“Grace” By Pastor Dan Kennedy © March 15, 2020 www.pastorkennedy.com Scripture Reading: Titus 2:11–14 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who 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. When you hear the word “Grace” what comes to your mind? When you hear “God’s Grace” what does that mean to you? Every week we appeal to Everyone’s Conscience that God Exists and that He is a Rewarder to those who Diligently Seek Him. God Exists and God’s Grace Exists We Exist: We live LIFE – Our conscious “life” spontaneously and Supernaturally exists without the initiation or intervention of any human intelligence – or the act of our own will. We are Surrounded by a extremely complicated world – through no creative genius originating from any human source. Humans can split an atom, but humankind cannot create an atom. Physic’s Absolute Laws are Abundant – laws on which the very planet and universe exist, but not one was established, created, activated and maintained by human mind or power. God creates the Laws, humans catalogue and can build beneficial formulas based on their stability. “God is There, and He is Not Silent” We are Terminal – As Bold and Brash as we like to act, everyone’s life, though somewhat resilient, is actually very fragile…because we all Die, without consideration of “who” we are – our status, wealth, honor or place in life. We all die and give account to our Maker. Why then Do We Exist? How has God’s plan for the Human race – created in His Image, been revealed throughout the Millennia since the Creation? Paul Teaches Titus (and the church) in Crete about “Grace” (Titus 1:5) Titus 2:11–14 God has Revealed His Grace to Everyone Titus 2:11–14 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to everyone. How has God’s Grace appeared to everyone? God’s Grace has Appeared to Everyone, through Creation – Everywhere! Romans 1:20 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. God’s Grace has Appeared to Everyone, through their Conscience Romans 2:14–16 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. God’s Grace has Appeared to Everyone, because of God’s Goodness both toward those who seek God, and toward His enemies. Matthew 5:44–45 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. God’s Grace has Appeared to Everyone, because God Loves those in the World and Sent His Son John 3:16 16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. God’s Grace brings Salvation Titus 2:11–14 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to everyone. How did God exercise His Plan of “Grace” for humankind? From the beginning, God chose individuals, according to His Foreknowledge, to receive His Grace. (Rom. 8:29-30) · Grace delivered Noah and his family from the flood (Gen. 6:8), · Grace brought Lot out from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:19). · Grace chose Abraham to father the innumerable Tribe of Israel for God’s inheritance and the coming Messiah (Exod. 33:16; Gal. 3:28-29) · Grace gave Moses a personal knowledge of God and His ways (Exod. 33:12–13), assured him of God’s presence with Israel and forgiveness of their sin (Exod. 33:17; 34:9), and caused him to see the glory of God (Exod. 34:18–23). · It was grace that chose David for kingship (1 Sam. 16:22) and, after a successful rebellion against him, restored him to his throne (2 Sam. 15:25). · It is grace that will cause Israel one day to recognize the Messiah (Zech. 12:10). · So pervasive was the Apostle Paul’s sense of grace that he refers to it at the beginning and end of every one of his letters. For Paul the Christian life is summed up in the grace of God. Salvation from beginning to the end is all of grace. There can be no mixture of grace and works, or else it would not be grace(Rom. 11:5-6). Grace brings mercy (Num. 11:15; Isa. 60:10), and the withholding of it brings judgment (Josh. 11:20). - Jimmy A. Millikin[1] Hebrews 1:1–3 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last daysHe has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. 3 He (God’s Son) is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…. Does God’s Grace Teach Us that We are Free to Do Anything We Want to Do – Without Accountability? Titus 2:12 What Does God’s Grace Teach Us about how to Live Right Now? Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to everyone. Titus 2:12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, 1. Say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age… 2. Live self-controlled, upright and Godly lives in the age in which we live What Does God Project Our Hope for the Future Should Be as His Children? Does God want the same end result that the world promotes for its children? · Looking forward to more prosperity as we continue to work hard and gain more assets for ourselves? · Having others envy us for who we turned out to be? · Being super wise with great ideas for those around us? · Being able to do what we want and travel where we wish? Have Fun, Get Rich, Retire Young, Do what You Want Oh, and one other small thing…Don’t Die. God’s Grace gives us the Perseverance to Wait for Something Much, Much Bigger: Titus 2:13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ… Why should Christ’s Coming be on our mind? Because, The Real Reason for our Existence Now, is about Eternity to Come! If you can’t see this, then “eat, drink and be merry” now, “for tomorrow you will die.” Jesus Died for Us for an Eternal Purpose, so Now We Could Be: 1. Redeemed from all wickedness 2. To Purify for Himself a People who are His very Own 3. Those eager to do good Titus 2:14 who 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. Redeemed Purified Eager to do good People who live like this are never sorry. Those who don’t always are. Look at what Jesus did while He was on earth and why He did it. Hebrews 2:9 9 But we see Him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. Earthly limitation – Eternal Glory. Titus 3:5-7 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, 6 whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Earthly limitation – Eternal Glory. May we respond to God’s offer of Grace, through the Salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, and may we live like God expects His Children to live in this dying world, with a secure Hope of Christ’s Return and His Promise of Eternal Life! [1] Millikin, J. A. (2003). Grace. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (pp. 678–680). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers. With revision and adaptions.

“Grace”

By Pastor Dan Kennedy

www.pastorkennedy.com

Scripture Reading:

Titus 2:11–14

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who 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.

When you hear the word “Grace” what comes to your mind?

When you hear “God’s Grace” what does that mean to you?

Every week we appeal to Everyone’s Conscience that God Exists and that He is a Rewarder to those who Diligently Seek Him.

God Exists and God’s Grace Exists

We Exist:

We live LIFE – Our conscious “life” spontaneously and Supernaturally exists without the initiation or intervention of any human intelligence – or the act of our own will.

We are Surrounded by a extremely complicated world – through no creative genius originating from any human source. Humans can split an atom, but humankind cannot create an atom.

Physic’s Absolute Laws are Abundant – laws on which the very planet and universe exist, but not one was established, created, activated and maintained by human mind or power. God creates the Laws, humans catalogue and can build beneficial formulas based on their stability.

“God is There, and He is Not Silent”

We are Terminal – As Bold and Brash as we like to act, everyone’s life, though somewhat resilient, is actually very fragile…because we all Die, without consideration of “who” we are – our status, wealth, honor or place in life. We all die and give account to our Maker.

Why then Do We Exist?

How has God’s plan for the Human race – created in His Image, been revealed throughout the Millennia since the Creation?

Paul Teaches Titus (and the church) in Crete about “Grace” (Titus 1:5)

Titus 2:11–14

God has Revealed His Grace to Everyone

Titus 2:11–14

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to everyone.

How has God’s Grace appeared to everyone?

God’s Grace has Appeared to Everyone, through Creation – Everywhere!

Romans 1:20

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.

God’s Grace has Appeared to Everyone, through their Conscience

Romans 2:14–16

14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

God’s Grace has Appeared to Everyone, because of God’s Goodness both toward those who seek God, and toward His enemies.

Matthew 5:44–45

44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

God’s Grace has Appeared to Everyone, because God Loves those in the World and Sent His Son

John 3:16

16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

God’s Grace brings Salvation

Titus 2:11–14

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to everyone.

How did God exercise His Plan of “Grace” for humankind?

From the beginning, God chose individuals, according to His Foreknowledge, to receive His Grace. (Rom. 8:29-30)

· Grace delivered Noah and his family from the flood (Gen. 6:8),

· Grace brought Lot out from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:19).

· Grace chose Abraham to father the innumerable Tribe of Israel for God’s inheritance and the coming Messiah (Exod. 33:16; Gal. 3:28-29)

· Grace gave Moses a personal knowledge of God and His ways (Exod. 33:12–13), assured him of God’s presence with Israel and forgiveness of their sin (Exod. 33:17; 34:9), and caused him to see the glory of God (Exod. 34:18–23).

· It was grace that chose David for kingship (1 Sam. 16:22) and, after a successful rebellion against him, restored him to his throne (2 Sam. 15:25).

· It is grace that will cause Israel one day to recognize the Messiah (Zech. 12:10).

· So pervasive was the Apostle Paul’s sense of grace that he refers to it at the beginning and end of every one of his letters. For Paul the Christian life is summed up in the grace of God. Salvation from beginning to the end is all of grace. There can be no mixture of grace and works, or else it would not be grace(Rom. 11:5-6).

Grace brings mercy (Num. 11:15; Isa. 60:10), and the withholding of it brings judgment (Josh. 11:20).

- Jimmy A. Millikin[1]

Hebrews 1:1–3

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last daysHe has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. 3 He (God’s Son) is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high….

Does God’s Grace Teach Us that We are Free to Do Anything We Want to Do – Without Accountability? Titus 2:12

What Does God’s Grace Teach Us about how to Live Right Now?

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to everyone.

Titus 2:12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions,

1. Say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions

and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age…

2. Live self-controlled, upright and Godly lives in the age in which we live

What Does God Project Our Hope for the Future Should Be as His Children?

Does God want the same end result that the world promotes for its children?

· Looking forward to more prosperity as we continue to work hard and gain more assets for ourselves?

· Having others envy us for who we turned out to be?

· Being super wise with great ideas for those around us?

· Being able to do what we want and travel where we wish?

Have Fun, Get Rich, Retire Young, Do what You Want

Oh, and one other small thing…Don’t Die.

God’s Grace gives us the Perseverance to Wait for Something Much, Much Bigger:

Titus 2:13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…

Why should Christ’s Coming be on our mind?

Because, The Real Reason for our Existence Now, is about Eternity to Come!

If you can’t see this, then “eat, drink and be merry” now, “for tomorrow you will die.”

Jesus Died for Us for an Eternal Purpose, so Now We Could Be:

1. Redeemed from all wickedness

2. To Purify for Himself a People who are His very Own

3. Those eager to do good

Titus 2:14 who 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.

Redeemed Purified Eager to do good

People who live like this are never sorry. Those who don’t always are.

Look at what Jesus did while He was on earth and why He did it.

Hebrews 2:9

9 But we see Him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.

Earthly limitation – Eternal Glory.

Titus 3:5-7

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, 6 whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Earthly limitation – Eternal Glory.

May we respond to God’s offer of Grace, through the Salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, and may we live like God expects His Children to live in this dying world, with a secure Hope of Christ’s Return and His Promise of Eternal Life!

[1] Millikin, J. A. (2003). Grace. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (pp. 678–680). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers. With revision and adaptions.