Receiving the Grace of God
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Behold the Glory of God
2 Corinthians 6:1-13 (ESV)
1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,
“In a favorable time I listened to you,
and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.
Sermon Outline
Grace is transformative and we should be eager to allow it to work in every area of our lives (v1).
1. How do we receive God’s grace in vain?
v13 “(I speak as to children) widen your hearts also. “
v12 “you are restricted in your own affections.”
2. What does it look like when grace is at work?
v8 “through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise.”
v4-5 “by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots…”
v6-7 “by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness… with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left”
vv8-10 “We are treated as… and yet…”
3. How can we grow in grace?
v2 “Behold, now is the favorable time…”
v3 “We put no obstacle in anyone’s way…”
v11 “our heart is wide open”, v12 “restricted… affections”, v13 “widen your hearts also”
Prayer of Confession
Our gracious God, forgive every way we have received your grace in vain. We have sought relief from our sins and their effects, but we have failed to turn fully from them. We have lived as though your grace is a vehicle to advance our selfish agendas. Our thoughts, words and actions evidence how rooted we are in our old ways. Today you again extend grace, so we are turning to you to ask for forgiveness and reconciliation. Help us to behold the glory in your grace, and may we glorify and enjoy you more as we root ourselves firmly in the grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What is appealing about grace?
What are common misunderstandings about grace?
How do you receive God’s grace in vain? Where in your life do you discern a lack of grace?
Why are difficult situations and circumstances places of temptation? How do difficult situations provoke non-gracious responses in you?
How can the comfort grace brings create opportunities for change?
What does it look like to overcome evil with good? Why is this so hard?
How does God’s grace to us in Jesus show us God’s glory? What are some things we can see?
What can you do to cultivate new affections? How can your affection for God widen?
How can beholding the glory of God be something you enjoy? How can you pursue joy within the Christian life?