasoned with salt. Colossians 4:2-6... 2 Devote yourselves to p...

What is the meaning of Colossians 3:18?  Why did Paul tell wives to submit to their husbands and husbands to love their wives?  In Colossians 3:18-4:1, Paul shows how being a new creation in Christ applies to being a wife, husband, father, mother, and child.  The gospel transforms the way we do relationships in our homes. 18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.  19...

In Colossians 3:15-17, Paul continues to make practical application that flows from our new life in Christ.  Specifically, he teaches us to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, let the message of Christ dwell among us, and do everything in the name of the Lord.  In today's message, we dive deep into each one of those areas to see how it specifically applies to us today!

In this section, Paul describes the clothes (virtues/actions) of someone who is a new creation in Christ.  These clothes are the outworking of an inward transformation and reality that Jesus works through us. Colossians 3:12-14...Colossians 3:12-14...12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear...

Paul begins the practical section of this letter by giving a list of things to get rid of as a new creation in Christ.  The image is that of taking off dirty clothes that don't fit with who you are any longer.  The perspective Paul gives is that these commands are not prescriptions to be a better Christian but rather descriptions of who you no longer are in Christ. Colossians 3:5-11... 5 Put to de...

What does it mean that your life is hidden with Christ in God?  What does it mean to have been raised with Christ?  How do we set our minds on things above and not on earthly things?  I answer all of these questions in this sermon on Colossians 3:1-4. Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds o...

The resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything!  Through His substitutionary sacrifice on the cross for our sins and His resurrection, we are offered complete forgiveness and eternal life as a gift that we receive by faith in Christ. John 20:31 - But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Is it possible you have missed the real Jesus?  The people on Palm Sunday seemed to think they knew who Jesus was, but just a few days later they were the ones crying out, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!"  They thought Jesus was coming to make their situations and circumstances better by freeing them from Roman oppression, but Jesus came to give peace between humanity and God by giving Himself as a sub...

Measuring spiritual growth or how we are doing in the Christian life is dangerous.  Paul warns us of 3 ways not to measure the Christian life, or we will become enslaved to hollow and deceptive philosophies.

Paul warns us to watch out for hollow and deceptive philosophy.  Satan works through human tradition and cultural influences to tempt us with a "Jesus plus" gospel, but Paul counters with the truth that we are complete in Christ and not lacking anything. Colossians 2:8-10... 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the...

What does it mean to be rooted in Christ?  In this sermon, we'll discover that we have been rooted and continue to stay rooted through Christ's finished work on the cross.  Rooted is in the perfect tense and the passive voice.  From that rootedness, Christ builds us up and establishes us in the faith as we give thanks for what He's done and what He is doing. Colossians 2:6-7... 6 So then, just as...

In Colossians 2:4, Paul warns believers of fine-sounding arguments.  Satan is a master deceiver and will tempt us with a "Jesus Plus Gospel," and lead us away from the sufficiency of Christ.  Paul points us to Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Christ in you, the hope of glory is the message that Paul proclaimed.  It was a mystery hidden in the pages of the Old Testament and now revealed in Christ.  In this sermon, we'll dive into the meaning of Christ in you, the hope of glory and what that means for you today. Colossians 1:27 - To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ...

What does reconciliation mean in the Bible?  The apostle Paul in Colossians 1:21-23 helps bring clarity to the before and after picture of salvation and how we move from being enemies of God to part of His family.  We are changed into those who are holy, without blemish, and free of accusation. This is reconciliation with God.

Jesus Christ is preeminent.  He is first in everything.  In Him, through Him, and for Him all things were created.  He is before all things and holds all things together.  

If God were handing out grades based on how you are doing in the Christian life, what would your grade be?  Many of us have this mentality where we are earning points for the good things we are doing and having points deducted for the bad things we are doing, but Colossians 1:9-14 reveals the truth that we are already qualified, have been rescued, and are in the Kingdom.  It sounds like you alread...

What is your true identity?  What is the meaning of identity in Christ?  In the opening verses of Colossians, Paul shows us how God defines those who are believers... as saints.  We are not sinners saved by grace but rather saints who sometimes sin.  There is a big difference!  We act out of what we believe about ourselves.  If you believe you are a sinner, the most natural thing for a sinner to d...

Paul wrote to refute the false gospel of "Jesus plus."  The gospel is Jesus plus nothing = everything.  The Colossians background led to a diverse population and a pluralistic society.  The church was being tempted with a Jesus plus gospel, and in this introduction, we see that Paul writes to declare that the good news of Jesus is Jesus plus nothing equals everything and everything minus Jesus equ...

What is the meaning of He shall be called a Nazarene?  Nazarene was a slang term used for people who were despised and rejected.  Jesus experienced suffering and persecution, and He was despised by many.  Because he suffered, He knows your pain.  Because of the victory at the cross, He brings hope to your suffering.

What is the meaning of Matthew 2:1-12?  Why did the Magi come to visit Jesus?  Who were the Magi?  We learn so much from them as they walk into the presence of Jesus as a toddler.  They fall on their face before Him and worship Him. That is the only appropriate response from us as well.