Acts 20:24 “…to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” “Gospel” = “good news” “Grace” = “unmerited favor”

“The Gospel of the Grace of God” The “Need” for Grace The “Provision” of Grace The “Reception” of Grace

THE “NEED” FOR GRACE The Bible Describes Man’s True Condition All have sinned – Romans 3:23 Stumble in one point, guilty of all – James 2:10 Wages of sin is death – Romans 6:23 Iniquities separate you from God – Isaiah 59:2 Our iniquities take us away – Isaiah 64:6

WHAT THESE PASSAGES REALLY MEAN TO US… FIRST: We must all plead guilty! SECOND: Our sins have alienated us from God! – 1 Peter 3:12 THIRD: As sinners, we cannot accomplish the removal of our guilt on our own! It is fair to say that the FIRST requirement of salvation is recognition of our true guilt.

THE “PROVISION”OF GRACE Out of “Love,” God has Provided His Son… John 3:16; 1 John 4:9,19 Out of “Justice,” God has Provided His Son… Romans 3:24-26 God’s Grace functions this way: His justice requires an appropriate sacrifice for sin Because He loves us, He provided His son God recognizes the death of Jesus - paid in full

THE “RECEPTION”OF GRACE Receiving God’s Saving Grace Requires Obedience… Hebrews 5:9; Romans 6:17,18 Such Obedience Involves: Trusting in Jesus as the Son of God Who died for your sins – John 3:16 Confessing your faith before men – Romans 10:9,10 Repenting – Acts 17:30 Being buried with Christ in Baptism for the remission of sins – Mark 16:15,16; Acts 2:38; 22:16

SUCH OBEDIENCE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH EARNING OR MERITING SALVATION! Titus 3:4,5a “not by works of righteousness” Titus 3:5b “according to His mercy He saved us” Romans 6:3-8 Baptism into His death Galatians 3:26,27 “clothed with Christ” Hebrews 7:24,25 “saved to the uttermost” Titus 3:5 “washing of regeneration” John 3?5 “born again”

GOD HAS ORDAINED… …that through faith and repentance …culmination with baptism into Christ ..we might receive the wonderful grace of God! Why don’t more people respond to God saving grace? Don’t understand the “need” for grace Consider themselves good moral people Examples of salvation in Acts of such people needing salvation “All our righteousnesses like filthy rags”

GOD HAS ORDAINED… Not aware of the “Provision” of grace Think they are too sinful to receive God’s grace God desires all to be saved – 1 Timothy 2:3-6 Some not taught the proper “Reception” of grace Many to “Say the sinner’s prayer,” but not told what Jesus and his apostles commanded people to do to receive God saving grace People need to listen to Christ & His apostles, not modern preachers – Mark 16:15,16; Acts 2:36-38; 22:16

“to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24) 1 Peter 5:12 “exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.”