Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

2 Peter 3:18 “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

The Expectation of Grace The beginning of growing in grace The Gospel The gospel is the good news that God became man in Jesus Christ, that He lived the life we should have lived and died the death we should have died in our place on the cross. Three days later He rose from the dead, just as He said, proving that He is the Son of God and offering the gift of eternal life (salvation) to all who, by faith, repent of their sins and receive Jesus as both Lord and Savior.

1 John 1:12-13 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

The Expectation of Grace What is growing in grace and knowledge? but grow in the grace and knowledge… A. What Christian growth is not: Becoming more saved than the moment of our conversion. Becoming more forgiven than when we first came to Christ. Becoming more justified (made more righteous) than at the new birth.

The Expectation of Grace What is growing in grace and knowledge? but grow in the grace and knowledge… B. What Christian growth is: Becoming more appreciative of the power of God that saved us Learning more of what God wants for us through His Word. Practicing more of what God wants for us to do.

The Expectation of Grace What are the evidences of growing in grace and knowledge? A. An increasing Christian love Love: “an intentional act of the will that seeks the highest good for another, regardless of the cost, and always to and for the glory of God.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12 “and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you…”

The Expectation of Grace What are the evidences of growing in grace and knowledge? B. An increasing faith that works 2 Thessalonians 1:3 “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater…”

The Expectation of Grace What are the evidences of growing in grace and knowledge? C. An increasing in the knowledge of God Colossians 1:10 “so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…”

The Expectation of Grace What are the evidences of growing in grace and knowledge? D. An increasing in the fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…”

2 Peter 1:8 “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Expectation of Grace What are the means God uses to cause us to grow in grace… A. The Word of God Psalm 119:9-11 “9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. 10 With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. 11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.”

1 Peter 2:2 “like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation…”

The Expectation of Grace What are the means God uses to cause us to grow in grace… B. The Woes of this life James 1:2 “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing…”

The Expectation of Grace What are the means God uses to cause us to grow in grace… C. Our Worship Psalm 9:1 “1 I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. 2 I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”

The Expectation of Grace What are the means God uses to cause us to grow in grace… D. Our Fellowship with the Saints 1 Corinthians 12:13 “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.”

1 Corinthians 12:4, 11, 25 “4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit...11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.... 25 that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another…”

The Expectation of Grace What are the means God uses to cause us to grow in grace… E. The Lord’s Supper Luke 22:19 “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

The Expectation of Grace Am I growing? Am I growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus? How am I growing? Can I see the spiritual marks of growth? Am I growing in grace? If not, why not? Am I living with unrepentant sin in my life? Then confess, agree with God it is sin, ask for the grace to forsake it and to serve God Do I have a lack of desire to grow? Then pray and ask God to prune your life to stimulate growth.