What The New Testament Says About Grace 9-22-24 AM
I. It teaches we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8).
a. This verse shows us we are saved by grace.
i. Sadly, there are those who have and do teach that we are saved only by grace and we don’t add one bit, or whit is their word, to our salvation.
ii. This verse teaches there are two parts to salvation: grace, which is God’s part and faith, which is man’s.
b. Add Titus 2:11 and we can see that grace can save all men.
c. For grace to save us, we must receive it (2 Corinthians 6:1).
d. We receive grace when we are baptized into Christ (Titus 3:5, 7).
i. Note “saved us” and “washing of regeneration” in v. 5.
ii. Link that to “justified by” and “grace” in v. 7.
e. Paul explains to us that one is justified by grace when he/she is saved by washing of regeneration.
i. There is not one credible commentator of whom I am aware that teaches “washing of regeneration” refers to anything other than baptism.
ii. We receive grace when we are baptized in order to be saved.
iii. If it isn’t at baptism, we would be saved before baptism.
f. If this is the case, we must ask at what point prior to baptism do we receive God’s grace?
II. We are taught by grace (Titus 2:12-13).
a. This passage reveals to us that grace teaches us.
b. It teaches us both negatively and positively.
i. Negatively, it teaches us to avoid some things.
1. Ungodliness is that which keeps us from doing our duty towards God in terms of religion.
2. Worldly lusts are the avenues of temptation to which the flesh may fall.
ii. Positively it teaches us how to properly live.
1. Soberly means we treat ourselves right.
2. Righteously means we treat others right.
3. Godly means we treat God right.
c. It is amazing that when we do these things, life works out for the best.
i. This does not mean there won’t be heartache.
ii. It means we will get the best out of life living this way.
d. How does grace teach us?
i. This passage implies the life of Christ, so Jesus teaches us to live this way.
ii. Ultimately, it refers to the Bible, the word of grace (Acts 20:32).
III. We stand in grace (Romans 5:1-2).
a. We either stand in grace or out of it.
b. When we are justified by faith we have peace with God which allows us continual access to God’s grace.
i. This is similar to 1 John 1:7.
ii. Walking in the light gives us access to blood of Jesus.
iii. Staying faithful gives us access to God’s grace.
iv. We walk in the light by staying faithful and the blood of Jesus is a result of God’s grace.
c. We should be able to confidently say that we are standing in God’s grace.
d. Again, we are either in or out of it.
IV. We are to grow in grace (2 Peter 3:18).
a. God always expects us to grow (1 Peter 2:2).
b. If our child is not growing, either mentally or physically, what do we do?
i. Do we sit around hoping things will change or do we get actively involved in finding out the problem?
ii. Everyone gets involved.
iii. We go to doctors and do internet searches and everything we can to figure out the problem.
c. How many of us get upset when there is no growth spiritually in ourselves or in our loved ones?
d. There are some people that never get past a preacher or an eldership.
i. Their preacher leaves or favorite elder retires and they quit trying to grow.
ii. They have “preacheritis” or “elderitis.”
e. We must grow and realize we can and must learn from others.
f. Jesus gives us a wonderful example of growth and it is found in Luke 2:52.
i. The word favor is our Greek word “charis.”
ii. Jesus grew intellectually, physically, socially and spiritually.
iii. We are to do exactly the same thing.
g. Jesus left heaven by grace for you and me (2 Corinthians 8:9).
i. God sent Him (John 3:16) and Jesus was willing to die (John 10:18).
ii. We are in His debt and should follow His steps.
iii. He grew while here and we must as well.
h. The only way to grow, as Peter pointed out, is to take in the word.
V. We are to come before the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:14-16).
a. Because of Who Jesus is, what Jesus has done and where Jesus now is, we are obligated to come before His throne in prayer.
b. This is from where we receive the grace and mercy we need throughout life.
i. Grace can be said to be getting what you don’t deserve.
ii. Mercy can be said to be not getting what you do deserve.
c. We all deserve to be lost because of our sins, but God gives mercy through the sacrifice of Jesus.
d. We can pray because of what Jesus has done for us.
VI. We can fall out of grace (Galatians 5:4).
a. Whenever we try to go our own way, or a way other than that of Jesus, we fall out of God’s grace.
b. The Galatians were turning to something else for salvation.
i. There is no other gospel (Galatians 1:6-7).
ii. When someone tries to teach another way besides the gospel way, that person is to be ignored and shunned (Galatians 1:8-9).
c. Following any other teaching will cause us to lose our souls.
VII. We can fall short of grace (Hebrews 12:15).
a. The Hebrews writer was writing to an audience made up of Hebrew Christians.
b. In this text, he was exhorting them to understand that all men are to be lived with in peace and holiness.
i. There was to be no Jewish elitism with the gospel.
ii. They were to view all men as equals and all in need of the gospel.
c. God’s grace has appeared to all men (Titus 2:11).
i. Any time we fail to be gracious to others and extend grace to others, we fall short of God’s grace.
ii. We can, and will, miss out on heaven when we fail to live with others as we should.