Weird Words: “Grace” & “Saved”

Oct 10 / Sunday – Overview | Read Ephesians 2:1-10, especially v. 8

Our “Weird Word” message series looks at important words used by Christians, but that are just plain weird to other people. Each week’s message will unpack one or more of these words to try and “un-weird” them.

11 / Mon – Absolutely amazing | Read Joshua 3:5, 14-17

The word amazing is used frequently in conversations. “You’re an amazing singer…that rebound was amazing…try the guacamole, it’s amazing.” To amaze means to overwhelm with surprise or sudden wonder; astonish greatly. Thinking back over your life, what has been the most astonishing thing you can remember? Something God did in your life or the life of someone you know? In what ways, does God’s grace seem amazing to you?

12 /Tue – Getting what you don’t deserve | Read Hebrews 4:16

Grace is sometimes contrasted with mercy. Mercy is not getting what you deserve while grace is getting what you don’t deserve. Both are gifts God offers to any human being willing to admit their need. Where have you experienced God’s mercy? Where have you experienced God’s grace? Are you willing to extend each of these to others? If it seems too difficult in some cases, would you be willing to ask God to help you? Nothing is too hard for Him.

13 / Wed – Grace at work before you knew it | Read 2 Timothy 1:9-10

John Wesley described God’s grace as seen in three stages: prevenient grace (that comes before), justifying grace (that declares a person to be righteous) and sanctifying grace (process of making something or someone holy). Looking at the first stage, what are some ways you experienced God drawing you to Himself before you were even aware? Do you see God at work in those around you, opening their hearts to Him? How can you live and speak in such a way to facilitate this?

14 /Thu – Justifying grace | Read Titus 3:3-7 / Romans 10:9-10

Recognizing your sin -that bent toward rebellion and me-centered living -is the first step in turning toward God. It may begin gradually but there comes a moment when you intentionally choose. It is similar to what happens in a wedding when you say yes and you change from being single to being a married person. When you choose Jesus, you trade your sin for His righteousness and the sin barrier between you and God disappears. Do you remember when you made that choice?

15 /Fri – Sanctifying grace | Read Titus 2:11-14 / Philippians 1:6

What happens next is described as sanctifying grace. The Holy Spirit begins the work of making you holy, free from sin, and shaped in the image of Jesus. Through His influence, you begin to think like Jesus did, speak to others as Jesus would, and act as He would if He were in your shoes. This life-long process may seem daunting at times but remember this is God’s grace at work in you. Are you willing to cooperate with what He wants you to be and do? Tell Him so.

16 / Sat – Consider this | Read 2 Timothy 1:12

Grace is always a gift. You cannot earn it through your good works. It can only be accepted and appreciated and shared. It has often been said that God pours out His blessing through the lives of His people on it’s way to others. As you think back to the past, how has His grace been poured out on you from others? When you look around, who might need to receive grace from you right now? As you consider the future, how can you intentionally cultivate an attitude of grace?