The Grace Message

This Christmas season – even amidst the stresses and difficulties we face – we have more to celebrate than baby Jesus in a manger. We believers have the light and life of Jesus in our hearts! But we have the treasure of Jesus in earthen vessels, and people don’t always see the One we contain. So, how does the resurrection life of Jesus get revealed in us? In this unique Christmas message, you’ll learn why bad things happen to good people and what God is doing in the middle of it all. You’ll be invited to view pain in a new and different way – against the backdrop of all that God is renewing in you. Someday, the troubles we’re going through now will be expressed in no more than a single sentence in comparison with the glory revealed in us. But even now, we see glimpses of that glory as we fix our eyes on the invisible gift of God – the gift of Jesus Christ Himself given to us. Check out this unusual Christmas message to learn why Christmas is about more than a manger! Discussion Questions: 1. Read verse 4. How does this shed light on the false idea that God is blinding some people to the Gospel? 2. Read verse 5. How does legalism “preach ourselves” instead of preaching Christ? 3. Read verses 7-12. Notice the “we/us” and then the “you”? Why is this important? Is Paul talking about some sort of “dying to self”? Or is he referring to the physical persecution of the apostles? How can we know? 4. Read verse 15. Reflect on how it might be a beautiful theme verse for The Grace Church and for the message that we hold dear. 5. Read verse 16. How are we being renewed day by day? 6. Read verse 17. What perspective caused Paul to say the afflictions were “momentary” and “light”? 7. Read verse 18. What “unseen” things do you fix your eyes on? Give examples.

Do you think there are seasons when we sin more than others? My pastor keeps insisting that I ask myself if I'm saved. Is this healthy? Did God make Caesar Augustus issue the decree for a census, or did God just know it would happen? Why do Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25 when they know Jesus wasn't born then? What about people who've never heard the Gospel? Why does 1 John 2 say that we need no one to teach us? Is there a second chance to believe the Gospel after death? How should we respond to those who say we're still under the Law?

What does it mean to be born or made in God's image? To what degree was that image lost at the Fall? Why does Romans 14:12 say we will "give an account" if our sins are taken away forever? When did the New Testament era really begin? Another Bible teacher claims we must be baptized to be saved. Is this true?

Does Galatians 2:20 say it's faith "in" Jesus or the faith "of" Jesus? How do I share the Gospel with unbelievers in an organic way? I've had panic attacks and wonder if it's because of my sins. How is God's discipline different from punishment? I haven't heard God's voice lately, and it concerns me. Should I be worried?

How is my human spirit different from the Holy Spirit within me? Do I need to "die to self" or get out of God's way? The real Gospel message is easy and light, and it's worth celebrating. What does the Parable of the Mustard Seed mean?

Will I be judged more harshly by God because I served as a pastor? If we are born spiritually dead, then what exactly dies with Christ at salvation? After all, why would a dead spirit need to die? Has the gift of healing gone away? Should we still pray for people's healing?

Isn't there really just one person in the Trinity- Jesus? Wasn't Jesus just praying to Himself? How do we explain someone who said they were a believer but now lives in a sexually sinful lifestyle? Where do we see God referring to Himself in the plural? Isn't this further evidence of the Trinity?

Should we take literally the Old Testament account of God creating the world and Noah’s family surviving a flood? What about people in remote places who’ve never heard the Gospel – how can they be saved? How many people will be in Heaven – a lot or only a tiny percentage of the Earth’s population? Hebrews 11 answers these questions and so much more – such as the important role of faith and why we have something better today than any Old Testament person experienced. In this message, I address this important passage and all of these issues, hopping from one to the next at a fun pace. It will prove to be both informative and reassuring as your confidence in God’s grace grows even more. Discussion Questions: What “invisible” truths do you have faith in?How does verse 3 speak to the beginning of the universe?In what way does verse 6 help us with the question of those in remote parts of the world?How does verse 7 affirm the veracity of the Old Testament?According to verse 12, how many should we expect in Heaven?How did Isaac serve as a “type”?The phrase “by faith” appears fifteen times in this chapter. Why do you think faith is so important to God?Verses 13 and 39 both say Old Testament people didn’t receive what we have today. What spiritually do you have that is better? Can you think of a few things?

Why does John 5:24 say we will not be judged if Hebrews 10:30 says the Lord will judge his people? Who is Melchizedek? Does God judge us for our past or the past of our ancestors? Are we to avoid every “sin” in the New Testament? If so, how? I lock myself in my room because I’m afraid of my father. I want to leave my home. Can you help? What do you think of passing the plate? Doesn’t this tend to pressure people to give?

Why do so many believe in the rapture if it's not in the Bible? Why has God allowed so much evil when He knew about it ahead of time? What does "don't cast your pearls before swine" really refer to?