Family Values: Grace and Truth | Pastor Rodney Thrift
Family Values
Grace and Truth…
John 1:14 (ESV) 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.
Ephesians 5:1 (NLT) Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
Grace: An undeserved gift. Favor. Love. Mercy.
Ephesians 2:8 (NLT) 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
John 17:17 (NLT) 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.
Truth: Speaking honestly. Speaking God’s Word and Kingdom principles.
John 17:17 (NLT) 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.
Tin + Copper = Bronze
Grace + Truth = Jesus
SOUL TATTOO: We need grace, we need truth and we need Jesus.
“Truth without grace is mean. Grace without truth is meaningless. ‘TRUTH AND GRACE IS MEDICINE’.” Pastor Chris Hodges Church of the Highlands
- What if every time you wanted to communicate grace you stopped first to ensure that what you were about to say or do was fully in line with what is true?
- What if every time you wanted to communicate truth you stopped first to ensure that you were going to communicate it in a way that was grace-filled?
The Grace and Truth Challenge:
- Speak the truth with grace.
- Speak grace with truth.
Five Grace and Truth Checkpoints:
- Put prayer into action.
James 1:5 (NLT) 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. - Give people the grace to mess up.
1 John 1:9 (ESV) 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. - Be graceful and ready to answer questions.
Matthew 7:7 (NLT) 7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. - Answer the why.
2 Peter 3:17-18 (ESV) 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. - Pray and pause before you speak.
James 1:19-20 (NLT) 19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
Walk out with this…
Grace + Truth = Balance
“Jesus brought balance to a lopsided system.” Tolbert Moore
John 1:14 (ESV) 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.
SOUL TATTOO: We need grace, we need truth and we need Jesus.