Grace Sermons

In the gospel of John, Jesus is described as the Word (Logos).  What is the meaning of the Word was God?  John declares that in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.  Jesus may have been born in a manger, but He did not come into being in that moment.  John makes a clear statement of Jesus' deity.  He is the eternal Son of God who was born into this world to re...

Fear, worry, and anxiety do not come from God but from the enemy.  In Christ, you have a spirit of power, love, and sound judgment.  In Christ, you can walk in faith over fear! 2 Timothy 1:7... for God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind. https://thegraceblog.com/blog #faithoverfear  #2timothy  #election  #fear  #worry  #anxiety

As Christians, we don’t discipline ourselves to serve out of obligation or duty.  We allow Jesus to lead us into a rhythm of walking in the good works that He will do in us and through us, and we get to experience our intimate relationship with Him as He expresses His Life through us.   Ephesians 2:10... For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforeh...

You were created to be in relationship with other people.  Even though God created Adam perfectly and was in relationship with him, God described Him as "alone" and said it was "not good."  God is a relational Being and you are made in His image.  As you journey with Jesus, He will lead you into a rhythm of being involved in authentic community with other believers in Christ. https://thegraceblog....

Jesus spent time in silence and solitude.  God spoke to Elijah through a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12).  The Lord said, "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)  Jesus will pull us away from the distractions and busyness in this world so that we can clearly hear His voice.  Then He will send us back into the world more aware of His presence in our lives at all times and in all places. htt...

There are many wrong approaches to reading the Bible.  Some approach it as a book of rules.  Others use it for inspiration.  Several just try to gain more knowledge.  However, the reason we read Scripture is to know Jesus and experience an intimate relationship with Him.  To do that, it requires reading it with unhurried delight and meditating on it throughout your day. https://thegraceblog.com/bl...

What is prayer?  Can we talk to God like a friend?  Yes!  Learning to talk to Jesus through short, simple, and honest comments and statements will allow you to experience the intimacy you have through your spiritual union with Him. https://thegraceblog.com/blog

When it comes to spiritual disciplines, developing a rhythm of awareness is foundational to experiencing intimacy with Christ.  Being aware of Jesus' presence and personality, helps us to look for and recognize the ways He is speaking to us.   https://thegraceblog.com/blog

Spiritual discipline checklists can turn into religious duties we feel like we ought to do.  We have to muster up discipline to do something we don't really want to do.  But when we look to Jesus, He will lead us into unforced rhythms of grace and into a deeper intimacy with Him. https://thegraceblog.com/blog

What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 6:9-11?  Do people who commit certain sins not go to heaven?  What about those who live in persistent sin; are they not true Christians?  No, that's not what that verse means.  Let's dive into the context and see what this passage really means and how it applies to us today. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11... 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the...

More of God and less of me?  Die to self?  Deny self?  Must I decrease and God increase?  No!  The New Testament writers tell us that you have already died to your old self.  You are no longer in Adam.  You are a new creation in Christ.  Jesus killed off the old self (sin nature) and made you into a new self.  That's why the apostle Paul says to count yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Chris...

Does Malachi 3:10 teach us that tithing is required for all people?  Are we blessed if we do tithe and cursed if we don't?  What is the real meaning of Malachi 3:10? Malachi 3:8-10 was written to the nation of Israel under the Old Covenant.  New Covenant believers are not required to tithe but rather give from the heart as a work of God's grace in our lives. Malachi 3:10... 10 Bring the whole tith...

What did Jesus mean when He said, "Depart from me for I never knew you?"  Should you be nervous that Jesus will say these words to you?  How can we know if we have eternal security?  In this sermon, we dive into the real context and meaning of this verse that some people unfortunately find absolutely terrifying. https://thegraceblog.com/blog

Does God have plans to prosper you in all areas of life?  Many will try to use Jeremiah 29:11 to tell you just that.  But that is not the meaning of Jeremiah 29:11! This is a popular verse that is used at graduation times and one we cling to in hopes that in the future, God has plans to prosper us.  Many will say that our job is to have faith that God will make these plans happen, and if they don'...

Many people today will say that salvation is a 2-step process of repenting from your sins (grieve, turn, commit to stop sinning) and believe.  But the Greek word metanoia which is translated repent simply means to think differently or change your mind (Strongs 3340). Repentance and belief should not be seen as separate items in response to the gospel, but together they signify belief in Christ.  T...

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...