FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS:

Grace
Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   It is interesting that some of the most important aspects of religion are some of the most misunderstood things as well.

1.    God

2.    The Holy Spirit

3.    Baptism

4.    The church

5.    Miracles

 

B.   In this lesson, we want to look at another aspect of the Christian religion that is misunderstood as well:  grace.

 

C.   The title of our lesson is:  “Foundational Truths:  Grace.”

 

I.             GRACE AND SALVATION

 

A.   When we think of grace, most of the time it is closely connected to one’s eternal salvation.

 

B.   Several verses of Scripture make this connection.

1.    Acts 15:11

 

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

 

2.    Romans 3:24

 

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

 

3.    Ephesians 2:5

 

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.)

 

4.    Ephesians 2:8

 

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

 

5.    Titus 2:11

 

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men.

 

6.    Titus 3:7

 

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal salvation.

 

 

 

 

II.           GRACE ORIGINATES AND PROCEEDS FROM GOD

 

A.   Again, we are talking about what some might call “saving grace,” that grace that is linked to eternal life.

 

B.   Verses:

1.    John 1:17

 

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

 

2.    Romans 3:23-25

 

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.

 

a.    His grace

b.    Whom God hath set forth

c.    Through the forbearance of God

 

3.    Ephesians 1:7

 

In whom we have redemption though his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

 

4.    2 Timothy 1:9

 

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

 

5.    Hebrews 2:9

 

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.

 

C.   NOTE:  There are many verses in the New Testament that describe grace as “the grace of God” (Acts 11:23; 13:43; 20:24; Rom. 5:15; 1 Cor. 1:4; 15:10; Gal. 2:21; Col. 1:6; Tit. 2:11; Heb. 2:9; Heb. 12:15; 1 Pet. 5:12; Jude 4).  This is a list of thirteen (13) passages.

 

D.   Saving grace comes only from God, our Creator and our Redeemer. 

 

III.         THE DEFINITION OF GRACE

 

A.   There are two words, one in Hebrew, and one in Greek, that are translated grace.

1.    Old Testament (Hebrew):  khane

2.    New Testament (Greek):  charis

 

B.   The definitions of these words are the same.

1.    Favor, kindness, forgiveness, and help are the main definitions of the word.  The exact word to be used can be determined by the context.

a.    Favor and help (God to Noah, Gen. 6:8)

 

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

 

b.    Kindness and forgiveness (Esau to Jacob, Gen. 32:5)

 

And I have oxen and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants:  and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.

 

                             NOTE:  Here we see that man can extend grace to another human being.                              The difference between man’s grace and God’s grace is that only God’s                                  grace can save the soul.

2.    Most of the time in the New Testament, the word “grace” refers to God’s divine help in saving man.

a.    2 Cor. 8:9).

 

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

 

b.    Paul did not have his thorn in the flesh removed.  Instead, Paul was given the grace of God, that is, the divine help of God (2 Cor. 12:9)

 

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee:  for my strength is made perfect in weakness…

 

c.    The writer of Hebrews tells us that grace, that is, divine help, can be found at the throne of God for the Christian (Heb. 4:16).

 

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

C.   Sometimes a gift, an ability, or a position is referred to as grace in the New Testament.

1.    Talents (Rom. 12:6)

 

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…

 

2.    Abilities (the ability of the Corinthians to give, 2 Cor. 8:1, 2)

 

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; how that in great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

 

3.    Position (Paul’s preaching position, Eph. 3:8)

 

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.

 

IV.         FOUR IMPORTANT TEACHINGS ABOUT GRACE

 

A.   Grace is found in Christ

1.    2 Timothy 2:1

 

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

 

2.    Faith accesses the grace (Rom. 5:2).

3.    Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).  This word is referred to in the Scripture as the Word of his grace (Acts 14:3; 20:32).

4.    The action of baptism puts us in Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).

 

B.   It is possible for the saved to fall from grace.

1.    Galatians 5:4

 

Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

 

2.    Hebrews 12:15

 

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God…

 

C.   The grace of God can be turned into lasciviousness (Jude 4)

 

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

1.    Actively engaging in sin thinking grace will cover the sin (Rom. 6:1-2).

 

What shall we say then?  Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid.  How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

 

2.    Failing to fulfill our roles in the body of Christ thinking that grace will cover us (1 Cor. 15:10; 2 Cor. 9:8).

 

But by the grace of God I am what I am:  and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all:  yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

 

D.   Man is not saved by grace alone.

1.    Alone:  solely, only, without the addition of anything else

2.    NOTE:  If the Bible tells us that something in addition to grace is needed in order for us to be saved, then salvation is not by grace alone.

3.    Ephesians 2:8

 

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

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Although we are not saved by grace alone, it would be impossible to be saved without the grace of God (Eph. 2:5).

 

B.   In our sins, we stood in need of the divine help of God in order to be justified in His sight.

1.    This involves the death of Jesus on the cross of Calvary.

2.    This involves the revelation of the Word of God in order for us to know how to obtain the atoning benefits of Jesus’ death.

 

C.   When we obey the gospel, we find ourselves “in” the grace of God.

 

D.   As long as life, we are to continue in that grace (Acts 13:43).

 

E.   If we do, we will be recipients of the grace of God at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:13).

 

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.