By Grace Ye Are Saved (Manuscript) Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

1. By Grace Ye Are Saved (Part I)

Introductory Remarks.

1. First, we will notice how God has justified us freely by His grace through Christ Jesus. In this lesson: "By grace ye are saved," of course, we are talking about the God of heaven. He calls all believers by His Grace. We must appreciate the truth outlined in the scriptures, that salvation is procured: "by grace through the faith in Christ Jesus," Ephesians 2:8-9. Grace is solely bestowed upon us through our "faith and obedience" to the gospel of Christ, Romans 1:16. This lesson will be presented in two parts. You have them now.

2. Second, we will observe how Christ has become the Propitiation for our sins. In Paul’s Letter to Rome, he wrote: “Being justified freely by His grace through the faith that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth [to be] the Propitiation through the redemption that is in His Blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are passed, through the forbearance of God. To declare, [I say,] at this time His righteousness that He might be Just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus,” Romans 3:23-26. Please, open your bibles to this text while I continue my introductory remarks. I am asking you to open your bibles and your hearts. And to stay with me as we move through this lesson. Jesus promises: [“That the good and honest heart will hear, believe, and obey the gospel: sown through the preaching of the word of God,”] Luke 8:15.

3. Lastly, we will investigate how God has made His Plan of pardon and forgiveness known. With this brief introduction, let's consider how God called us by His Grace. Paul wrote to Titus: “Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness: In the hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie: promised before the world began. But hath in due times manifested His word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour,” Titus 1:1-4.

[Now, please turn to Romans 3:23-26]

As we dig a little deeper!

BODY OF LESSON

I BY GRACE, YE ARE SAVED (Part I)

A. Justified by His Grace. Paul wrote: "For all have sinned…Being justified freely by His Grace," Romans 3:23-26. "justified" means to render (i.e., to show or regard as) just or innocent: —to be free or declared righteous. To be considered just or righteous before God.

1. Paul affirms that we are justified freely by His Grace. The word "freely" means undeservedly gratuitously: —without a cause, freely, given by another.

2. By His Grace. The word “grace” means to show graciousness on behalf of another, to find one: —acceptable, favorable, to bestow Grace as a gift, to be Grace (- ious), to show liberality, good pleasure, loving-kindness, or divine favor. Illustrate,

[How God in every dispensation found favor with believers]

a. Noah. Moses wrote: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD,” Genesis 6:8. God saw in Noah righteousness that he approved: faith and obedience, Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:20-21; 2 Peter 2:5.

b. Mary. Luke wrote: “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God,” Luke 1:30. A young woman who waited and trusted in the Lord became the mother who gave birth to the Savior. Through her womb, a Savior was born into the world. The angel said to Joseph: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: For He shall save His people from their sins,” Matthew 1:21. Paul wrote of his calling by Grace and conversion to Christ.

[Sometimes a person's faith is contrary to the will of God]

[Turn to Galatians 1:13]

c. Paul. He wrote: “For you have heard of my conversation in time past…And I profited in the Jew's religion…being exceeding zealous in the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me by his Grace," Galatians 1:13-16; 1:21-24.

[Let’s notice how God has shed His Grace on us]

d. Believers. Paul to Titus later wrote: "But after that, the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his Grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life,” Titus 3:4-7. Consider this illustration,

[How Grace is given and received]

NOTE: While preaching this lesson in Arizona, in the Tonto Church of Christ: I asked the audience, will a brother give me a $5.00 bill, please? Well, I'm waiting, brothers. OK, Sisters, can one of you give me a $5.00 bill? Now, any little one in the audience who understands me. Come to me and accept this gift (I held the bill up for all to see). Grace is given, but the believer must accept God's Grace. God offers His Grace freely; we must willingly receive it! “For He came unto His own,” John 1:11-12.