The Amazing Grace of God

Titus 2:11-15 (ESV)


11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
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Main Idea: The grace of God is the foundation for godly living.
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I.God’s Grace Teaches Us How We Should Live (2:11-12).
A. God’s grace has come to us (2:11).
B. God’s grace must change us (2:12).

II.God’s Grace Teaches Us Where We Should Look (2:13).
A. We know what to look for: His coming.
B. We know whom to look for: our Savior.

III.God’s Grace Teaches Us Who Is Lord (2:14).
A. Jesus paid for us.
B. Jesus purifies us.
C. Jesus possesses us.
D. Jesus prepares us.

IV.God’s Grace Teaches Us What We Should Learn (2:15).
A. Learn doctrine.
B. Learn duty.
C. Learn discernment.
D. Learn dedication.

Introduction

Grace—we sing about it; we thank God for it; we read about it in Scripture. Ephesians 2:8 is a favorite. For by grace you have been saved through faith. Many of us probably committed this verse to memory long ago. But have we committed the meaning to memory? Have we stored this grand truth of God in our heart? Because of grace—God’s grace—the believer has experienced salvation, and because of grace—God’s grace—the non-believer has the gift of eternal life offered to him/her if he/she will only receive it! But the work of grace in the life of a child of God is not finished the moment he/she receives Christ and becomes, as we say, “born again.”
In Paul’s letter to Titus, the role that grace should play in the believer’s life is laid out clearly. God’s grace is much more than something we sing about. It’s much more than just one thing in a list of thank-yous offered to God. Grace should be a catalyst, an agent of change, in the life of the believer. God’s grace should be allowed to affect every aspect of the Christian’s life, acting as a foundation upon which godly living is nurtured and eventually brought to maturity in our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

I. God’s Grace Teaches Us How We Should Live (2:11-12)

A. God’s grace has come to us (2:11).
1. What is grace? Grace is . . .
a) the unmerited, undeserved favor of God
b) God’s goodness and kindness
c) God’s compassion and mercy shown to undeserving sinners

2. Grace brings salvation
a) “grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation”
b) No grace, no salvation!

3. Salvation by the grace of God is for all
a) The shedding of Jesus Christ’s blood made all men savable
b) Salvation is a universal and unlimited provision

B. God’s grace must change us (2:12).
1. Salvation will result in a change of direction in a person’s life
a) grace of God instructs us negatively to “renounce ungodliness and worldly passions”
b) grace of God instructs us positively to

(1) live self-controlled [sensible] lives
(2) upright lives, and
(3) godly lives

2. No one can affect this change in their life by their own power, strength, intellect, or ability!
a) It is grace that breaks the bonds of cancelled sin
b) It is grace that saves
c) It is grace that transforms

II. God’s Grace Teaches Us Where We Should Look (2:13).

A. We know what to look for: His coming.
1. We are called to wait with eager and confident expectation.
2. What are we waiting for? The “blessed hope” and the “appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
3. We should note here that Paul speaks of a twofold appearance in this passage:

a) the appearance of God’s grace in v. 11 speaks of the first coming of the Savior
b) the appearance of God’s glory here in v. 13 speaks of His second coming

Having experienced God’s grace, our gaze should be constantly toward the heavens with our one and only hope: His coming!

II. We know whom to look for: our Savior.

1. Not looking for just anyone coming from heaven! Any other heavenly being or angel falls short of fulfilling our need!
2. We look and yearn for “our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
3. This verse joins others that likewise declare the deity of the Son:
a) John 20:28: Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
b) Romans 9:5: To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
c) Hebrews 1:8: But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
d) 2 Peter 1:1: SimonPeter, a servantand apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
e) 1 John 5:20: And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
f) He is our “great God. He is the object of our worship. He is Creator and Savior. He is forgiver of sins. He is final Judge. He is the One to whom we pray. He is our “Savior,” deliverer, Redeemer, and rescuer. He is Jesus, the Christ, God’s Messiah, God’s anointed. He is the fulfillment of ancient prophecies and the One who is coming again!

III. God’s Grace Teaches Us Who Is Lord (2:14).

A. Jesus paid for us.
1. “gave Himself for us”
2. For what purpose? “to redeem us from all lawlessness”
3. At what cost?
a) “[Christ Jesus] gave Himself as a ransom for all . . .” (1 Tim 2:6)
b) “you were ransomed . . ., not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” (1 Pet 1:18-19)
c) “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor 5:21)

B. Jesus purifies us.
1. He purchased us to purify us! Christ saves us from our sin, not in our sin.
2. Sin makes us guilty and dirty
3. Grace makes us innocent and clean.

C. Jesus possesses us.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Pet 2:9-10)

1. He purchased us, to purify us, to possess us . . . literally!
2. Once we were Satan’s, now we are the Son’s. Once we were sin’s, now we are the Savior’s. Once we were foreigners, now we are family. Now we belong to Jesus.
3. Every Christian should always remember his former position—“you were . . . separated from Christ”—and his current position—“but now . . . you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Eph 2:11-13)

D. Jesus prepares us.
1. The redemptive work of Christ (our salvation) creates in us a holy passion (zeal) “for good works.”
2. We have a consuming desire to honor our “great God and Savior” because of the redemptive work He has done in our lives.
3. Christians respond naturally to this desire with good works.
Zeal (holy passion/enthusiasm) for Him becomes our daily desire, having been prepared by Him (through salvation) for a new life dedicated to serving Him. We might say that grace not only teaches us who is Lord, but also empowers us to serve Him as Lord.

IV. God’s Grace Teaches Us What We Should Learn (2:15).

A. Learn doctrine.
1. The imperative “declare” is used by Paul here as a command to continually “say” or “speak these things.
2. “These things” definitely refer to vv. 11-14, but most likely refers also to the sound teaching found throughout the entire letter.
3. Christians must know what they believe about the person of Jesus Christ, salvation, the church, and the future before being adequately equipped to “declare” the same.

B. Learn duty.
1. “Exhort/encourage” speaks to our duty before God and men. Speaks to us about the way we should go.
2. As Christians we should encourage just as Paul did.
3. We should “do life”/come alongside each other (new believers and those less mature in their faith) to challenge us in the way we should live as we look for “the blessed hope” Paul speaks of in v. 13.

C. Learn discernment.
1. “Rebuke” corrects us regarding the way we should not go.
2. The primary audience for encouragement is the faithful; the primary audience for rebuke is the unfaithful.
3. Since we are carriers and representatives of the unchanging truth and hope of the gospel . . .
a) we must confront and correct with all authority.
b) we must not compromise.
c) we must not argue or debate.
Discerning both the error and danger in our midst, we shepherd our sheep, we protect our sheep, with a firm and steady hand.

D. Learn dedication.
1. Speaking the truth will not always be popular, but it will always be necessary.
2. Speaking the truth will require courage, conviction, and “Christ-confidence.”
3. This courage and conviction will enable us to stand our ground humbly, protecting us against the “slings and arrows” of naysayers and opponents.

You will not let anyone “disregard,” or look down on you, for you are looking toward heaven to your great God and Savior for your orders.

V. Conclusion/Application

This passage shows us that the grace of God is the foundation for godly living in the here and now. It is rooted in Christ’s past work on the cross and the promise of His future return. In light of this passage, Martin Luther said, “I live as though Christ died yesterday, rose again today, and is coming again tomorrow.”

Our present pursuit of godliness is book-ended by the death and resurrection of Christ and His second coming—the grace of His first coming and the glory of His return. Let our hearts respond with praise to the grace of God. It truly is amazing.

The Amazing Grace of God
Scripture: Titus 2:11-15
The grace of God is the foundation for godly living.

Questions to Consider
1. God’s Grace teaches us how to __________. Read Titus 2:11-12. List the ways we are to live (what we are to do) according to these 2 verses.

a. Give examples of some things you do, or things you avoid to live as Titus 2:11-12 instructs.
b. Are these instructions easy or difficult to follow? Support your answer.

2. God’s Grace teaches us where we should _________. Read Titus 2:13. What and Who are we waiting/looking for, according to this verse?

a. What does it mean to wait/look for Him? Do we sit safely in our homes and look up at the sky? Do we sit quietly by, ignoring the world and the people in it? Explain.


3. God’s Grace teaches us __________ is _________. Read Titus 2:14. Who is being described in verse 14? How do you know?

a. Imagine you have invited a “lost person” to your small group. How would you explain verse 14 in a way that they could understand Who is being described and the significance of what He did?

4. God’s Grace Teaches us what we should __________. Read Titus 2:15. What does this verse tell us we should be doing because of Grace? What things should you study/learn to take on these actions naturally?

a. Do these actions describe a meek Christian? Why or why not? Do you believe there are times/situations to be meek? If so, how do you know when to be silent and when to exhort and rebuke?

5. Define Grace. Use the dictionary, Scripture, and this week’s Message to answer.

a. What is the difference between Grace and Mercy?

Discuss and Apply
Take time to discuss your answers with your group.

6. “Live as if Jesus was crucified yesterday, rose from the dead today, and is returning tomorrow.” – Martin Luther

a. Think about this quote from Martin Luther. We tend to be more passionate about things that are happening to us right now. The adage, “Time heals all wounds” could also mean, “Time numbs all passions.”
b. How can you keep your Passion for Christ, for what He has done and continues to do for you, alive in your present life?




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These questions can be used for personal study and/or Small Group discussion. We’d love to hear how you are putting them to use. Let us know at fbchurch@yahoo.com