Grace Series

INTRODUCTION

- Today, we begin a mini-series entitled One Thing within our Core 52 series.

- Paul was a world traveler and premier teacher, yet he had a remarkable ability to simplify the most complicated ideas into a singular truth that one could carry with them.

- In this series, we will explore some of his singular truths, which will make a world of difference.

- Today, the truth under examination is grace.

- The message will not be a typical message on grace; rather, we will see how grace impacts salvation.

- When speaking of salvation, we spend much time on what one must do to be saved.

- That is an important discussion; however, a question we need to wrestle with before we discuss the steps to salvation is how we are saved.

- What saves us?

- If we do not grasp HOW we are saved before we follow the steps to salvation, we can fall into the trap of not understanding what the steps to salvation mean.

- We could also fall into the trap of thinking that following the steps to salvation—faith, confession, repentance, baptism, and then living the new life—somehow earns us salvation.

- We think the steps themselves are why we can have salvation when, in truth, the true reason we can be saved is much more profound.

- We can also fall into the trap of trying to earn salvation or see it as a paycheck for a job well done.

- We often refer to grace as the prayer before we eat, but my friends, grace is much more profound.

- Grace is what sets Christianity apart from all other faiths.

- Philip Yancey tells this story in his book What’s So Amazing About Grace?

- Decades ago during a British conference on comparative religions, scholars from around the world were debating whether there were any beliefs that were unique to Christianity.

- Someone suggested that it was the idea of the incarnation, that God took human form in Jesus.

- But someone pointed out that other faiths believe that God appears in human form.

- Another claimed it was the resurrection, but again, other religions had accounts of people returning from the dead.

- As the debated dragged on, professor and author C.S. Lewis walked into the room.

- He plopped down in a chair took note of the heated debate, and asked, “What’s this rumpus about?”

- They explained they were debating what’s unique about Christianity.

- Lewis replied, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.”

- After some discussion, the conferees had to agree.

- Christianity alone claims God’s love comes free of charge, no strings attached.

- No other religion makes that claim.

- Buddhists, for example follow an eight-fold path to attain enlightenment.

- Hindus believe in karma, that your actions continually affect what you receive from the world.

- Jews must follow the law.

- Muslims achieve righteousness through prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and purification through good deeds.

- Even then, they can never be sure of their salvation.

- (Credit Dan Raymond's sermon on Core 52, sermon 45 for finding the story.)

- Let’s turn to Ephesians 2:8 as we look at the relationship between salvation and grace.

Ephesians 2:8 (NET 2nd ed.)

8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God;

SERMON

I. We are saved by grace.

- The first part of verse 8 states that we are saved by grace.

- The word FOR at the verse's beginning illustrates the kindness resulting from God’s grace.

- Grace is the goodwill freely disseminated (spread, given) (by God), especially to the recipient's benefit, regardless of the benefit accrued to the disseminator.

- God gives freely gives grace to those who seek Him.

- To properly understand our salvation, we need to understand that grace is God’s unmerited favor.

- Grace is not something we can earn from God.

- Paul simplifies the subject of salvation, which can be very complex, into a simple statement that should stop any arguments: We are saved by grace!

- Grace is the reason that salvation is available to humanity!

- Paul states that by grace, by God’s loving-kindness, the cause that allows salvation to be provided!

- Without God’s grace, there is no salvation.

Romans 3:23 (NET 2nd ed.)

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

- We are told that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory!

- Yet there is a fix!

Romans 6:23 (NET 2nd ed.)

23 For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

- God’s grace allows us to avoid the consequences of sin.