Elements of Salvation: Grace

Elements of Salvation: Grace

1998001

I. Introduction

A. Over the next three Sunday mornings we plan on discussing three important elements of salvation. All three elements are necessary for salvation. Take one, two, or even three elements away and a person cannot be saved.

B. The majority of the religious world today would agree with the following statement.

1. We believe the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly by grace…. (Hiscox Bible Manual - p.61. Thus they infer that the bible teaches that man is saved only by grace.

2. Then many will go further and claim that because man is saved by grace only that the need for works is eliminated.

3. Often time denominational people associate baptism as a work and thus claim that it is unnecessary.

4. Many times the following Scripture is used to justify this position. Eph. 2:8-9

C. As a result - men have taught false doctrine concerning salvation. Many in the religious world believe that they are saved when they are really not.

D. Friends, the study we are engaging in this morning is important. I encourage you to take notes and follow along in our lesson. Why?

1. Many of our denomination friends do not understand that man is saved not only by God's grace, not only by faith, and not only by works = but by all three working together. The Bible teaches that man is saved by grace, faith and works.

2. This is also an important issue because of an element w/in the Lord's church trying to eliminate obedience to the gospel of Christ as a necessity for salvation.

3. Many are doing everything in their power to fashion Lord's church after a denomination.

E. Before we move any farther let us examine a definition of grace.

1. Nelson's Bible Dictionary: Favor/kindness shown without regard to the worth of the one who receives it & inspite of what that person deserves. Almost always associated with mercy, love compassion & patience.

2. Webster's Dictionary: Good will or favor bestowed upon another.

3. Another definition: Unmerited favor - God has bestowed favor upon mankind by bidding him to accept salvation through Jesus Christ.

II. Throughout History God has been Gracious to Mankind. God's grace demonstrated to:

A. Noah & Family - Genesis 6:5-7, esp. v. 8

1. God determined to destroy mankind b/c of wickedness.

2. V. 8 - Noah found grace. Hebrew wd. Chen - to be looked upon with favor.

3. God - because he was the creator - didn't have to save Noah. He could have lumped Noah in with the rest.

4. God's grace permitted him to build an ark & be saved from the flood. See 6:14-22.

B. The Israelites.

1. Ex. 14:21-28 - God delivered the Israelites out of the hand of the Egyptians.

2. They had done nothing by which to obligate God to save them from the Egyptians. Certainly as one looks at their attitude through history they deserved to die.

3. Ultimately, He saved them so that His plan to bring Christ into the world might be fulfilled.

C. Joshua.

1. Refer to Josh. 6:2 - God "gave" Jericho into the hands of Joshua.

2. God didn't have to do that.

3. The way Jericho was defeated should have proven to the Israelites God's grace. They did not defeat Jericho in a conventional manner.

D. Naaman.

1. 2 Kings 5 - Naaman afflicted with leprosy. Assyrian of high rank. Answered only to the king.

2. Permitted by grace of God through Elisha to dip 7 times in the Jordan & be healed of his leprosy.

3. He had done nothing requiring God to heal him.

E. Men today.

1. Titus 2:11-13 - Instead of bestowing grace upon just a few - God's grace now has been extended unto ALL so that all that will may be saved.

2. Eph. 2:8-9 - Man has opportunity for salvation only because God showed favor toward mankind by sending His son to die for us.

III. We are Saved by the Grace of God.

A. Why is the grace of God necessary for salvation? Because man by himself cannot save himself. <1 Cor. 1:21> No scheme that man could devise would have power to save him from eternal damnation.

B. Because of this - Jesus was offered as a perfect sacrifice for sin.

1. Jhn. 1:29 - the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

2. Heb. 2:9 - Christ might taste death for everyone.

3. Jhn. 1:14-17 - grace in truth comes through Christ.

C. It is in the gospel of Christ that this grace has been revealed unto mankind.

1. Rom. 1:16-17

2. Were it not for the grace of God - we would not have the gospel telling us of His grace. He didn't have to reveal it to man.

3. The gospel - the good news - is found in the Bible!

D. In all these Scriptures we find the direction that grace is bestowed = from God to man.

1. Grace is God's side of salvation. (He's done his part.) The rest of the requirement of salvation lies with mankind.

2. Had God never extended grace to man - man would never have been saved.

3. Because of Christ - we have opportunity for pardon.

4. Imagine being on death row. Committed crime worthy of death. The appeals process has been met w/o success. No hope. Only hope - pardon from governor.

a. Imagine our relief if governor actually pardoned us. How wonderful that would be! A second chance on life. Restored as if we never committed a crime!

b. Spiritually speaking those outside of Christ are on "death row" because of sin. They deserve to die.

c. Remember Rom. 6:23; Js. 1:15

d. Certainly when we deserved to die - Christ died for us.

e. Because of Christ - Christians have a second chance in this life to do right. Christians can be restored as if we never committed sin. We can be forgiven & know our sins are forgotten upon confession & repentance.

III. Is God's Grace in Salvation Unconditional?

A. Certainly not. God's grace to mankind pertaining to salvation is not unconditional. It will be provided to mankind upon his meeting certain conditions.

1. What is an example of God's unconditional grace? Men do not have to do anything to receive God's gift of air. Go anywhere on earth? Air…. Been provided by grace of God for sustaining life.

2. However - God's grace for food has been given to man upon meeting certain conditions - men must work for their food.

3. Also, one may also be saved from eternal death upon meeting certain conditions - which Almighty God has set.

B. Condition: Belief. Grace has been provided to man but he must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. - Jhn. 8:24

C. Condition: Repentance: The grace of God teaches us that we must change our lives. Eph. 4:31-32; Tit. 2:11 - what of those who do not decide to live soberly, etc. They have not repented & thus rejected the grace of God.

D. Condition: Baptism. Grace is found through Jesus BUT one must be baptized into Christ in order to be saved.

1. Rom 6:1-4

2. Gal. 3:26-27

3. Haven't been baptized? Then haven't put on Christ. Haven't met the conditions of God's grace.

E. Condition: Obedience. The gospel "of is the grace of God" to those who obey the gospel - Rom. 10:16.

F. Condition: Growth. Rom. 11:5 - says men are elected to salvation by grace. But 2 Pet. 1:5-11 instructs Christians to make their election sure.

G. God's grace that brings salvation is available to all mankind, but man must appropriate the grace of God by his obedience to the above conditions.

1. Notice this is man's part of salvation. God has done His part by offering His son - the rest of the responsibility lies in the lap of man.

2. If men chose to disobey God - they reject the grace of God. Thus they are lost.

IV. Thus we Conclude that Man is Saved by Grace - But Not Grace ONLY!

A. As we mentioned earlier many in religious world teach that man is saved only by grace. (Remember Hiscox Baptist Manual) Is that teaching true?

B. No. Again, we are saved by grace - but not only grace.

1. If saved ONLY by grace were true, according to Tit. 2:11 - all men would be saved.

2. Are denominational people prepared to say all men will be saved? Most do not believe all are saved.

3. If one believes man saved only by grace - the God is wholly responsible if any man is lost. God will not be the responsible party for our going to hell - men will put themselves there by their actions.

C. Does grace eliminate the need for works?

1. Scriptures teach there are some works by which no man can be saved.

a. works of the law of Moses - Gal. 2:16

b. works of men - Eph. 2:9

c. works of the devil - 1Jhn 3:8

d. dead works - Heb. 9:14

2. However according to James 2:24 - we find that man is saved by a certain kind of works. - Which we will get into in our last part of the series on the elements of salvation.

a. From this we can see that grace does not eliminate the need for works because if that were so - then Js. 2:24 would be in conflict with other Scriptures. Remember Bible does not contradict itself.

V. Have you taken advantage of God's Saving Grace?

A. Jhn. 3:16 - God did this for you & for me!

B. Remember - those outside of Christ are on a spiritual "death-row." Your eternal destiny is death!

C. Seek the terms of pardon that God has offered! It is your only chance!

D. We are not promised tomorrow. Tomorrow may be too late. Do something about it today while you have opportunity!

E. I N V I T A T I O N



Elements of Salvation: Grace 1998001 I. Introduction A. Over the next three Sunday mornings we plan on discussing three important elements of salvation. All three elements are necessary for salvation. Take one, two, or even three elements away and a person cannot be saved. B. The majority of the religious world today would agree with the following statement. 1. We believe the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly by grace…. (Hiscox Bible Manual - p.61. Thus they infer that the bible teaches that man is saved only by grace. 2. Then many will go further and claim that because man is saved by grace only that the need for works is eliminated. 3. Often time denominational people associate baptism as a work and thus claim that it is unnecessary. 4. Many times the following Scripture is used to justify this position. Eph. 2:8-9 C. As a result - men have taught false doctrine concerning salvation. Many in the religious world believe that they are saved when they are really not. D. Friends, the study we are engaging in this morning is important. I encourage you to take notes and follow along in our lesson. Why? 1. Many of our denomination friends do not understand that man is saved not only by God's grace, not only by faith, and not only by works = but by all three working together. The Bible teaches that man is saved by grace, faith and works. 2. This is also an important issue because of an element w/in the Lord's church trying to eliminate obedience to the gospel of Christ as a necessity for salvation. 3. Many are doing everything in their power to fashion Lord's church after a denomination. E. Before we move any farther let us examine a definition of grace. 1. Nelson's Bible Dictionary: Favor/kindness shown without regard to the worth of the one who receives it & inspite of what that person deserves. Almost always associated with mercy, love compassion & patience. 2. Webster's Dictionary: Good will or favor bestowed upon another. 3. Another definition: Unmerited favor - God has bestowed favor upon mankind by bidding him to accept salvation through Jesus Christ. II. Throughout History God has been Gracious to Mankind. God's grace demonstrated to: A. Noah & Family - Genesis 6:5-7, esp. v. 8 1. God determined to destroy mankind b/c of wickedness. 2. V. 8 - Noah found grace. Hebrew wd. Chen - to be looked upon with favor. 3. God - because he was the creator - didn't have to save Noah. He could have lumped Noah in with the rest. 4. God's grace permitted him to build an ark & be saved from the flood. See 6:14-22. B. The Israelites. 1. Ex. 14:21-28 - God delivered the Israelites out of the hand of the Egyptians. 2. They had done nothing by which to obligate God to save them from the Egyptians. Certainly as one looks at their attitude through history they deserved to die. 3. Ultimately, He saved them so that His plan to bring Christ into the world might be fulfilled. C. Joshua. 1. Refer to Josh. 6:2 - God "gave" Jericho into the hands of Joshua. 2. God didn't have to do that. 3. The way Jericho was defeated should have proven to the Israelites God's grace. They did not defeat Jericho in a conventional manner. D. Naaman. 1. 2 Kings 5 - Naaman afflicted with leprosy. Assyrian of high rank. Answered only to the king. 2. Permitted by grace of God through Elisha to dip 7 times in the Jordan & be healed of his leprosy. 3. He had done nothing requiring God to heal him. E. Men today. 1. Titus 2:11-13 - Instead of bestowing grace upon just a few - God's grace now has been extended unto ALL so that all that will may be saved. 2. Eph. 2:8-9 - Man has opportunity for salvation only because God showed favor toward mankind by sending His son to die for us. III. We are Saved by the Grace of God. A. Why is the grace of God necessary for salvation? Because man by himself cannot save himself. <1 Cor. 1:21> No scheme that man could devise would have power to save him from eternal damnation. B. Because of this - Jesus was offered as a perfect sacrifice for sin. 1. Jhn. 1:29 - the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 2. Heb. 2:9 - Christ might taste death for everyone. 3. Jhn. 1:14-17 - grace in truth comes through Christ. C. It is in the gospel of Christ that this grace has been revealed unto mankind. 1. Rom. 1:16-17 2. Were it not for the grace of God - we would not have the gospel telling us of His grace. He didn't have to reveal it to man. 3. The gospel - the good news - is found in the Bible! D. In all these Scriptures we find the direction that grace is bestowed = from God to man. 1. Grace is God's side of salvation. (He's done his part.) The rest of the requirement of salvation lies with mankind. 2. Had God never extended grace to man - man would never have been saved. 3. Because of Christ - we have opportunity for pardon. 4. Imagine being on death row. Committed crime worthy of death. The appeals process has been met w/o success. No hope. Only hope - pardon from governor. a. Imagine our relief if governor actually pardoned us. How wonderful that would be! A second chance on life. Restored as if we never committed a crime! b. Spiritually speaking those outside of Christ are on "death row" because of sin. They deserve to die. c. Remember Rom. 6:23; Js. 1:15 d. Certainly when we deserved to die - Christ died for us. e. Because of Christ - Christians have a second chance in this life to do right. Christians can be restored as if we never committed sin. We can be forgiven & know our sins are forgotten upon confession & repentance. III. Is God's Grace in Salvation Unconditional? A. Certainly not. God's grace to mankind pertaining to salvation is not unconditional. It will be provided to mankind upon his meeting certain conditions. 1. What is an example of God's unconditional grace? Men do not have to do anything to receive God's gift of air. Go anywhere on earth? Air…. Been provided by grace of God for sustaining life. 2. However - God's grace for food has been given to man upon meeting certain conditions - men must work for their food. 3. Also, one may also be saved from eternal death upon meeting certain conditions - which Almighty God has set. B. Condition: Belief. Grace has been provided to man but he must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. - Jhn. 8:24 C. Condition: Repentance: The grace of God teaches us that we must change our lives. Eph. 4:31-32; Tit. 2:11 - what of those who do not decide to live soberly, etc. They have not repented & thus rejected the grace of God. D. Condition: Baptism. Grace is found through Jesus BUT one must be baptized into Christ in order to be saved. 1. Rom 6:1-4 2. Gal. 3:26-27 3. Haven't been baptized? Then haven't put on Christ. Haven't met the conditions of God's grace. E. Condition: Obedience. The gospel "of is the grace of God" to those who obey the gospel - Rom. 10:16. F. Condition: Growth. Rom. 11:5 - says men are elected to salvation by grace. But 2 Pet. 1:5-11 instructs Christians to make their election sure. G. God's grace that brings salvation is available to all mankind, but man must appropriate the grace of God by his obedience to the above conditions. 1. Notice this is man's part of salvation. God has done His part by offering His son - the rest of the responsibility lies in the lap of man. 2. If men chose to disobey God - they reject the grace of God. Thus they are lost. IV. Thus we Conclude that Man is Saved by Grace - But Not Grace ONLY! A. As we mentioned earlier many in religious world teach that man is saved only by grace. (Remember Hiscox Baptist Manual) Is that teaching true? B. No. Again, we are saved by grace - but not only grace. 1. If saved ONLY by grace were true, according to Tit. 2:11 - all men would be saved. 2. Are denominational people prepared to say all men will be saved? Most do not believe all are saved. 3. If one believes man saved only by grace - the God is wholly responsible if any man is lost. God will not be the responsible party for our going to hell - men will put themselves there by their actions. C. Does grace eliminate the need for works? 1. Scriptures teach there are some works by which no man can be saved. a. works of the law of Moses - Gal. 2:16 b. works of men - Eph. 2:9 c. works of the devil - 1Jhn 3:8 d. dead works - Heb. 9:14 2. However according to James 2:24 - we find that man is saved by a certain kind of works. - Which we will get into in our last part of the series on the elements of salvation. a. From this we can see that grace does not eliminate the need for works because if that were so - then Js. 2:24 would be in conflict with other Scriptures. Remember Bible does not contradict itself. V. Have you taken advantage of God's Saving Grace? A. Jhn. 3:16 - God did this for you & for me! B. Remember - those outside of Christ are on a spiritual "death-row." Your eternal destiny is death! C. Seek the terms of pardon that God has offered! It is your only chance! D. We are not promised tomorrow. Tomorrow may be too late. Do something about it today while you have opportunity! E. I N V I T A T I O N