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Hello Family!

I hope you’re enjoying the grace of Christ today.

Midweek Meditation: The Bringer of Grace- John 1:16-17


16For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Christ came desiring to dispense grace. The Law came and it enacted the need for grace. Christ came and provided sufficient grace. Look at the wording in verses 16 and 17. He brings fullness of grace and he brings freeing grace.

He brings fullness of grace. The Logos comes dispensing grace upon grace as an overflowing fountain, the blessings of which we should always be tuned to sing.[1] If Christ brings grace sufficient to save all the believing past, present, and future, he provides sufficient grace to sustain you past, present, and future. He desires to infiltrate every aspect of your life with grace. He wants his own overcome with his grace. We should be astounded at the universal and timeless scope of his grace, and we should be assured by the personal and daily application of his grace.

He brings freeing grace. Moses represents freedom from Egypt but bondage to the Law. Christ brings freedom from seeking and grace for salvation. Look at the wording, Christ is the resolution to the Law’s natural condemnation. Christ fills full the Law and then brings us into his righteousness. He shares his innocence and claims our guilt. He suffers our penalties and brings us to peace with the father, the righteous judge. The old “golden-mouthed” church father Chrysostom summarized this text beautifully:

He possesseth not, says he, the gift by participation, but is Himself the very Fountain and very Root of all good, very Life, and very Light, and very Truth, not retaining within Himself the riches of His good things, but overflowing with them unto all others, and after the overflowing remaining full, in nothing diminished by supplying others, but streaming ever forth, and imparting to others a share of these blessings, …[2]

Live today for his glory, by his grace.

Ministry Prayer Requests

  • Pray that God would cause people of GBC to fully commit to the church.
  • Pray for growing hearts of humility.
  •  Pray for upcoming outreach opportunities.

Ministry Reminders

  • Wednesday night Bible study at 6:30.
    • The church kids to minister to our widows and shut-ins by writing them cards.
    • The kids learn a Bible lesson and memorize Scripture.
    • We will study the Bible inductively— 1 John 3:1-3
  • We have a lot of announcements and signups upcoming, so note them in our written and emailed notifications.
  • Always be checking your bulletins!

Reading Recommendations

  • Praying with Paul, D. A. Carson- This is a wonderful book which will strengthen you in the gospel and focus your prayer life. Dr. Carson is one of the greatest scholars of this generation. Interestingly, I have an embarrassing story about almost stealing one of his pens…not on purpose, well…not mostly.
  • Remade, Paul Tautges- This is a wonderful read, helping you think through and live out your gospel identity.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Kyle