Warm-Up
What was your favorite part of our last online Worship Experience?
Main Thought
God designed us to rest in His unconditional love and acceptance. But we might be living backwards from the way God intended. External pressures to provide and perform push us to work without God’s love and empowering grace. Unfortunately, this leads to a Cycle of Works. A Cycle of Works often creates stress, depression, and burnout. Our hope to escape this cycle comes from Jesus! Jesus accomplished more than anyone else - in less time - with a rested heart. How? Jesus lived in a Cycle of Grace, the way that God intended us to live. Here’s what the Cycle of Grace looks like in our lives:
Acceptance: Acknowledging God’s love and acceptance before we do anything for Him, which we receive through Jesus Christ.
Sustenance: Engaging in practices that replenish us with love (for God and others) and grace for life.
Significance: Allowing the grace flowing to us to move through us, as we act in accordance with our God-given identity and call.
Work: Answering God’s call, free from the emotional pressure to provide and perform - because we’ve rested in our identity as God’s children.
Main Passage
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
- Psalm 23:228 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- Matthew 11:28-29but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- Romans 5:8
Questions
God wants us to work hard; Jesus worked hard. But we can work hard without pressure and performance anxiety. Do you think that describes your life? Why or why not?
Which part of the Cycle of Grace do you think you need the most? How can you incorporate that in your life?