What I am learning from
"Grace Awakening"
by Chuck Swindoll

Chapter 1 - Grace: It's really amazing!

-Grace Defined: Undeserved favor; totally free; can't be returned.
-Grace received but unexpressed is dead grace.
-Don't spend time debating the theology, but receive it and give it - live it.
-Do I have a "no face" or a "yes face"? Some are imprisoned behind the bars of petty concerns and critical suspicions and can't give or have pleasure. They have "no faces". Jesus had/has a "yes face". The pharisees had "no faces".
-Grace and truth realized = no more fear motivated by guilt of the law. Now heart motivated by deep devotion and delight.

-4 practical expectations of living by grace:

1. Expect to gain a greater appreciation for God's gifts to you and others.
2. Expect to spend less time and energy critical and concerned about other's choices.
3. Expect to become more tolerant and less judgmental.
4. Expect to take a giant step toward maturity.

APPLICATION: Attitude: I will receive your grace Lord and give it away.
Action: I will accept your unmerited forgiveness each morning in prayer (PRAISE). I will let cars go ahead of me even if I'm there first.

Chapter 2 - The Free Gift

APPLICATION: Humble me God. Everything good in my life is from You. May I always talk about your work, your calling me, your work through CCC and my team.

Chapter 3 - Isn't Teaching Grace Risky

-Won't people abuse it and think it is a license to sin?
-The fact that God "justifies the ungodly" has a dangerous element to it.
     -Some people will misunderstand it, but only a few.
-Definition of justification: God declares righteous the believing sinner while still in his sinning state.
-Grace (and truth) brings FREEDOM (Jn 8:30-32)
- -Freedom from: oneself, guilt, bondage to sin, tyranny of others' demands.
- -Freedom to: obey, love, forgive, let others be different.
-our attitude toward grace must be grateful appropriation, not taken for granted.
--Illustration (pg. 49): I someone murders your son, would you plead for their pardon, forgive them, invite them into your home, and adopt them as your son? God does that.
-true grace justifies the sinner, not the sin. (Rms. 6:15).

There are 4 alternatives for those who can't live by or promote grace:
1) emphasize works over grace.
2) giving list of do's and don't based on personal or traditional preferences.
3) no gray areas - if you believe differently on an issue I won't love you or associate with you.
4) judgmental attitude toward those who don't agree with my preferences.

APPLICATION: talk to others about grace. Always motivate people with grace, not laws.

Chapter 4 - Undeserving, yet unconditionally loved.

-Anything I have or have done that is good is because of God's favor, not because of me.
-1 Cor 15:10, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me."
-do I pounce or praise? Affirm the 10 good things or focus on the one bad? Do I say "you should..." or "they should..."?
-do I see God as standing with a frown, grading my every action, irritated by me?
-All God's wrath was poured out on His Son at the cross. God is satisfied with Jesus' payment so He is satisfied with me, not irritated.
-We are Mephibosheth's. Undeserving and crippled, yet eating at the king's table. I can view all others as David viewed Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth's limp was a reminder of David's grace. Our sins remind us to never forget God's grace.

APPLICATION: Stop judging others according to my rules. Don't hold others to my rules.

Chapter 5 - Squaring off against legalism

-liberty = freedom from something and freedom to do something. Gal. 5:1.
-We are free from: 1) slavery to sin. 2) fear of not meeting others demands.
-We are free to: 1) love and enjoy God's love. 2) experience His power. 3) allow others to be free and different.
-Legalism defined: attitude based on pride; obsessive conformity to an artificial standard for the purpose of exalting oneself.
--It clings to the law at the expense of grace; to the letter in place of the spirit.
-legalism says: "I do this or don't do that and therefore I am pleasing to God."
-how many congregations do you know who are like David, Daniel, and Paul - dancing, leading, and daring?
-Am I exercising freedom to be a person full of life, living on tiptoe, enjoying spontaneous living? (Gal 5:7, Gal 10:1-3, 1:6)
-who are the legalists - the grace killers? ***Am I doing these things in areas?
1) Those who disturb and distort by interjecting doctrinal heresy: Gal. 1:6-10 - Do I think works are necessary for salvation? Do I think works are necessary for continued pleasing God and earning His favor?
2) Those who spy and enslave Gal. 2:1-7. To bring other into bondage.
3) Hypocrisy (Gal 2:11-14). Peter stopped eating with Gentiles to please judaizers
-Conclusion: fight for liberty in my life and others so we can live free.

APPLICATION:
- I say I believe something but don't back it up by actions because I want to please people.
-I am legalistic. How can I fight legalism and stay awakened by grace?
1) Stand firm in freedom of the Spirit - Gal. 5:1.
2) Stop seeking the favor of others.
3) Refuse to submit to bondage.
4) Be straightforward about the truth. I need to stop lying. I need to tell anybody anything about what You've led me to do.

Chapter 6 - Emancipated? Then Live Like It

-Am I living under Satan's control (slavery)? Do I still allow his guilt, shame, intimidation, fears of taking risks, lack of faith that God will speak powerfully through me, letting curiosity or my flesh distract me from work (Internet surfing), just going with the flow instead of actively loving the people I'm with and seeking to encourage in the Lord,...
-Romans 3 slavery analogies: 1) all of us were born in bondage to sin v. 10-20.
2) A day came when Christ set us free v. 21-24
3) Many Christians live as though they are still enslaved.
---Enslaved?: "I'm only human." Christians often resemble frightened and unsure religious slaves. Most Christians have been better trained to expect and handle their sin than to expect and enjoy their freedom (& holiness). Instead we can have an attitude of "I'm yielded to You and thus have power over sin." I will let You work through my eyes, mouth, and actions today. When I face temptations, I will claim your strength to handle it.

-3 techniques for living free from sins control (living in grace):
1) Know I am dead to sin's control and alive to God's power. Rms 6:3,6,9.
2) Consider the same. Reckon it true. Record it in the creases of my brain. Rms 6:11,12.
-----a) helps me recognize sinful temptations and list and refuse to obey them.
-----b) our mindset is victory not defeat. Rms 6, not 1 Jn 1:9.
-----c) Illustration: on a mountain road you can either put hospitals (1 Jn 1:9) at the bottom of every curve or you can put signs (Rms 6) to warn and guide people through them.
3) Present. When tempted consciously, present myself to God. Don't present myself to any situations that will be unrighteous. Rms 6:13,14

Conclusion: It is not easy to leave slavery. Takes courage, inner resolve and often brings struggles. Be ready for battles.

APPLICATION: Lord, I will appropriate your victory over fear, curiosity, and selfishness.

Chapter 7 - Guiding Others To Freedom

-Freeing verses: Rms 8:2 = "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free..." Gal. 5:1, Rms 6:7, Rms 8:31-32, Jn 8:32, 36.
-As Paul encouraged people to enjoy life in God, we can help others as well. 1 Tm 6:17 God "richly supplies us with all things to enjoy."
-The norm is righteousness, the exception is sin.
-Also warn people to see grace as a privilege not a license to please ourselves.

APPLICATION: help people focus on positive benefits of serving Christ and their liberty from sin's control. Not focusing on fear of sin and shame.

Chapter 8 - Grace to Let Others Be

-Questions: 1. Do you add to other's guilt or do you lesson it? 2. Do you promote other's liberty or restrain it?
-Why do we nullify grace and have trouble being like Rms 12:9-17 - devoted to one another; hospitality; same mind...?
----1. We compare ourselves with others. We focus too much on externals, instead of letting grace find joy and encouragement in differences and variety. APP: No more criticizing or competing.
----2. We attempt to control others. This leads to intimidation or manipulation.

-Biblical guidelines that magnify grace:
----1) Accept others in their sinful state. Not conditional love like, "If you act this way, then I'll be your friend." Our job is to accept. God's job is to direct. Rms 14:1-4, "... accept the one who is weak... the Lord is able to make him stand."
----2) Let people make up their own minds with God's leading. Rms 14:5-8, "...let each man be fully convinced in his own mind."
----3) Freeing others means we don't judge them. We are not qualified. We lack full knowledge. Rms. 14:9-12, "...why do you judge your brother?"
----4) Loving others requires us to express our liberty wisely. Don't flaunt privileges. Enjoy them quietly and privately. Rms 14:13-18, "determine...not to put an obstacle or stumbling block in a brother's way."

APPLICATION: 1) When sharing sin, make it clear that God convicts me personally, not explicitly prohibited in the Bible. 2) Compliment people for the advantages of their differences.

Chapter 9 - Graciously Disagreeing and Pressing On

-Eph. 4:29-32 "only for edification... no slander... forgiving each other..."
-in every disagreement their are 2 ingredients. 1) an issue, and 2) various viewpoints.
----Identify these 2 if there is ever a disagreement.
-Acts 15:36-40 Paul and Barnabas disagree and separate in grace. 2 Tim 4:11 Paul still accepts Mark.

APPLICATION: don't bad talk any Christians or churches.

Chapter 10 - Up Close and Personal

-Grace Awakening is a process - takes time, requires pain, means change.
---God will do it though. Phil 1:6, "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion."
-Common sin spots that grace can transform:
---1. Insecurity: Claim the grace to be what Christ made me. 1 Cor. 15:6-11. I think "If they really knew me, they wouldn't like me." Help people see that I'm nothing apart from Christ (and grace) working in me.
---2. Human weakness: learn from them. Share them with others so they can identify with me and learn to overcome similar weaknesses.
---3. Abrasiveness: learn to respond in grace.
---4. Compromise: Claim the grace to stand for what I believe. I feel confident and talk big in church or with Christians, but then in work or neighborhood I concede or stay quiet when God's plan is challenged or broken.
---5. Pride: Claim grace to submit. Christians (I) aren't overtly proud, but covertly in perfectionistic work, judging other, indirect complaining, etc.


APPLICATION: Talk about my weaknesses to tell about and trust in God's grace, not my abilities.

Chapter 11 - Are You Really a Minister of Grace? (Do you give grace to others?)

-Are the people you serve given the freedom to be who they are or who you expect them to be?
-Do you let other go, or do you smother them...control them?
-Would people feel intimidated or relieved in your presence?
-Do you encourage and build up those to whom you minister?
-Zech. 4:6 "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord of Hosts.
---Human wisdom and fleshly energy alone will fail.
-Marks of a grace awakening minister:
1) Generosity with personal possessions - Acts 4:32-35 "all things were common property... abundant grace was upon them all." Unselfish joy is contagious.
2) Being encouraging and joyful in unexpected situations. Acts 11:19-20 when Christians fled Jerusalem, they were around more Greeks and thus ministered to and accepted them.
3) Life beyond the letter of Scripture. 2 Cor 3:5-6 "Not that we are adequate in ourselves... [we are] servants of a new covenant, not of the letter , but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." Grace leads to a teachable spirit.
4) Liberty with creative expression. Not expecting them to do it how I would. 2 Cor 3:17 "Now the Lord is Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." If the Spirit of the Lord provides liberty and we're filled with Him, we will do the same.
5) Release from past failures. I Tim. 1:12-14 Paul was a persecutor, yet he was shown mercy and grace in abundance.
-There is a good chart on page 286

-To live out these 5, "Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim. 2:1

APPLICATION: Encourage others (Sandi, etc.) in their giftings. Don't expect them to act as me. Encourage others to live by the Spirit not the law. Walk by You (Spirit) not principles (law).


Chapter 12 - A Marriage Oiled by Grace

-1 Peter 3:7 "... and grant her [your wife] honor as a fellow-heir of the grace of life..."
-Marriage facts: 1) Is lifelong commitment. 2) will have trouble. 3) Requires mutual unselfishness and grace.
-Eph. 5:25-30 "husbands love your wives" = actively protecting and providing for.
---Give myself up for her (willing to sacrifice anything) in order to help her be sanctified - close to Jesus with a maximum joyous walk.
-love each other unconditionally; grace will take away husband's desire to control and wife's desire to "please no matter what"

APPLICATION: What areas can I be more grace filled in with Sandi? help her receive Jesus' grace in every conversation.
-What areas am I not sacrificing that I should?

Chapter 13 - The charming joy of grace giving

-Why is Christmas such a wonderful time of year? It scratches the itch of grace deep within us. It gives us opportunity to do something for others without the thought of being paid back.
-Pastors often speak of giving as stewardship (ought to) instead of the charming joy of grace giving.
-2 Cor 2:8-9 "begging us... for the favor of participating in the support of the saints."
-grace oriented generosity is the overflow of a liberated heart.
-Paul calls financial giving "the gracious work" in 2 Cor. 8:7
-You can't help but be generous when grace consumes you.

4 Principle of giving:
-1) Grace individualizes the gift. 2 Cor. 9:6 "Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart." Not because everyone else is giving x, but because you purpose and plan. Pray, think it through, then release it with joy.
-2) Grace makes the action joyful. (v.7) Give with hilarity.
-3) Builds dependence in God's infinite supply line.
-4) give confidentially.

APPLICATION: pray and purpose in my heart to give to things. Laughingly and confidentially to God.

Chapter 14 - Grace: It's Really Accepting

-Moses had to learn to accept it. Felt guilt and shame for killing Egyptian and fleeing.
-Principle 1: Don't let guilt and shame keep me from accepting God's grace and walking forward in faith. Ph. 3:13-14 "Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead..." Realize I'm sinful and God still uses sinful people. Don't think, "I have to be somebody special to be used by God."
-Principle 2: Accept grace or gifts from others humbly. Peter didn't want to accept grace because of pride: "Lord, you will never wash my feet."Focus on serving others but be humble enough to receive thankfully and admit need and how it helps or makes me feel good.
-Principle 3: In any success or compliment, give the glory to God. Paul's example: no matter how capable his flesh was, he put no confidence in it. Ph. 3:3-4. Strive while being dependent on God's leading and give all the glory to Him.

APPLICATION: I have trouble with guilt and shame closing off my heart. Admit sins to others to glorify God's grace and lower their view of me. Give glory to God in any success.

Summary:

OVERALL APPLICATION: I will fight with all Christ's might in me to change every area of grace living You reveal to me, loving Lord.
-Ask God what to do in every decision - what would he do in grace and truth.
-Try to decrease myself to people and increase You and your grace in every conversation.

Key verses to memorize:
We are emancipated. Romans 6:1-14 Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
5If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- 7because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
11In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

No matter how many times we sin, God still loves us in our sinful state: Eph 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ.

Conclusion: Grace Awakening is about freedom - claiming it and extending it to others.