Welcome to today's sermon podcast, where we delve into the profound message of God's grace and how we can activate it in our lives. Drawing inspiration from Apostle Paul's prayer in Ephesians 6:19, we explore the boundless and undeserved favor God offers us, transforming lives through forgiveness and friendship. Using creative illustrations like marbles and pool noodles, we learn how God's grace surrounds us constantly and our responsibility to share that grace with others. Discover the instituted and prudential means through which God's grace flows and how practicing these can grow us into Christ-likeness. Join us in applying the lessons from Philippians 2:12-13, understanding that God's grace is not only for personal salvation but also to be shared and activated for His mission. Reflect on the ways to clear the path for God's grace in your life, ensuring it flows abundantly to you and through you for the benefit of others. With Pastor Mike Curry. ACTIVATING GOD’S GRACE FOR GOD’S MISSION Philippians 2:12-13 Main Idea: We are invited to practice the means of grace, and when we do, we grow in our relationship with God. How do we activate God’s Grace for God’s Mission? I. Understand God’s goal for us is Christlikeness • God calls us to work out what God is working on in us (Phil. 2:12-13). • God requires our participation (Heb. 6:1-3). • God works through time to mature our faith (2 Pet. 1:3-8). II. Participate in God’s Means of Grace Definition: The means of grace are the many and varied ways God reaches out to us with his grace. Practices that help you encounter God and grow closer to Him. Instituted means of grace. • Prayer, Searching the Scriptures, Lord’s Supper, Fasting, Christian conference (meeting in small groups for study, fellowship, and nurture) Prudential means of grace. • Doing no harm (refraining from swearing, drunkenness, extravagant dress, self-indulgence, useless diversions, miserliness, and so on) • Doing good (caring for people’s bodies, especially the poor, the sick, and the distressed; caring for people’s souls by instruction, exhortation, and reproof) • Attending to all the ordinances of God (liturgy, sacraments, preaching) Additional practices. • Discipline, Service, Suffering, Simplicity III. Practice Growth • We build Christlike character one decision at a time by choosing to do the right thing, the honest thing, the godly thing, and the true thing. (2 Timothy 2:15) Action Steps Working with another person this week, agree to choose one instituted means and one prudential means to practice or emphasize this week. Call or text one another this week to check in and to encourage each other. Find other Podcasts, Sermon Notes and the Bulletin here. https://www.mvcnaz.org/live Stay in touch with our Church Center App at https://www.mvcnaz.org/churchcenter Contact us through our CONNECT form at https://www.mvcnaz.org/connect