You Are Fallen From Grace Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

1. The saints’ removal from the gospel

2. The saints’ departure from the faith

3. The saints’ falling from God’s grace

Introductory Remarks.

1. In our lesson today, we will discuss the theme: “You Are Fallen From Grace.” This will be a topical sermon reviewing the saints’ removal from the gospel, their departure from the faith, and their “falling away” from God’s grace. This lesson is needful because some religious groups are teaching that the “elect of God” or His “chosen ones” are saved and predestined to salvation without ever falling from grace "until the day of Christ.” They stubbornly neglect the somber warnings of Paul, given to the Hebrew saints: “Therefore, we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip (pass by) … For if the word spoken by angels…How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation…according to His own will?” Hebrews 2:1-4. This sermon will close our lesson series entitled: “He Called Us By His Grace.” This lesson refutes the notion: of "once saved, always saved," as taught by these religious groups, through an exhaustive exposition of the Holy Scriptures.

2. First, we will consider the saints’ removal from the gospel and the grace of God. To the Galatians, Paul wrote: “I marvel that you are so soon removed from Him…the grace of Christ unto another gospel, which is not another…pervert the gospel of Christ,” Galatians 1:6-9. These babes in Christ were being troubled by evil teachers (false brothers), who caused them to “be removed from the grace of Christ." Their removal from the gospel, caused them also to be removed from the grace and goodness of Christ, Galatians 1:4. The work and care of stronger brothers restored them to the truth in Christ, and the grace of God,” Galatians 4:17-20; Galatians 6:1-10; James 5:19-20.

3. Second, we will discuss the saints’ departure from the faith. To Timothy, Paul wrote: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirit, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them that believe and know the truth,” 1 Timothy 4:1-3. He gives Timothy a similar warning after charging him to: “preach the word…reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine…and shall turn away their ears from the truth…make full proof of thy ministry,” 2 Timothy 4:1-5. Such a charge and warning would not be necessary if the believers, the "elect of God,” could not depart from the faith. The apostles are writing about those who once had embraced the faith. Still, now they are “turning away their ears from the truth, and being turned unto fables (lies and false teachings).

4. Lastly, we will investigate the saints’ falling from God’s grace. This brings us to the last point in this lesson, how the Galatians saints had fallen from God's grace. The apostle wrote: "Christ has become no effect unto you, whosoever are justified by the law; you are fallen from grace,” Galatians 5:4. Here it is! Anything that diverts our faith and trust from the gospel of Christ will cause us to fall from the grace of God. There can be no other message: "saving Jesus Christ and Him crucified," 1 Corinthians 2:1-5. The storms of the Judaizing doctrines of combining faith in Christ with the law and circumcision were taught as necessary for the Gentiles to be saved by grace. This teaching, however, was not ordained by God to be a part of these believers’ call: “by grace through the faith in Christ Jesus,” Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9. These false teachers had to be silenced, and it was through the boldness of Paul and Barnabas that permitted the apostles and elders at Jerusalem: to stand firm in their message that called both Jews and Gentiles, “through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,” Acts 15:7-11; Acts 15:24. With this brief introduction, let’s discuss our first point in this lesson.

BODY OF LESSON

I THE SAINTS’ REMOVAL FROM THE GOSPEL

A. Build yourself up. I believe it is proper to begin with, Jude's admonition and warning to the believers. He wrote how the saints were to build themselves up in the most holy faith. For them to remain in the grace of God. He wrote: “But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto Him, that can keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, now and ever. Amen," Jude 1:20-25. He outlines how we must live, looking for the mercy of our Lord unto eternal life. Notice,