Grace: It Doesn't Just Cover You, It Changes You!

Text: Titus 2:11–14 Series: Sound Doctrine, Sound Living (Week 2)

Titus 2:11–14 NIV

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who 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.

Introduction

“ when you hear the word grace, what comes to mind?

For some....grace sounds like a soft word.

‘God’s grace means He’ll let me slide.’

For others....grace is a safety net.

‘I’ll live how I want, and if I fall—grace will catch me.’

JUST TO LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR THE REST OF THE SERMON

I THINK THAT IT’S IMPORTANT THAT WE CLEARLY DEFINE....GRACE

Grace is God’s unearned, undeserved, unmerited favor toward sinners.

GRACE IS.... the love of God given to us in spite of the fact that we don’t deserve it.

not because we earned it

📖 Ephesians 2:8–9 says:

Ephesians 2:8–9 NIV

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Now here’s the part many people miss:

Grace is not automatic.

Grace is a gift, and every gift must be received.

That’s why John 1:12 says:

John 1:12 ESV

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

Grace is available to all, but it is received only in Christ.

SOMETHING ELSE I NEED TO SAY IS...

grace is not a license to sin.

Romans 6:1–2 asks:

Romans 6:1–2 NIV

1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

OH MY LORD....HELP US

Grace doesn’t excuse sin—it breaks the power of sin.

OH I WISH SOMEBODY WOULD SAY AMEN THIS MORNING

Illustration: Imagine standing guilty in a courtroom.

The judge reads off your crimes, and there’s no denying it—you’re guilty.

But then something shocking happens.

The judge takes off his robe, steps down from the bench, and says....‘I’ll take the penalty myself.’

He pays your fine,

serves your sentence,

and then—LISTEN TO THIS—

he doesn’t just set you free.

He adopts you into his family.

OH MY LORD

THAT IS GRACE CHURCH

Grace doesn’t just cancel the penalty of sin—it brings you into a brand-new relationship Christ

And that’s exactly what Paul is teaching in Titus 2:11–14.

Here is the big truth today....

the line I want you to carry home is this: “Grace doesn’t just cover you—it changes you.”

LETS LOOK AT WHAT HOLY SPIRIT IS SAYING TO US THROUGH THIS PASSAGE TODAY…..

1. Grace Saves Us (v. 11)

📖 Titus 2:11

Titus 2:11 NIV

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

a. Grace appeared in history, not as an idea but in a person—JESUS CHRIST.

b. Jesus is the embodiment of grace.

His life, death, and resurrection are God’s grace on full display.

SCRIPTURE SAYS HERE.....

c. Salvation is offered to all people—

but it must be received by faith in Christ.

GOD’S GRACE IS FREE, BUT IT AIN’T CHEAP

OH COME ON SOMEBODY....

“God’s grace is free” – This part is clear:

we cannot earn it, purchase it, or deserve it.

Salvation, forgiveness, and new life in Christ are gifts.

Ephesians 2:8–9 emphasizes this:

Ephesians 2:8–9 NIV

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

“But it’s not cheap” – This is the crucial clarification.

Grace may be free to us, but it came at a great cost: the death of Jesus on the cross.

It also has power and authority—

it changes lives, calls for obedience, and calls us to transformation.

Cheap grace would be forgiveness with no cost, no responsibility, no change.

Romans 6:1–2 makes it clear: grace doesn’t give license to continue sinning; it calls us to live a new life. (DONT READ SCRIPTURE...JUST REFERENCE IT)

Romans 6:1–2 NIV

1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

Grace means we don’t come to God waving our list of good deeds.

Isaiah 64:6 says even our best works are like filthy rags.

OH MY LORD HELP ME.....

Grace saves us not because of what we’ve done, but because of what Christ has done.

CAN SOMEBODY SAY AMEN???

Illustration: Think of a drowning swimmer, exhausted, slipping under the waves.

A lifeguard dives in and pulls them out.

The swimmer can’t later brag.............“I kicked really well, didn’t I?”

No—they were saved entirely by someone else’s strength.

That’s grace.

OH COME ON SOMEBODY

“You didn’t climb your way into salvation—

Jesus climbed down into your mess to bring you out!

And here’s the truth:

Grace doesn’t just cover you—it changes you!”

Call to Response: “Have ANYONE IN HERE received this grace?

It’s not enough to admire it or know about it—

you must take hold of it by faith.”

2. Grace Trains Us (v. 12)

📖 TITUS 2:12

Titus 2:12 NIV

12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

WOW.....CHANGED PEOPLES LIVES CHANGE

CHANGED PEOPLE, LIVE DIFFERENTLY

UNDERSTAND THIS...

Grace is not just pardon—it’s a teacher.

The word Paul uses means to train and discipline like a child.

Grace teaches us both denial (“No” to sin) and discipleship (“Yes” to holiness).

Grace doesn’t just forgive us—it forms us.

OH MY LORD.....

Teaching Expansion: Notice Paul says “in this present age.”

Grace isn’t just about getting us into heaven—

it changes how we live right now,

GRACE CAN CHANGE HOW WE RESPOND TO....

A world filled with temptation and brokenness

Illustration: A good coach doesn’t just cheer when you score.

He corrects your form, HE pushes you, and teaches YOU discipline.

Grace does the same—

it won’t let you stay the same.

“Grace doesn’t whisper....

‘Go ahead, keep sinning.’

No—grace shouts, ‘You’re free now, walk in victory!’

And the truth is........

grace doesn’t just cover you—it changes you!”

Call to Response: “Where is God’s grace training you right now?

In your words?

In your habits?

In your relationships?

Don’t fight the training—let grace do its work.”

3. Grace Points Us Forward (v. 13)

📖 TITUS 2:13

Titus 2:13 NIV

13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Grace:

deals with our past,

transforms our present,

and secures our future.

OH COME ON...

Our hope is not in politics, paychecks, or possessions—it’s in the return of Christ.

This hope shapes how we live now.

1 John 3:3 NIV

3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

The world lives for the weekend, for the next thrill, for temporary things.

Christians live with eternity in view.

That perspective makes us different.

Illustration: A bride preparing for her wedding day...

makes every decision with the big day in mind.

In the same way, we live ready for the day Christ returns.

Preaching Hook: YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND....

this world is not the end....

The sky will split,

the trumpet will sound,

and the King will appear!

And when He comes....

THE grace that saved you.......will be the grace that carried you.

Because grace doesn’t just cover you—it changes you!”

WORSHIP TEAM JOIN ME

HERE IS SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT......

Would you live differently this week if...

you believed Jesus could return tomorrow?

WE HAVE TO ...… Live ready.

4. Grace Produces a People of Good Works (v. 14)

📖 TITUS 2:14

Titus 2:14 NIV

14 Jesus Christ, who 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.

THIS IS SO GOOD......

Grace is not just about what you’re saved from—

it’s about what you’re saved for.

Jesus redeemed us from sin and purified us to belong to Him.

SO UNDERSTAND THIS......

True grace produces eagerness for good works—

not drudgery, but joy-filled service.

Teaching Expansion: James 2:17 says: Real grace always leads to real change.

James 2:17 NIV

17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Real grace always leads to real change.

Illustration: IF A firefighter rescues someone from a burning building.

That person doesn’t run back inside.

Instead, they live with gratitude.

THIS IS EXACTLY HOW WE NEED TO LIVE.

grace makes us eager to serve, to love, to shine for Jesus.

Preaching Hook: “Grace people are good works people.

OH THAT’S GOOD....LET ME SAY IT AGAIN

GRACE PEOPLE ARE GOOD WORKS PEOPLE

OH COME ON SOMEBODY.......

If grace has really touched your life,

it will show in your hands,

your feet,

your service,

AND your love.

Because grace doesn’t just cover you—it changes you!”

LET ME ASK YOU THIS IN CLOSING.....

“Who can you serve this week?

Where can you show the evidence of grace at work in you?”

Conclusion....I’M LOVING THIS BOOK (TITUS)

“Paul gives Titus the gospel in motion:

Grace saves us.

2. Grace trains us.

3. Grace points us forward.

4. Grace produces good works.

Grace is not cheap.

Grace is not weak.

Grace is powerful.

Here’s the word I want you to carry home today: LET’S SAY IT TOGETHER

Grace doesn’t just cover you—it changes you.

.................STAND TO YOUR FEET............

EVERY HEAD BOWED AND EYE CLOSED....

We’ve been reminded OVER AND OVER that....

grace doesn’t just cover you—it changes you.

But that change only comes if you’ve truly received Christ.

I AM GOING TO GIVE TWO ALTAR CALLS THIS MORNING....THE FIRST ONE AND THEN AFTER THE RESPONSE....A SECOND ONE

1ST ALTAR CALL

Maybe you’ve been treating grace like a free pass—

as if God’s love was just a license to live however you want.

But today you realize: grace is not a license......grace is a lifeline.

It’s Jesus reaching down to save you, to forgive you, and to make you new.

Maybe you’ve never surrendered your life to Christ—today is your day.

Or maybe you’ve drifted, and you know God’s grace is calling you back.

📖 2 Corinthians 6:2 says:

‘Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

If you need to be saved—

if you need a fresh start, if you need the chains of sin broken—WOULD YOU come?

Step out of your seat. Don’t wait.

COME ON LET’S WORSHIP......

2ND ALTAR CALL

MAYBE THAT CALL WASNT FOR YOU....MAYBE YOU’VE BEEN SAVED

maybe you’ve received GOD’S saving grace,

but you’ve resisted training grace......

OH COME ON.....

You’ve been forgiven, but you haven’t been changed.

Today is THE moment to surrender. To say:

‘Lord, I’m done fighting You. Train me. Shape me. Use me.’

IF THAT IS YOU ......WOULD YOU COME.....

OH COME ON THESE ALTARS ARE OPEN.....

Closing Prayer

“Lord, thank You for saving grace, for training grace, and for transforming grace.

Teach us to say no to sin and yes to holiness.

Make us a people full of good works, eager to serve, eager to shine.

Strip away every excuse, Lord, and help us live in Your power. WE THANK YOU FOR IT......In Jesus’ name, Amen.”