If a person does something even though he doesn't feel like doing it does that mean his motivations are wrong? Explain.
Well, I don't think it's necessarily wrong. Because, if I don't feel like doing something but I do it anyway out of love then I don't think it's a bad motivation. For example. If I planned to make someone food to help them out and then I didn't feel like cooking but I got up and did it anyway because I knew that it would help them - I don't see how that's wrong. Now if I only got up and did it because I wanted them to Thank Me for it or because I didn't want to look bad because I'd promised to give them something - that would be the wrong motivation. But the desire to do something nice for them in the first place was given to me by God so honoring that desire even though I'd rather not is honoring God.
b. How are our feelings and motivations related?
Our feelings determine our motives. We can have warring desires - wanting to do good, and wanting to be lazy - but our true motivation comes from our feelings. Or perhaps it's that our motives drive our feelings. If we truly want to honor the Lord and we are motivated by our love of him, we feel more joy in all of our actions...
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Lesson Four - Going Deeper Section 1
a. Share a time when you felt pressured by a sense of duty and obligation in your Christian life instead of a sense of joy, peace, and love.
My day to day life is sometimes one of obligation - trying to fit in and trying to be "good"
b. What was the source of this sense of drudgery in your life?
My selfishness.
c. What helped you put things back in the right perspective?
I'm still working on it, but reading and connecting with other people who all have admitted flaws is helpful.
My day to day life is sometimes one of obligation - trying to fit in and trying to be "good"
b. What was the source of this sense of drudgery in your life?
My selfishness.
c. What helped you put things back in the right perspective?
I'm still working on it, but reading and connecting with other people who all have admitted flaws is helpful.
Lesson Four - Exploring Grace Section 9
Take a minute to work on a plan for having the right motives this week.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Before we think WE are solving a problem... He created the problem and He created us. My motive should be to accept my role as a tool in God's workshop. He is in all things.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Before we think WE are solving a problem... He created the problem and He created us. My motive should be to accept my role as a tool in God's workshop. He is in all things.
Lesson Four - Exploring Grace Section 8
In the previous question you may have become aware of some less-than-pure motives in your life. what do you think a person can do to help purify his or her motives in an area.
I think becoming aware of your motivation is a huge step towards purification. Just like with any problem - identifying that you have one is the first/biggest step towards solving it. Once we recognize where our issue is, we can begin to try to stop ourselves before we act out of the wrong motivation.
I think becoming aware of your motivation is a huge step towards purification. Just like with any problem - identifying that you have one is the first/biggest step towards solving it. Once we recognize where our issue is, we can begin to try to stop ourselves before we act out of the wrong motivation.
Lesson Four - Exploring Grace Section 7
Examine for a moment the motivations behind some of your actions. For each area of your life, determine how often you think you are motivated by impure motives instead of pure or godly motives.
Lesson Four - Exploring Grace Section 6
Do you think it's possible to keep your motives pure at all times? Explain.
No it's not possible - we're human and we're selfish creatures. We sin all the time without conscious thought. I don't think the goal is to be perfect or always have pure motives - I think the goal is to try to do everything we can to honor God in all we do. The more we think about our motivation before we act, the better able we will be to glorify Him in all we do.
No it's not possible - we're human and we're selfish creatures. We sin all the time without conscious thought. I don't think the goal is to be perfect or always have pure motives - I think the goal is to try to do everything we can to honor God in all we do. The more we think about our motivation before we act, the better able we will be to glorify Him in all we do.
Lesson Four - Exploring Grace Section 5
Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Revelation 4:11
"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being."
a. List some pure or Godly motives that should be behind our actions.
reverence for God, worship of God, joy in his mercy.
b. What other good motives can people have?
to ease suffering in others, to forgive, to act as God has towards us.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Revelation 4:11
"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being."
a. List some pure or Godly motives that should be behind our actions.
reverence for God, worship of God, joy in his mercy.
b. What other good motives can people have?
to ease suffering in others, to forgive, to act as God has towards us.
Lesson Four - Exploring Grace Section 4
John 12:42-43
Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
Galatians 6:12-13
Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.
Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Colossians 2:16-23
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
a. List some of the wrong motives people can have for trying to live a "good" life.
to impress others, to desire human praise, to adhere to human laws
b. What other wrong motives can drive people's actions?
desire to be their own "king". Desire to sin.
Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
Galatians 6:12-13
Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.
Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Colossians 2:16-23
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
a. List some of the wrong motives people can have for trying to live a "good" life.
to impress others, to desire human praise, to adhere to human laws
b. What other wrong motives can drive people's actions?
desire to be their own "king". Desire to sin.
Lesson Four - Exploring Grace Section 3
a. How do our motives affect the outcome of what we do?
I'm not sure how to answer this, other than our motives affect the spirit of everything we do. If something is done out of duty or selfishness, it is not a happy task - or there is guilt involved. If we have the right motives, every outcome should contain more joy.
b. Give an example of how the wrong motives can completely undermine a good action.
In the book I think he uses the tithing as the example - and to me it sort of went with duty vs. desire.
I'm not sure how to answer this, other than our motives affect the spirit of everything we do. If something is done out of duty or selfishness, it is not a happy task - or there is guilt involved. If we have the right motives, every outcome should contain more joy.
b. Give an example of how the wrong motives can completely undermine a good action.
In the book I think he uses the tithing as the example - and to me it sort of went with duty vs. desire.
Lesson Four - Exploring Grace Section 2
How does an understanding of God's grace help give us the right motives for the way we live?
If we are fully cognizant of God's grace, we will be motivated by love and gratitude instead of selfishness.
If we are fully cognizant of God's grace, we will be motivated by love and gratitude instead of selfishness.
Lesson Four - Exploring Grace Section 1
1 Chronicles 28:9
"And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
Proverbs 16:2
All a man's ways seem innocent to him,
but motives are weighed by the LORD.
1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
a. Why do you think our motives are so important to God?
He wants us to glorify Him and we can't do that if our motives are selfish.
b. Do you believe that the people you come in contact with think much about the motives behind their actions. Explain.
I think that maybe I shouldn't be as concerned with other's motives where God is concerned. I think I should focus on my own relationship with God before I point out anyone else's flawed motives.
"And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
Proverbs 16:2
All a man's ways seem innocent to him,
but motives are weighed by the LORD.
1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
a. Why do you think our motives are so important to God?
He wants us to glorify Him and we can't do that if our motives are selfish.
b. Do you believe that the people you come in contact with think much about the motives behind their actions. Explain.
I think that maybe I shouldn't be as concerned with other's motives where God is concerned. I think I should focus on my own relationship with God before I point out anyone else's flawed motives.
Lesson Four - Warm-up
Think about some of the people you come in contact with regularly (neighbors, coworkers, family, friends, acquaintances). What appear to be the basic motives behind why they live the way they live and why they make the decisions they make? (There is no need to be overly personal or specific about exactly whose life you are drawing conclusions from.)
I think that many people make a lot of decisions based on Self. A lot of decisions are not based on scripture but on a preconceived if/then response we were raised with.
I think that many people make a lot of decisions based on Self. A lot of decisions are not based on scripture but on a preconceived if/then response we were raised with.
Lesson Four - Central Idea
When we understand God's magnificent and boundless grace, we become motivated by gratitude and love to respond with a life devoted to Him.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Lesson Three - Going Deeper Section 4
The world is set up on a system of rewards for achievement at school and in the workplace. Why doesn't God use the same system when it comes to our relationship with Him.
Because it's a system that is based on "achievement" and in God's eyes, we don't achieve anything. Everything good that we do... is His doing - so He would never be able to actually reward us - He would only be able to reward Himself. Instead, He gives to us as He sees fit. He uses us and gives to us according to His plan and on His timeline. And while we might struggle because we expect it to be fair - if we keep in mind that everything is a gift - from our every breath to our loftiest ambition realized - we can feel blessed. And that is deeper and far more profound than any expected reward.
Because it's a system that is based on "achievement" and in God's eyes, we don't achieve anything. Everything good that we do... is His doing - so He would never be able to actually reward us - He would only be able to reward Himself. Instead, He gives to us as He sees fit. He uses us and gives to us according to His plan and on His timeline. And while we might struggle because we expect it to be fair - if we keep in mind that everything is a gift - from our every breath to our loftiest ambition realized - we can feel blessed. And that is deeper and far more profound than any expected reward.
Lesson Three - Going Deeper Section 3
What do the following verses tell us about the source of all that we have?
1 Chronicles 29:14, 16
"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.
God gives us everything - so everything we give back is really from Him.
Isaiah 26:12
LORD, you establish peace for us;
all that we have accomplished you have done for us.
I got distracted by the definition of Establish because there were so many meanings. And I found ALL of them to be interesting when joined with peace.
1. To start or set up something: to start or set up something that is intended to continue or be permanent. God intends our peace to be permanent.
2. To place something permanently: to place something securely and permanently in a position, situation, or condition.
3. To confirm truth of something: to investigate something and prove or confirm its truth or validity. God intends us to know peace is the truth.
4. To cause something to be recognized: to cause something or somebody to become generally
accepted or recognized. God wants us to accept and recognize peace.
5. To grow, or cause a plant to grow, successfully in a new place. God wants peace to grow successfully in our hearts and he wants us to spread that peace into others successfully.
6. To make a church an official national institution. God wants peace to be the official national institution, just like a church - He wants it for Everyone.
Acts 17:25
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
God needs nothing from us - everything we have, we get from Him, just as anything He actually needed He could do for himself. (Just because he doesn't need, that doesn't mean he does not Want)
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
He is unchanging (unlike us - who are constantly changing) and therefore every gift He gives is Good and Perfect... even if we cannot see it that way.
1 Chronicles 29:14, 16
"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.
God gives us everything - so everything we give back is really from Him.
Isaiah 26:12
LORD, you establish peace for us;
all that we have accomplished you have done for us.
I got distracted by the definition of Establish because there were so many meanings. And I found ALL of them to be interesting when joined with peace.
1. To start or set up something: to start or set up something that is intended to continue or be permanent. God intends our peace to be permanent.
2. To place something permanently: to place something securely and permanently in a position, situation, or condition.
3. To confirm truth of something: to investigate something and prove or confirm its truth or validity. God intends us to know peace is the truth.
4. To cause something to be recognized: to cause something or somebody to become generally
accepted or recognized. God wants us to accept and recognize peace.
5. To grow, or cause a plant to grow, successfully in a new place. God wants peace to grow successfully in our hearts and he wants us to spread that peace into others successfully.
6. To make a church an official national institution. God wants peace to be the official national institution, just like a church - He wants it for Everyone.
Acts 17:25
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
God needs nothing from us - everything we have, we get from Him, just as anything He actually needed He could do for himself. (Just because he doesn't need, that doesn't mean he does not Want)
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
He is unchanging (unlike us - who are constantly changing) and therefore every gift He gives is Good and Perfect... even if we cannot see it that way.
Lesson Three - Going Deeper Section 2
Today in our society we tend to have high expectations and a strong sense of our rights. Give some examples of these attitudes.
Women in the military. Affirmative Action. Discrimination Lawsuits abound over things that get blown out of proportion.
This brings to mind the story of the cop in Philly. He was a white police officer. He decided to get cornrows. His superior officer was black. He found a code in their guidelines dress code that because his hat did not sit just so upon his head he was not compliant. He put the officer on desk duty until the situation had been corrected.
There are other officers on the force who also have their hair in cornrows. The other officers are black. The other officers have not been put on desk duty or punished in any other way, nor have they been asked to cut their hair.
There were loud cries of "UNFAIR" in the media. There were people who suggested to the officer that he had a case for discrimination because of his unfair singling out based on his race. However, the officer just wanted to do his job. He cut his hair. He has not said anything about how it is unfair that he has to obey the rules and other officers do not. He simply corrected the issue personally and moved on.
Women in the military. Affirmative Action. Discrimination Lawsuits abound over things that get blown out of proportion.
This brings to mind the story of the cop in Philly. He was a white police officer. He decided to get cornrows. His superior officer was black. He found a code in their guidelines dress code that because his hat did not sit just so upon his head he was not compliant. He put the officer on desk duty until the situation had been corrected.
There are other officers on the force who also have their hair in cornrows. The other officers are black. The other officers have not been put on desk duty or punished in any other way, nor have they been asked to cut their hair.
There were loud cries of "UNFAIR" in the media. There were people who suggested to the officer that he had a case for discrimination because of his unfair singling out based on his race. However, the officer just wanted to do his job. He cut his hair. He has not said anything about how it is unfair that he has to obey the rules and other officers do not. He simply corrected the issue personally and moved on.
Lesson Three - Going Deeper Section 1
What do the following verses say about our right to demand anything from God?
Job 41:11
Who has a claim against me that I must pay?
Everything under heaven belongs to me.
How can we demand anything that doesn't belong to us? We can only ask and if He decides to give it to us, that is His choice.
Romans 11:35
"Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?"
Again, how can you "give" something He already owns and then expect compensation for it?
Job 41:11
Who has a claim against me that I must pay?
Everything under heaven belongs to me.
How can we demand anything that doesn't belong to us? We can only ask and if He decides to give it to us, that is His choice.
Romans 11:35
"Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?"
Again, how can you "give" something He already owns and then expect compensation for it?
Lesson Three - Exploring Grace Section 6
2 Corinthians 1:20
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.
a. What does this verse tell you about God's promises and how they are fulfilled?
God has fulfilled all of His promises through Christ.
b. How does this verse help you let go of your expectations and focus on what God has already done?
If you sit there and count all of your blessings for how truly amazing they are - you can't help but be grateful. When you are truly grateful, it's a lot harder to focus on what you would rather have.
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.
a. What does this verse tell you about God's promises and how they are fulfilled?
God has fulfilled all of His promises through Christ.
b. How does this verse help you let go of your expectations and focus on what God has already done?
If you sit there and count all of your blessings for how truly amazing they are - you can't help but be grateful. When you are truly grateful, it's a lot harder to focus on what you would rather have.
Lesson Three - Exploring Grace Section 5
We are not created equal, nor are we given equal opportunities throughout life. Each of us has our own unique set of circumstances. Those of some people are much more favorable than others. how do you thing God wants us to respond to this fact?
One of the best known phrases from the Declaration of Independence is "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal." Right there is a decided difference between religious and secular thinking. God wants us to know that we are not created equal nor should we expect to receive the same opportunities throughout life - but the world tells us we are. This creates a dichotomy that we can't escape. The world tells us we should expect fairness, but God tells us we shouldn't. The world tells us to look at each other and expect the same basic "rights" but those "rights" are actually God's gifts - and they aren't mandatory - and we can't demand fairness.
1 Corinthians 1:20 - I went to look up 2 Corinthians 1:20 on bible gateway for question 6, but instead put in 1 Corinthians 1:20 and read the following:
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
A simple mistake, or God trying to give me an answer to my own question about world wisdom vs. His Word...
One of the best known phrases from the Declaration of Independence is "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal." Right there is a decided difference between religious and secular thinking. God wants us to know that we are not created equal nor should we expect to receive the same opportunities throughout life - but the world tells us we are. This creates a dichotomy that we can't escape. The world tells us we should expect fairness, but God tells us we shouldn't. The world tells us to look at each other and expect the same basic "rights" but those "rights" are actually God's gifts - and they aren't mandatory - and we can't demand fairness.
1 Corinthians 1:20 - I went to look up 2 Corinthians 1:20 on bible gateway for question 6, but instead put in 1 Corinthians 1:20 and read the following:
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
A simple mistake, or God trying to give me an answer to my own question about world wisdom vs. His Word...
Lesson Three - Exploring Grace Section 4
1 Timothy 6:6
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
a. Are you failing to experience contentment in some areas of your life? If so, name some areas in which you struggle.
Not having a baby. Not having a house. Not enjoying my job.
b. In which of these areas do you need to take some action.
John and I signed up for a seminar at his bank to find out what options are available for us to help us with this.
c. in which areas do you need a change of attitude.
I'm trying to have a better attitude towards the whole baby thing. I'm trying to keep it about Him and His timeline - focusing on the blessings we have instead and the Gifts He has provided us instead of the gifts other people are getting even when we feel like we deserve it so much more. I'm also trying to focus less on what others do at work compared to what I do at work so that I can be more content there until I can find a job where I feel more useful and connected.
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
a. Are you failing to experience contentment in some areas of your life? If so, name some areas in which you struggle.
Not having a baby. Not having a house. Not enjoying my job.
b. In which of these areas do you need to take some action.
John and I signed up for a seminar at his bank to find out what options are available for us to help us with this.
c. in which areas do you need a change of attitude.
I'm trying to have a better attitude towards the whole baby thing. I'm trying to keep it about Him and His timeline - focusing on the blessings we have instead and the Gifts He has provided us instead of the gifts other people are getting even when we feel like we deserve it so much more. I'm also trying to focus less on what others do at work compared to what I do at work so that I can be more content there until I can find a job where I feel more useful and connected.
Lesson Three - Exploring Grace Section 3
Luke 17:10
"So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.' "
a. According to Luke 17:10 what sort of attitude are we to have about the things we do for the Lord?
We should be humble, not proud because we are only doing what we were supposed to do.
b. How easy is it for you to feel that way.
At work, the reward for a job well done is the job being done well - it's of course nice when we get noticed for doing well, but somehow we seem to expect that not only will we be thanked for doing it, but that we will be rewarded further. It is hard to look at it as just doing our job. It is even harder when we see other people not doing their jobs getting special dispensations or gr attitude in front of us when they do the smallest part of their job when we don't get thanked for going above and beyond.
It's sort of like that clause in your job description that says "and other duties as assigned by management." When the big boss is coming and your boss tells you to go clean the bathroom... sometimes you just want to say "that's not my job" - but really, whatever he tells you to do is your job. God is the manager, and everything he says we should do... Sometimes it's hard to see it that way.
"So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.' "
a. According to Luke 17:10 what sort of attitude are we to have about the things we do for the Lord?
We should be humble, not proud because we are only doing what we were supposed to do.
b. How easy is it for you to feel that way.
At work, the reward for a job well done is the job being done well - it's of course nice when we get noticed for doing well, but somehow we seem to expect that not only will we be thanked for doing it, but that we will be rewarded further. It is hard to look at it as just doing our job. It is even harder when we see other people not doing their jobs getting special dispensations or gr attitude in front of us when they do the smallest part of their job when we don't get thanked for going above and beyond.
It's sort of like that clause in your job description that says "and other duties as assigned by management." When the big boss is coming and your boss tells you to go clean the bathroom... sometimes you just want to say "that's not my job" - but really, whatever he tells you to do is your job. God is the manager, and everything he says we should do... Sometimes it's hard to see it that way.
Lesson Three - Exploring Grace Section 2
Luke 7:1-10
When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." 10Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
a. On what basis did the elders appeal to Jesus to heal the centurion's servant?
They asked him to go based on the centurion's worthiness.
b. What was the centurion's perspective on what he deserved?
The centurion felt unworthy.
c. Do you tend to operate like the elders or the centurion? Explain.
It really depends on the day. Some times, I come at it from a "I deserve this" standpoint. And not just in my relationship to God. I very much feel like a person who needs to balance scales - no gift is really a gift, everything must be paid or accounted for. If someone buys me something, I have to buy them something or do something to pay for what was given. This isn't the most healthy attitude and I struggle with letting gifts just be gifts - even gifts from God.
When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." 10Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
a. On what basis did the elders appeal to Jesus to heal the centurion's servant?
They asked him to go based on the centurion's worthiness.
b. What was the centurion's perspective on what he deserved?
The centurion felt unworthy.
c. Do you tend to operate like the elders or the centurion? Explain.
It really depends on the day. Some times, I come at it from a "I deserve this" standpoint. And not just in my relationship to God. I very much feel like a person who needs to balance scales - no gift is really a gift, everything must be paid or accounted for. If someone buys me something, I have to buy them something or do something to pay for what was given. This isn't the most healthy attitude and I struggle with letting gifts just be gifts - even gifts from God.
Lesson Three - Exploring Grace Section 1
Matthew 20:1-16
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
"About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went.
"He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. 6About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?'
" 'Because no one has hired us,' they answered. "He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.'
"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.'
"The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner.
'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'
"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'
"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
a. Assuming the landowner represents God, what do we learn about the character of God from this story?
God gives what He wants.
b.What can you observe about human nature and how people tend to respond to the good fortune of others?
We are covetous and it's hard to accept others good fortune, even more so when you are not equally blessed. Maggie's skirt joy comes to mind...
c. With which worker do you identify?
I think it really depends on the day. Sometimes it's easier for me to be that eleventh hour worker - where I truly am amazed by God's generosity even though I know I did nothing to deserve it. But let's face it, in the real world, surrounded by greed and that me-me-me attitude, it's HARD not to feel entitled and let that bitterness come out and be seen. It's easier to complain and be negative - to bond over common unfairness at work or how you deserve better than you get than it is to just accept that whatever you do is only what you should do and that you don't DESERVE anything for just doing what you should.
d. Why do people tend to thin of the landowner as unfair instead of generous?
Because most of us identify with the person who worked all day and to them the work itself wasn't a gift.
e. What does this story tell us about what God's grace means?
Everything we have is because of his Grace. It doesn't matter if we're late to the party or not - it's always about Him. It also shows that He is generous with His Grace.
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
"About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went.
"He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. 6About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?'
" 'Because no one has hired us,' they answered. "He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.'
"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.'
"The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner.
'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'
"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'
"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
a. Assuming the landowner represents God, what do we learn about the character of God from this story?
God gives what He wants.
b.What can you observe about human nature and how people tend to respond to the good fortune of others?
We are covetous and it's hard to accept others good fortune, even more so when you are not equally blessed. Maggie's skirt joy comes to mind...
c. With which worker do you identify?
I think it really depends on the day. Sometimes it's easier for me to be that eleventh hour worker - where I truly am amazed by God's generosity even though I know I did nothing to deserve it. But let's face it, in the real world, surrounded by greed and that me-me-me attitude, it's HARD not to feel entitled and let that bitterness come out and be seen. It's easier to complain and be negative - to bond over common unfairness at work or how you deserve better than you get than it is to just accept that whatever you do is only what you should do and that you don't DESERVE anything for just doing what you should.
d. Why do people tend to thin of the landowner as unfair instead of generous?
Because most of us identify with the person who worked all day and to them the work itself wasn't a gift.
e. What does this story tell us about what God's grace means?
Everything we have is because of his Grace. It doesn't matter if we're late to the party or not - it's always about Him. It also shows that He is generous with His Grace.
Lesson Three - Warm-up
Imagine for a moment that you have worked hard for several years to save enough money to buy a car and that a close friend's parents simply hand him money for a new car.
- How do you feel toward your friend? How do you feel about your own circumstances?
- How do you think you should feel?
S0 - right off the bat, I'm jealous - and a little bitter. And I'm a little angry about my own circumstances, because why should I have to work for something when someone else doesn't. It just isn't "fair". To which my mother has always said "Life isn't fair... anyone who tells you different is selling something."
And the thing is, Life isn't fair - but that doesn't mean that I have to care about it. I should just be grateful that life IS... I have so much and I'm so blessed in other ways. Just because my friend got a car handed to them and I had to work for mine... what have I had handed to me instead? I should focus on my own gifts instead of coveting someone else's gifts.... which of course is easier said than done.
Lesson Three - Central Idea
God does not owe us anything. All we have comes graciously from His hand, therefore we should be content and grateful for the lot in life He has given us. In Christ we are blessed with all spiritual riches, and in Christ all of God's promises are fulfilled.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Lesson Two - Going Deeper Section 5
Jeremiah 29:10-11
This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 32:38-41
NIV: They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.
NLT: They will be my people, and I will be their God. And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me. I will find joy doing good for them and will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land.
What do the above verses say about how God wants to treat us?
I noted in the different translations one used the word Fear and one used the word Worship... I admit that for all his talk of Love - the word Fear was always sort of disconcerting. Substituting Worship (which rolls awe and Love and Fear I think together) helped me feel more secure about how He wants to treat us. He wants to do good for us because it brings Him joy. He wants us to have hope and joy ourselves. He wants to serve us because it makes Him happy to see us happy. And knowing that - He wants us to be more like Him... He wants it to be a complete circle of giving - because when we all give of ourselves to bring joy to others it brings joy to ourselves and glorifies Him as without Him none of us could be joyful servants.
This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 32:38-41
NIV: They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.
NLT: They will be my people, and I will be their God. And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me. I will find joy doing good for them and will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land.
What do the above verses say about how God wants to treat us?
I noted in the different translations one used the word Fear and one used the word Worship... I admit that for all his talk of Love - the word Fear was always sort of disconcerting. Substituting Worship (which rolls awe and Love and Fear I think together) helped me feel more secure about how He wants to treat us. He wants to do good for us because it brings Him joy. He wants us to have hope and joy ourselves. He wants to serve us because it makes Him happy to see us happy. And knowing that - He wants us to be more like Him... He wants it to be a complete circle of giving - because when we all give of ourselves to bring joy to others it brings joy to ourselves and glorifies Him as without Him none of us could be joyful servants.
Lesson Two - Going Deeper Section 4
Colossians 1:21-22:
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—
Read Colossians 1:21-22. Does the phrase "free from accusation" describe the way you think about yourself? Why, or why not?
The definition of accusation is a charge of wrongdoing; imputation of guilt or blame. To me Free from accusation means that we are never blamed or made to feel guilty by God. And maybe I don't get it - but I do feel guilty. And I think when we stray from His path, if we didn't feel guilty we wouldn't be able to find our way back. So perhaps free from accusation isn't free from the consequence of turning from Him - maybe it's the fact that God accepts us and doesn't blame us for being sinners in general anymore. He still doesn't like for us to sin, but He doesn't stand there and shake His fists because he has accepted it is who we are.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—
Read Colossians 1:21-22. Does the phrase "free from accusation" describe the way you think about yourself? Why, or why not?
The definition of accusation is a charge of wrongdoing; imputation of guilt or blame. To me Free from accusation means that we are never blamed or made to feel guilty by God. And maybe I don't get it - but I do feel guilty. And I think when we stray from His path, if we didn't feel guilty we wouldn't be able to find our way back. So perhaps free from accusation isn't free from the consequence of turning from Him - maybe it's the fact that God accepts us and doesn't blame us for being sinners in general anymore. He still doesn't like for us to sin, but He doesn't stand there and shake His fists because he has accepted it is who we are.
Lesson Two - Going Deeper Section 3
Is it possible to go beyond the point where God can forgive? Explain how a person might feel he has sinned one too many times to receive God's forgiveness, and why those feelings are wrong.
God has already forgiven us everything we have ever done and will ever do. Still, it's easy to forget the completeness of His forgiveness because we ourselves have such a hard time forgiving others completely. How could He possibly forgive me when I am so horrible? We know He is perfect, and in that perfection we expect the judgement that we deserve - but I think when we focus on His perfection, we forget the promise that he won't judge us even though we do deserve it.
God has already forgiven us everything we have ever done and will ever do. Still, it's easy to forget the completeness of His forgiveness because we ourselves have such a hard time forgiving others completely. How could He possibly forgive me when I am so horrible? We know He is perfect, and in that perfection we expect the judgement that we deserve - but I think when we focus on His perfection, we forget the promise that he won't judge us even though we do deserve it.
Lesson Two - Going Deeper Section 2
Compose Lists for the following based on Titus 3:3-7
Titus 3:3-7
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Characteristics of man and what he has done:
foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by passions and pleasures. Lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
Characteristics of God and what He has done:
Kind, loving, Merciful - saved us by renewing us in the Holy Spirit through Jesus so we can have eternal life.
Titus 3:3-7
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Characteristics of man and what he has done:
foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by passions and pleasures. Lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
Characteristics of God and what He has done:
Kind, loving, Merciful - saved us by renewing us in the Holy Spirit through Jesus so we can have eternal life.
Lesson Two - Going Deeper Section 1
What does it mean when we say that Christ made atonement for our sins? Look at the following verses and see how they help you understand atonement.
John 3:36
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
Romans 3:25
God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—
Hebrews 2:17
For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
1 John 2:2; 4:10
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
The definition of Atonement is: amends or reparation made for an injury or wrong; expiation.
Guilt is said to be expiated when it is visited with punishment falling on a substitute. Expiation is made for our sins when they are punished not in ourselves but in another who consents to stand in our room. It is that by which reconciliation is effected. Sin is thus said to be "covered" by vicarious satisfaction.
John 3:36
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
Romans 3:25
God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—
Hebrews 2:17
For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
1 John 2:2; 4:10
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
The definition of Atonement is: amends or reparation made for an injury or wrong; expiation.
Guilt is said to be expiated when it is visited with punishment falling on a substitute. Expiation is made for our sins when they are punished not in ourselves but in another who consents to stand in our room. It is that by which reconciliation is effected. Sin is thus said to be "covered" by vicarious satisfaction.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Lesson Two - Exploring Grace Section 8
Come up with a plan to help you experience God's forgiveness more fully.
I want to focus on Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
I have such a hard time with this... I hold a grudge because I don't think about the vast contrast between my own sins against God and the offenses of others against me. I think if when other people give offense, I stop and compare my sins against God with what someone has done to me - not only will I be able to appreciate God's forgiveness more fully - I can in turn forgive others more fully and live by Grace.
I want to focus on Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
I have such a hard time with this... I hold a grudge because I don't think about the vast contrast between my own sins against God and the offenses of others against me. I think if when other people give offense, I stop and compare my sins against God with what someone has done to me - not only will I be able to appreciate God's forgiveness more fully - I can in turn forgive others more fully and live by Grace.
Lesson Two - Exploring Grace Section 7
Believers fail to experience God's grace on a daily basis for many reasons. Two of these are:
- A misconception of God as a hard taskmaster who meets our needs begrudgingly.
- The belief that while we were saved by grace we must now "pay our own way" and earn God's blessings in our daily lives.
It is possible to know that the above beliefs are lies and still to operate as though they were true. Share a time when you were tempted to operate according to one of these misconceptions.
Any time I've ever tried to bargain with God for something I want. "Lord, if you'll just give me this one thing, I promise I'll do what you want me to." We do it as children with our parents... it almost seems natural to do it with our Ultimate Father.
Lesson Two - Exploring Grace Section 6
Are there any areas of your life where you are not experiencing God's forgiveness? What factors in the list above may be part of why you are not experiencing God's forgiveness?
I'm not sure. I know I struggle with feeling like I'm not being judged when I am bad... but I'm not sure if that has anything to do with believing I have to Work for it... I think it could just be that I sometimes forget just how freeing it is to be forgiven.
I'm not sure. I know I struggle with feeling like I'm not being judged when I am bad... but I'm not sure if that has anything to do with believing I have to Work for it... I think it could just be that I sometimes forget just how freeing it is to be forgiven.
Lesson Two - Exploring Grace Section 5
Sometimes we know that God has forgiven us but we have trouble forgiving ourselves. Why do you think this is true?
I think it's hard to forgive ourselves because even though we know we've been forgiven, we also know we don't deserve to be. It's hard to really connect just how Fully Jesus paid for us. It wasn't just in our salvation - it is in our everyday lives. I think we forget that we aren't displeasing to Him because he doesn't see US anymore. It's kind of like concealer. We are a blemish on God's perfect creation... he couldn't just turn and not stare at us... instead, he covered us up with something perfect instead. So even though the blemish is still there... he sees perfection.
I think it's hard to forgive ourselves because even though we know we've been forgiven, we also know we don't deserve to be. It's hard to really connect just how Fully Jesus paid for us. It wasn't just in our salvation - it is in our everyday lives. I think we forget that we aren't displeasing to Him because he doesn't see US anymore. It's kind of like concealer. We are a blemish on God's perfect creation... he couldn't just turn and not stare at us... instead, he covered us up with something perfect instead. So even though the blemish is still there... he sees perfection.
Lesson Two - Exploring Grace Section 4
What do the following verses show us about God's forgiveness?
Psalm 103:12
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
East and West never meet... so it is always an infinite distance apart.
Isaiah 38:17
Surely it was for my benefit
that I suffered such anguish.
In your love you kept me
from the pit of destruction;
you have put all my sins
behind your back.
God no longer "sees" either our deliberate disobedience or our marred performance, instead he "sees" Christ's righteousness... and because of that, there is no need to punish us - so whatever anguish we suffer, it is to help us, not to hurt us.
Isiah 43:25
I, even I, am he who blots out
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more.
Not only does He forgive our sins, He doesn't keep throwing them in our faces to remind us how horrible we are and how we don't deserve His love.
Micah 7:19
You will again have compassion on us;
you will tread our sins underfoot
and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
He doesn't just ignore our sins - He actively throws them away because they were already dealt with by Jesus so he doesn't want to see them anymore because there is no need!
Psalm 103:12
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
East and West never meet... so it is always an infinite distance apart.
Isaiah 38:17
Surely it was for my benefit
that I suffered such anguish.
In your love you kept me
from the pit of destruction;
you have put all my sins
behind your back.
God no longer "sees" either our deliberate disobedience or our marred performance, instead he "sees" Christ's righteousness... and because of that, there is no need to punish us - so whatever anguish we suffer, it is to help us, not to hurt us.
Isiah 43:25
I, even I, am he who blots out
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more.
Not only does He forgive our sins, He doesn't keep throwing them in our faces to remind us how horrible we are and how we don't deserve His love.
Micah 7:19
You will again have compassion on us;
you will tread our sins underfoot
and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
He doesn't just ignore our sins - He actively throws them away because they were already dealt with by Jesus so he doesn't want to see them anymore because there is no need!
Lesson Two - Exploring Grace Section 3
Ephesians 2:1-9
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 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. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Fill in this chart to help show the contrast Paul makes between what we deserve and what God has done for us.
We were dead in our transgressions but God made us Alive in Christ. We deserve his punishment and torment and instead we receive his forgiveness.
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 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. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Fill in this chart to help show the contrast Paul makes between what we deserve and what God has done for us.
We were dead in our transgressions but God made us Alive in Christ. We deserve his punishment and torment and instead we receive his forgiveness.
Lesson Two - Exploring Grace Section 2
It's easy to believe this doctrine of justification intellectually, but many people find it hard to let this truth strongly affect their lives, why do you suppose that's the case?
I think it's because deep down, we know we don't deserve it and it's hard to reconcile the fact that God doesn't care that we don't deserve it - he's giving it to us anyway.
I think it's because deep down, we know we don't deserve it and it's hard to reconcile the fact that God doesn't care that we don't deserve it - he's giving it to us anyway.
Lesson Two - Exploring Grace Section 1
Romans 3:19-26.
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
There are two aspects to our justification. First, God removes our guilt from us and places it upon Jesus. Second, He credits Jesus' righteousness to us. What practical difference does it make to your life that God has removed your sin and given you Jesus' righteousness? How should this fact affect the way you feel? The way you live?
It makes the difference - or should, in how you act. It should affect every part of your life - from how you live to how you laugh to how you love... everything should be joyous because of how wonderful his gift is.
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
There are two aspects to our justification. First, God removes our guilt from us and places it upon Jesus. Second, He credits Jesus' righteousness to us. What practical difference does it make to your life that God has removed your sin and given you Jesus' righteousness? How should this fact affect the way you feel? The way you live?
It makes the difference - or should, in how you act. It should affect every part of your life - from how you live to how you laugh to how you love... everything should be joyous because of how wonderful his gift is.
Lesson Two - Warm-up
Imagine for a moment that next time you pray you will have to come into God's presence based on your own merit. What things would you be able to say you have accomplished? Do they outweigh the times you have failed God? Now, give each person a chance to answer this question: "How does trying to come into God's presence on your own merits make you feel?"
I know that I wouldn't be able to say anything I have accomplished because everything I do is His doing... but I would want to take credit for the things "I've" done and even if I did try to take credit for them, they wouldn't outweigh the times I've failed.
Thinking about standing in front of God on my own merits terrifies me. Because when I think about everything I've done "right" I think of everything I've done "wrong" and it puts me in mind of a judgemental God...
But trying to stand on merits is like looking at Gods grace as a loan instead of a gift. If it's a loan, you worry so much about paying it back that you can't enjoy having it. Then, if you can't pay it back you feel guilty and try to make excuses why you haven't paid it back yet...
Whereas if you accept grace as a gift - you say thank you and you enjoy it. Sometimes you feel guilty because you think it's too expensive a gift, but it makes you appreciate it more. So when you stand in front of God you can relax because you know He isn't expecting you to pay Him back because He loves you.
I know that I wouldn't be able to say anything I have accomplished because everything I do is His doing... but I would want to take credit for the things "I've" done and even if I did try to take credit for them, they wouldn't outweigh the times I've failed.
Thinking about standing in front of God on my own merits terrifies me. Because when I think about everything I've done "right" I think of everything I've done "wrong" and it puts me in mind of a judgemental God...
But trying to stand on merits is like looking at Gods grace as a loan instead of a gift. If it's a loan, you worry so much about paying it back that you can't enjoy having it. Then, if you can't pay it back you feel guilty and try to make excuses why you haven't paid it back yet...
Whereas if you accept grace as a gift - you say thank you and you enjoy it. Sometimes you feel guilty because you think it's too expensive a gift, but it makes you appreciate it more. So when you stand in front of God you can relax because you know He isn't expecting you to pay Him back because He loves you.
Lesson Two - Grace - It Really Is Amazing
Grace - It Really Is Amazing
Chapters 3 and 4
In His infinite grace, God does not treat us as we deserve, but rather offers us forgiveness through faith in Christ. Christ removes our guilt and puts in its place His righteousness. The blessings we receive come to us through faith in Jesus Christ, not because of anything we have done.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Lesson One - Going Deeper Section 4
Which person needs God's grace more: the conscientious, dutiful, hardworking Christian, or the most decadent, hard-living sinner? Explain your answer.
Okay, so this is a trick question because both need God's grace EQUALLY!
In God's eyes, we are all sinners and there is no difference between the sins - therefore we all need His grace equally.
Okay, so this is a trick question because both need God's grace EQUALLY!
In God's eyes, we are all sinners and there is no difference between the sins - therefore we all need His grace equally.
Lesson One - Going Deeper Section 3
Romans 3:22-24
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Galatians 5:2-4
Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
Ephesians 2:4-7
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 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.
What is the relationship between the grace of God and the righteousness of Christ?
We receive the grace of God through the righteousness of Christ. If you try to justify your life through your actions being good you have pushed yourself away from Christ. When God looks at us he sees Christ's perfection. That is what lets Him show us his Love/Mercy/Grace - even though we are imperfect.
In essence, you cannot have the grace of God without the righteousness of Christ, but it is through God's grace that we were given the gift of Christ. It's sort of a which came first, the chicken or the egg question, isn't it?
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Galatians 5:2-4
Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
Ephesians 2:4-7
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 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.
What is the relationship between the grace of God and the righteousness of Christ?
We receive the grace of God through the righteousness of Christ. If you try to justify your life through your actions being good you have pushed yourself away from Christ. When God looks at us he sees Christ's perfection. That is what lets Him show us his Love/Mercy/Grace - even though we are imperfect.
In essence, you cannot have the grace of God without the righteousness of Christ, but it is through God's grace that we were given the gift of Christ. It's sort of a which came first, the chicken or the egg question, isn't it?
Lesson One - Going Deeper Section 2
Sometimes the word sin doesn't mean anything to a nonbeliever. How would you explain the concept of sin without using the word?
Sin is doing what is wrong, or doing what is not right according to God's rules.
Sin is doing what is wrong, or doing what is not right according to God's rules.
Lesson One - Going Deeper Section 1
Leviticus 16:1-34
The LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they approached the LORD. The LORD said to Moses: "Tell your brother Aaron not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud over the atonement cover.
"This is how Aaron is to enter the sanctuary area: with a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on. From the Israelite community he is to take two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering.
"Aaron is to offer the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household. Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat. Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the LORD and sacrifice it for a sin offering. But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement by sending it into the desert as a scapegoat.
"Aaron shall bring the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household, and he is to slaughter the bull for his own sin offering. He is to take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense and take them behind the curtain. He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the smoke of the incense will conceal the atonement cover above the Testimony, so that he will not die. He is to take some of the bull's blood and with his finger sprinkle it on the front of the atonement cover; then he shall sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times before the atonement cover.
"He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the curtain and do with it as he did with the bull's blood: He shall sprinkle it on the atonement cover and in front of it. In this way he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been. He is to do the same for the Tent of Meeting, which is among them in the midst of their uncleanness. No one is to be in the Tent of Meeting from the time Aaron goes in to make atonement in the Most Holy Place until he comes out, having made atonement for himself, his household and the whole community of Israel.
"Then he shall come out to the altar that is before the LORD and make atonement for it. He shall take some of the bull's blood and some of the goat's blood and put it on all the horns of the altar. He shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and to consecrate it from the uncleanness of the Israelites.
"When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat. He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat's head. He shall send the goat away into the desert in the care of a man appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a solitary place; and the man shall release it in the desert.
"Then Aaron is to go into the Tent of Meeting and take off the linen garments he put on before he entered the Most Holy Place, and he is to leave them there. He shall bathe himself with water in a holy place and put on his regular garments. Then he shall come out and sacrifice the burnt offering for himself and the burnt offering for the people, to make atonement for himself and for the people. He shall also burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar.
"The man who releases the goat as a scapegoat must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water; afterward he may come into the camp. The bull and the goat for the sin offerings, whose blood was brought into the Most Holy Place to make atonement, must be taken outside the camp; their hides, flesh and offal are to be burned up. The man who burns them must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water; afterward he may come into the camp.
"This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work—whether native-born or an alien living among you- because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the LORD, you will be clean from all your sins. It is a sabbath of rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance. The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest is to make atonement. He is to put on the sacred linen garments and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, for the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and for the priests and all the people of the community.
"This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites."
And it was done, as the LORD commanded Moses.
2 Samuel 12:9-10
Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.'
1 Kings 13:21-22
He cried out to the man of God who had come from Judah, "This is what the LORD says: 'You have defied the word of the LORD and have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you. You came back and ate bread and drank water in the place where he told you not to eat or drink. Therefore your body will not be buried in the tomb of your fathers.' "
What insights do the above verses give us about God's view of our sin?
It seems to me that without Jesus it takes a lot of work and a LOT of innocent blood to atone for our sin. In Leviticus 16:1-34 it describes the lengths people had to go through before Jesus to be cleansed from sin in God's sight.
In Samuel 12:9-10 it talks about how when you do harm to another person to get your own way that harm stays with you - which I take to mean a sort of you reap what you sow. Although really the main thing I took from it is that He doesn't like it when we do what we want instead of what He wants.
In 1Kings 13:21-22 it says if you do what he tells you not to, he will keep you from being with your fathers. He simply wants us to do what he asks us to do.
The LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they approached the LORD. The LORD said to Moses: "Tell your brother Aaron not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud over the atonement cover.
"This is how Aaron is to enter the sanctuary area: with a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on. From the Israelite community he is to take two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering.
"Aaron is to offer the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household. Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat. Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the LORD and sacrifice it for a sin offering. But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement by sending it into the desert as a scapegoat.
"Aaron shall bring the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household, and he is to slaughter the bull for his own sin offering. He is to take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense and take them behind the curtain. He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the smoke of the incense will conceal the atonement cover above the Testimony, so that he will not die. He is to take some of the bull's blood and with his finger sprinkle it on the front of the atonement cover; then he shall sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times before the atonement cover.
"He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the curtain and do with it as he did with the bull's blood: He shall sprinkle it on the atonement cover and in front of it. In this way he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been. He is to do the same for the Tent of Meeting, which is among them in the midst of their uncleanness. No one is to be in the Tent of Meeting from the time Aaron goes in to make atonement in the Most Holy Place until he comes out, having made atonement for himself, his household and the whole community of Israel.
"Then he shall come out to the altar that is before the LORD and make atonement for it. He shall take some of the bull's blood and some of the goat's blood and put it on all the horns of the altar. He shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and to consecrate it from the uncleanness of the Israelites.
"When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat. He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat's head. He shall send the goat away into the desert in the care of a man appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a solitary place; and the man shall release it in the desert.
"Then Aaron is to go into the Tent of Meeting and take off the linen garments he put on before he entered the Most Holy Place, and he is to leave them there. He shall bathe himself with water in a holy place and put on his regular garments. Then he shall come out and sacrifice the burnt offering for himself and the burnt offering for the people, to make atonement for himself and for the people. He shall also burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar.
"The man who releases the goat as a scapegoat must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water; afterward he may come into the camp. The bull and the goat for the sin offerings, whose blood was brought into the Most Holy Place to make atonement, must be taken outside the camp; their hides, flesh and offal are to be burned up. The man who burns them must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water; afterward he may come into the camp.
"This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work—whether native-born or an alien living among you- because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the LORD, you will be clean from all your sins. It is a sabbath of rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance. The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest is to make atonement. He is to put on the sacred linen garments and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, for the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and for the priests and all the people of the community.
"This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites."
And it was done, as the LORD commanded Moses.
2 Samuel 12:9-10
Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.'
1 Kings 13:21-22
He cried out to the man of God who had come from Judah, "This is what the LORD says: 'You have defied the word of the LORD and have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you. You came back and ate bread and drank water in the place where he told you not to eat or drink. Therefore your body will not be buried in the tomb of your fathers.' "
What insights do the above verses give us about God's view of our sin?
It seems to me that without Jesus it takes a lot of work and a LOT of innocent blood to atone for our sin. In Leviticus 16:1-34 it describes the lengths people had to go through before Jesus to be cleansed from sin in God's sight.
In Samuel 12:9-10 it talks about how when you do harm to another person to get your own way that harm stays with you - which I take to mean a sort of you reap what you sow. Although really the main thing I took from it is that He doesn't like it when we do what we want instead of what He wants.
In 1Kings 13:21-22 it says if you do what he tells you not to, he will keep you from being with your fathers. He simply wants us to do what he asks us to do.
Lesson One - Exploring Grace Section 9
How can you guard against these attitudes of self-righteousness and spiritual pride? Decide on one specific thing you plan to do this week to guard against depending on your performance to earn God's favor. For Example:
- For one day, keep a running tally on a three-by-five inch card of the times you think sinful thoughts. Each time you make a mark on the card, stop and thank God that your forgiveness was procured at Calvary and that by His grace you are growing in Him.
- Make a list of God's blessings in your life in the last year. Put a check beside anything on your list that you earned through your behavior.
- Make a list of some of your accomplishments in life. Put a check beside any that you achieved on your own efforts, without any help from God.
I think that I will try to keep a running tally of every time I feel that I am better than someone else in a situation. I will make a mark on a 3x5 card every time I lose my patients with someone for not being as "good" as I am or whenever I start to feel superior in any way. Every time I make a mark I will stop and remind myself that I am flawed and thank Him for His grace and the forgiveness paid at Calvary.
Lesson One - Exploring Grace Section 8
Do you ever experience feelings of self-righteousness and spiritual pride creeping into your life? In what circumstances do you find yourself most vulnerable to these kinds of thoughts.
I'm a very proud person and it is something that I struggle with all the time. "At least I'm not like that" is a common failing of mine. It's hard not to give sin degrees of severity in your own mind. I mean, obviously I'm better than that woman who's cheating on her husband or that man who beats his wife or that teenage mother who neglets her child... except... in God's eyes, I'm not better than any of them. And it's hard to put yourself in that mindset. It's really something I need to work on. I want to be able to humble myself before God and I struggle with it a lot.
I'm a very proud person and it is something that I struggle with all the time. "At least I'm not like that" is a common failing of mine. It's hard not to give sin degrees of severity in your own mind. I mean, obviously I'm better than that woman who's cheating on her husband or that man who beats his wife or that teenage mother who neglets her child... except... in God's eyes, I'm not better than any of them. And it's hard to put yourself in that mindset. It's really something I need to work on. I want to be able to humble myself before God and I struggle with it a lot.
Lesson One - Exploring Grace Section 7
Give an example of a recent time when you were tempted to think that God's blessings in your life depended on your performance. For Example:
- You missed your quiet time. When things went wrong during the day, you attributed it to God's disappointment for missing your time with Him.
- You had an especially worshipful time with the Lord, reading His Word, praising Him, and interceding for your friends. When you needed the Lord's help with a particular problem, you felt He owed you this favor.
I will admit that it has crossed my mind that the reason John and I haven't gotten pregnant was because we weren't close to God (going to church, nourishing our spirit, worshiping Him.) Conversely I also have though that God should let me get pregnant because I did things in the "right" order... I mean, he blesses people who don't want/care for/about children with them, so of course he should bless me!
And as I sit here and read that - it makes me think of how a young child might react to a parent. Well - I was bad for wetting the bed so I deserve a time out... or I was better than my little sister, so don't I deserve a little more ice cream than she got? It seems so silly when you look at it that way.
I mean, the young child can't help wetting the bed - just as we are bound to sin... we can be sorry for it, but He knows it's going to happen and He's already forgiven us - so why withhold the Gifts he has planned for us? That would be silly!
And the gifts are His to give, not mine to expect. Just because I thought I did something better or deserve more... that's what I think because I am the central focus of my thoughts in that instance. Just like a child might not see something that their sibling did to deserve that same large scoop of ice cream, so I don't see the hearts that God sees in others because I don't look at them as my equals in sin when I am wrapped in my selfishness.
Lesson One - Exploring Grace Section 6
What do you think makes it so hard for a person to rely on God's grace rather than his own efforts?
I think deep down it's hard for us to accept that we are so bad it doesn't matter what we do. Like all children, we want to be pleasing in our Parent's eyes. So when we do something bad - we try to make up for it. We see God as our ultimate Father and look at him in the same light we do any authority figure. We try to prove that we're good enough, that we're worth his love and pride. I also think it's hard to come to terms with the fact that his Grace has already been paid for in ALL forms... that even though we don't deserve it, we get it no matter what we do. I think today people can be so cynical - it's hard to believe we get something for nothing. We fail to realize that faith isn't "nothing" It takes a LOT to have/keep our faith - especially in times of adversity.
I think deep down it's hard for us to accept that we are so bad it doesn't matter what we do. Like all children, we want to be pleasing in our Parent's eyes. So when we do something bad - we try to make up for it. We see God as our ultimate Father and look at him in the same light we do any authority figure. We try to prove that we're good enough, that we're worth his love and pride. I also think it's hard to come to terms with the fact that his Grace has already been paid for in ALL forms... that even though we don't deserve it, we get it no matter what we do. I think today people can be so cynical - it's hard to believe we get something for nothing. We fail to realize that faith isn't "nothing" It takes a LOT to have/keep our faith - especially in times of adversity.
Lesson One - Exploring Grace Section 5
Romans 11:6
And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace
Galatians 5:2-6
Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Look at the above verses. What do they teach about trying to mix grace and works as the basis for a relationship with God?
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. It's not what you do - it's why you do it. Do you do a good thing because it makes you look good, or you think it's what you should do - or do you do a good thing because you Love God and you want to do that good thing to honor him? If you do it out of Love, it gives your action meaning - but it doesn't make you good.
Besides, trying to buy your way into heaven by being good, cheapens God's gift of grace. Because if we could do it ourselves, it would make His grace have no meaning. It's sort of like when you get a phone call promising some great vacation for ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!! When really, you have to go sit in on a presentation and then take part in a time share... well, that makes the whole ABSOLUTELY FREE thing sort of meaningless... By doing good works it's like we're saying to God "No, I know there's a catch! It can't possibly be FREE - so I'll just build up some credit on my own - you know... just in case" We don't like it when people cheapen our gifts - why would God?
And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace
Galatians 5:2-6
Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Look at the above verses. What do they teach about trying to mix grace and works as the basis for a relationship with God?
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. It's not what you do - it's why you do it. Do you do a good thing because it makes you look good, or you think it's what you should do - or do you do a good thing because you Love God and you want to do that good thing to honor him? If you do it out of Love, it gives your action meaning - but it doesn't make you good.
Besides, trying to buy your way into heaven by being good, cheapens God's gift of grace. Because if we could do it ourselves, it would make His grace have no meaning. It's sort of like when you get a phone call promising some great vacation for ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!! When really, you have to go sit in on a presentation and then take part in a time share... well, that makes the whole ABSOLUTELY FREE thing sort of meaningless... By doing good works it's like we're saying to God "No, I know there's a catch! It can't possibly be FREE - so I'll just build up some credit on my own - you know... just in case" We don't like it when people cheapen our gifts - why would God?
Lesson One - Exploring Grace Section 4
Galatians 3:3
Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Many Christians believe that their justification is based on grace, the blessings in their Christian life are based on works, and their future glorification will be based on grace. Where is the error in this thinking? (see Galatians 3:3 and Philippians 1:6)
There is nothing that we can do to get where we want to go. Give God all the credit - it belongs to him anyway. 'Twas Grace that brought me here and Grace will lead me home... so too shall Grace help me lead my life... I can't do it by myself - and God doesn't want me to. He wants to do it - and he's the only one who can!
Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Many Christians believe that their justification is based on grace, the blessings in their Christian life are based on works, and their future glorification will be based on grace. Where is the error in this thinking? (see Galatians 3:3 and Philippians 1:6)
There is nothing that we can do to get where we want to go. Give God all the credit - it belongs to him anyway. 'Twas Grace that brought me here and Grace will lead me home... so too shall Grace help me lead my life... I can't do it by myself - and God doesn't want me to. He wants to do it - and he's the only one who can!
Lesson One - Exploring Grace Section 3
Philippians 3:1-14
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
In Philippians 3:1-14 Paul contrasts the attitude of legalism with a true understanding of the transforming grace of God. In the following chart, contrast a legalist trying to earn God's favor and a person trusting in God's grace.
Basis of a relationship with God
Feelings toward God
Motivation for Good behavior
Reason for feeling bad about failures
Treatment of others who have fallen short
Basis of strength during trials
Basis of strength to serve the Lord
So... I didn't understand the chart. But I think the main difference between Legalists and a person trusting in Grace is that once you have accepted that you aren't enough you can base your relationship with God and your service of him as Love for him and Joy in him. There are no ulterior motives and no false pride. When you try to legitimize your relationship with God by doing "good works" it becomes all about you and not about HIM. But really, it is all about HIM. Additionally, once you give it over to Him, you are no longer motivated by fear like you would be if you were trying to do enough to earn his favor and failing.
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
In Philippians 3:1-14 Paul contrasts the attitude of legalism with a true understanding of the transforming grace of God. In the following chart, contrast a legalist trying to earn God's favor and a person trusting in God's grace.
Basis of a relationship with God
Feelings toward God
Motivation for Good behavior
Reason for feeling bad about failures
Treatment of others who have fallen short
Basis of strength during trials
Basis of strength to serve the Lord
So... I didn't understand the chart. But I think the main difference between Legalists and a person trusting in Grace is that once you have accepted that you aren't enough you can base your relationship with God and your service of him as Love for him and Joy in him. There are no ulterior motives and no false pride. When you try to legitimize your relationship with God by doing "good works" it becomes all about you and not about HIM. But really, it is all about HIM. Additionally, once you give it over to Him, you are no longer motivated by fear like you would be if you were trying to do enough to earn his favor and failing.
Lesson One - Exploring Grace Section 2
Why is it important to focus on your spiritual condition apart from Christ in order to understand God's grace?
I believe it is important to focus on your spiritual condition apart from Christ because in order to understand God's grace you have to first realize that without Christ, you are not good enough for God. Seeing yourself as a sinner, it makes you appreciate that even though you don't deserve it - even though there is no way for you to earn it - God loves you and will fill your life with his wonders and all you have to do is accept them as the GIFT that they truly are.
I believe it is important to focus on your spiritual condition apart from Christ because in order to understand God's grace you have to first realize that without Christ, you are not good enough for God. Seeing yourself as a sinner, it makes you appreciate that even though you don't deserve it - even though there is no way for you to earn it - God loves you and will fill your life with his wonders and all you have to do is accept them as the GIFT that they truly are.
Lesson One - Exploring Grace Section 1
Isiah 53:6 -
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Romans 3:10-20 - As it is written:
"There is no one righteous,not even one;
there is no one who understands,
no one who seeks God.
All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one."
"Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit."
"The poison of vipers is on their lips."
"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."
"Their feet are swift to shed blood;
ruin and misery mark their ways,
and the way of peace they do not know."
"There is no fear of God before their eyes."
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
a. What do the above verses say about your spiritual condition apart from Christ?
Isaiah 53:6 says that we have all put ourselves on our own path instead of the one that God chose for us. God laid our iniquity (our failings) onto Jesus.
Romans 3:10-20 says that everyone is a sinner. We all have these inequities that make it impossible for us to do enough good before God to make us righteous in his eyes. It is only by having our failings paid for by someone who was perfect that he can even stand to see us with Mercy.
b. Relate an experience that made you keenly aware of your spiritual "bankruptcy" apart from Christ.
I'm not sure how to answer that. I know that there is nothing I can ever do to earn my way to heaven. But even after reading the chapter's in the book and the scripture - I can't say that I have ever had an "AHA!" moment that said I was more "bankrupt" than any other time in my life. I have the general knowledge that I'm spiritually bankrupt - that only through God do I get to have anything.
Lesson One - Warm Up
Tell about a time when someone (a parent, teacher, or friend) treated you with grace instead of treating you as your behavior deserved.
I had a history teacher in middle school. She caught me writing down answers on my desk before the test. She brought me over some Windex and a paper towel and said "I think your desk could use a cleaning before I pass out the test."
She could have made an example of me. She could have chosen to embarrass me in front of the class. She could have sent me to the principal or given me detention. All these things I deserved - but instead, she treated me with mercy and gave me a clean slate... Grace.
I had a history teacher in middle school. She caught me writing down answers on my desk before the test. She brought me over some Windex and a paper towel and said "I think your desk could use a cleaning before I pass out the test."
She could have made an example of me. She could have chosen to embarrass me in front of the class. She could have sent me to the principal or given me detention. All these things I deserved - but instead, she treated me with mercy and gave me a clean slate... Grace.
Lesson One - The Performance Treadmill
The Performance Treadmill
Chapters 1 and 2
The Central Idea of these chapters is that God's grace alone saves us, helps us grow, meets our daily needs, and guarantees our future in heaven. These blessings are never given to us based on our performance.
Chapters 1 and 2
The Central Idea of these chapters is that God's grace alone saves us, helps us grow, meets our daily needs, and guarantees our future in heaven. These blessings are never given to us based on our performance.
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