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The Grace of GodIntroduction:
1. We are presently studying 13 great themes that are addressed throughout the Bible. 2. "The fall of man" was the theme we examined in our last lesson. a. God made Adam and Eve in a perfect state, and they had access to the tree of life. b. When they disobeyed God's law, sin and death entered the world (Romans 5:12). c. We deserve death today because of our sins (Romans 3:23; 6:23a). 3. The good news is that God, through His grace, has made it possible for us to live forever in heaven (Romans 6:23b). 4. "The grace of God" is the great Bible theme we are studying in this lesson. Discussion: I. LET US FIRST DEFINE "THE GRACE OF GOD" A. God's grace is the undeserved kindness or favor that God extends to people. B. To help us better understand this definition, God's grace: 1. is demonstrated in Deuteronomy 7:6-8 2. is illustrated in Luke 15:20-24. C. Now that we understand what God's grace is, . . . II. LET US MAKE 3 OBSERVATIONS ABOUT "THE GRACE OF GOD" A. First, God's grace saves (Ephesians 2:1-9). 1. In vs.1-3 the spiritual condition of those who are outside of Christ is revealed. 2. We learn from vs.4-9 that God's grace saves us when we are raised with Christ. 3. Being raised with Christ is explained in Colossians 2:12-13; Romans 6:3-4. B. Second, God's grace teaches (Titus 2:11-14). 1. In addition to bringing salvation (vs.11), God's grace teaches us how to live (vs.12-14). 2. Negatively, God's grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts (vs.12a). a. God's people are to be holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). b. God's grace does not give Christians a license to sin (Romans 6:1-2). 3. Positively, God's grace teaches us to "live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world," looking for the Lord's return (vs.12b-14). C. Third, God's grace sustains (2 Corinthians 12:1-10). 1. In vs.1-6 Paul discussed an experience that could have filled him with pride. 2. He stated in vs.7 that he was given "a thorn in the flesh" to prevent this from occurring. 3. He asked the Lord to remove this thorn (vs.8). 4. The Lord responded in vs.9a by stating that His grace was sufficient to sustain Paul. 5. Paul showed in vs.9b-10 that he had learned to trust in God's grace for strength. | ||