The Incarnation of Grace

For centuries the western world has set aside this time of year to celebrate the incarnation of Jesus Christ. I think this celebration is expressed so well in the lyrics of this song, written by Harry Bolbeck:

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Ring the Bells

Ring the bells, ring the bells, let the whole world know, Christ was born in Bethlehem many years ago. Born to die that man might live, came to earth new life to give, Born of Mary, born so low, many years ago. God the Father gave His Son, gave His own beloved One, To the wicked sinful earth, to bring mankind His love, new birth.

Chorus Ring the bells, ring the bells, Let the whole world know Christ the Savior lives today As He did so long ago!

Ring the bells, ring the bells, what a glorious morn! Men and angels worship Him, singing, Christ is born! Born to die on Calvary, born to set His people free, God Himself in human form, tell it! Christ is born. He has left His royal throne, He has come to claim His own, Christ the Lord has come to earth, go spread the news of Jesus' birth.

Chorus Ring the bells, ring the bells, Let the whole world know Christ the Savior lives today As He did so long ago!

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Please take your Bible and turn with me to Titus 2:11-14 as we consider The Incarnation of Grace.

Jesus Christ is the personification or incarnation of grace; in His first advent grace is seen in:

the bringing of salvation to all people groups,

instruction in how to live in our present world,

and in the payment the ransom price for our sins

As we go through our passage we will look at the appearance, product, outcome, and expectation of the incarnation of grace. To set things in context, let’s read the entire chapter together:

Titus 2 NASB95PARA

But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Let’s look first at

The Appearance of Grace

Notice the first phrase of verse 11:

For the grace of God has appeared ...

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 11: Ephesians through Philemon 1. The Manifestation of God’s Grace (2:11)

In the Greek, “has appeared” stands emphatically at the beginning, stressing the manifestation of grace as a historical reality.

The historical reality referred to here is the first advent of Christ. The concept of grace became personified in the person of Jesus Christ.

John wrote of this in the prologue to his gospel account:

John 1:1 NASB95PARA

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

All there was in the beginning of time was the triune God. The world was in physical darkness until the Word of God said: “Let there be light” and there was light.

Just as, before the creation of the world there was complete physical darkness, so to, before the work of the new creation in the believer’s life, there is complete spiritual darkness. And the sad testimony is the men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. But in Christ there is light — a light which conquers the spiritual darkness of our old life:

John 1:4–5 ESV

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The Eternal Word took on human form and became the personification of God’s great grace:

John 1:14 NASB95PARA

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:16–18 NASB95PARA

For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

A few years ago there was a mudslide in southern California. During this mudslide an infant child was dragged out of it’s home by the mud. The parent’s of this child were searching for their lost child through the night, in the midst of this mud, but to no avail. At some point in time, after daybreak, a rescuer found this child still living, and brought it to his parents. Ignoring the muddy mess, the parents embraced their child, and determined to protect it from ever getting lost in the mud again.

This reminds me of Christ, who in His great grace, willingly chose to become man. He did so for the purpose of finding His lost children who were drowning in the mucky mud of this evil world. And having found them, He has determined to keep and protect them from the effects of this sinful world in which they live.

We’ve been looking at the appearance of grace, now let’s look at

The Product of Grace

The first product of grace, as mentioned in our text is:

Salvation

Look, once again at verse 11.

Titus 2:11 NASB95PARA

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

· Jesus’ first appearing brought salvation to all people groups

The second product of grace, as mentioned in our text, is:

Instruction

Look at verse 12.

Titus 2:12 NASB95PARA

instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,

· Jesus’ first appearing brought instruction in how to live in this present world

The earlier verses of this passage referred to instruction of specific people groups:

Older men — vs. 2

temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance

Older women — vs. 3

reverent, not gossips, not enslaved to wine, teaching younger women

Younger women — vs. 4-5

love their husbands and children, be sensible, pure, homemakers, kind, submissive to their husbands

Young men — vs. 6

be sensible

Slaves — vs. 9-10

submissive to masters, well-pleasing, non-argumentative, not pilfering, showing good faith

In our present text, Paul’s instruction is basically a summary of what he had already taught regarding the specific people groups. He divides it into two categories: positive, and negative.

Negative Instruction

Jesus instructed us to say “no” to sin

Ungodliness refers to the believer’s external conduct — or more accurately to the believer’s external misconduct

Worldly desires refers to internal impulses

1 John 2:15–17 NASB95PARA

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

It takes a great deal of discipline and self-control to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. But it can be accomplished because of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.

Positive Instruction

Jesus instructed us to say “yes” to godly living

Sensibly has to do with controlling ones passions — it relates to our relationship with ourselves

Righteously has to do with upright conduct — it relates to our relationship with others

Godly has to do with living a life in dependence on God — it relates to our relationship with God

Kent Hughes wrote:

1 and 2 Timothy and Titus—To Guard the Deposit Living Yes (v. 12b)

If being a Christian only involved self-control over our passions and “upright” behavior before others, we might get the idea that the Christian life was only a matter of living according to certain rules or performing in an acceptable way. By adding the word godly to the ways grace teaches us to live, the apostle reminds us that the Christian life is one of dependence on God. Godliness is not a consequence of human resolution or willpower. It is a relationship with God that results in a life honoring to God. Thus, taking the three positive characteristics taught by grace in order, we learn that the life of grace is comprehensive—involving oneself, one’s relationship to others, and one’s relationship with God.

We’ve looked at the appearance and product of grace. Now let’s look at:

The Outcome of Grace

Peter writes about the outcome of grace in terms of the outcome of faith.

1 Peter 1:6–9 NASB95PARA

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Look at verse 14.

Titus 2:14 NASB95PARA

who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

What Did Christ Accomplish?

Christ accomplished our redemption.

How Did Christ Redeemed Us?

Christ accomplished our redemption by giving Himself to die in our place.

From What Are We Redeemed?

We are redeemed from a life of lawlessness.

Why Are We Redeemed?

We are redeemed so that we may become Christ’s own precious possession.

So far we’ve looked at the appearance, product, and outcome of grace. Now let’s look at

The Expectation of Grace

The first expectation of grace is that of

Expectant Longing

Look at verse 13.

Titus 2:13 NASB95PARA

looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

In our English text we might be tempted to think that there is a distinction between what is referred to as The Blessed Hope and then The Glorious Appearing. But in the Greek it is clear that they are the same event. That means that the blessed hope is the glorious appearing of Christ when He returns to the earth, subdues the nations, and rules with a rod of iron for a thousand years.

The term “looking for” has the idea of expectant waiting. As expectant parents we learned all about expectant waiting. Of course, in that case we knew the approximate time of waiting — 40 weeks, give our take. In this case we do not know the day nor the hour. We don’t even have a ballpark idea of when. It will happen when we least expect it.

We don’t want to overlook the strong statement about the deity of Christ that is in this verse. Look again at verse 13.

Titus 2:13 NASB95PARA

looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

Paul, very clearly states that Jesus is our great God and Savior. This babe who was born in the manger in Bethlehem, is none other than the Eternal God of the ages.

So the first expectation of grace is an expectant longing. The second expectation of grace is:

Expectant Living

Look again at verse 14. Tit 2.14

Titus 2:14 NASB95PARA

who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

To be zealous for good deeds is to be intentional about doing things which please our Savior.

As we journey through this walk of faith we are to:

Get rid of the things which hinder our walk with Christ

Persevere in our journey

Focus on our Christ Heb 12.1 -2

Hebrews 12:1–2 NASB95PARA

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

As we close, let’s consider:

The Application of Grace

Grace is a concept that is as old as the world itself. God’s grace was involved in creation. God’s grace was involved in the after-effects of the fall. God’s grace was found in the preservation of Noah and his family. God’s grace was seen in the choosing of Abraham and his descendants. God’s grace was seen in the promise that the future Redeemer would come from the lineage of David.

But purest example and expression of grace was realized in the incarnation of Jesus. Jesus is the personification of grace. Today, we’ve looked at the appearance, the product, the outcome, and the expectation of grace.

As it relates to salvation, grace is applied through faith. It is completely the work of God, from beginning to end. In His great grace, God awakens one who is dead in their trespasses and sins. He makes them alive in Christ — resurrection with Christ. He enables them to grasp the truth of the gospel message, and they in turn, embrace this message. The nutshell of this message is found in

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 NASB95PARA

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Once a person has embraced this message, they are transferred from the kingdom of darkness, to the kingdom of love and light.

As it relates to the believer’s sanctification, we grow in grace as we intentionally deny ungodliness and world desires, and live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age.

The application of grace is only possible because Jesus was born to die that man might live — He came to earth new life to give — He was born of Mary, born so low many years ago.

Let’s pray.