Notes

1.  Grace in others is worth fighting for!

2.  Grace makes the most of every opportunity!

3.  Grace is for ALL people!

4.  Grace allows us to travel lightly!

5.  Grace declares that we are safe!

6.  Grace can transform anyone! 

7.  Graces puts others first!

8.  Grace allows for 2nd chances

Verses

{While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently. Finally, the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this question. The church sent the delegates to Jerusalem, and they stopped along the way in Phoenicia and Samaria to visit the believers. They told them—much to everyone’s joy—that the Gentiles, too, were being converted. When they arrived in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul were welcomed by the whole church, including the apostles and elders. They reported everything God had done through them. But then some of the believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and insisted, “The Gentile converts must be circumcised and required to follow the law of Moses.” Acts 15:1-5 NLT}{So why are you now challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers with a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear? We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus. Acts 15:10-11 NLT}{And this conversion of Gentiles is exactly what the prophets predicted. Acts 15:15 NLT}{And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from consuming blood. For these laws of Moses have been preached in Jewish synagogues in every city on every Sabbath for many generations. Acts 15:19-21 NLT}{The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter. And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message. Acts 15:30-31 NLT}{God knows people’s hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith. Acts 15:8-9 NLT}{Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. Acts 10:34 NLT}{The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. Romans 8:3 NLT}{But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!” Luke 22:57 NLT}{You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. Galatians 1:13 NLT}{For even his brothers didn’t believe in him. John 7:5 NLT}{After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there. Acts 15:36-41 NLT}{Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. 2 Timothy 4:11 NLT}

Quotes

Brennan Manning : The American Church today accepts grace in theory but denies it in practice. We say we believe that the fundamental structure of reality is grace, not works – but our lives refute our faith. Too many Christians are living in the house of fear and not in the house of love. (The Ragamuffin Gospel); Charles Spurgeon : If grace does not make us differ from other men, it is not the grace which God gives. (); Tullian Tchividjian : I will never, ever deal with you on the basis of your cleanliness or dirtiness – your goodness or your badness – but on the basis of my Son’s finished work on your behalf. (Jesus + Nothing = Everything); Tullian Tchividjian : Grace liberates us to be okay with not being okay. We can stop pretending that we are anyone but who we actually are. (One Way Love); Brennan Manning : The Good News means we can stop lying to ourselves. The sweet sound of amazing grace saves us from the necessity of self-deception. As a sinner whose been redeemed, I can acknowledge that I am often unloving, irritable, angry, and resentful with those closest to me. When I go to church I can leave my white hat at home and admit I have failed. God not only loves me as I am, but also knows me as I am. Because of this I don’t need to apply spiritual cosmetics to make myself presentable to Him. (The Ragamuffin Gospel); Brennan Manning : The gospel of grace calls out: Nothing can ever separate you from the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord. You must be convinced of this, trust it, and never forget to remember. Everything else will pass away, but the love of Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (The Ragamuffin Gospel); Brendan Manning : The trusting heart gives a second chance; it is forgiven and, in turn, forgives. (All Is Grace);