Grace Point Sermons

In our endless search for hope, we often take the well-worn detour into wishful thinking. Unfortunately, despite the promise of freedom and peace, wishful thinking can only ever lead us to despair. That's why it's so important for us to let God's word shape reality and commit to embracing Biblical thinking over wishful thinking.

The more we try to tame our flesh with rules, the more we learn that we must kill the flesh or it will kill us. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit promises to put our flesh to death, and as He does, we learn that we can trust Him to change: (1) What we love; (2) How we live; & (3) Who we are.

"For freedom Christ has set us free." In Christ, we've been set free FROM our old way of life & set free TO live as servants to Jesus and His people. But that freedom will always be challenged, which is why we must stand firm in grace against every threat raised against it.

If even our best efforts deserve God's judgment, then repentance is always needed: for our rebellion AND for our righteousness. No other path can lead to hope, as God's Spirit does in us what our flesh can never accomplish.

It's easy for us to see when others resist hearing God's truth applied to their lives. But do we see it as easily when we do the same thing? If we want to make sure we're not hearing the gospel in vain, Paul invites us to join him in choosing: (1) Joy over comfort; (2) Truth over status; & (3) Growth over ease.

Even though our union with Christ guarantees our adoption with Him as children of God, our assurance of this new identity comes as the Spirit gives us: (1) A New Heart; (2) A New Confidence; & (3) A New Humility.

When we live like we're still prisoners to the Law, Jesus invites us into true gospel freedom. This gift of the gospel (like every other gift of the gospel) comes to us through our union with Christ, which allows us to share His relationship with the Father, His righteousness & His reward.

When life gets hard and we don't understand God's plans, it can be hard to rest in His promises. Thankfully, God's faithfulness to His word depends on His character, not ours. That's why Paul works so hard to help us see that God's Law was never meant to show us what we had to do to save ourselves, but to show us what Jesus was going to do to save all who believe in Him.

All of us desire God's blessing. All of us deserve God's curse. What each of us receives depends on whether we're depending on the works of the flesh or the power of the Spirit.

There is only one Savior. There is only one gospel. And there is only one way for us to be made right with God. It's not through works of the Law, but through faith that justifies, testifies & satisfies.

Our differences make unity difficult, but Jesus makes it possible through the gospel. We'll only be able to experience true gospel unity, though, if we are willing to make three Core Commitments: (1) We must refuse to compromise; (2) We must be eager to cooperate; & (3) We must be willing to confront. Only with all of these in place can we maximize the impact of our witness to the watching world.

God's gospel is the only gospel that can save because nothing else has the power to change the heart. Human traditions can only lead to reformation that lasts a little while, but God's revelation leads to transformation that lasts forever. The question is: "Will we seek transformation that glorifies God, or settle for reformation that glorifies us?"

We never outgrow the temptation to trust men more than we trust God. For that reason, we never stop needing to be reminding of God's Gospel, which is the only one that saves!

Are you telling the truth about Jesus and His grace in your family? If not, then you need to be reminded that God's design for family includes the gift of authority, which He calls us to embrace & express for His glory.

As John concludes his Gospel, his focus is on the purposeful, powerful, personal grace of Jesus because this grace is the only thing that can truly satisfy our souls and set us free to live in humble hope.

When we encounter Jesus, He turns our lives upside-down and we are never the same again. Once that happens, the Gospel always leads to: (1) Proclamation; (2) Invitation; & (3) Expectation.

It's only natural to be afraid when we feel alone in a battle we can't win. But Jesus offers us His peace, rooted in the promise that He's always with us, fighting our battles. As He does, we don't just get to share His victory, but also His joy, His mission & His Spirit.

When we're limited by what we assume Jesus can do, we often miss what He is doing. Thankfully, He's patient with us as we grow to know, love & follow Him by His grace. In the process, He's not only working in us, but also working through us, to take His gospel to the world.

At the cross, Jesus finished the work. Now He invites us to join Him in His rest. When we do: (1) doubt gives way to confidence; (2) shame gives way to boldness; & (3) despair gives way to anticipation.

Jesus never said: "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you tasks." Jesus did say: "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." True gospel rest is available to all who believe and live like it really is finished and we are free in Jesus.

The sufferings of Jesus show us both: (1) what our sins deserve; & (2) what God's love demands. As John holds up the dark mirror of human nature, he shows us that the gospel doesn't just require honesty, but also gives us hope.

No matter how long or how hard we try to build our own kingdoms, Jesus is the one, true King who will not share His glory with another. What He offers instead is a Redemption that meets us at the intersection of the failure of Rebellion & the failure of Religion.

Nobody sees themselves accurately, but pressure always reveals who we really are. Thankfully, this is just as true of Jesus Himself as it is for His enemies & friends. What this should lead us to ask ourselves is: (1) What does pressure reveal about me? & (2) What do I do when I'm exposed?

When we're tempted to let our feelings define reality, Jesus reminds us that He is the great "I AM." The more we know Him as He truly is, the more we'll love all, fear none & live free.

Unity is a shared love with a shared purpose. And as Jesus prays for His people, He doesn't just show us what gospel unity is and why it matters, He also tells us how to pursue it in a way that brings Him the most glory and gives us the most joy.