There Is No Time Like The Present For Good Deeds Series

BIG IDEA:

THE PEOPLE OF GOD IN THIS PRESENT AGE (BETWEEN CHRIST’S

FIRST COMING TO USHER US INTO SALVATION AND HIS SECOND

COMING TO USHER US INTO GLORY) NEED TO DEVOTE THEMSELVES TO PERSONAL HOLINESS AND UNSELFISH GOOD DEEDS

I. (:11) CHRIST’S FIRST COMING = OUR ENTRANCE INTO SALVATION

A. The Nature of the Incarnation

"For the grace of God has appeared"

Hiebert: "’For’ marks Paul’s masterly epitome of Christian doctrine as the proper foundation for the ethical demands just made on the various groups. Christian conduct must be grounded in and motivated by Christian truth. The vitality of doctrinal profession must be demonstrated by transformed Christian conduct."

B. The Purpose of the Incarnation

"bringing salvation to all men"

Hendriksen: "Male or female, old or young, rich or poor: all are guilty before God, and from them all God gathers his people. Aged men, aged women, young women,

younger men, and even slaves (see verses 1-10) should live consecrated lives, for the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to men of all these various groups or classes. ’All men’ here in verse 11 = ’us’ in verse 12. Grace did not bypass the aged

because they are aged, nor women because they are women, nor slaves because they are merely slaves, etc."

II. (:12) CALL FOR PERSONAL HOLINESS

A. Separation from Sin

1. "instructing us to deny ungodlinesss"

2. "and worldly desires"

B. Separation unto God

1. "and to live sensibly"

2. "righteously"

3. "and godly".C. Difficulty of the Challenge

"in the present age"

Wallis: "Used once in each of the Pastorals (see I Tim 6:17; II Tim 4:10). These words show the basic orientation of Paul’s thought -- life consists of this world, as well as the world to come."

III. (:13) CHRIST’S SECOND COMING = OUR ENTRANCE INTO GLORY

A. Our Anticipation of the Second Coming

"looking for the blessed hope"

B. The Nature of the Second Coming

"and the appearing of the glory"

C. Our Relationship to the Person of the Second Coming

1. "our great God"

2. "and Savior"

3. "Christ Jesus"

IV. (:14) CALL FOR GOOD DEEDS

A. Unselfish Example of Christ in His Atonement

"who gave Himself for us"

B. Purpose of the Atonement

1. Redemption -- "that He might redeem us from every lawless deed"

2. Purification -- "and purify for Himself a people for his own possession"

3. Righteousness -- "zealous for good deeds"

(:15) CLOSING EXHORTATION: COMMUNICATE THESE THINGS WITH AUTHORITY

A. Exhortation to Communicate These Things

1. "These things speak "

2. "and exhort"

3. "and reprove"

B. With Authority

1. Positively: "with all authority"

2. Negatively: "Let no one disregard you."

* * * * * * * * * *

DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:

1) How did the grace of God manifest itself in a unique and consummate fashion in the historical person of Jesus Christ? As we look back at the life and death and resurrection of Christ as portrayed in the gospel accounts, how is the grace of God made more concrete and real for us?

2) How is grace a different kind of teacher (instructor) for us than the Law? What do we learn from grace as it tutors us?

3) How can we increase the level of expectation of our looking for the blessed hope? What value do we place on eternity? Are we living apilgrim existence or are we tied to the things of this world?

4) How can spiritual leaders use their authority in an appropriate fashion to make sure that people don’t ignore or disregard their scriptural exhortations? When does strong leadership cross over the line to lording it over the flock?

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