Break the Cycle of Failure

  

Is God’s meaning, in Christianity, simply to humble us through the model (putting before us the ideal) and to console us with “Grace,” but between God and humanity there is no relationship, that we must express our thankfulness like a dog to a man, so that the adoration becomes more and more true, and more pleasing to God as it becomes less and less possible for us that we could be like the model? Is that the meaning of Christianity? 

-Soren Kierkegaard

Or is it the very reverse, that God’s will is to express that he desires to be in relations with us, and therefore desires the thanks and adoration which is in Spirit and truth: imitation. The latter is certainly the meaning of Christianity. But the former is a cunning invention of us men in order to escape from real relation to God.

-Soren Kierkegaard

  

There are two realms to live in, two paths to walk down.

  

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

-Ephesians 2:1-3

The good is distorted by a world system that leaves God out of the picture.

-Klyne Snodgrass

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

-Ephesians 2:4-7

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

-Ephesians 1:18-23

  

Grace is the fuel, faith in the ignition, free gas!

  

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

-Ephesians 2:8-10

  

Grace makes all of life worship.

  

Do you believe the story of Jesus?

Do you believe in Jesus?

Do you believe Jesus?

  

  

  

  

What is your main take-away from this message?

 

Make a Decision