Titus 2_11-14

Secular:

Grace**

The Unmerited / Undeserved favour of God, bestowed by Power in His Love
Unmerited… we did nothing… free
Car – BMW

Free
Well... pay the taxes 8700 on $60k
Well… pay the PDI / Freight… but free
Well… pay the insurance… but free
$60,000 car – pay 10K great deal… not free

If we pay anything for our salvation, works, rites, rituals, deeds… not free
But if someone were to truly give us a something for free (especially something as grand as a house… or a car…. Or say…. Eternal salvation?) GRATITUDE

Biblical:

Titus 2:11 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 Saviour, 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.

Personal:

Freedom…

Contemporary view of freedom from…

Religion
Oppression
From family responsibility
From Church responsibility

Paul to Titus… Freedom to…

Proactive
The Grace of God… salvation available to all men is:

Freedom to say No to the Power of Sin
Freedom to experience Holiness
Freedom to live for Christ

Bridge:

By the Grace of God we are free to love, honour and service Him… That’s true freedom in Christ… unmerited / undeserved… BY the Grace of God Alone!!

Body:

1) GRACE

v.11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

.Grace of God that brings salavation… Jesus Christ is Grace of God incarnate
2 Tim 1:8b But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life-- not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
Brings salvation… redemption, rescued through Christ our Saviour
.”To all men” made available…. Without excuse

NEED OF A SAVIOUR

Romans 1 18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
.Ephesians 1: 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-- to the praise of his glory.
EMBRACE THE GRACE

2) Freedom to say No to the Power of Sin

v.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,

.This Grace… this salvation teaches and empowers us to repel the force of sin!!

No to ungodliness
No to worldly passions
Yes to Living self-controlled lives
Yes to Living upright
Yes to Godly lives
NOW… In this present age!

1 Cor 1:30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
NO TO SIN… REAL FREEDOM!!

3) Freedom to experience Holiness

13 while we wait for the blessed hope-- the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ

Blessed Hope (now and not yet)

(Being sanctified but…)

No Pain * No Death
No Struggle
No Sin
FREEDOM to:

Love God
Honour God
Worship God
Relish His Presence

FREEDOM IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD!! Freedom in Holiness!!

4) Freedom to live for 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.

Romans 6:.5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
“It is finished”… Grace free….

.His very own…

John 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

1 Peter 2: 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
What is the evidence of those who received such unmerited favour by the power of God in His infinite Love… BY God’s Grace

Those “Zealous for Good Deeds” or eager to do what is good.

FREEDOM TO LIVE FOR CHRIST!!

Conclusion:

GRACE - The Grace of God… salvation available to all men is:
Unmerited gift offered to all men…

Freedom to say No to the Power of Sin
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Freedom to experience Holiness
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.Freedom to live for Christ
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