GRACE OFFERS FAITH ACCEPTS

GRACE OFFERSGRACE OFFERSFAITH ACCEPTSFAITH ACCEPTS

A detailed study of Grace

Wednesday PM

IllustrationIllustration

• An old friend calls who is passing through town

• He asks that you meet him– At McDonald’s– At 2 pm

• He tells you that he has just returned from a trip to Israel and he has a gift for you


• You quickly change your clothes, hurry to McDonald’s to meet him

• He greets you and hands you a cashiers check for $1 million

• THAT IS GRACE!THAT IS GRACE!


• Now some questions to consider:Now some questions to consider:– Did you earn the million dollars?– What if you decided that meeting him was

too demanding and not worth the effort to rearrange your schedule?

– What if you went to Arby’s because the food is better?

– What if you went to McDonald’s at 4:30 because if was more convenient?

Introduction to GraceIntroduction to Grace

• There is much discussion, abuse and misunderstanding about grace.– Some think grace is NOT involved in our

salvation at all. We must work, do, obey, keep every point of the law. Failure at any point means we can’t be saved.

– Others teach salvation is by GRACE ONLY. Most denominations teach a salvation by grace, without any obedience.

Introduction to GraceIntroduction to Grace

• Some have taken the extreme view:– Even in the church are some who believe

that how you live does not matter. Morals don’t matter. Church attendance, lies, fornication, cursing – all these sins are covered by God’s grace.

• We need to study this subject to We need to study this subject to know what Grace is, what Grace know what Grace is, what Grace does, and what Grace does not do.does, and what Grace does not do.

Defining GraceDefining Grace

• What is Grace?– The usual definition – “unmerited favor”– What does that mean?

• We must study grace– Avoid the extremes– Grace is involved in our salvation– Grace is not a license to sin– Grace does not keep us clean when we sin


• Greek word – “charis” – 156 times in NT

Grace 130 Thanks 6 Favor 6

Thank 4 Pleasure 2 Acceptable 1

Benefit 1 Gift 1 Gracious 1

Joy 1 Liberality 1 Thanked 1

Thankworthy 1


• How is this word used?– Of form or person – She is a gracious lady– Favor, kindness – You have graced us with

your presence– God’s forgiving mercy – We are saved by

grace– The gospel as distinguished from the law

Defining GraceDefining Grace• Romans 6:14-15 - 14For sin shall not

have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 15What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!

• John 1:17 - For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Defining GraceDefining Grace• Galatians 5:4 - You have become

estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

• Galatians 2:21 - I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

Defining GraceDefining Grace• The word is used:

– Of gifts freely given– Christian virtues – 2 Peter 1:5-7

• Dictionary – GRACE, n. [L. gratia, which is formed on the Celtic; Eng. Agree, congruous, and ready. The primary sense of gratus, is free, ready, quick, willing, prompt, from advancing.]

Defining GraceDefining Grace• The word is used 19 ways:

1. Favor – She has such grace

2. Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God

3. Favorable influence of God; divine influence or the influence of the spirit, in renewing the heart and restraining from sin

4. The application of Christ’s righteousness to the sinner


5. A state of reconciliation

6. Virtuous or religious affection or disposition

7. Spiritual instruction

8. Apostleship

9. Eternal life, final salvation

10.Favor, mercy, pardon

11.Favor conferred


12.Privilege13.That in manner, deportment or language

which renders it agreeable14.Natural or acquired excellence15.Beauty, whatever adorns16.Physical virtue17.Title18.Short prayer before a meal19. In music, turns, trills as embellishment

What Grace DoesWhat Grace Does• Titus 2:11 - 11For

the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

• Grace brings salvation

• Grace is a gift offered to us by God

• Grace appears to all men

• The offer is not limited

What Grace DoesWhat Grace Does• Titus 2:12 -

12teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

• Grace teaches us

• Deny ungodliness• Reject worldly lusts• Live soberly• Live righteously• As long as we are in

this present age (Christian Age)

What Grace DoesWhat Grace Does• Titus 2:13 -

13looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

• Grace anticipates

• Christians look for, hope for the second coming of Jesus

What Grace DoesWhat Grace Does• Titus 2:14 - 14who

gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

• Grace remembers

• Jesus gave his life for us

• He redeemed us• He removed the

curse of the law• He made us His own

special people

What Grace DoesWhat Grace Does• Titus 2:15 -• 15Speak these

things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

• Grace prepares• Speak about these

things• Exhort – encourage• Rebuke – make

corrections• Authority – By the

authority of the gospel

• Scorn will not stop us

Positions on GracePositions on Grace• Catholic View • No grace

• All works / deeds

• Salvation is totally up to us

• Sacraments, Prayers, Candles, Rosary, Confession, etc.

Positions on GracePositions on Grace• Catholic View

• Protestant View

• All grace

• No works

• Man cannot do anything to accomplish his salvation.

• Salvation is only by God’s grace.

Positions on GracePositions on Grace• Catholic View

• Protestant View

• Biblical View

• Combination of Grace and Obedience

• God has a part in our salvation

• Man must respond, believe, accept the terms of the offer

Abuses of GraceAbuses of Grace• Encourage Sin • Jude 4 - For

certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Abuses of GraceAbuses of Grace• Encourage Sin • Romans 6:1-2 -

1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

Abuses of GraceAbuses of Grace• Encourage Sin • Instead of

teaching the responsibility of man – we think that grace allows us to keep on sinning.

Abuses of GraceAbuses of Grace• Encourage Sin

• Salvation by grace ONLY

• Most denominations teach a salvation by grace ONLY

• I there any part that man must do (obey, respond, accept) to receive God’s grace?



• Grace Excludes Obedience

• Some see Grace and Works as “mutually exclusive”

• The Bible teaches BOTH

• Grace is the offer of a gift

• Faith is mans acceptance



• Grace Excludes Obedience

• Grace Foregoes Righteousness

• Romans 5:21b - even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

• Grace reigns through righteous-ness

Automatic GraceAutomatic Grace• 1 John 1:5-6 - 5This is

the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

• V 5 – There is no darkness in God

• V 6 – False claims will not help

Automatic GraceAutomatic Grace• 1 John 1:7 - 7But if

we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

• V 7 – Conditional promises

• Walk (keep on walking) in the light

• Fellowship (continue in fellowship) with Christ

• Blood cleanses (continues to cleanse) from sin

Automatic GraceAutomatic Grace• 1 John 1:8-9 - 8If we

say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

• V 8 – We are sinners

• To claim otherwise makes us a liar

• V 9 – If we confess our sins

• Here is the “catch” to the continued cleansing of v. 7

Automatic GraceAutomatic Grace• 1 John 1:10 - 10If we

say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

• V 10 – Claiming that we have no sin to confess - -

• Makes God a liar• His word is not in us• We will not be saved

if we refuse to confess our sins

Grace and FaithGrace and Faith• Is Grace the only thing that concerns

our salvation?– If “Yes” – all will be saved – Titus 2:11– But what about faith? Does it have any

impact on our salvation? Mark 16:16

• Romans 5:2 - through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Grace and FaithGrace and Faith• Food will satisfy hunger – If we eat• Water will quench thirst – If we drink• Grace will save – If we accept in faith• Here are some passages that teach the

connection of grace and obedience• Romans 1:5 - Through Him we have

received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,

Grace and FaithGrace and Faith• Romans 2:6-10 - 6who “will render to each

one according to his deeds”: 7eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Grace and FaithGrace and Faith

• 1 Timothy 4:16 - Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

• Titus 1:16 - They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

Grace and FaithGrace and Faith• Titus 2:11-12 - 11For the grace of God that

brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

• Titus 3:8a - This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.

Grace and FaithGrace and Faith• Hebrews 5:9 - And having been perfected,

He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

• Hebrews 10:24 - And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

• Hebrews 12:15 - looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

Grace and FaithGrace and Faith• Hebrews 13:16 - But do not forget to

do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

• James 1:21-22 - 21Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Grace and FaithGrace and Faith• James 2:14 - What does it profit, my

brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?

• James 2:20 - But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

• James 2:22 - Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?


• James 2:26 - For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

• 1 Peter 1:17 - And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;


• 1 Peter 1:22 - Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

• All of these passages say we must be obedient.

• We are still accountable for our actions in this life.

Grace ClaimsGrace Claims

• “Oh well. Grace will cover that.”– Ephesians 1:7 has grace and

forgiveness in the same sentence– It is discussing the blood of Jesus– NO VERSE TEACHES GRACE WILL

“COVER MY SINS.”– We must confess, repent, and change

Grace QuestionsGrace Questions• What about a person who sins right

before they die?• Will they be lost because they did not

have time to repent?• Won’t grace cover that?• AnswerAnswer: What God does with that sin

will be up to Him. We are not to able to judge the intent of another’s heart. God knows if that person would repent if given the opportunity.

Grace QuestionsGrace Questions

• This issue is like the old dodge for baptism. A person on the way to be baptized and a tree falls on him.

• Will he be saved? I don’t know – But God knows the intent of his heart.

Grace ClaimsGrace Claims

• “Grace will take care of my shortcomings.”– Grace is God’s generous offer of eternal

life, forgiveness, salvation– There are things required to accept that

gift– Grace is NOT “automatic cleansing”

GRACE OFFERS FAITH ACCEPTS

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