Second Chances
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
2020 is gone and 2021 is here. With the passing of 2020, we have a new year and new opportunities in-front of us.
After 2020, it’s like we’ve been given another chance … a SECOND CHANCE. W/ that in mind, I invite you to turn w/ me to Titus 2.11.
Titus 2.11
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.
Grace Of God: that is
His favor, attention and goodwill has been revealed
undeserved
not something we have the capacity to provide for ourselves
unmerited
bringing salvation to ALL people
no one above or beneath the grace of God
no one to dirty; sinful;
doesn’t matter what you’ve done or think you’ve done … the grace of God - unto salvation is available to all mankind (second chances)
Titus 2.12
And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,
Grace of God provides for our salvation AND instruction in how to live … it teaches us
some folks need to put their phones down and start paying attention in class.
“teaches” means to train up a child … sometimes, that also involves discipline
the importance of learning is to renounce our godless ways (a mindset of living w/ God out of the picture)
worldly passions or sinful pleasures is living in a way that is completely opposed to the way of God
I’m going to live my life the way I want to and there is nothing you can do about it.
How should we live?
with wisdom, righteousness and … devotion to God
to live in harmony w/ what scripture teaches us
Titus 2.13
while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
this is our hope! JC is coming again
1st time He came as a child … dependent upon His mother
When Mark Lowery wrote “Mary Did You Know” he said he didn’t get to ask all of his questions:
what was it like to change the Son of God’s diapers?
what was it like to have the Son of God nursing at your breast?
what was it like to raise the Son of God?
were there miracles?
He came to die on Calvary for our sins … this is the grace we are talking about this morning … a grace that leads to salvation for all mankind
the silence of Mary at the cross speaks volumes about Him
you may have wondered why she remained quiet
my mom would have been outspoken
she knew I wasn’t born of a virgin
he gets some crazy notions in his head at times but nothing to crucify him for
but Mary remained quiet … she knew who He was and why He had come
she knew He was born of a virgin
she knew He came to restore us to the Father
she knew He came to die for our sins
when He comes again … it won’t be as a child in a filthy manger … it won’t be as a broken and dying man on a cross
when He comes again, it will be as a conquering King … to vanquish the ruler of this dark world and restore order to God’s perfect creation … one day, He’s coming in the clouds to bring His bride home
Titus 2.14
He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
Paul says He gave His life to free us and make us His own people
J died and broke the chains of sin that have held us captive
all but … murder … drug abuse … alcohol abuse … lying … adultery … sexual sins … perversions … idolatry … cursing / cussing / taking the Lord’s name in vain
He gave his life to free us from EVERY KIND OF SIN … it doesn’t matter how big or small you consider it, He gave His life to free you from it … to cleanse you … to give you a 2nd chance
your slate has been wiped clean … there is no evidence of it no matter how hard you or satan try to bring it back up … it has been sanitized and your past doesn’t exist anymore
he came to make you his own
here Paul links us back to the OT - Ex. 19.5
Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me.
Paul reminds us that if we will turn from our wicked and godless ways, following after the commands of a righteous and holy God … we are a special treasure from among all the people of the earth.
Unconditional Salvation
Unconditional Salvation
Wrap up real quick … 4 nuggets you can take home and chew on this week
The salvation of your soul is unconditional
The salvation of your soul is unconditional
There are no strings or conditions attached to the salvation of your soul
New birth is unconditional
birth from your mama
birth from the Spirit of God
God does not put you on parole for 6 months or 6 years before He saves you
it is unconditional and happens immediately upon you asking for it
USPS doesn’t deliver it … UPS doesn’t deliver it … FedEx isn’t going to deliver it … there are no delays in shipping due to COVID or strikes or anything else
delivered by the HS and is immediate
Growing in grace is conditional
Growing in grace is conditional
The desire of a child is to grow into manhood or womanhood
it takes time, food, care, and training to raise up your child
same is true for the child of God, it takes time, food, care and training to become a mature Christian
This growth is conditional
1 Peter 2.2
Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment,
if you want to grow to mature Christianity then you need to be reading God’s word, praying and serving
WARNING:
1 Cor. 3.2
I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready,
Heb 5.12
You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.
Some Christians have been sucking on that spiritual teat for to long and it is time for you to mature; to grow in God’s grace and get onto the solid food.
The blessings of God are conditional
The blessings of God are conditional
Deut. 11.26
“Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse!
I don’t believe any of us today would chose a curse … we’ve lived through 2020 and we’re ready for blessing
God will not bless a LAZY, self-centered, satisfied people. We are saved to SERVE
We are sanctified not petrified
Noah proved he had faith in God when he began to work on the ark.
If we will obey God’s commandments and WORK, God will bring showers of blessings
Ezk 34.26
I will bless my people and their homes around my holy hill. And in the proper season I will send the showers they need. There will be showers of blessing.
There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.
Chorus
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
Your rewards are conditional
Your rewards are conditional
Rev. 22.12
“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.
You will be rewarded according to your deeds/works
No one has ever been saved by “good works” but every saved person should be possessed of good works!
Eph. 2.10
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
…so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago
Matt 6.20
Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
some Christians storage silos are about empty
2 Cor. 9.6
Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
We are cheating ourselves when we are lazy around God
Close
Close
Perfect Illustrations: For Every Topic and Occasion Grace: Grace: Free but Costly
In Decision, Karen R. Morerod writes:
I was in a store shopping for a sweater. The cost needed to be minimal, so I went to the clearance rack to start looking. As I flipped through the sweaters, one caught my eye. It was the right color and the right size, and best of all, the price tag was marked $8.00. Without much more thought, I made my purchase.
At home I slipped on the sweater. Its texture was like silk. I had made my purchase so quickly that I hadn’t noticed how smooth and elegant the sweater was. Then I saw the original price tag: $124.00!
I gasped. I had never owned any clothing of that value. I had come home with what I thought was a “cheap buy,” but the original price was quite high. I had been oblivious to its value.
Just as with my sweater, I have often treated the power of Jesus’ blood like a “cheap purchase.” His grace, though free to me, carried a high price tag—the life of his very own Son.
We can cheapen God’s grace in a variety of ways:
by not growing in our walk … becoming stagnant and satisfied … I don’t want to grow up, I’m a toys r us kid
by continuing to live a godless, worldly lifestyle
by choosing to sit back and let others do all the work when you know your supposed to be involved
God has offered each of us a 2nd chance through his grace that leads us to salvation … it is unconditional
what you do w/ it is your choice