I am reading this book called “The Grace Awakening” in the book Charles Swindoll talks about the importance of understanding grace and how much we misunderstand grace.
Swindoll quotes Martyn Lloyd-Jones as he talks about Romans 6: “Are we to continue in sin that grace may increase?”
If it is true that where sin abounded grace has much more abounded, well then, ‘shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound yet further?’
First of all let me make a comment, to me a very important and vital comment. The true preaching of the gospel of salvation by grace alone always leads to the possibility of this charge being brought against it. There is no better test as to whether a man is really preaching the New Testament gospel of salvation than this, that some people might misunderstand it and misinterpret it to mean that it really amounts to this, that because you are saved by grace alone it does not matter at all what you do; you can go on sinning as much as you like because it will redound all the more to the glory of grace. That is a very good test of gospel preaching. If my preaching and presentation of the gospel of salvation does not expose it to that misunderstanding, then it is not the gospel…..
….I would say to all preachers: If your preaching of salvation has not been misunderstood in that way, then you had better examine your sermons again, and you had better make sure that you really are preaching the salvation that is offered in the New Testament to the ungodly, to the sinner, to those who are dead in trespasses and sins, to those who are enemies of God.
There is this kind of dangerous element about the true presentation of the doctrine of salvation.
Grace is more than risky it’s dangerous. The power of the gospel is only fully realized when grace is understood and embraced.
In kids ministry we need to help kids understand grace to understand the power of the gospel in their lives. As I think about kids who walk away from their faith when they leave home I can’t help thinking that if kids understood grace in the context of the Gospel message it would change their perspective on who God is. A rule filled, Christian faith that has no room for grace also has no room for the gospel.
As I enter the new year I ask myself am I preaching my gospel to kids in a way that displays the power of the gospel in a way that leaves kids understanding the power of grace and forgiveness.
This year and every year following I want our kids to know one thing “Jesus is everything”
Narrowing down what you want you kids to learn acts as a filter and a compass. What is the one thing you want your kids to leave your ministry knowing.
Well said. Without Grace there is no hope.
Ephesians 2:8-9 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Through Grace comes our power as Christians. Through Grace we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In Kids Ministry I want our Kids to understand that they have access to Grace and therefore have access to the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish more than they could on their own. I want them to comprehend that they can read the Bible and understand its teachings that they can serve and minister to the community that they can de disciples of Christ and also help disciple others. On the flip side I want them to understand that Grace is a gift given that must be received. If it’s not received then there are consequences to be paid.
Appreciate the thoughts, Sam. The older I get the more I understand the importance of grace & the role it plays in my salvation. The gift of God's grace is unbelievable! I agree that in order for our kids to understand they must know that "Jesus is everything", and in order for them to know that our kids must "know Jesus."
Thanks again, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
If I had to narrow it down to one thing, which is crazy tough, I want them to know that God loves them, enough to fix their broken relationship. Great blog as always. I'm thinking in this same direction as well. Great book too!!!
Also I think this could be huge if volunteers could grasp this idea. In conversations with kids, they could reinforce the idea of grace.
Challenging, challenging word today, thanks!