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When Jesus Moved In

Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain. No one is to come with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain; not even the flocks and herds may graze in front of the mountain.” EXODUS 34:2 NLT

Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, EXODUS 34:5-6 NIV

“The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving kindness and truth (faithfulness); EXODUS 34:6 AMP

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. JOHN 1:14 NLT

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. JOHN 1:14 NIV

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son Generous inside and out, true from start to finish. JOHN 1:14 MSG

“In the Old Testament, grace and truth MOVED AMONG us; In the New Testament, grace and truth MOVED IN with us.”

JESUS WAS A GENEROUS GRACE-GIVER

Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” JOHN 8:10-11 NLT

“God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.” JOHN 3:17 MSG

But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” LUKE 23:40-43 NLT

Let’s get uncomfortable with grace so that we understand grace

GRACE ISN’T FAIR

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. EPHESIANS 2:8-9 NLT

“CHRISTIANS WHO UNDERSTAND GRACE DON’T BRAG ABOUT THEIR SIN; THEY BRAG ABOUT THEIR SAVIOR”

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. ROMANS 5:8 NLT

JESUS WAS A GENTLE TRUTH-TELLER

“Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband—for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!” JOHN 4:16-18 NLT

The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!” JOHN 4:25-26 NLT

“But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.” Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me. “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. JOHN 13:37-14:3 NLT

“Sometimes people might reject the truth because of how we relay the truth”

Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. EPHESIANS 4:14-15 NLT

We Resist the Truth.

“To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.” PROVERBS 12:1 NLT

We Avoid The Truth

“The truth you are avoiding reveals the lie you are believing.”

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” JOHN 8:32 NLT

“He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” JOHN 8:44b NLT

The path that moves us from being resistors of truth to receivers of truth: Humility & Trust

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. EPHESIANS 4:1-2a NLT

Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. PROVERBS 11:2 NLT

Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances. PROVERBS 11:14 MSG

“The full measure of love is displayed in the full manifestation of grace & truth”

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a place that will help you to become quiet in your thoughts and feelings. Pay attention to them and wait until they become calm. Consider taking a few slow, deep breaths. When you are ready, commit the time to God and invite Him to guide you in your reflections. Think about the sermon and how our home needs to be a place of grace and truth. What feelings and thoughts surface as you think about this? How has Jesus demonstrated His grace and truth to you this week? What are your feelings when you think about Jesus saving you by grace only and that you did nothing to earn it? Ask God to reveal in what ways your home does or does not demonstrate His grace and truth. Pray He will show you where you need to speak the truth in a loving and gentle way to members of your family. Picture what your home would be like if it reflected more of the grace and truth of Jesus. Close your time by asking God to impress upon you an action that He wants you to take this week to make your home more like what you pictured above. Is it by having a difficult conversation? Or, is there a lie you need to reject that you are believing that is hindering your intimacy with Jesus? Whatever God reveals to you, receive the truth and obey Him. Thank Him for specific ways He has revealed His truth and grace to you in your walk with Him.

Discussion Questions

Choose a couple of the following questions from each section that best fit your group. Or have everyone read the questions, choosing which one(s) from each section they feel led to respond to.

  1. START HERE: Have you ever been a VIP before? Share what that experience was like.
  2. START HERE: Share a few words that come to mind when you hear the word ‘grace.’
  3. START HERE: “We don’t want ‘fair’; we really want ‘favor,’ especially as it relates to our sin.” Where do you see this play out in our world and in your life?
  4. KEEP GOING: When has there been a time you needed generous grace?
  5. KEEP GOING: Read Ephesians 4:15 (NLT). How do people experience hearing the truth from you?

  6. KEEP GOING: ”Jesus is gentle with us because He knows how hard we can be on ourselves.” How gentle are you with yourself? How gentle are you with others?
  7. KEEP GOING: Read John 1:14 (NLT). What needs to change in me for my home to become full of grace and truth?
  8. KEEP GOING: Read Proverbs 11:2 (NLT). Who has an open invitation to lovingly challenge you because you know they are for you?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: With whom do you tend to be the stingiest in offering grace? How could you take a step in that direction this week?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: Read John 8:32 (NLT). Speaking the truth in love can be a catalyst for change in someone’s life. How naturally does this come to you, and what can you do to grow in this area?