The Grace Message with Dr. Andrew Farley

After we come to know God’s grace, then what? For example, how would we deal with addiction? How did God rescue us from being dead in our sins? How can my daughter get closer to God? Should we get her water baptized? My son has been abused by his father, and no one will listen to our case. Please help me get these terms, straight: old self, flesh, sinful nature, sin, carnal mind.

Join us here for our morning service at The Grace Church. This morning, our pastor Andrew Farley presents the next message in our series, “EPIC: High-Impact Truths in the New Testament.” Below are discussion questions inspired by the message on Ephesians 2:

1. Read verses 1-2. What does “dead in your trespasses and sins” mean? How does this description help us understand our condition before and after knowing Christ?

2. Read verse 3. How were we “children of wrath” according to this verse? How does this contrast with our new identity in Christ?

3. Read verse 4. What is significant about the phrase “But God…”? How does God's mercy and love change everything in our story?

4. Read verse 5. Consider the words “alive” and “together” and comment on your closeness to God. How close are you? Why?

5. Read verses 6-7. What does it mean for us to be “raised up with Christ and seated with Him in the heavenly places”? How can this reality impact how we think daily? Why did God do this for us (Hint: See verse 7.)?

6. Read verse 8-9. How does understanding grace challenge any attempt to earn salvation through works? What does this do for ideas like “water baptism saves you” or “you can do something to lose your salvation?

7. Read verse 10. React to this statement: If you’re God’s workmanship and you were designed from the ground up for good works, then you’re good by nature.

How do we define sin without the Law? How do we live the Christian life without depending on the Ten Commandments? Did Jesus have any fallenness about Him? Did Jesus restore us to a condition closer to that of Adam and Eve? Why are some people using Ecclesiastes 10:2 to talk about American politics? What is the context and takeaway from Paul’s Romans 7 struggle with jealousy?

What is the remedy for perfectionism and criticism of myself and others? Why does Matthew say those who endure will be saved? Why did Jesus say we would do greater works than Him? Can we just ask for anything in Jesus’s name and expect it? Can demons physically harm you?

How do I deepen my relationship with God? What about fear of an unknown future? How should we view 2 Chronicles 7:14 when it comes to our nations and our relationship with God? Why does Paul say, “if you are living according to the flesh, you must die” in Romans 8?

How do we reconcile Old Testament violence with the message of Jesus today? What does James 2 mean when it says three times that we are “justified by works”? (We can’t ignore the presence of this phrase, and we must wrestle with it.) Why does James 5 say we will come under judgment if we don’t keep our word? Aren’t Christians free from God’s judgment?

Is there a rapture? How many judgments will there be? Does all sickness come from the soul? Does committing a willful sin mean you’re not saved? How and when exactly are we saved? Should I separate from or divorce my husband? It’s been many years of struggle and abuse. If every knee will bow, then will everyone be saved? What did Jesus mean by the word “paradise”?

Why stay in the bondage of legalism and law-based living when you can have true freedom? In my latest message on Galatians 5, I explore what it means to stand firm in the freedom Christ has given us. It’s not about trying harder or doing more.

We’ll dive into walking by the Spirit and gain new insight into the tension between the desires of the flesh and the leading of the Spirit. Knowing your identity in Christ and trusting Him as your self-control changes everything.

Ready to ditch religious rule-keeping and embrace a life of true freedom and joy? Click through to watch the full message and discover a fresh perspective on living by the Spirit!

Discussion Questions for Galatians 5:

1. Read verses 1-2. What does it mean to stand firm in the freedom Christ has given you, and how does that relate to your identity in Him?
2. Read verses 3-4. How does trying to achieve righteousness through the Law affect a person’s relationship with Christ and their understanding of grace?
3. Read verses 5-6. In these verses, faith expressing itself through love is emphasized. How does this align with walking by the Spirit and our union with Christ?
4. Read verse 16. What does it look like in practical terms to walk by the Spirit in everyday life? How does this differ from law-based or rule-based living?
5. Read verses 17-18. How do you experience the tension between the desires of the flesh and the leading of the Spirit? How does knowing your new identity in Christ help you in this battle?
6. Read verses 19-21. How do these “deeds of the flesh” compare with the freedom we experience in Christ? How does focusing on our identity in Him help us avoid these attitudes and behaviors?
7. Read verses 22-26. How does the fruit of the Spirit grow in our lives as we trust Christ and live from our union with Him, rather than relying on self-effort or law-based living?

Should we be reciting the Lord’s Prayer? What is Sheol? Is it purgatory? Does God hold blessings back because we are struggling with sin?