Sermon Notes

RHYTHMS OF GRACE

Practicing The Way Of Jesus In Everyday Life

Intro Week

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10b

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30

A rabbi’s yoke was his way of shouldering the weight of life.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”- Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

Something about the way I was following Jesus was not producing the level of transformation that I knew was possible.

“The secret of the easy yoke involves living as Jesus lived in the entirety of his life, adopting his overall lifestyle” Dallas Willard

If you want to experience the life of Jesus, you must adopt the lifestyle of Jesus by the power of the Spirit.

SERMON IN A SENTENCE:

It is impossible to grow spiritually apart from God’s grace, but by His grace, God gives us everything we need to train for the growth He wants for us.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1

As a follower of Jesus, there is nothing you can do to make God love you more or less.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” 2 Peter 3:18a

1. GOD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

FRUIT: The life of the vine being pressed out through the branches.

“We do not produce the fruit…It is the fruit of the Spirit within us; we simply bear it. Thus we become channels for God's grace.” Clyde Cranford

"It’s true what Jesus said: 'Without me you can do nothing.' (John 15:5) But it is also true that if we do nothing it will be without him.” Dallas Willard

2. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SPIRITUAL TRAINING

We will never passively find what we don’t actively pursue

“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:7-8

As followers of Jesus, we do not strive FOR grace, we strive BY grace

“By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast…

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

“Grace is opposed to earning. It is not opposed to effort! Earning is an attitude. Effort is an action” Dallas Willard

A discipline is an activity I can do by direct effort that will eventually enable me to do that which, currently, I cannot do by direct effort

“All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 (NLT)

You don’t get to where you want to be by trying harder. You get to where you want to be by training wiser. 

“You and I are responsible to train ourselves. We are dependent upon God for His divine enablement, but we are responsible; we are not passive in this process.” Jerry Bridges

SERMON IN A SENTENCE:

It is impossible to grow spiritually apart from God’s grace, but by His grace, God gives us everything we need to train for the growth He wants for us.

“People often complain that they are not who they should be, but they take no action to change.” Klyne Snodgrass



Plan to join us for the next five weeks as we learn how to practice the way of Jesus in everyday life. Gather Times for Rhythms of Grace run from May 4 - June 11. Service times are: Thursdays @ 6:30 p.m. and Sundays @ 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.