Grace and Truth
Arguing over truth today vs 14 – grace and truth intertwined Apart from grace – cannot speak truth Apart from truth – we cannot speak grace Grace is more John 1:16 CSB Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from his fullness,Grace is more Multilayered – CS Lewis – God beckons us to come farther Grace is an ocean – stop dipping your toe remember James James 4:6 CSB But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Grace is more humble ourselves = greater grace humility creates an atmosphere of peace allows us to speak truth filled with grace Grace and Peace Paul opened every letter with “Grace and peace” – 13 times we need both of them – called to give them away Luke 10:5 CSB Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’Grace and Peace Paul wrote to encourage and correct – sources of grace Peace and grace should be prized above all else They should be given away Matthew 10:8 CSB Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you received, freely give.Obstacles to Grace bitterness Hebrews 12:15 CSB Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many. Obstacles to Grace un-forgiveness – bringing it up again we think we are alone – but it defiles others bitterness affects those around Scarcity – fear grace is in fixed amounts I have to keep what grace I find to myself we forget it is in endless supply Community of Grace Grace, peace, and truth are cultivated in community Community = church – together as a family Church – we choose like restaurants – 25,000 denominations -How can we grow when we are free to wander from one family to another? Peter Community of Grace Easy to miss – grace is in the middle of this passage Show grace through love, hospitality, serving in our community of grace We extend grace because we received grace Caretakers We are stewards Matthew 25 and Luke 19- parable of the talents change talents for grace Matthew 25:21 CSB “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’”We must never forget – if we are to grow in grace, and therefore grow like Christ – that the One we trust, love, and serve is a crucified Savior. To follow Him means taking up the cross, as well as denying ourselves. It means a crucified life.”- Sinclair B. Ferguson
Walk Beside Jesus 
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