OceanSide church of Christ
 Previous |
Return to list of sermons |
Next  |
 |
THE GRACE OF GOD
Wayne Rodgers
TEXT: “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” (Titus 2:11-12).
THESIS: To understand the purpose of the grace of God.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Grace is any benefit given by God to man, especially in this passage, the Gospel of Christ.
a. Thayer defines grace as good will, loving-kindness, gift of favour; the merciful kindness of God.
b. When speaking of God’s grace, we are discussing God’s unmerited favor toward mankind shown in the person of Jesus Christ, whereby man is saved through his obedience to the Gospel of Christ.
2. Grace is best illustrated as we look at our own sinful past and salvation from sins.
a. We might ask ourselves, “How could God save a sinner like me?”
b. But, he has!
3. Notice that grace bringeth salvation, appears to all men, and teaches us how to live before God.
DISCUSSION:
I. THE GRACE OF GOD BRINGS SALVATION.
A. Salvation is the concept of being rescued from the penalty of sin or having a defense from the end result of sin, which is eternal damnation.
B. Because man has a problem with sin, God, before the foundation of the world, had made a plan to save him from sin.
C. I remember hearing about Jeffrey Dahmer, who had committed such horrible crimes against humanity.
1. Yet, by the grace of God, a letter and tract teaching the glorious Gospel of Christ is sent to him in prison.
2. Dahmer obeys the Gospel and is saved.
D. That is the grace of God bringing salvation.
II. THE GRACE OF GOD APPEARED TO ALL MEN.
A. In a sense, this is an epiphany of Christ.
1. Christ had not been seen by all men; but, the Gospel of Christ made salvation available to all men.
2. The word “appeared” literally means to shine; therefore, the gospel is as a light shining unto all men.
3. The Gospel of Christ shows the whole world the salvation that was brought down from heaven.
B. God’s grace has made an offer of salvation to all mankind.
1. It was intended for all who will accept this gracious gift from God.
2. The offer would include all: servants, as well as masters; subjects, as well as kings; the poor, as well as the rich; the ignorant, as well as the learned; every man upon the face of the earth.
3. Notice that grace is more than just applied to the individual because of his acceptance of it.
4. The first word of verse twelve tells us that grace instructs.
III. THE GRACE OF GOD TEACHES US HOW TO LIVE AS CHRISTIANS.
A. Instructing us as children are instructed by their parents.
1. Parents will take every opportunity to teach their children how to conduct themselves in every situation.
2. He does so by giving guidelines and principles and rules along the way that must be followed.
B. There is that which we must deny: ungodliness and worldly lusts.
1. These are things to which we must say, “No!”
2. Ungodliness is seen as a lack of respect and reverence for God or spiritual things, wickedness in general, neglect in our duty to God, our neighbor and our families.
3. Worldly lusts are improper desires pertaining to this life: the desire of wealth, power, pleasure, sensual indulgences, and such like.
C. There is that which we must do: live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
1. These are things to which we must say, “Yes!”
2. Living soberly is living with a sound mind, self-controlled or temperate, discreetly (Thayer).
3. Living righteously is living honestly and justly, having to do with our duty to our fellow-man.
4. Living godly is living in a manner that is in accordance with the word of God, both in public and privately.
D. If we do not act the way grace teaches us, then we cannot claim grace as our teacher, nor can we claim it as the source of our salvation.
CONCLUSION:
1. The Christian’s conduct forms itself in accordance with the doctrine of God, as a result, God’s grace has appeared.
2. We see the beautiful grace of God, his unmerited favor in our lives as Christians realizing that Christ was sent to this earth to save me from my sins, giving His Word to instruct me in the life that I should live in his name.
3. The grace of God teaches us to live soberly, righteously, and godly.
a. Notice how grace points inwardly (soberly) in relation to ourselves, outwardly (righteously) in relation to our fellow-man, and upwardly (godly) in our relationship with God above.
b. May we learn from the Grace of God.
