Grace hath appeared
Book of Titus • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Bible Reading
Bible Reading
2 years ago we had a service opportunity to clean a storage unit. Sat morning I went box 15 to get something for the event.
Tonight we will discuss Israel and Endtime
Briefly, let me tell you why you will see this slide and have links in your email. If you dont have my number or email take it down.. but this helps facilitate conversations.
Discussed older men and women, Sunday night younger women, and young men were left off the hook. Also, I think there needs to be time given in regard to your opportunity to show the Gospel as an employee.
Titus 2:11–15 (KJV)
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
We will look at basically one sentence today?
It is a long one. It is a compound, complex sentence.
Grace showed up - in this world and in your life.
Grace showed up for a reason - to teach us how to live
Grace has purchased Himself a people
Sermon Introduction
Sermon Introduction
Did you have a favorite teacher growing up?
How many can remember your Kindergarten teacher?
Mrs. Coursey helped me. If I need to preach a sermon on “squirrels getting awards for running down the railroad tracks or use silly sally selling her seashells as an illustration I am able to.”
Also, frustrated some along the way. Mrs. Conley and the monkey bread incident.
Entering into a section of Titus (2:11-3:11) that teaches the role of grace in promoting godly behavior.
Specifically, today, we will see The educating power of grace
We will see how grace is the greatest teacher we have ever had. Defended: Titus 2:11–12 “11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
God uses human teachers, like those already mentioned.
We should believe that what we are teaching from God’s Word is also being taught by the Holy Spirit as people read His Word
“FEW portions of the New Testament excel this chapter. It may well form the creed, system of ethics, and text book of every Christian preacher. Does any man inquire what is the duty of a Gospel minister? Send him to the second chapter of the Epistle to Titus for a complete answer.” (Adam Clarke)
What do we mean when we say grace?
What do we mean when we say grace?
Do you want to say “grace” for the meal?
Wrong definition: provides a license for one to “do his own thing” or even to live a life of sin!
Few words are more misunderstood and misapplied, even by those who treasure Jesus, than grace.
Few words are more misunderstood and misapplied, even by those who treasure Jesus, than grace.
Grace is unmerited favor which gives me both the desire and the ability to do God’s will. [Slide]
Grace involved underserved favor: Romans 3:24 “24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Grace involves fervor—God giving us specifically the desire and the power to do His will.
Grace as power for living 2 Corinthians 9:8 “8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Grace provides strength to obey. Another example: 2 Corinthians 12:9 “9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Grace is not only God’s disposition to do good for us when we don’t deserve it. God’s grace is also a power from God that acts in our lives and makes good things happen in us and for us — which we also don’t deserve.
We were not birthed by grace and left on the doorstep of the law. Grace abounds in our lives!
“Abounding sin is the terror of the world, but abounding grace is the hope of mankind.” – A. W. Tozer
Review
Grace showed up - in this world and in your life.
Grace showed up for a reason - to teach us how to live
Grace has purchased Himself a people
Grace Showed Up
Grace Showed Up
Titus 2:11 “11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Hath Appeared
Hath Appeared
Hath appeared / epithany / it seems to be a metaphor taken from the sun. As by his rising in the east and shining out, he enlightens, successively, the whole world;
Historic event
We know that Moses brought the law but when Jesus came grace appeared. John 1:17 “17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Jesus is full of grace and truth. John 1:14 “14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Grace came. Why did He come? He came - very clearly it tells you - bringing salvation. Luke 19:10 “10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
The kindness of God, the love of God, and the grace of God appeared in the incarnate Christ who saved us.
"Of all times, it is the turning point. Of all love, it is the highest point. Of all worship, it is the central point. And of all salvation, it is the starting point." Erich Sauer
The grace of God is not so much an attribute as a person.
The grace of God is not so much an attribute as a person.
Titus 3:4 “4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,”
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
So when I say grace has appeared and grace has a name; it is Jesus. This should mean something to all of us.
The grace of God is not so much an attribute as a person.
The grace of God really refers to Christ in His incarnation.
Grace showed up for a reason
Grace showed up for a reason
We should live soberly, godly, and righteously.
Titus 2:12 “12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Grace is transformational truth.
Grace is transformational truth.
Our lives are made up by how we answer the deep questions of life. The appearing of Jesus and the grace offered is changing our lives.
Teaching kids in Sparks and receive a great, worldview shaping question.
Question: What is man and were did we come from. / Answered in the creation account.
Question: What is the problem with the world? / answered in the account of the fall
Where we going now and after we die? Answered in the story of Jesus
So how you answer these questions will teach/determine/shape how you live.
Lets consider the role of a trainer in our lives.
Lets consider the role of a trainer in our lives.
Many times it requires lecture.
It also includes shaping.
Friday night watching Penrod brothers. So much invested into each play. Showing them game tape during the game.
Basketball Coach: Quality is not an act it is a habit.
What does grace teach us.
What does grace teach us.
Live soberly - attitude /mindset / serious about the things of God
Righteously - actions to others / right relationship with one another / dont steal v.10 / contrast to not ungodliness
godly - affections toward God
What to forsake
What to forsake
Denying ungodliness
One may say that in a world where we are tempted to say “Yes” to every desire and feelings, that the reality of our faith can be demonstrated by what we say no to, by what we are willing to deny.
Reality of our faith should be demonstrated in what we are willing to deny.
Denying worldly lusts
What to focus on.
What to focus on.
Titus 2:13 “13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
What is the blessed hope?
Grace teaches us to expect and prepare for our blessed hope.
That hope is not a series of events, heaven or glory, but Jesus Himself, face to face, closer than ever.
Possible reference to two events (blessed hope) and glorious appearing. Tonight we will teach on the difference between the rapture (gathering of the church) and return of Christ.
“The discipline of grace, according to the apostle, has three results – denying, living, looking. You see the three words before you.” (Spurgeon)
Grace has purchased Himself a people
Grace has purchased Himself a people
Titus 2:14 “14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
God demonstrating saving power He will do it through saved, peculiar people
God demonstrating saving power He will do it through saved, peculiar people
Conversations about how we reach more people with this message. Often turns into topics of how we are unnecessarily different.
We don’t have marketing material. We have a parade of homes illustration.
People should be asking what the prophet asked in Micah 7:18 “18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.”
18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
Jesus wants to be known by this world as Savior
Jesus wants to be known by this world as Savior
Titus 2:10 “10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.”
10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
Show me that you are redeemed, and I will believe in your Redeemer.” — Friedrich Nietzsche
All religions of the world outside of Jesus motivate by fear, guilt, and shame.
The law prepared the way to let us know we needed grace. We needed for grace to appear.
Different ways to tell us how to climb the mountain.
Biblical Christianity says God left the mountain and came to us. Grace appeared.
We have been redeemed by Jesus
We have been redeemed by Jesus
We have been justified. Romans 3:24 “24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
“It's important, Titus, that you remind the church that the reason they exist, the reason they're in the world, is to display God's saving power so that others in seeing it may as well be drawn to salvation.”
We should rejoice in the grace we have received.
We should rejoice in the grace we have received.
The forgiveness of sins and the righteousness of God are free gifts.
That means they cost us nothing because they cost Christ everything.
Time of Response
Time of Response
I’ve asked Stephen to lead us in a song that is celebratory in nature. This is great news for us.
Let express our gratitude for the gift of grace as we sing. But lets not stop sining as we leave today.
Some of you here have not received the gift. Let me help yyou right now.
You can receive.
You can ask for more info
You can reject
But you cannot ignore this invitation.