Title: From Shame to Celebration
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00:30 - How Does Earning God's Favor Serve Ourselves?
04:49 - But Aren't There Expectations in Relationships?
11:46 - God's Commands Are Good Gifts
15:37 - What's next?
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* **Galatians 5:1** — “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
* **Galatians 5:5** — “For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.”
* **Galatians 5:6** — “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.”
* **Galatians 3:10** — “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.’”
* **Galatians 6:2** — “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
* **Galatians 6:9** — “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
* **Galatians 5:22–23** — “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
* **Ephesians 2:10** — “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
* **Philippians 2:12–13** — “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
* **2 Corinthians 4:6** — “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
* **Titus 2:11–12** — “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”
* **Luke 15:11–32** (Parable of the Prodigal Son); e.g., **Luke 15:20** — “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
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This episode wrestles with why trying to earn God’s favor is actually self-serving. Grace in Christ means favor is already given, so spiritual disciplines flow from joy rather than fear or shame. The conversation contrasts appeasing God with pleasing Him, using the prodigal son to show how gift-grace changes motives. The pastors clarify the difference between merit and expectation. Faith and repentance are required, yet they do not earn anything. Rewards and obedience arise from God’s prior favor and the Spirit’s work. True practice leads to open confession, restored unity, and love. In short, grace produces celebration, not manipulation.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.
