WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT? BUT TO EACH OF US GRACE WAS GIVEN ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF CHRIST’S GIFT. EPH. 4:7 (NKJV)

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  What is Grace?

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  Grace means the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and presentation of blessings.  It doesn't mean that we serve God less, but rather that we serve with a new attitude and motive.

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  Grace means that we are not penalized for sin. Jesus Christ himself is God’s grace to us. He gave us undeserved favor. Favor deserved is not grace.  The real problem is thinking that grace means God makes an exception to a rule, a requirement or an obligation. That is a common, everyday misunderstanding of grace.

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  Jesus revealed in word and in action that God himself is full of grace. Grace isn’t just one of the things God happens to do every now and then. Grace is who God is. God gives us his grace out of his own nature and character.  He does not give out of a dependence upon us, nor does he give because we somehow obligate him to extend his good gifts to us. God gives grace because he has a giving nature.  That means that God gives us his grace in Jesus Christ, freely. Paul calls grace a free gift from God in his letter to the Romans

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  Others feel, grace means that pretty much anything goes since it’s all forgiven beforehand. This view sees grace as a free pass—carte blanche permission to do whatever one wants. “It’s our get out of jail card.”  Some hold to this extreme opinion, and I believe is an unbiblical, view of grace.  While others may know that there are some limits.

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  Some people do hold the idea that living by God’s grace means that it doesn’t matter what we do given that we are saved by grace and not by works.  According to this view, grace means no obligations, no rules, and no expected or required patterns of relationship.

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  How then does grace teach us to avoid sin?

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  Paul referred to it in when addressing the accusation that his emphasis on grace was encouraging people to “continue in sin in order that grace may abound” (Rom, 6:1). Paul’s reply was short and direct: “By no means!” (Rom. 6:2).Rom, 6:1  Then a few sentences later he repeats their charge against him and answers it: “What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!” ( Rom. 6:15). You are a slave to whomever you obey.

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT? Why Is Grace Important  Grace is the antidote to spiritual dis-ease, to anxiety, to paranoia, and to depression.  In a state of grace, you know your purpose and you effortlessly succeed in creating a life that benefits not only you, but an ever growing circle of those around you.  Because grace helps you and others thrive and survive, in grace lies the salvation of the world.

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  The grace of God is about bearing fruit. The grace of God is about abounding in good works. The grace of God is tied into, even producing, a growing life of obedience.  The bearing of fruit is absolutely and directly tied into the grace of God.

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  The grace of God is available to you and me; and additionally, that grace is able to develop fruitful lives for you and me.  Which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth. (Col 1:6)Col 1:6

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians he memorably declared: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — not the result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8, 9).

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  Of course we are saved by grace through faith, not of works; however, we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. (Eph 2:10)Eph 2:10  The grace of God is at work and God is Himself graciously working in and through our lives.

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT? Why Is Grace Important  Our purpose in life is created by our priorities. If we are unaware of our priorities, we will be unaware of your purpose and our life will feel meaningless.  Living our highest purpose will infuse each of our actions with meaning.

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  Paul was an abundant laborer. He abounded in good works. God's grace working through his life was astounding. He evangelized the nations.  He made disciples of the children of God. He planted the seeds of the early Gentile church. He traveled as a missionary throughout the Mediterranean.

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  When not accomplishing these deeds because of imprisonment in Rome, Paul wrote the Bible. By the grace of God, he had was used beyond imagining.  God's grace is an active thing, not merely cutting us slack and granting us mercy, but working in our hearts and lives for good.

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  Living by grace does not produce a lazy, inactive, do-nothing life  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1Cr 15:10)1Cr 15:10

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  In Titus, Paul tells us that people often judge the gospel by the way we live.  Do we make the gospel look good, or do we give people a reason to complain?  The gospel teaches grace, and grace teaches us something about the way we live.

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  So that no one will speak evil of the word of God, Christianity has several beliefs and practices that unbelievers do not like, and Christians cannot do everything that unbelievers want.  If people are going to criticize, let it be for essential matters, not for unnecessary differences.  Paul was concerned about how our behavior might affect the gospel.

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  What behaviors today, although not sins, might cause people to despise the gospel?

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT? Why Grace Is Important  One of the main benefits of grace is the guidance that leads you to live in joy, with abundance and on purpose.  When you are in a state of grace, you are guided to live your best life and to serve others with ease and joy.

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT? For The Men-Self-control: a good example-Titus 2:1-2  Titus is working with believers who need some Grace/guidance about their behavior. Paul tells Titus, “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.” He then describes teachings that are reliable: “Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance”.  Paul begins with three virtues that are important in Christianity: having right beliefs, showing love, having self- control and maintaining these qualities even when it is difficult.

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT? For the Women concerning grace- Titus 2:3  For women, Paul gives slightly different guidance where Grace is concerned: “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good”

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT? For The Young Women-Titus 2:4-5  Paul expects older women to be able to teach: “They can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands”  It was up to the older (mature) women to teach the younger women.  Believers should perform their jobs well so that people will listen to what we say about Jesus.

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT? For The Young Men- Titus 3:6-7  Similarly, Paul encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good”.  Titus being young would not teach just by words, but also in what he does.  Even his style of teaching is important: “In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned.” Why? Because our reputation as bearers of the gospel is important: “So that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  The way we live, the way we work, the way we treat our families and neighbors, all make a difference in how receptive people will be to the message we share.  Titus 2:11- It’s important to be a good example. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (v. 11).  Not everyone has seen it yet, but salvation is available to everyone on the basis of grace.

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT? Why Is Grace Important?: Titus 2:12  And what does this grace do? “It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (v. 12).  Grace—if we understand it correctly— teaches us to reject sin and to do good.  As children of God, we want to be like the Son of God, but we cannot do this on our own strength. It is only by God’s grace/guidance that we are enabled to do what he wants.

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  What did Jesus do? He “gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good” (v. 14).  He redeemed us from sin. But Christ has a purpose for us beyond that: He wants to purify us, to eliminate the sin, and to create in us a desire for good behavior.

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT? Why Is Grace Important? : Titus-2:15  So Paul summarizes his point: “These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you”.  Jesus wants people who are eager to do good, as with Titus, we as messengers of Christ, should have and encourage good behavior and speak out against bad behavior so no one could despise the Savior we represent. Do nothing that the ministry be blamed.

WHY GRACE IS IMPORTANT?  Paul shares in his letter to the church that: “Titus is going to have to correct you on some of your behavior. But he is simply doing what I would have done, and doing what grace (God’s guidance) tells you, if you are willing to hear what it says.”  In the same way today, we should not despise those who exhort us to resist sin and do good.

Next Wed. Bible Study-5/21/15  Topic: What Are You Building On?  Scriptures: Luke 6: 43-49, I Corin. 3:9-17, Phil. 2:12 & Eph. 5:8-16

References:  Making Grace Look Good-Grace Communion International-Living and Sharing the Gospel  Living Daily by the Grace of God-Bob Hoekstra, blue letter bible