Sermon: “Jesus, Grace and Truth” | Pastor Daren Mehl
Series: “What Is Truth? The Gospel of John”
Pastor Daren Mehl: “Grace forgives the sinner and teaches the child of God how to live and how to walk out those good works of the Father.”
Bible Verse: Titus 2:11-14 — God’s saving grace also trains His people to turn from ungodliness and live godly lives as they wait for Christ.
Grace is not only God’s gracious answer to our guilt; His grace also works powerfully in His children to change them. Titus tells us that the grace of God brings salvation and also trains us to reject ungodliness and worldly desires (Titus 2:11-14). That means grace never says, “Sin does not matter.” Grace says, “Jesus has paid for sin, rescued you from its rule, and is teaching you a new way to live.” The law can show us what righteousness looks like and expose where we have failed, but the law cannot give spiritual life or remove our guilt (Romans 8:3-4). Jesus fulfilled righteousness, bore the curse for His people, and gives the Holy Spirit to those who belong to Him. Because of Christ, obedience is no longer an attempt to earn the Father’s love. It becomes the grateful response of sons and daughters who have already been received by grace.
This gives us hope when change feels slow. Sanctification is often a long work in which the Spirit uses Scripture, conviction, repentance, prayer, relationships, and repeated obedience to reshape us. We should take sin seriously without falling back into condemnation. When the Spirit exposes bitterness, lust, dishonesty, pride, fear, or selfishness, He is not inviting us to hide; He is calling us back into the light where Christ’s grace trains us (John 8:31-36). A hungry disciple wants to know what God says, a humble disciple admits where change is needed, and a teachable disciple actually takes the next step of obedience. The goal is not simply better behavior but a life increasingly shaped by Christ. His grace changes what we love, how we think, what we say, and how we treat other people. The same Jesus who forgives us also gives grace to begin again and walk forward in righteousness.
Reflection Question: What area of your life is the grace of God currently training you to surrender, put off, or practice differently?
Practical Challenge: Choose one specific act of obedience in an area where you have been compromising or procrastinating. Make it concrete enough to do today, and tell a mature believer who can pray for you and encourage you to follow through.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, teach me to see grace as more than forgiveness alone. Holy Spirit, instruct me through Your Word and train my desires so that I increasingly love what is righteous and turn away from what dishonors You. Remind me that my obedience cannot earn Your acceptance and that I am received through Christ, yet also remind me that Your grace does not leave me unchanged. Give me grace to confess sin quickly, receive correction humbly, and take real steps of obedience. Guide me when growth feels slow so that I do not return to condemnation or excuse compromise. Form the life of Christ in me so that my thoughts, habits, words, and relationships increasingly show that I belong to Jesus. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Psalm: Psalm 119:9-11 — Reflect on the cleansing, guarding work of God’s Word in the life of His people.
Reflection Song
Song: “Speak, O Lord” — Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
This hymn is a prayer for God’s Word to shape our hearts, renew our minds, and form obedience in us. It fits the sermon’s call to remain humble and teachable under the truth of Scripture.
✨✝️ Watch the whole sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1bBRSMZFFk&t=2208s