https://www.bible.com/events/49498526
Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus
Grace is Greater Part 4
Grace is greater than brokenness.
Today, we are continuing our Teaching series called “Grace is Greater”
This series keys off a book by the same title, and it is written by Pastor and Author Kyle Idleman.
Throughout this series, we want to be reminded of God’s grace in our lives. To understand that His grace is greater than any sin, any brokenness, any failure or regret in my life, and the lives of others around us. We want to experience that great grace in our own lives and see how that grace serves to change our world.
We don’t want ever want to forget God’s grace.
Today we want to experience the greatness of God’s grace in the places of our brokenness.
Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18 says you are here, in the present, with all of its sufferings, trials, and tribulations. While this verse does say “you are here”, it says something else very important. You are going…There.
It begins by saying “I consider…”. This is the idea of running the numbers, giving careful consideration to the matter.
The Apostle Paul has done the careful calculation- the suffering of the present doesnt compare to the glory that is ahead.
This is not to minimize the suffering of the present, but to rightly perceive what’s ahead in God’s redemption plan.
Paul goes on to say in the next few verses that the redemption that is ahead is so glorious and so wonderful, that all of creation is waiting in eager expectation. This is like standing on your tippy toes, straining your neck to see, excitement for what is coming.
Revelation 21:3-5
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
That’s what’s up ahead. That is what all of creation is standing on it’s tippy toes straining to see. God’s ultimate redemption. New Heaven and new Earth. That’s where the Lord is taking his people.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
He is absolutely certain that for those who love God, those who have given God their lives and are worshipping and serving him.
For those who love God, all things work together for good.
For those who are called sons and daughters, for those living in relationship with God- all things, even the broken and hard things, will be made to serve a good purpose in making us like Christ.
This passage doesn’t mean we have to pretend like life isnt hard. We definitely don’t have to call bad things good.
This is an invitation to trust and believe that God’s grace is greater than the brokenness and pain we are experiencing.
This is an invitation to trust God in the midst of those things, to believe that he can do something greater than we could imagine.
And this invitation is also a promise. One of absolute certainty.
God’s grace is greater than brokenness.