Titus 2:11-14 “11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our 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 lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”

Your Final Exam is now over… All your answers are correct… You got an ’A’ on the final exam…

Your Final Exam is now over… All your answers are correct… You got an ’A’ on the final exam… YOU PASSED THE TEST FOR ONE REASON AND ONE REASON ONLY --- the CREATOR OF THE TEST TOOK IT FOR YOU.

All the questions came from the book, You have just experienced --- GRACE.

GRACE BRINGS SALVATION – Verse 11

GRACE BRINGS SALVATION – Verse 11 “BECAUSE OF CHRIST,” taking the TEST FOR US, the whole human race just got an chance for an “A”.

Titus 2:11 “11 For the grace of God has APPEARED, bringing salvation for all people,”

Titus 2:11 “11 For the grace of God has APPEARED, bringing salvation for all people,” GRACE IS THE LAST THING we deserved…

Titus 2:11 “11 For the grace of God has APPEARED, bringing salvation for all people,”

Titus 2:11 “11 For the grace of God has APPEARED, bringing salvation for all people,” The word “salvation” basically conveys the idea of being RESCUED…

Titus 2:11 “11 For the grace of God has APPEARED, bringing salvation for all people,” The word “salvation” basically conveys the idea of being RESCUED… Later in history the word SALVATION WILL BE ASSOCIATED almost exclusively…

There is nothing MORE DANGEROUS THAN SIN! It causes:

There is nothing MORE DANGEROUS THAN SIN! It causes: INSTABILITY IN LIFE…

There is nothing MORE DANGEROUS THAN SIN! It causes: INSTABILITY IN LIFE… CULTURAL CONFUSION…

There is nothing MORE DANGEROUS THAN SIN! It causes: INSTABILITY IN LIFE… CULTURAL CONFUSION… kills MARRIAGES, FAMILIES…

There is nothing MORE DANGEROUS THAN SIN! It causes: INSTABILITY IN LIFE… CULTURAL CONFUSION… kills MARRIAGES, FAMILIES… turns RELATIONSHIPS INTO UGLY HATE..

There is nothing MORE DANGEROUS THAN SIN! It causes: INSTABILITY IN LIFE… CULTURAL CONFUSION… kills MARRIAGES, FAMILIES… turns RELATIONSHIPS INTO UGLY HATE.. has a HUGE NEGATIVE IMAPCT on God’s chosen, THE CHURCH…

There is nothing MORE DANGEROUS THAN SIN! It causes: INSTABILITY IN LIFE… CULTURAL CONFUSION… kills MARRIAGES, FAMILIES… turns RELATIONSHIPS INTO UGLY HATE has a HUGE NEGATIVE IMAPCT on God’s chosen, THE CHURCH… FINALLY IT STIRS UP the ANGER OF GOD!

God doesn’t TURN A BLIND EYE to our sin, “SWEEP IT UNDER A RUG”, because that would violate His holiness…

II. GRACE HAS APPEARED TO ALL PEOPLE – verse 11

II. GRACE HAS APPEARED TO ALL PEOPLE – verse 11 This plan of GRACE only works when it is ACKNOWLEDGED and ACTED UPON…

Romans 1:19-21 “19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are WITHOUT EXCUSE.”

Romans 1:19-21 “19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are WITHOUT EXCUSE.” GRACE only works when it is ACKNOWLEDGED and ACTED UPON…

III. GRACES TRAINS US – verse 12

III. GRACES TRAINS US – verse 12 Titus 2:12 “12 training us to RENOUNCE (say “No”) ungodliness and worldly passions,…”

GRACE not only means I am set free from the penalty of SIN, but that GRACE changes my WAY OF THINKING about SIN.

GRACE not only means I am set free from the penalty of SIN, but that GRACE changes my WAY OF THINKING about SIN. Before I was IN CHRIST I lived anyway I chose…

GRACE not only means I am set free from the penalty of SIN, but that GRACE changes my WAY OF THINKING about SIN. Before I was IN CHRIST I lived anyway I chose… So for the Christian, what changes?

Galatians 5:16 “16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Galatians 5:16 “16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Grace teaches us TO RENOUNCE the gratification OF THE FLESH…

Galatians 5:16 “16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Grace teaches us TO RENOUNCE the gratification OF THE FLESH. The word translated TO RENOUNCE (say no) in the Greek means to “CONTRADICT.”

Grace teaches us to “CONTRADICT” ungodliness...

Grace teaches us to “CONTRADICT” ungodliness... I’m not going to do THIS THING MY FLESH DESIRES. Why?

Galatians 5:17 “17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”

Galatians 5:17 “17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” What would be an example of the sinful nature?

Galatians 5:19-21 “19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: (OBVIOUS) sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,”

SEXUAL IMMORALITY = Porneia – πορνεια – which literally means: to ENGAGE IN UNLAWFUL LUST of either sex.

SEXUAL IMMORALITY = Porneia – πορνεια – which literally means: to ENGAGE IN UNLAWFUL LUST of either sex. By implication, to be an idolater! HOW?

SEXUAL IMMORALITY = Porneia – πορνεια – which literally means: to ENGAGE IN UNLAWFUL LUST of either sex. By implication, to be an idolater! HOW? Anything that replaces Jesus as Lord is IDOLATRY!

UNCLEANNESS = akatharsia – ακαθαρταης: to be made IMPURE or DIRTY physically, morally or spiritually…

UNCLEANNESS = akatharsia – ακαθαρταης: to be made IMPURE or DIRTY physically, morally or spiritually… SENSUALITY = aselgeia – ασελγεια: FILLED with or SHOWING IMPROPER SEXUAL DESIRE…

WHY bring these up? Because that’s how the flesh lives WHEN THE FLESH GETS WHAT IT WANTS…

Galatians 5:19-21 “19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: (OBVIOUS) sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

We take a STAND AGAINST THE FLESH…

We take a STAND AGAINST THE FLESH… WE SAY YES TO the indwelling of the Holy Spirit…

IV. WE SAY NO WITH CONVICTION -- Verse 12

IV. WE SAY NO WITH CONVICTION -- Verse 12 Do you remember when you were a kid and you asked your Mom or Dad if you could do something…

V. TO LIVE SELF-CONTROLLED -- Verse 12

V. TO LIVE SELF-CONTROLLED -- Verse 12 Titus 2:12 “12 … to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

V. TO LIVE SELF-CONTROLLED -- Verse 12 Titus 2:12 “12 … to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, We are called to exercise self-control over our flesh, so that we may be more like Jesus.

VI. To live Godly lives-- Verse 12

VI. To live Godly lives-- Verse 12 The word GODLY here speaks of: being marked by or showing respect for God.

VI. To live Godly lives-- Verse 12 The word GODLY here speaks of: being marked by or showing respect for God. How do we do that? We do our best to stand with God by doing what is right:

VI. To live Godly lives-- Verse 12 The word GODLY here speaks of: being marked by or showing respect for God. How do we do that? We do our best to stand with God by doing what is right: in the home… with God’s people… while among the world… with whomever I meet…

VI. To live Godly lives-- Verse 12 The word GODLY here speaks of: being marked by or showing respect for God. How do we do that? We do our best to stand with God by doing what is right: in the home… with God’s people… while among the world… with whomever I meet… That is what God’s grace teaches us to do.

Romans 8:12-13 “12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

We owe the flesh NOTHING!

We owe the flesh NOTHING! If left to own desire the flesh only BRINGS TROUBLE.

We owe the flesh NOTHING! If left to own desire the flesh only BRINGS TROUBLE. We do, however, have an obligation to the Holy Spirit.

IS ALL THIS EASY?

IS ALL THIS EASY? 2 Timothy 3:12 “12 …all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus WILL BE PERSECUTED,”

IS ALL THIS EASY? 2 Timothy 3:12 “12 …all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus WILL BE PERSECUTED,” Some preachers promise wealth and health to those who follow Jesus.

The MESSAGE of Jesus cuts through these sugar-coated FALSE teachings…

The MESSAGE of Jesus cuts through these sugar-coated FALSE teachings… John 16:33 “33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Titus 3:4-5 “4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his MERCY. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

Hebrews 2:14-15 “14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death — that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”