Responsive to Grace

We joyfully experience the astounding, undeserved love of God and His ongoing power to transform us. His transforming love and power are inseparable from one another.

John 3:16-17; Ephesians 1:4-5; Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 5:6-11; Mark 5:1-20.

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God scandalously loves His lost creation and extends grace to us, empowering believers to love Him and others at a higher standard than the law.

Romans 5:7-8; 2 Corinthians 5:14-18; Romans 6:11-14; Matthew 5:21-28; Romans 8:2-4; Acts 9:1-22; Acts 26:1-23.

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Deeply experiencing grace teaches us about righteousness, which empowers us to overcome sin and failure. The Father’s love keeps us from focusing on sin or hiding in shame if we fail.

Ephesians 3:14-21; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Titus 2:11-13; Colossians 3:1-5; Acts 2:14-41.

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God’s grace breaks the mentality that says “I am a powerless victim of circumstances” and creates a new identity that declares, “In Christ, I am a victorious overcomer, no matter the situation.”

John 16:33; 1 John 4:4; Romans 8:31-32, 35-39; 1 Corinthians 15:57; 2 Corinthians 2:14; Deuteronomy 28:13; Jeremiah 29:11.

What Does This Mean?

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Our old self is dead–crucified with Christ. We are free and empowered to live in His righteousness and share in His sufferings. Romans 6:1-7; Romans 8:1-9; Galatians 2:19-21; 2 Corinthians 3:4-6; Philippians 3:8-11.

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God is always loving and is passionate about fulfilling His purposes for our lives.

John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 1:4; Romans 8:38-39; 2 Peter 3:9; 2 Timothy 2:13; Romans 11:29.

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God has given us joy that is greater than any circumstances that we face.

Isaiah 54:1; Nehemiah 8:10; Hebrews 12:2; James 1:2-3; Psalm 27:6.

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We grow into Christ-like, spiritual maturity when we allow His love and power to transform us.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Ephesians 3:14-21; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Romans 12:2; Philippians 3:12; 2 Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 1:4; Ephesians 5:1-2.

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We partner with the Holy Spirit and fellow believers to be changed and led into personal transformation.

James 5: 13-16; Matthew 18:15-20; Philippians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 12:2; Galatians 6:1-2; Titus 2:11-13.

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God has given us access to unlimited resources so that we can do His good works and change the world.

Matthew 18:18; Matthew 28:18 -20; John 14:12 - 15; Ephesians 2:4-10; 1 John 4:17.

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God’s grace empowers us to be unique, to dream, and to create with Him.

1 Peter 4:10; 1 Corinthians 12:7; John 15:7; John 15:16; John 16:24; Ephesians 3:10-11; Romans 8:18-19.

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Don’t Misunderstand…

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None of us has attained perfection; there is still room for us all to grow.

Philippians 3:12-15; 1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 1:8; James 3:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 4:13-15.

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We may still be tempted by old sinful habits, but we recognize that these temptations have nothing to do with our identities.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:24; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Romans 6:12-13; James 1:13-15.

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We are never content with sin remaining in our lives.

Ephesians 5:1-4; Galatians 5:13; Romans 6:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; 1 John 1:8-10; Romans 12:1-3.

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We co-labor with Jesus so that He gets His full reward.

Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15, 20; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:13; Philippians 3:13-14; 1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 6:1.

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We choose daily to live in the fullness of His abundant grace.

Lamentations 3:22-23; Luke 9:23; Galatians 5:1; Hebrews 12:1-3.

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There is a hell and not everyone will choose salvation.

2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 10:28; Hebrews 9:27; Matthew 25:31-46.

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Our desires need to be submitted to the will of God.

Proverbs 3:5-6; Proverbs 16:9; James 4:13-15; Philippians 2:13; Romans 6:12-13.

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Our physical bodies are a blessing, declared good by God in the beginning and restored to holiness through Christ.

Genesis 1:27; Genesis 1:31; Romans 8:11; Romans 6:12-13; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

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We have a responsibility to steward and manage the grace, resources, and gifts that we have been given.

1 Peter 4:10; Colossians 3:23-24; Matthew 25:14-30; Romans 6:13; Genesis 1:28; Genesis 2:15.