God gives a persistent grace to run the race.
- He reveals the enemy through this persistence grace that remains.
- God’s grace trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions.
- It begins by exposing ungodliness and worldly passions.
- God’s grace helps us to know where we need to change.
- Ungodliness and worldliness are in the cross-hairs of grace.

How does this grace work in marriage?
It gives us the power to RENOUNCE – LIVE – AND WAIT

God’s grace gives us the power to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions
- It gives us the power to deny sin its satisfaction.

God’s grace gives us the power to live
- Power to turn from what is to wrong to what is right.

God’s grace gives us power to wait
- Change takes time. That means that for both you and your spouse, change takes time.

God calls us to help our spouses in this stubborn grace.
- They need our help to see this grace.
- We need to remind one another of this grace.

Four things to keep in mind when encouraging your spouse in the grace of God.
- Your spouse is inclined to drift from grace to self-effort.
- Your spouse may tend to become discouraged.
- Your spouse needs not only to be pointed to grace, but to the One from whom all grace flows.
- Thank God together for the power behind our change.

Quotes from Dave’s Sermon:

“No need in Christendom is more urgent than the need for a renewed awareness of what the grace of God really is.”
- JI Packer

“In one sense, life doesn’t get complicated until one becomes a Christian. When we are born of the Spirit we are born anew into a fierce struggle between the old man and the new man.”
- R.C. Sproul

“Grace is here almost personified in its task of educating us in the art of living.”
- Don Guthrie

“Human sin is stubborn, but not as stubborn as the grace of God and not half so persistent, not half so ready to suffer to win its way.”
- Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.

Questions for Discussion/Reflection:

1) Take time as husband and wife to simply encourage one another in the grace of God. Identify and share with your spouse ways that you see God’s grace at work in their life. Consider doing this on a date night.

2) Prayerfully evaluate your own “talk” to your spouse and invite your spouse’s input. Ask your spouse, “When I talk to you are you typically more aware of areas that you need to grow in OR of the grace of God at work in your life?”

3) If you were to pick one area of sin that if you were to “renounce” would make the greatest difference in your marriage, what would it be? (Hint: If you don’t know the answer, ask your spouse!) What steps do you need to take to begin growing in that area? This would be a great opportunity to seek the accountability and prayers of a trusted brother or sister in your Care Group.

4) If you haven’t read them, read The Discipline of Grace, by Jerry Bridges and The Enemy Within by Kris Lungaard. These resources provide a deeper understanding of the doctrine of sin and of how the grace of God meets us as we seek to grow in Christlike character. Dave Harvey’s book, “When Sinners Say I Do” is excellent for further exploring how the Gospel applies to marriage. Much of the content of this sermon can be found in chapter 8 of Dave’s book which is entitled, “Stubborn Grace.” For those couples who are interested, and excellent study guide for Dave’s book has been produced as well and can be found here. These resources can also be found at our Resource Center at the Sunday meeting.