When was the last time someone did something good that surprised you?

Transcription

1 When was the last time someone did something good that surprised you? Riley loved Sundays. Each week, as soon as church let out her parents would drive to the same restaurant where she d order a root beer, chicken fingers and fries. Sometimes one of her second grade friends would join them. But every week, Riley would choose a booth that gave her the best view of the front door and the gigantic blue bubblegum machine that sat to the right. She d chew lunch as fast as her little mouth would move, pausing occasionally to slurp a smidgen of soda. Once the chicken had disappeared, she d ask her mom for a quarter which she d feed to Big Blue. She d turn the handle slowly and then watch through the clear plastic as the gumball spiraled down toward the trap door by the floor. Riley silently wished for yellow banana, her favorite. This week, when the chicken was gone, her mom rooted through her purse but couldn t find a quarter. After what felt like an hour, Riley had a handful of change in her little palm. Her mom made her count out the nickels and pennies and sure enough, she had twenty-five cents. Let s go up to the counter and get a quarter, Riley s dad said. Riley smiled up at the young man behind the cash register as she held out the change. May I please have a quarter for the gumball machine? she asked. The cashier sorted the pennies and nickels into their proper spots, and then handed Riley a small stack of quarters. But that s too many, Riley said. She only gave you twenty-five cents, her dad added, you gave her back a buck. The young man smiled at Riley. This way, you can get four. In today s dark and cynical world, random acts of simple kindness often surprise us. How much more should we be surprised by God s grace? But you might argue, You can t compare a 75-cent act of kindness to the grace God extends toward us through Jesus Christ! And you d be right. Because nothing on earth can compare to the matchless grace God has extended toward us through the sacrificial death and resurrection of His Precious Son, Jesus Christ. No human analogy the prince who exchanges his life for the pauper, the oil tycoon who adopts an ill-tempered child, or even the human who gives up her life to save an ant colony can really begin to explain the depth of God s love for us in sending His Son. The Son of God, clothed in radiant light, eternally existing in the splendor of heaven a place so amazing our mortal minds can t possibly comprehend left His home to become human, to live the life we could not live, to die the death we deserved, and to pay the ultimate price for our sins. That while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). And we weren t adorable eight-year old girls with ringlets asking for gum money. We were rebellious slaves to sin who loved darkness, did evil, and were

2 spiritually foolish and hostile toward God. And yet by grace through faith He offers redemption and reconciliation through the blood of Jesus completely apart from any work, deed or payment that we could ever offer. When was the last time you were surprised by God s grace? Take a moment to reflect on the gift God has given to you through Jesus. What words or thoughts come to mind? Jot them down here. In this session, JD Greear reminded us that the grace of God demonstrated in the gospel is the only power on earth that can produce authentic life-change. When the gospel becomes alive in us, it changes our hearts so that through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can love God and graciously love others. JD walked us through a four-part prayer that his church uses to remain focused on the gospel message. Take some time to honestly reflect on the four parts of this prayer. Make it personal. Part 1: In Christ, there is nothing I could do to make You [God] love me more; nothing I have done that makes You love me less. Take a moment to slowly read that sentence again. Do you really believe that? Surely God loves me more when I m living for Him, preaching the Word or teaching others to follow His ways than when I m actively living in sin or too busy to cultivate a relationship with Him, right? Are you trying to gain God s love by being good? Does it seem fair that righteous living doesn t gain you more of God s love? Why or why not? Fortunately, Scripture affirms that God s love for us is unconditional. Read Titus 3:3 7. Are you trying to earn God s love and approval? In writing to Titus, Paul reminds us that our right standing before God is not because of anything that we ve done, but only because of His generous mercy. God s love is a gift it s free.

3 Read 2 Timothy 1:8 10. Notice that we are saved because of God s grace that was given to us is Jesus before the beginning of time before we had any possibility of earning it. How we respond to this first part of the prayer says a lot about how we understand God s grace. What does God s unconditional love mean to you? What motivates what you do for God? Take a moment to jot down your thoughts. God s radical grace and unconditional love for us does not give us license to sin. Long ago, the Apostle Paul hit this issue head on. Read Romans 6: The consequence for sin is always death. As Christians, we can t play with sin just because we have been saved by grace. We are no longer slaves to sin, but slaves to righteousness. Take a moment to think about your life today compared to your life before you knew Christ. How has God helped you overcome sin? Part 2: You are all I need today for everlasting joy. Can you pray that in earnest? JD said that anything that we require in addition to God to have joy is an idol. What are you looking for to bring you joy? Money? People s approval? A larger congregation? A reconciled relationship? A promotion at work or other means of success? Well-behaved children?

4 Read John 15:5 11. Jesus encourages us that if we abide in Him, if we remain plugged into our Divine Power Source, we can live fruitful and productive lives for God s glory. One outcome of centering our lives on the gospel is that we will experience true joy (v 11). Are you a joyful person? When people spend time with you, do they see Jesus joy demonstrated in your life regardless of your circumstances? How? Part 3: As You have been to me, so I will be to others. JD said that once you understand the grace that God extends to you through the gospel, you can t help but be forgiving, generous and compassionate to others. Read Matthew 18: Spend some time in prayer before God. Is there someone you need to forgive? Read 2 Corinthians 8:1 15. Is your life characterized by generosity? Are you generous with your time and your money? Who has God laid on your heart to be generous to this week? Part 4: As I pray, I ll measure Your compassion by the cross and Your power by the resurrection. Read Ephesians 4:32 5:2. Christ s compassion for us demonstrated on the cross should be our motivation to show compassion to others. Do you care for the lost like Christ does?

5 Read Romans 8:9 11. The very same power that raised Christ from the dead is available for you to impact the world for God s glory. Take a moment to consider the significance of the Holy Spirit being alive in you. How should that give you confidence to boldly proclaim His name, live for Him, and serve others? Read over JD s prayer again. In Christ, there is nothing I could do to make You love me more; nothing I have done that makes You love me less. You are all I need today for everlasting joy. As You have been to me, so I will be to others. As I pray, I ll measure Your compassion by the cross and Your power by the resurrection. Take the time to write out your own gospel centered prayer in the space below. A renewed appreciation of God s grace toward you should impact the way you live. We at RightNow are firm believers that our God is a God of action. When God clearly calls you to do something, then to wait is sin. How can you surprise someone else this week with the message of God s grace?