GRACE OFFERS FAITH ACCEPTS

1. GRACE OFFERSFAITH ACCEPTS A detailed study of Grace Wednesday PM

2. Illustration • An old friend calls who is passing through town • He asks that you meet him • At McDonald’s • At 2 pm • He tells you that he has just returned from a trip to Israel and he has a gift for you

3. Illustration • You quickly change your clothes, hurry to McDonald’s to meet him • He greets you and hands you a cashiers check for $1 million • THAT IS GRACE!

4. Illustration • Now some questions to consider: • Did you earn the million dollars? • What if you decided that meeting him was too demanding and not worth the effort to rearrange your schedule? • What if you went to Arby’s because the food is better? • What if you went to McDonald’s at 4:30 because if was more convenient?

5. Introduction to Grace • There is much discussion, abuse and misunderstanding about grace. • Some think grace is NOT involved in our salvation at all. We must work, do, obey, keep every point of the law. Failure at any point means we can’t be saved. • Others teach salvation is by GRACE ONLY. Most denominations teach a salvation by grace, without any obedience.

6. Introduction to Grace • Some have taken the extreme view: • Even in the church are some who believe that how you live does not matter. Morals don’t matter. Church attendance, lies, fornication, cursing – all these sins are covered by God’s grace. • We need to study this subject to know what Grace is, what Grace does, and what Grace does not do.

7. Defining Grace • What is Grace? • The usual definition – “unmerited favor” • What does that mean? • We must study grace • Avoid the extremes • Grace is involved in our salvation • Grace is not a license to sin • Grace does not keep us clean when we sin

8. Defining Grace • Greek word – “charis” – 156 times in NT

9. Defining Grace • How is this word used? • Of form or person – She is a gracious lady • Favor, kindness – You have graced us with your presence • God’s forgiving mercy – We are saved by grace • The gospel as distinguished from the law

10. Defining Grace • Romans 6:14-15 - 14For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 15What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! • John 1:17 - For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

11. Defining Grace • Galatians 5:4 - You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. • Galatians 2:21 - I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

12. Defining Grace • The word is used: • Of gifts freely given • Christian virtues – 2 Peter 1:5-7 • Dictionary – GRACE, n. [L. gratia, which is formed on the Celtic; Eng. Agree, congruous, and ready. The primary sense of gratus, is free, ready, quick, willing, prompt, from advancing.]

13. Defining Grace • The word is used 19 ways: • Favor – She has such grace • Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God • Favorable influence of God; divine influence or the influence of the spirit, in renewing the heart and restraining from sin • The application of Christ’s righteousness to the sinner

14. Defining Grace • The word is used 19 ways: • A state of reconciliation • Virtuous or religious affection or disposition • Spiritual instruction • Apostleship • Eternal life, final salvation • Favor, mercy, pardon • Favor conferred

15. Defining Grace • The word is used 19 ways: • Privilege • That in manner, deportment or language which renders it agreeable • Natural or acquired excellence • Beauty, whatever adorns • Physical virtue • Title • Short prayer before a meal • In music, turns, trills as embellishment

16. Titus 2:11 - 11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, Grace brings salvation Grace is a gift offered to us by God Grace appears to all men The offer is not limited What Grace Does

17. Titus 2:12 - 12teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, Grace teaches us Deny ungodliness Reject worldly lusts Live soberly Live righteously As long as we are in this present age (Christian Age) What Grace Does

18. Titus 2:13 - 13looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Grace anticipates Christians look for, hope for the second coming of Jesus What Grace Does

19. Titus 2:14 - 14who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Grace remembers Jesus gave his life for us He redeemed us He removed the curse of the law He made us His own special people What Grace Does

20. Titus 2:15 - 15Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you. Grace prepares Speak about these things Exhort – encourage Rebuke – make corrections Authority – By the authority of the gospel Scorn will not stop us What Grace Does

21. Catholic View No grace All works / deeds Salvation is totally up to us Sacraments, Prayers, Candles, Rosary, Confession, etc. Positions on Grace

22. Catholic View Protestant View All grace No works Man cannot do anything to accomplish his salvation. Salvation is only by God’s grace. Positions on Grace

23. Catholic View Protestant View Biblical View Combination of Grace and Obedience God has a part in our salvation Man must respond, believe, accept the terms of the offer Positions on Grace

24. Encourage Sin Jude 4 - For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Abuses of Grace

25. Encourage Sin Romans 6:1-2 -1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Abuses of Grace

26. Encourage Sin Instead of teaching the responsibility of man – we think that grace allows us to keep on sinning. Abuses of Grace

27. Encourage Sin Salvation by grace ONLY Most denominations teach a salvation by grace ONLY I there any part that man must do (obey, respond, accept) to receive God’s grace? Abuses of Grace

28. Encourage Sin Salvation by grace ONLY Grace Excludes Obedience Some see Grace and Works as “mutually exclusive” The Bible teaches BOTH Grace is the offer of a gift Faith is mans acceptance Abuses of Grace

29. Encourage Sin Salvation by grace ONLY Grace Excludes Obedience Grace Foregoes Righteousness Romans 5:21b - even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Grace reigns through righteous-ness Abuses of Grace

30. 1 John 1:5-6 - 5This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. V 5 – There is no darkness in God V 6 – False claims will not help Automatic Grace

31. 1 John 1:7 - 7But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. V 7 – Conditional promises Walk (keep on walking) in the light Fellowship (continue in fellowship) with Christ Blood cleanses (continues to cleanse) from sin Automatic Grace

32. 1 John 1:8-9 - 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. V 8 – We are sinners To claim otherwise makes us a liar V 9 – If we confess our sins Here is the “catch” to the continued cleansing of v. 7 Automatic Grace

33. 1 John 1:10 - 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. V 10 – Claiming that we have no sin to confess - - Makes God a liar His word is not in us We will not be saved if we refuse to confess our sins Automatic Grace

34. Grace and Faith • Is Grace the only thing that concerns our salvation? • If “Yes” – all will be saved – Titus 2:11 • But what about faith? Does it have any impact on our salvation? Mark 16:16 • Romans 5:2 - through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

35. Grace and Faith • Food will satisfy hunger – If we eat • Water will quench thirst – If we drink • Grace will save – If we accept in faith • Here are some passages that teach the connection of grace and obedience • Romans 1:5 - Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,

36. Grace and Faith • Romans 2:6-10 - 6who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8but to those who are self-seeking and do notobey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

37. Grace and Faith • 1 Timothy 4:16 - Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. • Titus 1:16 - They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

38. Grace and Faith • Titus 2:11-12 - 11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, • Titus 3:8a - This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.

39. Grace and Faith • Hebrews 5:9 - And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, • Hebrews 10:24 - And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, • Hebrews 12:15 - looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

40. Grace and Faith • Hebrews 13:16 - But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. • James 1:21-22 - 21Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

41. Grace and Faith • James 2:14 - What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? • James 2:20 - But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? • James 2:22 - Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?

42. Grace and Faith • James 2:26 - For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. • 1 Peter 1:17 - And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;

43. Grace and Faith • 1 Peter 1:22 - Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, • All of these passages say we must be obedient. • We are still accountable for our actions in this life.

44. Grace Claims • “Oh well. Grace will cover that.” • Ephesians 1:7 has grace and forgiveness in the same sentence • It is discussing the blood of Jesus • NO VERSE TEACHES GRACE WILL “COVER MY SINS.” • We must confess, repent, and change

45. Grace Questions • What about a person who sins right before they die? • Will they be lost because they did not have time to repent? • Won’t grace cover that? • Answer: What God does with that sin will be up to Him. We are not to able to judge the intent of another’s heart. God knows if that person would repent if given the opportunity.

46. Grace Questions • This issue is like the old dodge for baptism. A person on the way to be baptized and a tree falls on him. • Will he be saved? I don’t know – But God knows the intent of his heart.

47. Grace Claims • “Grace will take care of my shortcomings.” • Grace is God’s generous offer of eternal life, forgiveness, salvation • There are things required to accept that gift • Grace is NOT “automatic cleansing”