Campus Community – 8/26/2020
Overview:
We are excited to kick off Campus Community this semester with our “Mo(ve)ments” or Moments to Movements series. Tonight we are discussing the person of Jesus Christ. The scriptures say in John 1:14 that Jesus, the word of God, is full of Grace and Truth. Jesus is not 50% grace and 50% truth. Jesus is 100% of both. Tonight, Pastor David unpacked the dangers wanting the Grace of Jesus without His Truth; or wanting the Truth of Jesus without His Grace. We see in scripture that Jesus was full of compassion and looked to meet the needs of the people while being committed to letting them know the truth. While Grace is the unmerited favor of God and Truth is God’s uncompromised standard, they are not separate from one another. In our flesh, we are tempted to lean to one side, becoming too much of one. However, when we surrender ourselves to the Lord, we gain the mind of Christ. Through the Holy Spirit conforming us into the image of Jesus, we can walk out this life embodying 100% Grace and 100% Truth.
Verses:
John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Roman 6:1-4
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
John 8:34-36
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave[b] to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.[b] 2 Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.[d]
Quotes:
“Grace unmerited favor of God.”
“Truth is the uncompromised standard of God”.
“Truth is the recipe, the catalyst of freedom.”
“We are called to love people just the way that they are but we love them too much to leave them that way.”
“We are bound to show comfort and care but not at the expense of condoning.”
“Or” is not an option in the Christian life.
“Tolerance is an imposter of grace. Grace doesn’t put up grace holds up”.
Jesus is grace and truth. It’s like a two-track train.
“Jesus was all grace. He welcomed sinners and tax collectors and ate with them. He had compassion on the crowds when they were hungry and far from home. He welcomed the little children to come and sit on his lap-gentler and kinder than any department store Santa.
He healed the lepers, the lame, and the blind. He saved the criminal on the cross, who, in his dying breath, confessed that the dying man next to him was truly the son of God.
And Jesus was all truth. He condemned many of the religious leaders of His day for being liars and hypocrites.
He talked about hell more than He talked about heaven. He called his disciples to take up their cross daily and follow Him. He prophesied judgment on Jerusalem for their unrepentant hearts. He obeyed the law, set standards, and demanded everything from His followers, even their very lives.” – Kevin De Young
Questions:
- Can you describe a time in your life where you have experienced someone showing you grace and truth? If not, can you describe an experience where grace or truth was missing?
2. In your life how do you find yourself leaning toward judgment, using the Bible as a rule book? What does this look like in your relationships and in your own relationship with Jesus?
3. In your life how do you find yourself leaning more toward grace, not confronting sin in your own life and in others? What does this look like in your relationships and in your own relationship with God?
4. Based on your answers to questions 2 and 3 what areas of your life need to be transformed by the Holy Spirit to help you to live in God’s grace and truth in your life?
(refer to Romans 12:1-2)
5. What is one way your community group can help you grow in understanding the grace and truth of Jesus Christ?
6. Now that you have been shown that Jesus is both truth and grace how does this change your view of Jesus and your relationship with Him?