Any words I can come up with pale in comparison to the way our beloved Pastor Ray Ortlund speaks about grace, the gospel, and Jesus. And since he is talking about grace right now, I once again have to share his sermon with you. Last week, Pastor Ray beautifully shared about Grace from Above. And he followed that up today by talking about Grace All Around, centered on Acts 11:19-24. Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. Barnabas went and saw the grace of God. That glorious grace from above was made visible to him. So what does that mean? What does that look like?
That's what Pastor Ray talked through. He said, "Grace all around is how grace from above becomes visible." The way this world sees the grace of God is through believers, through diverse people willing to break down man made barriers and build unified communities centered around the gospel. People gathered together around Jesus reveal God's grace to those around. I'd love for you to listen to it or read the transcript. I'm sure it will bless you and challenge you as it did me. Let me know your thoughts after you listen! And, if you are in the Nashville area and are looking for a church home, please come visit Immanuel Nashville. No matter where we are scattered around the globe, may we lavishly show grace to those around us. May we spread an epidemic of love and hope and forgiveness and peace as we accept the grace from above and live out grace all around. May others look at His Church and see the grace of God.
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