Ingredients of Gods Grace.

Titus 2: 11 – 15

 

11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

 15 ¶ These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

1.       Grace is defined as Unmerited Devin favor extended from God to man.

          a.       Classical Greek says it was extended only to friends.

          b.       The N.T. added a new dimension by extending it to one’s enemies.

2.       the text says God’s grace has appeared and is now revealed.

          a.       It is revealed in the work of Jesus Christ.

          b.       It is declared unto us through His word.

3.       All are included.

          a.       God’s grace is big enough to embrace all man kind.

          b.       1 Peter 5: 5  It is extended to all who will humble themselves to God.

5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

I.       Titus 2: 11  the grace of God bringeth salvation.

          A.      Acts 15: 11  Peter with the Apostles and the elders in Jerusalem tells them.

11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Peter was talking about the gentiles that had received the Holy Spirit.  All can be saved by the grace of Jesus Christ.

 

 

1.       1 Thess. 5: 9 – 10  This is the primary engredient of grace and it came by Jesus Christ.        

          9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

                   2.       Titus 2: 14  The judge in His mercy came.

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

3.       Rev. 20: 11 – 15  Since Jesus dided for us we do not have to suffer the second death.  Not that we will not die.  Let us read.

11  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

          B.      Eph. 2: 8 – 9  Grace and salvation are inseparable.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

                   9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

This is where the denominational world loose focus on the truth and says we are saved by faith only.  “Not by works”, does not mean we do not have to obey Christ to obtain God’s grace.  Grace through faith saves.

1.       James 2: 18 – 20  Our faith is seen by our works of obedience.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

          20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

2.       James 2: 26   Faith without works is dead.

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

II.      Titus 2: 12  Grace Includes Teaching or Instruction.

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

A.      Matt. 5: 20  Living soberly, righteously, and godly shows a Positive need for responsibly

          20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

                   1.       Rom. 14: 17  Righteousness is of God.

17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

                   2.       1 Peter 5: 8  Keeping a sober mind.

8 ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

          B.      Rom. 1: 18  We must put off unrightiousness.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

1.       2 Tim 2: 16 – 18  If you do not put off ungodliness it will grow and eat like a cancer and destroy your faith.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

                   2.       1 John 3: 9 – 10  If we do not rightiousness we are not of God.

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

C.     1 Cor. 15: 58  God’s instruction in how to live and the results of life are ingredients of God’s grace.

58 ¶ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

III.    Titus 2 : 13  Anticipation, Not Anxious, Looking for.

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

A.      Titus 2: 12  In faithfulness we love righteousness.

          we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

B.      Heb. 4: 8 – 10  We are looking, anticipating heaven as a fulfillment of God’s grace.

8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

This is a weakness in many Christians life because we do not keep our eyes on the Lord in heaven.  Not literally, but spiritually.  We loose hope in Gods grace by the temptations of the things of the world.  We see , hear and touch the things of the world and are so devoted.  In reality all of these things are temporary and none will last.  Only our faithfulness to God will be eternal.  If we do not develop that faithfulness and love for the Lord our only future is HELL.

IV.     Titus 2: 14  Redemption.  Jesus Christ Gave Himself For Us

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

A.      1 Cor. 6: 20  Bought us with his blood.

20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

          B.      Heb. 9: 13 – 14  Purified us with his blood.

13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

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?

          C.      Col. 3: 22 – 24  Zealous of good works. Doing it heartily, as to the Lord.

22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

                   23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

                   24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance:

for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Let us not serve God and Christ with eye service.  Being religious when brethren are watching as if they could save us.  Trying to be men pleasers.  Saying what they want to hear.  Compromising

 the truth for popularity and acceptance.

 

1.       Let us praise God, for he has manifested His grace toward us.

2.       He has made it available to all.  We must clam it.  The feast is prepared, but many will not come.

3.       Are we not challenged by the grace of God to give our very best that is within us?

4.       With salvation comes instruction, anticipation and redemption.

5.Will you accept the saving grace of God by obedience to Him.  Jesus says come.  Will you come?