Grace Hill Church - Collierville, TN Weekly Teaching from Grace Hill Church

In this episode, we delve into the profound themes of Advent, a season with unique significance for Christians. Exploring Fleming Rutledge's definition, we recognize Advent as a time to look back and strain forward, fostering patient waiting and urgent watchfulness. Amidst darker tones and communal laments, we discover the essence of resilient hope.

As we navigate the season of Advent, let's embrace the darkness, uncovering the uncertainties of life, fears, and the grace of Jesus. Resilient hope is not just optimism; it's a robust confidence anchored in God's unchanging character. In Isaiah's prayer, we find a timeless process for cultivating hope that endures through revelation, remembrance, acknowledgment, and release. May this Advent be a journey of resilient hope, transforming our hearts in the anticipation of Christ's coming.

Welcome! As we navigate the season of preparation, join us in readying our hearts for Advent—more than just calendars with stale chocolate. Fleming Rutledge describes Advent as a time of patient waiting, urgent watchfulness, and cosmic significance. In this episode, we delve into Malachi, the last Old Testament prophet, echoing a call to repentance and preparation. Discover the dual nature of Advent—anticipating Christ's first and second comings. Explore the themes of anticipation, refinement, and true worship, understanding how the gospel fulfills these through the Covenant Messenger, the Refining Fire, and the Restoration of True Worship. Let's prepare our hearts for a transformative Advent journey.

Philip Yancey once said, "Grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us more, and grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us less." In this captivating episode, we embark on a journey to unravel the profound nature of God's grace. We confront a universal problem—we often strive for satisfaction through experiences, material possessions, self-interest, community, and joy but find ourselves unfulfilled. Drawing wisdom from the parable of the prodigal son, we explore how grace is experiential, material, individual, communal, and joyful. Discover how the grace of Jesus transforms lives, offering the ultimate satisfaction we all seek.

In this inspiring episode, we journey through the profound concept of grace, exploring how it stands as a powerful game-changer in our lives.

The episode opens by highlighting the common struggle of many: misunderstanding or underestimating God's grace. In a world that celebrates achievement and merit, grace often feels too good to be true, leaving us hesitant to accept it.

The core problem is our varied ways of relating to God, either dismissing grace as unattainable or trying to earn it through our own efforts. The episode goes on to explain that grace is free to receive, offering an essential lifeline in our imperfections.

The heart of the episode centers on the parable of the prodigal son. Three key insights into the father's grace are unveiled:

The Father's Grace Was Waiting: The father's love and compassion were unwavering, even when his son was a long way off.
The Father's Grace Was Immediate: The father didn't hesitate to embrace his son and celebrate his return.
The Father’s Grace Was Costly: A feast was prepared, illustrating the richness of God's grace.
Listeners are encouraged to avoid dismissing grace as unattainable or trying to earn it through their actions. Tim Keller's quote underscores that God's grace is a free gift that we can never be too bad to receive nor too good to earn.

The episode beautifully articulates that grace transcends our imperfections. It reveals that through Jesus and His sacrifice, we can freely receive God's grace. A transformative story is shared to illustrate this message.

In conclusion, the episode emphasizes that God's grace is both costly and free, and it awaits everyone, ready to change lives. The podcast encourages listeners to embrace this priceless gift, emphasizing that God's grace is "more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope."

In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the timeless parable of the prodigal son, exploring its profound lessons on grace and belonging.

The episode begins with a compelling quote from Tim Keller, painting a vivid picture of two sons, one 'bad' and one 'good,' both alienated from their father, using him as a means to their ends rather than seeking a genuine relationship.

The problem is universal: we all relate to God differently and sometimes bargain with Him, creating agreements that we hold up only if God meets our desires. But when life doesn't go as planned, we feel abandoned.

The context is set with Jesus' ministry, where He associated with both 'sinners' and 'Pharisees,' paving the way for this powerful parable.

In this episode, we will learn about the younger son, who says, "I want my share now." His journey is marked by self-centeredness and immediate gratification. Similarly, the older brother, bitter and resentful, declares, "You owe me." Both represent lost paths.

The episode culminates with the profound message of the Gospel: where sin abounds, grace abounds even more; grace is found when we humbly confess our unworthiness, and with the Father, there is always a place back home.

In this episode, we explore the profound message of grace and belonging through a captivating parable. We begin with a striking painting, diving into its details and the emotions it evokes, setting the stage for our journey.

The problem is universal – we all long for moments of "homecoming," where grace and belonging embrace us. We see this echoed in the stories of the 'sinners' and 'Pharisees' drawn to Jesus, and we realize that we, too, seek these elements in our lives.

The context unfolds, revealing Jesus' association with 'sinners' and 'tax collectors,' much to the dismay of the religious elite. We delve into the significance of teaching, associating, and eating with these groups, emphasizing Jesus' incarnational love.

The message is clear: Jesus teaches us to seek grace and belonging not through fleeting pursuits like pleasure, power, envy, or greed, nor through rigid religious rituals, but through Him. His death and resurrection offer lasting satisfaction and belonging, unburdening us from the fruitless pursuit of worldly desires.

As we close, we invite you to confess and find rest in Him, discovering the ultimate satisfaction and belonging that only Jesus provides.