Quiet Times Search

Search Quiet Times via a keyword or string
Keyword(s):
Number of Studies:


Searching for "grace" in the Quiet Time Archive
Displaying results from "50" to "75". (76 found)

2010-12-07 - Mission - Cannot Help Proclaiming (part I)
We can help speaking about what we have seen and heard - Acts 4:20
Have you ever been so committed to something that you were unable to stop?
What would it take to stop you from sharing your faith?
What does it take to motivate you to share your faith?
Does it take accountability it invite people?

What compelled Peter and John?

1. We are overflowing with Jesus
The authorities took note that the disciples had been with Jesus - Acts 4:13
His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in - Jeremiah 20:9
Do we feel that we will burst if we don't open our moths

2. We need to be filled with gratitude
We so easily forget what God's grace has done for us
David says over and over again to tell and celebrate God's glory
Are we overflowing with gratitude for the wonders of God?

2010-12-25 - Saved by Grace through Faith (part I)
Psalms 103:1-18
  • David talks about the heart of the Lord toward weak and sinful people: he is a compassionate, gracious, loving father.
  • How deeply does God love those who fear him?
  • What is he willing to do with their sins (transgressions)?
  • Is this the way you see God?
Luke 15:11-31
  • Jesus taught many things in parables, short stories created to teach spiritual truths.
  • What does this story tell you about God’s attitude toward us when we repent and turn back to Him?
  • Why did the older brother have such a hard time with his father’s attitude?
  • In what way did he fail to understand the father and his grace?

Luke 18:9-14
  • In this story, we see two very different ways of viewing ourselves and God.
  • How did the Pharisee approach God? How did he view himself?
  • On what basis did he presume to be righteous? (His goodness, religious activities, his own efforts).
  • By contrast, how did the tax collector see himself?
  • What was his appeal to God based on? (God’s mercy).
  • Who went home justified (pronounced and considered “not guilty”)?
  • Jesus taught that a person can never be good enough to be saved through his own efforts.
  • The only basis of our salvation is the mercy and grace of God.


2010-12-26 - Saved by Grace through Faith (part II)
Ephesians 2:1-10
  • What condition are we all in? We are dead in sins and transgressions.
  • How much can a dead man do to improve his own condition? What then is the only way we can be saved?
  • What do you learn about God in his passage? His love? His mercy? His grace?
  • What is the condition of receiving what God has done on our behalf?
  • We are saved by grace through faith. Faith is obedient trust in God (James 2:14-18).
  • Here we trust what God has done in Jesus as the grounds of our salvation and commit our lives fully to him. While we can never do enough good works to save ourselves, what are we saved for?
  • Saving faith is “worked out” in ways that bring glory to God and attest to a Christ-centered life.

Romans 3:21-26
  • Having shown that Gentiles (non-Jews) are sinners in Romans 1 and Jews are no better off Romans 2, Paul summarizes his argument here.
  • Is it possible for anyone to be “good enough” to be saved?
  • Illustration: a plane goes down half way between Hawaii and California. Everyone must swim for the coast. Can some swim much further than others? But what eventually happens to them all? So with us, no one’s own efforts are enough. All fall short. So how are we saved?
  • God justifies those who “have faith in Jesus” (v26).
  • Saving faith is not in ourselves but “in his blood”—that is, in the death of Jesus on our behalf (v25).

Titus 3:3-8
  • When we humbly consider our own sinfulness, it becomes obvious that we are saved because of God’s mercy, not because of righteous things we have done.
  • Those who have trusted God for salvation, however, will devote themselves to doing his will.
  • God’s grace is AMAZING! He generously accepts us as a result of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf.
  • To enter into this saving relationship with God, we must be washed of our sins and renewed by the Holy Spirit.
  • We will look more at the conditions of accepting God’s grace in the coming studies.


2010-12-30 - Baptism into Christ (part II)

Ephesians 1:3-10

  • An important New Testament teaching: every spiritual blessing from God is found “in Christ.”
  • What are some of those blessings listed here? (Sonship, adoption, grace, redemption, forgiveness…)
  • So how does a person enter “into Christ”? (Next passage.)

Galatians 3:26-29

  • We are baptized “into Christ.” Note that Paul did not consider faith and baptism to be contradictory.
  • Baptism is a tangible expression of faith that places us “in Christ” where salvation occurs.

Infant Baptism? Colossians 2:11-12

  • Baptism is an immersion in water (from the Greek baptizo meaning “plunge, dip, immerse” - see Acts 8:38-39), but it does not operate “automatically” apart from the faith of the one who is baptized.
  • Can an infant believe? Repent of sin? And what sins need to be forgiven?
  • Ezekiel 18:20: Contrary to the widely held doctrine of “original sin,” guilt for sin is not inherited from our parents.
  • We are guilty for our own sins and saved by grace through our own response of faith.


2011-05-07 - Names of the Believers (part VII)
Believer scripture relating to being heirs:
  • Heirs of God - Romans 8:17; Galatians 4:7
  • Heirs of the grace of life - 1 Peter 3:7
  • Heirs of the kingdom - James 2:5
  • Heirs of promise - Hebrews 6:17; Galatians 3:29
  • Heirs of salvation - Hebrews 1:14


2011-07-26 - Mind of Christ - Servant (part II)
The nature of a servant

A. He is emptied of self interest

  • Philippians 2:6-7, 19-22, 24-30
  • A servant does not consider his work of serving as a humiliation. Not ashamed of being thought as inferior. It is his place and work to serve others.
B. He voluntarily humbles himself before others.
  • Philippians 2:6-8 - Humbled himself and became obedient to death
  • Reason we often do not bless others by serving them is that we wish to address them as their superiors in grace or gifts or at least their equals.
  • Matthew 3:14 - John tried to deter his humility
  • Micah 6:8 - LORD require us to walk humbly with our God
  • 1 Peter 5:5 - Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another


2011-08-27 - Fearing God - Healthy Tension
In the physical world, there are two opposing forces:
  • Centrifugal - force tends to pull away from a center
  • Centripetal - force pulls toward the center
Take away one and the other immediately disappears

Centrifugal force helps us understand those attributes of God
We are to hold our reverent distance because of his holiness and sovereignty

Centripetal force represents the love of God
His grace and mercy draws us to Him

To exercise a proper fear of God we must understand the opposing forces of His holiness and His love

Both the recognition of our weakness/sinfulness and the love and humble gratitude are displayed in our fear of God

2011-09-06 - Followup: Grace (part I)
The understanding of grace is the foundation for a love-motivated relationship with God, rather than one that is works-motivated. We can become Pharisees (knowing the requirements of Christian life but missing the heart motivation.

Similarly, overachievers (in the world or in the kingdom) are valued by others and value themselves based on their performance. The goal of follow up is to build security, self-esteem and worth based on God’s grace and love not on their Christian duty of perfect performance.

Question: How do you define “grace”?
  • Undeserved forgiveness
  • Acceptance even without perfect performance
  • Real love (an “in-spite-of” love)
Question: Where does grace come from?
  • Jesus receives the punishment for your sins instead of you - 2 Corinthians 5:21
  • After baptism, Jesus blood continues to cover over our sin - 1 John 1:7


2011-09-07 - Followup: Grace (part II)
Grace is almost too good to be true, but it is. The goal of this study is to help you to see the real God who loves you and how valuable you are to him. He valued you at the cost of his only Son, whom he gave up so that thee could be grace to forgive your sins and restore your relationship with him.

Psalms 103:8-10
  • Think of 2 of the most convicting sins in your life
  • What do you deserve for them?
    • Punishment (not being trusted, retribution, etc…)
God sees everything we do and think and he knows what we deserve. Yet it is his grace that gives us forgiveness rather than punishment.

Matthew 18:21-35
  • We owe God a debt we could never repay.
  • God has given us grace so we need to extend it to others as well.
  • The more you see your sin the more you can understand God’s grace.
The number 7 (vs. 21) was a number that meant perfection. Jesus said not just 7 times (perfection) but eternal perfection of forgiveness.

As you continue your walk with God picture yourself in a world of God’s grace. And remember every time you stumble or fall down your landing in God’s grace. Just get back up and continue on in God’s grace. Not once, not twice, not seven times but continue on in God’s grace for eternity.

2011-09-11 - Followup: Humility II (part II)
What’s in store for the humble person?
  1. Grace
  2. “Lifted up” – growing and being blessed
  3. Relief because his burdens and anxieties will be carried by God
  4. Better relationships (God opposes the proud, so do other people)
When is it the hardest for you to be humble? Why?
Who is it hardest for you to be humble towards? Why?
Are you willing to change these things so you can please God? How can I help?

Isaiah 66:2 - God is excited about the humble person.

How to be humble when you sin:
  1. Accept full responsibility (don’t blame others for your actions)
  2. Make no excuses (don’t be defensive)
  3. Apologize humbly and go on your way rejoicing.
What to do when others sin against you:
  1. Tell them in a respectful way (don’t give in to faithlessness or fear)
  2. Focus on your love for them and not on what they have done to you.
  3. Forgive them (like Jesus did you) and move on being better friends.
Humility is a characteristic of a true follower of Jesus
To clothe yourself with Christ is to clothe yourself with humility.

2011-10-30 - Mind Change - Humility
Humility is the most powerful force in the world.

God loves it.

God honors it.

God blesses it.

With it, you cannot lose. You can have it in all circumstances.

Luke 14:11 - Who humbles himself will be exalted
James 4:6 - He gives grace to the humble
1 Peter 5:5 - Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another

2011-11-16 - Mind Change - Grace
God always gives the next grace for the next step.

It may look bigger than any you have taken before, but if he calls you to take it, his grace will be sufficient.

The challenges that are coming up may be greater than any you have faced, but God will always be enough.

Judges 6:14 - Go in the strength you have
2 Corinthians 1:10 - We have set our hope on him that he will deliver us yet again

2011-11-18 - Thankfulness
Thankfulness

Colossians 1:3,10-12, 2:6-7, 3:15, 17, 4:2
 - In one letter we are instructed SEVEN times to be thankful people. Pretty important

CHART

Philippians 4:10-13 ~ Paul did not start out this way
  • Paul learned thankfulness no matter what your circumstances
  • Without doubt the most valuable secret in life.
  • How can we learn to be thankful?
3 Keys:

1. Remember the past.

    Ephesians 2:1-10 ~ Remember how you used to live. 
  • Remember that you were an object of wrath and on the path to hell.
  • Think how fortunate you are to be in God's grace and on the road to heaven.
  • Were would you be today without God's grace?
2. New thinking in the present

    Serve with a grateful heart
    Matthew 6:1-4 ~ Remember it is more blessed to give than receive.
  • Learn to enjoy serving God and His people.
  • Don't look for recognition.
  • Old life hide sin, new life hide good
    Trust God in everything
    Romans 8:28  ~ God works out EVERYTHING for the good of those who love him.
    Do you believe this ?

3. Think toward the future.

    Philippians 4:2-8 ~ You name is written in the book of life.
  • What do you see?
    • Do not be anxious about anything - the Lord is near.
    • Constantly think about GOOD, NOBLE, HONOURABLE and PURE things. (Don't allow the devil to pollute your mind).
    • Rejoice in the Lord always.


2011-11-25 - Grace (part I)
Sometimes, one of the most difficult truths to understand as a young disciple is grace. So much confusion exist in the religious world on this topic so it is critical that you have a correct, Biblical understanding of the this powerful truth. Obviously, God wants us to thoroughly enjoy the grace He has given us and will continue to give us as disciples. However, we must feel a responsibility to live for Him in response to His grace.

Grace allowed you to be spared when you weren’t pursuing God
  • Romans 5:6-8 - God was patient and loved us while we were enemies of His
  • Ephesians 2:1-5 - We were objects of wrath; deserving to be squished (cockroach example)
  • 1 Timothy 1:12-17 - We were shown unlimited patience, making it possible to have a chance
Grace was given to you at your baptism
  • Titus 3:3-7 - You were justified by grace at your baptism; nothing you did earned it
  • Hebrews 10:19-22 - Your baptism gave you full assurance of God’s grace
  • Acts 2:38-41 - You were forgiven, got the Holy Spirit, added to God’s kingdom – by grace


2011-11-26 - Grace (part II)
Grace continues to be yours after your baptism
  • Romans 5:9-11 - If God showed us patience while enemies, how much more now as friends?
  • 2 Peter 3:17-18 - You are now in a secure position; enjoy it immensely
Grace should inspire you to say no to temptation and sin
  • Romans 6:5-11 - God’s grace gave us a new life – why would we want to return to the old
  • Titus 2:11-14 - God’s grace teaches us t say no to sin (Cruise ship example)
  • Jude 3-5 - God’s grace is not license to sin, rather a license against sin


2011-11-27 - Grace (part III)
Grace should motivate you to work hard for God
  • 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 - Paul felt more grace so he worked even harder
  • Ephesians 2:8-10 - God has given us good works to do in response to His grace
Grace can be forfeited or lost
  • Hebrews 10:26-31 - When we deliberately keep on sinning and insult the amazing gift of grace
  • Jonah 2:1-8 - Our lack of repentance can keep God’s grace from our lives
Don’t let Satan lie to you. God has a lot of grace and loves giving it out to you on a regular basis. You receive grace when you sin after baptism as you did during your baptism. So enjoy the grace, but don’t let Satan lie to you in another way by telling you to relax and do what ever you want because God is a God of grace. Allow the grace of God to call you higher than ever before and further away from old, sinful ways.

2011-12-08 - Day 5 - The Grace of God
Romans 5:6-11
  1. How were you powerless when Christ died for you?
  2. What proves God's incredible love for you?
Titus 3:3-8; Titus 2:11-14
  1. Why do we need to be reminded about our old way of life?
  2. What did you do to earn God's forgiveness?
  3. How should you respond to the grace of God?
  4. Describe how you can be self-controlled and eager to do good works.
1 Corinthians 15:9-10 / 1 Timothy 1:7-12 - How did Paul show his gratitude to God?

Application: Write down (and do) 3 things today that will show God how grateful you are to be saved!

2012-02-16 - Fear of Failure - God Will Give Us the Grace We Need to Succeed
by Sean Kiluk, San Francisco Church of Christ

2 Corinthians 9:8

God will give us all the grace we need to be successful in whatever role he has put us in. He did not put us where we are to fail, but to rely on him for success. Our problems come when we value success and praise more than knowing God. God forgives us, and he loves us even though we fail or sin. His love is unconditional. We need to have confidence in God's grace in everything. We will fail at times, but God has enough grace to ensure a victory in the end.

Decisions:
  • Pray for an understanding of God's forgiveness: study the psalms and see David's trust in God.
  • Believe that God has a plan for your life: be confident in his love.
  • Build great relationships with other Christians who can bolster your faith.


2012-02-22 - Fear of Failure - God is Able, Part 2
by Del & Daurence Johnson - Region Leaders: San Francisco Church of Christ

Part of dealing with failure and sin is realizing that God is able. He can give us strength, and forgiveness to help us deal with our burdens.

1) God is able to do immeasurably more - Ephesians 3:14-21
God is able to do more than what my puny faith believes. So I have to ask for so much more and imagine even greater than I ever have. Make a list of your dreams that you desire. Pray through them. Test Him. See if the outcome doesn't blow your mind.

2) God is able to make all grace abound - 2 Corinthians 9:8
We need forgiveness to make up for how we purposely sabotage God's will for our life. Grace makes up for all our weaknesses and inadequacies.There are things God has done for us that we will never get the chance to thank Him for, because we don't even know what they are. For example, the times that we have hurt people, but they never said anything. Or times we could have hurt ourselves, but He guided us down a different road. God is the unknown soldier for every moment of our life. Our failures have become learning experiences that result in our maturity and people becoming stronger disciples.

Don't short cut God's discipline and will for your life because you are consumed with you and not Him. Learn to pray. Learn to read your Bible. Learn to be open and build spiritual friendships that keep you believing and repenting. He is not finished with you yet, nor I.

Decisions:
  1. Pray through my dream list at least twice a week
  2. Learn to stop trying to be perfect and be grateful for his grace


2012-03-05 - Blessings In Christ (part I)
Studying through the blessing of Jesus:

1. Access to God's Grace - Ephesians 2:8-18

2. We are adopted by God - Ephesians 1:5

3. We get an Inheritance - Ephesians 1:11

4. We are elected saved - 1 Peter 1:2

5. We become a child of God - John 1:12

2012-03-13 - Blessings In Christ (part IX)
Continue studying through the blessing of Jesus:

43. The Lord becomes our helper instead of our judge - Hebrews 13:6

44. We get abounding grace - 2 Corinthians 9:8

45. We get eternal love - Romans 8:38-39

46. Everything that happens to us will be for our own good - Romans 8:28

47. A promised faithfulness regardless of our faithlessness - 2 Timothy 2:13

2015-04-30 - Inner Conflict

I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway - Romans 7:19

Paul found himself unable to always do what he knew was right. He was equally unable to always avoid doing what he knew was wrong

Paul reveled his genuine conflict over his desire to obey God perfectly and his inability to do so 

What Paul wanted more than anything was to have vicotry over sin

We are sinners who must daily tap into God's grace and forgiveness

You will find consistent success in avoiding sin only as you walk daily in the power of the Holy Spirit



2015-05-04 - Worthy

I am the least of all the apostles and not worthy to called an apostle after the way I percuted God's church - 1 Corinthians 15:9

In mercy and grace, God calls, enables to serve, and declares worthliness

Paul voliently persecution of those he would later call his brothers and sisters - 1 Timothy 1:13

Why did God make Paul worthy to serve? It was due entirely to God's grace and goodness

Your worthiness to serve God does not come from any of your talents, abilities, or credentials



2015-07-14 - The Road to Forgiveness

I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus - Philemon 1:10

Philemon, an apparently wealth and influential believer, faced the same decision we face when some wrongs us

Do we forgive and restore or we withhold forgiveness and let the relationship die?

Onesimus had been Philemon's slave, stolen from Philemon, deserted him, and ran away

The question wasn't wheather Philemon had been wronged but what he was going to do about it

Understanding God's grace and forgiveness is the key to forgiving those who have hurt us



2015-08-09 - Just Like You

Whay are you doing this? We are merely human beings - just like you! - Acts 14:15

Paul and his missionary companion Barnabas demonstrated an attitude of humility and tolerance as they faced sin in the city of Lystra

When they healed a cripped man, Paul and Barnabas watched in horror as the people began to worship them

They did respond to the people in anger or disgust - rather they continued to love these sinners them even though they hated the sin

Paul and Barnabas sent a message that they were no better than anyone else - all of them together were sinners saved by God's grace

What kind of message are you sending to those around you?



2024-02-01 - Truth (part III)

Can truth be known?

Athiest may start with "I don't believe in God!"
Are you sure there is no God? If no, then may actually be agnostic
If you agnostic, then what kind?
    - Can't know anything for sure - how are you so sure about that?
    - Doesn't know anything for sure, but can know

Would you be willing to look at the evidence? Evidence can not convince the unwilling

Complete agnosticism is self-defeating  - "truth can not be known" and believe it to be true (a true claim)

Truth can be known? YES

Can all religions be true?
No, because some are contradictory:

  • World religions have more contradictions than similarities
  • While reglions have some similarities, because of God has planted on our hearts

Major differences:

  • Jews, Christians and Muslims believe in one God vs Hindus/New Age believe everything that exists is an impersonal force
  • Jews, Christians and Muslims believe in heaven and hell vs Hindus believe evil is an illusion
  • Christians believe you are saved by grace while all others believe in salvation by good works if they believe in salvation at all

"Tolerance" means that you are suppose to except all religions to be true

  1. Accept people with other beliefs and but not yourself
  2. "You ought not question someone religious beliefs" is a religious belief of pluralists
  3. Prohibition against questioning beliefs is an absolute moral stance
  4. Bible commands us to questions beliefs - pluralist should accept this believe
  5. They only tolerate of those who agree with them

You shall not judge - it is a judgment
All judge, it is about if we make the right judgment
Ready to accept child sacrifices or radical fundamental terrorists? 
If in error, it is not loving to withhold truth from others

Elephant parable (world religions are objective vs objective) - may seem persuasive until you get to one question  - what the perceptive of the narrator, isn't it an objectiveone?



Next 1 >>