SAVED BY GRACE

The Power of Gods Grace

Key Text: Titus 2:11= 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.

INTRODUCTION
There is a very meaningful Greek word used 147 times in the New Testament. That word is charis and it is translated grace. ILLUSTRATION: GROWING UP AND UNDERSTANDING GRACE The word is also translated as: benefit, favour, gift, liberality and it is also defined as kindness. In the Bible grace means blessings. But more than this, it is defined as Gods blessings/goodness. Grace is something that is intrinsically (essentially) Gods. Grace belongs to God. ILLUSTRATION: BREATHING AIR (ITS ALL AROUND US) In the matchless gift of His Son God has encircled the whole world with an atmosphere of grace as real as the air which circulates around the globe. All who choose to breathe this life-giving atmosphere will live and grow up to the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. Steps to Christ, p. 68.

ROADMAP
THE SOURCE OF GRACE THE QUANTITY OF GRACE THE MEANS OF GRACE THE PURPOSE OF GRACE o FALLEN FROM GRACE

I.

THE SOURCE OF GRACE

Acts 4:33 = 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

1. GRACE DEFINED (1) SOURCE & RECIPIENTS (Where does grace come from? And to whom is it given?) (a) 1 Corinthians 1:4 = 4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ. (i) GRACE IS OF GOD = IT IS FOREIGN (EXTERNAL) TO US. YET AT THE SAME TIME IT IS BY GRACE THAT WE LIVE AND MOVE AND BREATH. 1. WHATEVER GRACE WE EXERCISE IN OUR DEALINGS WITH EACHOTHER COMES FROM HIM; WE ARE MERE STEWARDS OF HIS GRACE: a. 1 Peter 5:10 = 10 But the God of all grace b. 1 peter 4:10 = As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold (diverse, multiple, various) grace of God.

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c. Ephesians 4:24 = 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (b) GODS THRONE OF GRACE: Hebrews 4:16 = 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (i) IT IS GIVEN TO US = (WE CANNOT PRODUCE IT BY BEING CREATIVE, WE CANNOT PURCHASE IT WITH MONEY, WE CANNOT EARN IT BY WORKING FOR IT) (ii) BY CHRIST JESUS = WITHOUT JESUS THERE IS NO GRACE. 1. John 1:14 = 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 2. John 1:16 = 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. II.

THE QUANTITY OF GRACE:

a) Ephesians 4:7 = 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (1) WHAT IS THE MEASUREMENT OR THE VALUE OF THE GIFT OF CHRIST? CAN WE TELL? NO. BUT WE CAN HAVE AN IDEA: (a) Romans 8:32 = 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (b) Colossians 1:17 = 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

1. HOW MUCH GRACE IS MADE AVAILABLE TO US?

III.

THE ACHIEVEMENT OF GRACE

1. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF GODS GRACE? WHAT DOES IT ACHIEVE?

a) Titus 2:11 = 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men b) Ephesians 2:8 = 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God. c) WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE ALONE (WHOLLY OF GRACE) (1) IT IS WHEN WE FORGET THAT IT IS BY GRACE ALONE THAT WE NATURALLY BEGIN TO THINK SALVATION IS GODS REWARD TO ME FOR MY EFFORTS AT BEING GOOD. THE BIBLE HAS A SOLEMN WARNING FOR US IF WE HAVE FALLEN INTO THIS ERROR: (2) WE READ BEFORE THAT THE GLOVE IS ENCIRCLED WITH AN ATMOSPHERE OF GRACE; ALL ARE RECIPIENTS OF THE GRACE OF GOD. YET THERE IS ONE WARNING IN ALL SCRIPTURE THAT IDENTIFIES WHAT A PERSON CAN DO IN ORDER TO FALL FROM GRACE: PEOPLE THAT DO THIS ARE LIKE DEAD MEN WALKING ON DEATH ROW. (a) Galatians 5:4 = 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. (b) Galatians 2:21 = 21 I do not frustrate (set aside) the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

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(i) WHEN WE BEGIN TO LOOK AT SALVATION OR RIGHTEOUSNESS AS SOMETHING TO BE ACHIEVED THROUGH EFFORT OR THAT WE MUST ATTAIN TO BY STRUGGLE CHRIST MAY AS WELL HAVE NOT DIED FOR US. CHRIST HAS NO EFFECT ON US. (ii) WHEN WE BEGIN TO DO GOOD THINGS AS A SAVING ACT OR FROM A DESIRE TO GAIN GODS FAVOUR. CHRIST IS DEAD IN VAIN TO US. (3) THERE IS BUT ONLY TWO RELIGIONS IN THE WORLD: (a) THE RELIGION OF HUMAN ACHIEVEMENT (i) LEGALISTIC (PHARISEES reject the commandment of God that ye may keep own tradition) (ii) LIBERAL (SADDUCEES They professed to believe the greater portion of the Scriptures, and to regard them as the rule of action; but practically they were skeptics and materialists. {DA 603.1} (b) THE RELIGION OF DIVINE ACCOMPLISMENT (GRACE) (i) THIS RELIGION WILL ALWAYS RESULT IN SALVATION IN THE RESTORATION OF THE IMAGE OF GOD IN HUMANITY. IT WILL ALWAYS LEAD TO THE OBEDIENCE OF GODS STANDARDS AND PRINCIPLES. IV. THE MEANS OF

GRACE

Be diligent in the use of every means of grace, that you may be transformed in character and may grow up to the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. {Mar 44.6} 1. WHAT ARE THE MEANS OF GRACE?

a) CHRIST b) HOLY SPIRIT (The Spirit of Grace) c) ANGELS d) NATURE e) THE CHURCH (1) The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ. AA, p. 9.1 (2) It is the theatre of His grace. AA, p. 12.1 f) MINISTERS g) CHURCH MEETINGS, CAMP MEETINGS h) EVERY CONSECRETAED SOUL i) PRAYER j) TRIALS k) WORD OF GOD (Word of His grace Acts 20:32) (1) Those who endeavor to maintain Christian life by passively accepting the blessings that come through the means of grace, and doing nothing for Christ, are simply trying to live by eating without working. And in the spiritual as in the natural world, this always results in degeneration and decay.--Steps to Christ, pp. 80, 81.

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V.

GROWING IN GRACE
him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen.

1. 2 Peter 3:18 = 18 But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To

2. HOW DO WE GROWN IN GRACE?

a) Acts 20:32 = 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (1) In giving us the privilege of studying His Word, the Lord has set before us a rich banquet. Many are the benefits derived from feasting on His Word, which is represented by Him as His flesh and blood, His spirit and life. By partaking of this Word our spiritual strength is increased ; we grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. Habits of self-control are formed and strengthened. The infirmities of childhood--fretfulness, willfulness, selfishness, hasty words, passionate acts --disappear, and in their place are developed the graces of Christian manhood and womanhood. {AG 303.3} (2) EVERYONE WHO FINALLY ENTERS THE KINGDOM OF GOD WILL BE AS A LITTLE CHILD. BUT THIS IS DIFFERENT. THERE ARE SOME THINGS ABOUT LITTLE CHILDREN THAT SHOULD NOT EXIST IN A MATURE CHRISTIAN OF YEARS. (a) ILLUSTRATION: MANY CHILDREN AND 1 TOY. (3) 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 = 1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (a) WAS THE FAULT WITH THEIR TEACHERS? (i) PAUL WAS WITH THEM 18 MONTHS (1.5 YEARS) (ii) THEN APOLLOS WAS THEIR TEACHER (A MAN WHOM THE BIBLE CALLS AN ELOQUENT MAN AND MIGHTY IN THE SCRIPTURES) (iii) SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE WOULD HAVE MET PETER AND SOME WOULD HAVE MET CHRIST THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN CHRISTIAN FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS: WHY WHERE THEY STILL BABIES IN CHARACTER? 1. HEBREWS 5:11-14 YE OUGHT TO BE TEACHERS a. ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO GROW IN THE GRACE OF THE WORD OF GOD IS TO BE A TEACHER OF THE WORD TO SOME OTHER SOUL. b. THERE IS A DEVELOPMENT OF FOOD INTAKE: i. THE METHOD OF EATING CHANGES = BOTTLE VS FORK ii. THE DENSITY OF THE FOOD = THE DEPTH OF DOCTRINE iii. 1 Timothy 4:6 = 6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

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b) MAKING A SHOW (1) Galatians 6:11, 12 = 11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. 12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. (a) LARGE LETTER I HAVE WRITTEN: (i) PAUL WAS IN THE HABIT OF DICTATING HIS LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES 1. THERE MUST HAVE BEEN FORGERIES (2 Thessalonians 2:1) 2. SO HE SIGNED THEM OFF a. 1 Corinthians 16:21 = 21 The salutation of [me] Paul with mine own hand. b. 2 Thessalonians 3:17 = 17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. (b) SHEW IN THE FLESH: (i) CARE ONLY ABOUT WHAT THE OUTSIDE LOOKS LIKE; THEY WANT TO MAKE A SHOW IN OTHER WORDS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH PRIDE TO SHOW OFF SPIRITUALLY. 1. THE PHARISEES DID THIS: a. Matthew 6:2 = 2 Therefore when thou doest [thine] alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. b. Matthew 6:5 = 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. c. Matthew 6:16 = 16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. i. HOW DID CHRIST EXPOSE THEM? Luke 15:16 = 15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. c) TO AVOID PERSECUTION (1) Galatians 6:11, 12 = 11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. 12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ . (a) A RELIGION OF HUMAN ACHIEVEMENT (WHICH IS CHARACTERIZED BY APPEARING GOOD) IS NOT REALLY CONCERNED WITH WHAT GOD DEEMS ACCEPTABLE BUT WHAT MAN DEEMS ACCEPTABLE. TWO PROBLEMS WITH THAT: (i) WE MISS THE POINT (What is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God) (ii) MENS VALUES ARE AS CHANGEABLE AS THE WEATHER. THE CHRISTIAN PHARISEES WERE CONCERNED WITH RITUAL AND CEREMONY BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEY THOUGHT OTHER MEN VALUED AND HIGHLY ESTEEMED BUT IN REALITY IT WAS FEAR OF BEING THOUGHT ODD. FEAR OF PERSECUTION. d) TO COVER UP THEIR SIN

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(1) Galatians 6:13 = 13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law ; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. (a) THESE USE RELIGION AS A COVERUP FOR SIN. RELIGION IS PROBABLY THE BEST COVER UP FOR SIN. THESE WERE ACTIVE IN MISSIONARY WORK WINNING CONVERTS TO GLORY OVER. BUT ALL THIS WAS A COVER UP. (b) GOD FORBID THAT WE SHOULD GLORY SAVE IN THE CROSS OF JESUS. HE ALONE SATISFIED THE CLAIMS OF THE LAW OF GOD AND HE ALONE SUFFERED OUR PUNISHMENT FOR ITS TRANSGRESSION. HE ALONE PLEASED GOD. (i) Hebrews 2:9 = 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (ii) Ephesians 1:6-7 = 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. (iii) Romans 5:8, 9 = 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (iv) Hebrews 9:14 = 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 1. OUR FOCUS SHOULD BE THEN ON CHRIST JESUS 1 Corinthians 1:30 = 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. (verse 29 = that no flesh should glory in his presence). NO WONDER PAUL SAID Galatians 6:14 = But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (v) HOW EFFICIANT IS THE GRACE OF GOD? 1. 2 Corinthians 9:8 = 8 And God is able to make all grace abound (supply more than enough) toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. 3.

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