Do you remember the familiar slogan of orange juice commercials a few years back: “It’s Not Just for Breakfast Anymore!”? The advertising campaign was trying to convince us that Orange Juice is not just a breakfast drink, but something good for anytime during the day. Often we view grace like orange juice: it's just for the beginning of our life as Christians...it's great to get us saved, but then we just kind of forget all about it. I want you to understand: Grace is not just for breakfast anymore....it's not just for salvation. We need God's grace to live the Christian life, not just to begin the Christian life. As we have studied the book of Titus, we have seen the high standards set by God for everyone of us: for leaders, for men, for women, for young and old. How are we going to live up to those standards? How can we become the people God has challenged us to be? THE ANSWER: BY HIS GRACE. Grace is not just for salvation, it is just as necessary for living out the Christian life.
Saving Grace (GRACE THAT BRINGS SALVATION)
What is grace anyway? It's a word Christians use all the time, but do we really understand it? One of the first definitions I learned in Sunday School (maybe you did too) was Grace is God's Riches At Christ's Expense. That's easy to remember and does tell us a good deal about what grace is. It reminds us that Christ paid the price, it reminds us that grace provides us with God's Riches.
My very "theological" definition of grace is this: "It is all the good stuff (told you it was theological) God does for me, to me, in me and through me that I don't deserve and could never earn."
Jerry Bridges in his book, Transforming Grace, writes: First is it "God's unmerited favor to us through Christ whereby salvation and all other blessings are freely given to us. Second it is God’s divine assistance to us through the Holy Spirit." That is a very helpful definition for it reminds us that it is not just about salvation, but includes "God's divine assistance to us through the Holy Spirit" to live out the Christian life. That is a major point that Paul is making in this text. But before we can understand God's enabling grace, his sanctifying grace, we need to understand his saving Grace.
Turn to Eph. 2:8-10 which a clear explanation of the Grace that Paul is first referring to in our text (The grace that brings salvation). First note that salvation is a gift, it is not earned by works. Often people try to earn their way to heaven. They hope that their good deeds will outweight their bad deeds and therefore God will probably let them into heaven. They look at the neighbor down the street and whine "I'm better than him.". But God doesn't grade on a curve. His standard is perfection. Your good works, no matter how good will never get you into heaven. You will never get there by deserving it or trying to earn it.
Dr. Penelope Stokes tells a great story in her book Disciplined by Grace that illustrates this well. (She was a professor of mine in college):
"Better give me justice," he mumbled sheepishly, staring at his shoes. "I don't deserve grace."
Jesus paid the price, he died for our sins. He took our place. He took the test and got a perfect score...and has asked that anyone who puts their faith in him might have his score. Jesus frees us from the penalty of sin. That is the nature of saving Grace. We are saved, because Jesus redeems, regenerates, justifies....he makes us new creatures...he lives inside of us. It is only by his Grace that we are saved.
As Paul begins this verse in titus, he reminds us of how we are saved: By grace. But he doesn't stop there, he urges us to "live our Christian lives by Grace" as well. Let's look at
EVERYDAY GRACE (Sanctifying Grace) --GRACE THAT TEACHES US--
This is the grace that gives us victory over the power of sin. The word teach comes from a Greek word which means "to spend time with a child in order to teach or train". It's a word that describes the diligent training of a child in right and wrong and how to live. Just as God gave us his grace to save us, he also can give us the grace to "teach us to say no to sin" and to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to him. This is the good news about Grace that many of us miss. We think, we need God's help to start the Christian life, but from then on, it's up to us. No, he doesn't leave us, he is there ready to teach us and train us how to grow up and live our lives as Christians.
Notice that this everyday grace teaches us to say “No” to sin. This verse uses two words to describe the sin we are to say "no to" by his grace: 1) To Ungodliness (Lack of true reverence for and devotion to God) and 2) To Worldly Passions (Lusts: Desires that get out of control). The clear teaching here is that God can give us the grace we need so that we can have victory over sin. Notice that this victory is possible even for the most difficult sins, the lusts or out of control desires.
But grace does more than just help us to say no, it also gives us the power to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God. Lives that are self-controlled (Mind/passions under control), upright (righteous behavior, what people see), and Godly (Christ-like).
Many people try to live as a Christian through Legalism. Legalism might be defined as trying to live out a set of rules by human effort. You develop a set of rules which you feel pretty comfortable with. Your progress is compared to others, and since you've made up the list, you are likely to do better than those that don't hold to your particular list. Favorable comparison with others is the goal. It is done in your own power and not in the Power of the Holy Spirit. My first real experience of Legalism came when I went to a summer camp when I was a young teenager. Friends of our family had invited my sister and I to a wilderness camp in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, the church that sponsored it was bound in legalism. The examples of it were numerous, but let me share just one. Do you remember the song, "I am Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb"? People are always coming up with new verses to that but at this camp, they had verses that indoctrinated their list of legalistic rules for living the Christian life. There were classic verses like: "You better not wear that mini-skirt", "You better not wear your hair so long" "You better not watch that T.V. show" "You better not wear that makeup".... and there were many more like that. Legalism is "You Better Not" religion and it is bondage, not freedom. Bondage for yourself and others. Legalism is a cheap substitute for the real thing. Unfortunately it is a system which leads to pride, arrogance and judging others. It is no accident that Jesus sharpest criticism was levelled at the legalism of the Pharisees and that Paul's strongest rebuke came to the legalistic Christianity of the Judaizers in Galatian. Paul went so far as to call it "no gospel at all" (Gal. 1)
There is another substitute for the Liberty which is found in Grace called License. It might be summarized as an attempt to live as if sin is not a big deal: a life of No Rules/ No worries. One who lives in license, isn't particularly concerned about what God or others think. It is the attitude Paul critiques in Romans, "Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer." (Romans 6:1-2, NIV) In license, a Christian falsely defines freedom as the ability to do what I want to do. But sin is never freedom, it is always bondage. Grace is not an opportunity to sin, it does not presume upon God's mercy.
Instead of legalism or license we need LIBERTY. Liberty might be defined as Living to please God in the power of His Holy Spirit. It seeks the freedom to serve and the freedom to obey. It recognizes that the way we live the Christian life is the same way we began...by grace through faith. Galatians 3:3 asks this rhetorical questions: "After beginning with the Spirit are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? No it is not in human effort. Paul gave us the example when he said " I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteounsness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing." How do we live the Christian life? The same way we began it: By grace through faith! Grace isn't just for breakfast anymore!
Let's get practical. How do we do it?
1) Surrender (Give yourself to God) Paul said that he had been crucified with Christ. He had died to self, he had surrendered wholly to God. We must do the same if we are to experience the fullness of God's Spirit. Romans 12:1-2 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. [2] Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." If we want to experience God's grace in a way that will enable us to say no to sin and yes to obedience, then we must be an unconditional surrender of ourselves to God.
2) ASK (Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill/control you) Ephes. 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Many assume that because they are Chrisitians, the Holy Spirit must be filling and controlling them. Yet this is a command. Have you asked God to fill you with His Spirit; to control you? Note that the filling of the Spirit is in the present tense. It is more than just a one-time experience, it is also a way of life. We need to learn to "walk in the Spirit".
3) CLAIM/BELIEVE GOD’S PROMISES In 2Peter 1:3-4 we read: His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. [4] Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. Did you hear that: By his power and by his promises he has given us EVERYTHING WE NEED for life and godliness. Search the word for promises of his power. Promises like the one we have in Titus 2. Pray Paul's prayers for the churches (Ephesians 1:17-23; 3:16-19; Philippians 1:9-11; Colossians 1:9-14 for example). God's promises can be trusted, but are we claiming them? Are we living in faith believing them to be true?
4) START WALKING IN OBEDIENCE (Don’t wait for a lightning bolt, start obeying, believing God will be there to help). Some people talk about letting go and letting God. Well, I believe we begin by claiming the promises and then walking in faith believing that those promises are true. Believing that he will give us the grace to say no to sin and yes to his will. Begin walking in faith. Paul spoke of the "obedience that comes from faith" (Romans 1:5).
5) WHEN YOU FALL, GET UP AND START OVER AGAIN! We all remember the commercial "I've fallen and I can't get up." Too many Christians live like that. If you've fallen, ask forgiveness, get back on your feet and start over again .1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." What is your view of God in this regard? Do you see him as just waiting for you to fall so he can point his finger at us and scorn us? Many people do. No, he is right beside us, and when we fall down, he is there to pick us up, and get us back on our feet by his grace.
What is God’s Part in all of this: He gives the grace we need. The power to say no to sin and to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God:
Ephes. 1:17-21 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. [18] I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, [19] and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, [20] which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, [21] far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Ephes. 3:16-21 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
III) (Future Grace) GRACE THAT PREPARES US (VICTORY OVER THE PRESENCE OF SIN)
God not only saves us by his Grace and gives us the grace to live victorious over sin, he also gives us the grace that prepares Us For Jesus Second Coming! How does he prepare us. 1) He Redeems Us from all Wickedness. and 2) He Purifies Us
(a) to be “His Very Own People” The Jews were God's chosen people in the Old Testament. Now all who believe in Christ Jesus regardless of race are a part of "His very own people".
(b) to be eager to do what is good (Zealous for good deeds). Isn't that great? He can give us the grace to even be eager to do what is good.
What is ahead for us? What is he preparing us for by his Grace:
Rev. 19:6-8 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
"Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. [7] Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. [8] Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)
Have you experienced His Saving Grace?
Are you living in His Sanctifying Grace?
Are you looking forward to His Future Grace?
Read Titus 2:11-14.
1) What is the first “kind” of grace? What does it do? “Saving Grace” Brings salvation
2) What is Grace? How would you define it?
“All the good stuff God does in me, for me and through me that I don’t deserve and could never earn.” Pastor Jeff’s Definition Other definitions would be appropriate as well.
3) Read Ephesians 2:8-10. What do we learn about saving Grace from this passage?
4) How would you explain “saving grace” to someone who thinks salvation comes from “works” hoping that their good deeds would outweigh their bad deeds? (this one might take some thought: give them a chance to think and allow several to share)
5) What is the second “kind” of Grace described in Titus 2?
“Everyday Grace” or “present Grace” or “sanctifying grace”
6) What does it do?
Frees us from the power of Sin *teaches us to say no to sin *teaches us to live in a way pleasing to God + + +
7) How does God “help us to say NO! to sin”? What is our part, what is God’s part! Our part: Surrender (give yourself to God) Rom 12:1-2 Ask (Pray for God’s Holy Spirit to fill you and control you) (Eph. 5:18) Claim (The promises of God’s word, like these in Titus) (2 Pet. 1:3-4) Believe (That God would do what he said) (Gal. 2:20-21) Walk in Obedience (Don’t just sit there waiting for a lightning bolt from heaven, start obeying, believing God will be there to help you) (Rom. 1:5, Gal. 5:16-25) When you fail, ask God’s forgiveness and start over again.(1 Jn 1:9) God’s Part: His Holy Spirit’s Power (Eph. 1:17-21; 3:16-21)
7a) Which of those steps do you find most difficult? Are there any that are hard to understand?
8) What happens when we try to “live the Christian Life” in our strength instead of relying on God’s strength?
8a) What are the counterfeits of “Daily Grace”? What is wrong with each of them?
8b) How do you find the middle ground between legalism and license? How do you keep from those extremes?
9) What was the third “kind” of Grace? Grace that prepares us (Future Grace)
10) What are we being prepared for?
Jesus second coming.
11) How are we being prepared by being freed from sin and purified by being eager to do what is good.
12) How does it make you feel to know that Jesus is coming back?
13) What difference should it make in our lives if we really believe that he is coming back?
14) Are you ready for Him to come back? What do you still need to do?
15) How can we pray for each other tonight?
Back to Pastor Jeff's Neighborhood
Last Updated By Jeffrey R. Syverson, May 10, 1997. Questions? Comments or Suggestions to JeffSyv@concentric.net