Reflections on Grace
Introduction:
Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining me today for this special sermon as we bid farewell to this year and welcome the new one. As we reflect on the past twelve months, we may have experienced many joys and sorrows, successes and failures, blessings and challenges. But through it all, there is one thing that remains constant: God's grace. Grace is God's unmerited favor and love for us, His children. Grace is what saves us, sustains us, and transforms us. Grace is what enables us to live a life of faith, hope, and love. Today, I want to share with you four reflections on grace that I hope will encourage you and inspire you to grow in your relationship with God and with others.
1. Mirrors of Mercy: Recognizing God's Hand at Work (Psalm 139:14)
The first reflection is about how we can see God's grace in ourselves. We are created by God in His image and likeness, and He has a wonderful plan and purpose for our lives. Psalm 139:14 says, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." God has given us gifts and talents, abilities and opportunities, to serve Him and glorify Him. He has also given us His Spirit, who guides us, teaches us, and empowers us. God's grace is at work in us, making us more like Jesus, the perfect reflection of God's glory.
But sometimes, we may not see ourselves as God sees us. We may focus on our flaws and failures, our sins and shortcomings, our doubts and fears. We may feel unworthy, unloved, or unwanted. We may compare ourselves to others and feel inferior or inadequate. We may forget who we are and whose we are. We may lose sight of God's grace in our lives.
That is why we need to look at ourselves as mirrors of mercy. A mirror reflects what is in front of it, but it also shows what is behind it. When we look at ourselves, we should not only see our human condition, but also God's divine compassion. We should not only see our problems, but also God's promises. We should not only see our weaknesses, but also God's strength. We should not only see our past, but also God's future. We should not only see ourselves, but also God in us. We should see ourselves as mirrors of mercy, reflecting God's grace to ourselves and to others.
Story: A young woman named Anna was struggling with low self-esteem and depression. She felt ugly, worthless, and hopeless. She hated herself and wanted to end her life. One day, she decided to go to a nearby church and pray. As she entered the sanctuary, she saw a large cross on the wall, with a mirror behind it. She walked up to the cross and looked at the mirror. She expected to see her sad and miserable face, but instead, she saw something else. She saw Jesus on the cross, bleeding and dying for her. She saw His love and sacrifice for her. She saw His grace and mercy for her. She saw herself in Him, and Him in her. She realized that she was not alone, that she was not worthless, that she was not hopeless. She realized that she was loved, that she was precious, that she had a purpose. She realized that she was a mirror of mercy, reflecting God's grace to herself and to others. She broke down in tears and thanked God for His amazing grace.
Application: How do you see yourself? Do you see yourself as God sees you? Do you see yourself as a mirror of mercy? Do you see God's grace in your life? Do you praise God for creating you, for saving you, for changing you? Do you use your gifts and talents, your abilities and opportunities, to serve God and glorify Him? Do you allow God's Spirit to guide you, teach you, and empower you? Do you reflect God's grace to yourself and to others? If not, ask God to help you see yourself as He sees you, as a mirror of mercy, reflecting His grace to the world.
2. Learning from Mistakes, Embracing Forgiveness (Micah 7:18)
The second reflection is about how we can see God's grace in our mistakes. We are not perfect, and we make mistakes. We sin against God and against others. We disobey God's commands and ignore His will. We hurt ourselves and hurt others. We fall short of God's standards and expectations. We need God's grace to forgive us, to heal us, and to restore us. Micah 7:18 says, "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy." God is a God of grace, who loves us unconditionally and forgives us completely. He does not hold our sins against us, but casts them into the depths of the sea. He does not treat us as our sins deserve, but treats us as His beloved children. He does not remember our sins, but remembers His covenant. He does not stay angry with us, but delights to show us mercy.
But sometimes, we may not see God's grace in our mistakes. We may think that our sins are too great, too many, or too frequent for God to forgive. We may feel guilty, ashamed, or condemned. We may doubt God's love, mercy, or faithfulness. We may hide from God, run from God, or rebel against God. We may resist God's grace in our lives.
That is why we need to learn from our mistakes and embrace God's forgiveness. Learning from our mistakes means acknowledging our sins, confessing them to God, and repenting of them. It means turning away from our sins and turning to God. It means seeking God's help, guidance, and strength to overcome our sins and temptations. It means growing in our knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of God's word and will. Embracing God's forgiveness means accepting God's pardon, cleansing, and renewal. It means trusting God's promise, grace, and power to forgive us and change us. It means receiving God's peace, joy, and hope in our hearts. It means living in God's presence, favor, and blessing in our lives. It means learning from our mistakes and embracing God's forgiveness.
Story: A man named David was a faithful follower of God and a successful leader of Israel. He was called a man after God's own heart. But he made a terrible mistake. He committed adultery with a woman named Bathsheba, and then he arranged the murder of her husband, Uriah. He tried to cover up his sin, but God saw it and sent a prophet named Nathan to confront him. Nathan told David a story about a rich man who stole a poor man's lamb and killed it. David was outraged and said that the rich man deserved to die. Nathan said to David, "You are the man!" David realized his sin and said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." Nathan said to David, "The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die." David learned from his mistake and embraced God's forgiveness. He wrote a psalm of repentance, asking God to have mercy on him, to wash away his sin, to create in him a pure heart, and to restore to him the joy of his salvation. God forgave David and restored him, but he also disciplined him and allowed him to face the consequences of his sin. David experienced God's grace in his mistake.
Application: How do you see your mistakes? Do you see God's grace in your mistakes? Do you learn from your mistakes and embrace God's forgiveness? Do you acknowledge your sins, confess them to God, and repent of them? Do you seek God's help, guidance, and strength to overcome your sins and temptations? Do you accept God's pardon, cleansing, and renewal? Do you trust God's promise, grace, and power to forgive you and change you? Do you receive God's peace, joy, and hope in your hearts? Do you live in God's presence, favor, and blessing in your lives? If not, ask God to help you see His grace in your mistakes, to learn from them and embrace His forgiveness.
3. Kindness: Building Bridges Over Divides (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
The third reflection is about how we can see God's grace in others. We are not alone, and we need others. We are created by God for relationships, with Him and with others. We are called by God to love Him and to love others. We are commanded by God to love our neighbors as ourselves and to love our enemies as well. We are challenged by God to love others as He loves us, with grace and truth. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, And, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." God's grace is shown in His love for us, and His love for us is shown in His kindness to us. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit, a quality of God's character, and a mark of God's people. Kindness is a way of showing God's grace to others.
But sometimes, we may not see God's grace in others. We may encounter people who are different from us, who disagree with us, who oppose us, or who hurt us. We may face conflicts, divisions, misunderstandings, or prejudices. We may judge others, criticize others, avoid others, or hate others. We may forget that God loves them, that God died for them, that God wants to save them. We may miss God's grace in their lives.
That is why we need to show kindness to others and build bridges over divides. Showing kindness to others means treating them with respect, dignity, and courtesy. It means listening to them, understanding them, and empathizing with them. It means helping them, serving them, and blessing them. It means forgiving them, reconciling with them, and restoring them. It means sharing with them the gospel, the truth, and the love of God. Building bridges over divides means overcoming the barriers that separate us from others, such as race, culture, language, religion, politics, or ideology. It means finding the common ground that unites us with others, such as humanity, morality, spirituality, or destiny. It means creating the opportunities that connect us with others, such as friendship, partnership, fellowship, or discipleship. It means showing kindness to others and building bridges over divides.
Story: A woman named Ruth was a Moabite, a foreigner, and a widow. She had lost her husband, her father-in-law, and her brother-in-law in a famine. She had nothing left, except her mother-in-law, Naomi, who was also a widow. Naomi decided to return to her homeland, Israel, and urged Ruth to stay in Moab and find a new husband. But Ruth refused to leave Naomi, and said to her, "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried." Ruth showed kindness to Naomi, and followed her to Israel. There, she met a man named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi. Boaz was a wealthy and generous landowner, who noticed Ruth working in his field. He showed kindness to Ruth, and gave her food, water, protection, and favor. He also agreed to marry Ruth and redeem her and Naomi from their poverty and misery. Boaz showed kindness to Ruth, and built a bridge over the divide between them. Ruth and Boaz became the great-grandparents of King David, and the ancestors of Jesus Christ. They experienced God's grace in their lives.
Application: How do you see others? Do you see God's grace in others? Do you show kindness to others and build bridges over divides? Do you treat others with respect, dignity, and courtesy? Do you listen to them, understand them, and empathize with them? Do you help them, serve them, and bless them? Do you forgive them, reconcile with them, and restore them? Do you share with them the gospel, the truth, and the love of God? Do you overcome the barriers that separate you from others? Do you find the common ground that unites you with others? Do you create the opportunities that connect you with others? If not, ask God to help you see His grace in others, to show kindness to them and build bridges over divides.
4. Walking in the Light: Sharing God's Love with the World (Matthew 5:14-16)
The fourth and final reflection is about how we can see God's grace in the world. We are not of the world, but we are in the world. We are not conformed to the world, but we are transformed by the world. We are not loved by the world, but we are sent to the world. We are not citizens of the world, but we are ambassadors of the world. We are not here to enjoy the world, but we are here to change the world. We are here to shine God's light in the darkness, to spread God's salt in the decay, to display God's glory in the creation. Matthew 5:14-16 says, "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." God's grace is revealed in His light, and His light is revealed in us. We are the light of the world, because He is the light of the world.
But sometimes, we may not see God's grace in the world. We may see the darkness of the world, the evil, the suffering, the injustice, the violence, the corruption, the chaos. We may be afraid of the world, intimidated by the world, influenced by the world, or corrupted by the world. We may hide from the world, isolate from the world, compromise with the world, or conform to the world. We may forget that God loves the world, that God created the world, that God sustains the world, that God rules the world. We may ignore God's grace in the world.
That is why we need to walk in the light and share God's love with the world. Walking in the light means living a life of holiness, obedience, and faithfulness to God. It means following God's word, God's will, and God's way. It means resisting the devil, the world, and the flesh. It means pursuing the truth, the righteousness, and the godliness. It means reflecting the character, the nature, and the attributes of God. Sharing God's love with the world means proclaiming the gospel, the good news, and the hope of God. It means demonstrating the love, the grace, and the mercy of God. It means serving the poor, the needy, and the oppressed. It means seeking the peace, the justice, and the welfare of the world. It means walking in the light and sharing God's love with the world.
Story: A man named Paul was a persecutor of the church, a hater of the gospel, and an enemy of God. He was zealous for the law, but ignorant of the grace. He was blind to the light, but saw the darkness. He was on his way to Damascus to arrest and kill the followers of Jesus, when he encountered Jesus himself. A bright light from heaven flashed around him, and he fell to the ground. He heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The voice said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." Paul was blinded by the light, and led by the hand to Damascus. There, he met a man named Ananias, who was a disciple of Jesus. Ananias showed kindness to Paul, and laid his hands on him. He said to him, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Paul regained his sight, and was baptized. He became a preacher of the gospel, a lover of the church, and a friend of God. He walked in the light, and shared God's love with the world. He wrote many letters to the churches, encouraging them, teaching them, and correcting them. He traveled to many places, spreading the gospel, planting churches, and making disciples. He suffered many hardships, persecutions, and trials, but he never gave up, never lost hope, and never stopped serving. He said, "I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ, yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead." Paul experienced God's grace in the world.
Application: How do you see the world? Do you see God's grace in the world? Do you walk in the light and share God's love with the world? Do you live a life of holiness, obedience, and faithfulness to God? Do you follow God's word, God's will, and God's way? Do you resist the devil, the world, and the flesh? Do you pursue the truth, the righteousness, and the godliness? Do you reflect the character, the nature, and the attributes of God? Do you proclaim the gospel, the good news, and the hope of God? Do you demonstrate the love, the grace, and the mercy of God? Do you serve the poor, the needy, and the oppressed? Do you seek the peace, the justice, and the welfare of the world? If not, ask God to help you see His grace in the world, to walk in the light and share His love with the world.
Conclusion:
As we close this year and begin a new one, let us reflect on God's grace in our lives. Let us see God's grace in ourselves, in our mistakes, in others, and in the world. Let us be mirrors of mercy, reflecting God's grace to ourselves and to others. Let us learn from our mistakes and embrace God's forgiveness. Let us show kindness to others and build bridges over divides. Let us walk in the light and share God's love with the world. Let us glorify God with our words and deeds, and let us thank God for His amazing grace. Amen.
