Grace Teaches Us? Series

Sermon: Grace Teaches us?

Opening Illustration: Definitions of Grace from sermoncentral.com

Scripture Text: Titus 2:11-3:11:

11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 15These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. 3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. 9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Thesis: Grace teaches us to do what is good for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. We must devote ourselves to doing the good because of grace- doing good is all rooted in grace. It’s because of God’s kindness love and mercy that we even get the privilege to serve the Kingdom of Heaven and in return get grace and eternal blessings.

Introduction:

The Apostle Paul’s favorite subject was Grace, he in most cases opened his greetings in His letters in the Bible referring to grace and in the closing of His letters reminding the readers of grace.

The book of Titus was written by Paul to Titus to instruct him on what should be completed in the area of Crete. He was to straighten out a few loose ends. One appoint elders, these elders needed to be appointed in each town and needed to meet certain biblical expectations. In a sense they were to be teaching elders, or pastors over each town and they needed to be committed to teaching sound doctrine. In 2:11 Paul makes a point to Titus that the elders need emphasize grace because grace teaches us many valuable lessons of life. Grace also reveals to us what are good works for the Kingdom of God.

Charles Swindoll has this to say about this gift called grace that came from Jesus:

To show grace is to extend favor or kindness to one who doesn’t deserve it and can never earn it. Receiving God’s acceptance by grace always stands in sharp contrast to earning it on the basis of works. Every time the thought of grace appears, there is the idea of its being undeserved. In no way is the recipient getting what he or she deserves. Favor is being extended simply out of the goodness of the heart of the giver (9).

He also notes:

But when “grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ,” a long-awaited revolution of the heart began to set religious captives free. Fear-full bondage motivated by guilt was replaced with a fresh motivation to follow Him in truth simply out of deep devotion and delight. Rather than focusing on the accomplishments of the flesh, He spoke of the heart. Instead of demanding that the sinner fulfill a long list of requirements, he emphasized faith, if only the size of a mustard seed. The change spelled freedom, as the Lord himself taught, “…you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Rigid, barren religion was, at last, replaced by a grace-orientated, relationship-liberating grace. His followers loved it. His enemies hated it… and Him. Without a doubt, the earliest grace killers were the Pharisees (10).

Many people in our world today do not understand or know the meaning of the word grace. In a video clip I watched people thought grace was what was said at meal time.