The Grace Message with Dr. Andrew Farley

What if much of the pressure Christians feel comes from trying to accomplish what Jesus already finished? In this message, Andrew exposes religious ideas about begging for forgiveness, keeping "short accounts" with God, and becoming more righteous. Your sins aren't partially forgiven, and righteousness isn't something you're working toward. Jesus canceled the debt and made you righteous. Discover why you can stop making payments, stop condemning yourself, and start resting in Christ's finished work.

1. Read Colossians 2:13–14. If God has already forgiven us all our sins, what does that say about the idea that forgiveness has to be obtained again every time we fail?
2. Read Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:13. Do we forgive others in order to get God to forgive us, or because He's already forgiven us? How does knowing this distinction change the reason and the way we forgive other people?
3. Read 1 John 2:12. Why do you think John speaks of forgiveness as an accomplished fact? How does this help us recognize what's really happening in often misused passage, 1 John 1:9?
4. Read Hebrews 8:12 and 10:17. What does it mean practically to live as though God truly remembers your sins no more? What do we do when we sin? Be specific.
5. Read Romans 5:19. According to this verse, what made us righteous? And how should that shape the way we see ourselves?
6. Read 2 Corinthians 5:21. What is the difference between saying God merely treats us "as if" we are righteous versus saying that in Christ we've actually become the righteousness of God?
7. Read Romans 6:18. What does it mean that believers have been freed from sin and have become slaves of righteousness? How does that challenge the idea that our identity is still sinful?
8. Read Hebrews 10:10 and 10:14. How can believers be "sanctified" and even "perfected for all time" yet still continue to grow in their attitudes, choices, and behavior?
9. Read 1 Corinthians 1:2. Why is it significant that Paul calls the Corinthians "sanctified" and "saints" even though they still had serious behavior problems?

What is the meaning of Luke 14? Why does Jesus say to hate your family and your own life? And what does it mean to "count the cost"? I have been under so much legalism and have been miserable. Now, I'm just wondering how to get free from all the analysis, especially about Hell.

Why do so many preachers talk about "backsliding" Christians? A lot of my friends embrace God's grace but hesitate when it comes to freedom from tithing. What are your thoughts? How do you meditate on God's law the way that Psalm 1 encourages? And what about when you get busy?

Does 1 Timothy 4 mean Jesus saves everybody? Was the sin in the Garden of Eden caused by a lack of faith? Why did Jesus want the five thousand people to sit down? Is the story of the woman caught in adultery found in the original manuscripts of John? What's the big takeaway from that event?

I forgave my mom who has passed away, and it made all the difference! Thank you! I had a dream, and God told me that I'm forgiven. But my friend says it could've been Satan! I read my Jimmy Swaggart Bible, and it said Satan will be released in the future. But what are you saying?

What does it mean that every knee will bow? Does that mean everyone will be saved? How do we reconcile the idea of people going to Hell? Why would Satan be released from a pit to tempt Christians after they've been raptured?

What is "once for all" forgiveness? Does it make us sin even more? What does God think of the Catholic doctrine concerning forgiveness? And what about the Catholic priesthood and their wardrobe? What does "if we deny Him, He will deny us" mean in context (2 Timothy 2)? My wife and I disagree about how to handle a situation with our adult son. What should we do?

What if some of the most common phrases in Christianity are things Jesus never actually said? He never told you to get closer to God, ask for more of the Holy Spirit, or strive for more of His presence. In this message, Andrew Farley opens Scripture to reveal a breathtaking reality: because of the finished work of Jesus, you're already near, already complete, and already fully equipped for life in Christ.

1. Read John 14:19–20. How does Jesus' description ("you in Me, and I in you") change the way we think about our closeness to God?
2. Read Colossians 3:3–4. What do the phrases "hidden with Christ in God" and "Christ, who is our life" tell us about how secure and inseparable our relationship with Him really is?
3. Read Ephesians 2:5–6. What difference does it make to realize that God has already made us alive, raised us, and seated us with Christ rather than asking us to climb our way toward Him?
4. Read Ephesians 1:3. What does the phrase "every spiritual blessing" leave out and how should that affect the way we pray and think about what we possess in Christ?
5. Read Romans 8:32. How does the fact that God already gave us His own Son challenge the fear that He might be withholding something important from us now?
6. Read 2 Corinthians 1:21–22. What do the words established, anointed, sealed, and gave tell us about whether we are still waiting for God to do something more spiritually?
7. Read Galatians 4:6–7. Why did God send the Spirit of His Son into our hearts? And what does that reveal about the Spirit being part of our identity as God's children rather than a reward for spiritual achievement?
8. Read 1 Corinthians 12:13. What is Paul emphasizing by repeatedly saying all believers were baptized by one Spirit and all were made to drink of one Spirit?
9. Read Romans 8:9–10. How does Paul's statement that anyone without the Spirit does not belong to Christ challenge the idea that some Christians have the Spirit while others still need to receive Him?

What was Pentecost for the Jews? Why did God choose it as the big day to reveal new birth by the Holy Spirit? What happened on Pentecost? Every time I read behavior passages in the New Testament, I start to feel guilty for everything I've done. What can I do? My mom and I debate the role of women in the New Testament church. What are they allowed to do?

What is the sin that leads to death? Why is it compared to sin that doesn't lead to death? Should I attend a class that will help me with pornography? Did the disciples really have the Holy Spirit before Pentecost? What's your take on the Ethiopian Bible?