Believers' Call By His Grace Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

3. Believers’ Call By His Grace

Introductory Remarks.

1. This is part-three of a sermon-series entitled: “When it pleased God.” In this lesson, we will discuss Believers’ Call By His Grace. Paul wrote: How God calls all believers by His grace. This sermon is the most comprehensive lesson I have ever delivered on the topic of: “Salvation by Grace.” We must appreciate the truth outlined in the scriptures, that salvation is procured: “by grace through the faith,” Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 3:9. It is not possible by the works of the law, or by works of human merit, Ephesians 2:9; Galatians 3:11-12. Grace is solely bestowed upon us through our, “faith and obedience” to the gospel of Christ, Romans 1:5; Romans 1:16; Romans 10:16-18. In Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, he firmly and confidently defended this truth of God. I pray you will continue to read and study this lesson and all of our sermons regarding: “The Pattern of Conversion," now available on SermonCentral.com: to understand further: “God’s calling by faith into His grace,” through the gospel of Christ! This lesson is another sermon-series by me for an in-depth study on the grace of God.

2. Lastly, we will investigate how God calls all believers by His grace. Paul continued in this Letter establishing that a man: “Is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we (Jews) have believed in Jesus Christ, that the faith of Christ might justify us, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified,” Galatians 2:16. He wrote further, in Chapter three, verse 10-12: “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that the law justifies no man in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them,” Galatians 3:10-12; Matthew 19:16-22.

3. He penned additionally, “For you are all the children of God through (the) faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ,” Galatians 3:26-27. Finally, he finishes: "Christ has become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; (for) you are fallen from grace,” Galatians 5:4. What a different position of Paul to those that teach and profess: “You cannot fall from God’s grace?” But when it pleased God: He called all the region of Phrygia and Galatia by His grace. With this brief introduction, let’s consider part-three in this sermon-series: Believers’ Called By His Grace.

III BELIEVERS’ CALL BY HIS GRACE

A. Grace is a precious gift. It is not deserved or earned; but divinely given to all who accept Christ by faith and obedience to the gospel, Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 1:16-17. The gospel of Christ is not obeyed "in the heart." But, "from the heart," Romans 6:17-18. It is more than a confession of faith, Romans 10:9-10. It is a demonstration of faith in the act of obedience, James 2:18-26. For Abraham, it was the offering of his son unto God. For us, it is the offering of our lives unto Christ, through faith and obedience to the gospel, which culminates in the act of baptism. Which enabled us to “get into Christ,” and be clothed with His righteousness,” Galatians 3:26-27; 2 Corinthians 5:21.

NOTE: Illustrate Faith that works through love, Galatians 5:6. Consider these acts of God’s mercy and grace under the law,

1. David’s sins and forgiveness. It was this grace that permitted God to forgive David, guilty of adultery and murder, 2 Samuel 12:1-7.

2. The woman at the well. It was this grace that permitted the Lord to forgive the woman at the well, who not only had five husbands but was then living with a man who was not her husband, John 4:16-18.

3. The prodigal son. It's this grace that permits the God of heaven to forgive an erring brother "who made waste of his substance on riotous living," like the prodigal son, Luke 15:24.

4. It was by grace God forgave my sins and transgressions. Once an unworthy wretch of a man, now the son of God. Not by my life, but totally by God's love, mercy, and grace; and through my faithful obedience, to the gospel of His Son.

5. Paul concludes: "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abounded," Romans 5:20.

B. Grace of God hath appeared to all men. Paul wrote: "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. We are now living in the last age: “the dispensation of grace,” or the “Christian Age,” Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 3:1-6. We will begin with Paul reminding the church leaders at Ephesus of this fact. Observe,