GRACE ALONE
Titus 2:11-14

Erwin Lutzer wrote…

"As the power of the Catholic Church grew, so did the exaggerated claims of spiritual authority. Priests, who were taught that they had the power to turn ordinary bread and wine into the actual body and blood of Christ, believed they could also withhold or grant salvation to whomever they wished. And certainly the pope would open heaven for his friends or send his enemies to hell. Clearly, the gospel needed to be rescued from the misleading traditions of medieval Christianity." (Rescuing the Gospel: The Story and Significance of the Reformation, p. 2)

Today we are beginning a new series of sermons entitled “Essentials.” This series will be based on the 5 Solas that came out of the Protestant Reformation…

· Grace Alone
· Faith Alone
· Christ Alone
· Scripture Alone
· God’s Glory Alone

Four truths about God’s grace . . .
1. GOD’S GRACE SAVES US
GRACE = "unmerited favor"

Ungodliness…This is a basic lack of reverence for God.


Worldly desires…These are passions inflamed by attractions in the secular world. This world and its values are an enemy of grace!

“Live sensibly” …This simply means to true believers are to exercise self-control and keep their passions and desires in check.

“Live righteously” …This means that believers are to live according to God’s standards with conduct that cannot be condemned. In other words, we are to do what is right in our marriages, in our parenting, in our work, in our morality, in our finances, in our walk with the Lord!

“Live godly”…This means that they are to live in a way that pleases the Lord and that reflects the character of the Lord. We are to be like Jesus!

Four truths about God’s grace . . .
4. GOD’S GRACE INSPIRES US

BAPTISM
God’s grace is so powerful that it can save you, change you, prepare you, and inspire you. Will you…
ADMIT THAT YOU ARE A SINNER
Romans 3:23 and Romans 6:23
AGREE THAT JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS AND THAT HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD AND IS ALIVE TODAY

Are you a believer? Then, know that Jesus makes His grace available to you as you seek to follow Him. Every challenge He gives you—forgiving others, loving others, encouraging others, praying for others, accepting others— comes with the grace to be victorious. You can count on the grace of God!