The Daily + Tonight @ Immanuel
Good morning, Immanuel. There is more grace in God than there is sin in us!
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” (Romans 6:1)
The church has a long history of rejoicing in God's grace. Hymns like John Newton's “Amazing Grace” have been sung for generations. The chorus of Julia Johnston's well-known hymn, “Grace Greater Than Our Sin,” reminds us that grace is, in fact, greater than all our sins.
Indeed, Paul tells us that grace superabounds! "Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more (Rom. 5:20)." To put it plainly, there is more grace in God than there is sin in us. This good news led the apostle Paul to anticipate a counter-argument: "Wait a minute, Paul! If grace truly abounds, as you claim, does that mean people can do whatever they want?" The answer is, of course, no. God forbid that we sin so that grace would abound. However, the sheer magnitude and freeness of God's grace should provoke such questions. Few have expressed this sentiment better than 20th-century British minister Martyn Lloyd-Jones:
The true preaching of the gospel of salvation by grace alone always leads to the possibility of this charge being brought against it. There is no better test as to whether a man is really preaching the New Testament gospel of salvation than this, that some people might misunderstand it and misinterpret it to mean that it really amounts to this, that because you are saved by grace alone it does not matter at all what you do; you can go on sinning as much as you like because it will redound all the more to the glory of grace. This is a very good test of gospel preaching. If my preaching and presentation of the gospel of salvation does not expose it to that misunderstanding, then it is not the gospel.
Do we sin that grace may abound? God forbid! But praise God that his grace is greater than all my sin!
MIDWEEK UPDATES
Celebration Sunday
Watch the Sunday Service: We had a joyful Sunday together! If you missed the service, catch up here.
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT IMMANUEL
TONIGHT - Join us tonight at 6:30 pm as we jump back into our “Trending Questions” series, where Pastor Sam Allberry will address the question, “Am I More Than My Resume?”
We honor Dr. Gavin Ortlund for leading a helpful series last month titled “How to Disagree Without Being a Jerk.” You can check out all sessions here.
MARCH 13 SPRING BREAK—Our Wednesday nights at Immanuel will briefly pause on March 13th in observance of Spring Break! No Wed. night gathering on March 13th.
ON THE HORIZON
Looking Forward…
Discover Reception - New to Immanuel? Our next Discover Reception is just around the corner. Join us on March 10th to learn about Immanuel and how you can connect. Sign up here.
Weekly on Fridays - Join us every Friday at 6 am in the Cafe for prayer as we seek the Lord for a long-term home in Nashville. Let’s see what the Lord will do!
Greater than all my sin indeed. Praise God! Thank you Tony!