Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Big Idea of the Series: No sin is so great, no bitterness so deep that God’s grace cannot transform the heart and rewrite the story.

This 4-week series, influenced by the book Grace is Greater by Kyle Idleman, explores what the Bible teaches about grace, developing a deep understanding of the life-changing power of God’s unconditional love and forgiveness.

Grace is arguably the most important concept for you to understand and live by in the battle to be godly.

Because it is so important, the enemy of our souls has created much confusion and controversy on this topic.

Grace is arguably the most important concept for you to understand and live by in the battle to be godly.

Because it is so important, the enemy of our souls has created much confusion and controversy on this topic.

But if you can fight your way clear in understanding and applying God’s grace, you will experience a close relationship with God and consistent victory over sin

God’s grace permeated Paul’s thinking.

One scholar writes, “Paul could not think of Christian truth and conduct apart from God’s grace”

Another writes, “The expression, the grace of God, may fairly be said to be the key word of Paul’s theology….

He cannot think of Christian salvation apart from the grace of God…”

The classic definition is the best: God’s grace is His unmerited favor.

Grace means that God showered favor and blessing on those who did not in any way deserve or earn it.

They deserved His judgment and wrath.

But He showed them favor.

God’s grace gets distorted from two sides:

First, grace runs counter to the way the world works, so it’s difficult for us to grasp it.

The world works on a merit system.

(Ex: school = good grades, sports = awards & trophies, good grades = good college, business world = promotions & raises)

All of the world’s religions, except for biblical Christianity work on the merit system.

Even the Roman Catholic church and Orthodox church teach a system of merit-salvation, where you have to add works to what Christ did on the cross in order to get to Heaven.

Secondly, God’s grace gets distorted from the other side, where it is used as a license to continue to sin.

“I live under grace, not the law!”

Our text corrects both of these serious misconceptions of God’s grace.

God’s grace first saves and then trains His people for godliness and good deeds.

God’s grace first saves and then trains His people

for godliness and good deeds.

The word “for” links these verses with Titus 2:1-10

1. Grace Provides Salvation to All People

Jesus is the embodiment of God’s grace

Grace was missing in the OT, for no one was saved in the OT apart from Grace

God rightly and justly could have sent His son to judge and condemn the world because of what they had done.

How they disobeyed the Law!

Zechariah’s song

Zechariah refers to Christ as the “rising sun” who will “come down to us” from heaven.

(“to appear”) on those “living in darkness”.

Basically He is the light of the grace of God’s salvation (not judgement) shining on a sin darkened world!

“Salvation to all people” does not mean that “everyone” will be saved.

“Everyone” can be saved

The Bible is uniformly clear that there are two separate, final destinations for all people.

Those who by God’s grace believe in Jesus Christ as Savior will go to heaven.

Those who do not believe in Christ will pay the penalty of eternal separation from God in hell.

But the good news of God’s grace is that no sinner is beyond the reach of God’s grace.

The apostle Paul was a persecutor of the church.

But, there is one thing that hinders us from experiencing the Grace of God’s salvation - Our natural tendency towards “self righteousness”.

You don’t need salvation unless you’re lost and you know that you’re lost.

You think you’re doing just fine on your own and that you’re going to make it with just a little more effort of your own.

Suppose that you were standing in a long line at the bank, waiting to deposit your paycheck.

Suddenly, I grab you by the arm, jerk you out of line, and forcibly drag you out of the building.

You probably wouldn’t be very happy with me.

You’d say, “What do you think you’re doing?

You hurt my arm, you tore my shirt, you made me lose my place in line, and you made me look like a fool in front of everyone in the bank!”

But, one simple fact would change your attitude to one of complete gratitude for the rest of your life: the bank had just been taken over by terrorists that threatened to kill everyone inside.

In the first scenario, you didn’t yet know the danger that you were in.

In the second scenario, you had become aware of the danger and you knew that you were doomed unless someone rescued you.

Before you can appreciate God’s grace, you need to know that you are justly under His wrath and condemnation.

You are headed for eternal judgment unless someone intervenes.

To use Spurgeon’s phrase, you know that the rope is around your neck.

God’s grace cuts the rope, even though you are guilty as charged and deserve to die.

2. Grace Teaches us to Live Godly Lives

The ancient Greek word for teaching has in mind what a parent does for a child.

It speaks of the entire training process: teaching, encouragement, correction, and discipline.

Grace is a teacher in this sense.

Grace does not mean, “take it easy and live however you want.”

Rather, grace trains, disciplines, and instructs us in godly living.

When you experience God’s unmerited favor in Jesus Christ, it motivates you to want to please Him in everything that you do.

When you experience God’s unmerited favor in Jesus Christ, it motivates you to want to please Him in everything that you do.

As you read God’s Word, you begin to realize that there is much in your life that displeases the Lord, who gave Himself on the cross to save you from God’s judgment.

So, you begin walking on the path that Jesus described as denying yourself daily, taking up your cross, and following Him

As you read God’s Word, you begin to realize that there is much in your life that displeases the Lord, who gave Himself on the cross to save you from God’s judgment.

So, you begin walking on the path that Jesus described as denying yourself daily, taking up your cross, and following Him

“No to ungodliness” - It obviously refers to the person who is openly immoral or evil, but it also includes the outwardly nice person who simply has no place for God in his life.

“No … worldly desires” - This refers to desires that are characteristic of this world system that is opposed to God.

John describes them as “the lust of the flesh,” “the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life” ().

It obviously refers to the person who is openly immoral or evil, but it also includes the outwardly nice person who simply has no place for God in his life.

“Live self-controlled, upright and Godly lives” - In the midst of this present evil age, we are to live sensible, righteous, godly lives, so that those in the world will be drawn to our Savior.

Many commentators have pointed out that sensibly refers to how you are to control yourself; righteously has reference to your relationships with others; and, godly refers to your relationship toward God.

n the midst of this present evil age, we are to live sensible, righteous, godly lives, so that those in the world will be drawn to our Savior.

Many commentators have pointed out that sensibly refers to how you are to control yourself; righteously has reference to your relationships with others; and, godly refers to your relationship toward God.

This refers to desires that are characteristic of this world system that is opposed to God.

John describes them as “the lust of the flesh,” “the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life” ().

“Thus you see that grace has its own disciples.

Are you a disciple of the grace of God? Did you ever come and submit yourself to it?”

Charles Spurgeon

“Salvation is not only a change in position (set free from the slavery of sin), but it is also a change in attitude, appetite, ambition, and action.”

The Bible Exposition Commentary by: Warren Wiersbe

Tuituyas

3. Grace Rewards Us

Hebrews

God’s grace instructs us to look “for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.”

Christ’s first appearing was in grace, bringing salvation.

During His first coming, His glory was mostly veiled.

Christ’s first appearing was in grace, bringing salvation.

During His first coming, His glory was mostly veiled.

But His second appearing will be in glory, bringing salvation to His people, but terrifying judgment to those who have not believed in Him.

His second coming is a “blessed hope” for those who know Him, because then we will fully experience all of the blessings of His salvation.

But His second appearing will be in glory, bringing salvation to His people, but terrifying judgment to those who have not believed in Him.

If your focus is set on the hope of Christ’s return, you will purify your life from every known sin