The Conditions of God’s Grace

The Conditions of God’s Grace

2003026

Topic # 279 (grace)

Introduction:

A. Salvation is a gift from God. Rom. 6:23b; Eph. 2:8

1. It = a gift available to all men – Titus 2:11-12.

2. But…salvation is conditional because not all will be saved.

B. There are those who feel if grace has any conditions – then grace is no longer grace.

1. This line of thinking does not square w/biblical teaching.

2. Yes…we’re aware of Eph. 2:8. This = true statement; God said it so it is so.

C. Eph. 2:4-10

1. 2:6 – “us” here is both Jew & Gentile. Jew/Gentile are now together in Jesus Christ.

2. 2:6 – God’s rich mercy extended through Jesus Christ.

3. 2:7-10

I. Grace begins with God.

A. God is a God of mercy and a God of justice.

1. These attributes are not contradictory.

2. Justice of God demands payment for sin.

a) Rom. 3:9, 23 – all have sinned

b) 2 Tim. 1:9-10 – God planned to give us redemption through Christ.

B. “Grace” must be understood in its proper context.

1. Grace is the mercy of God extended to fallen man.

a) We’ve fallen not because Adam sinned; but because we’ve individually sinned.

b) We stand condemned on the basis of our own sins.

c) B/c of this, God planned to make redemption possible.

2. Jesus came to die & redeem us; to “buy us back.”

3. The means of redemption is a gift of God.

4. But yet, some believe Grace must be w/o any conditions whatsoever. Is grace w/o condition? Certainly not. Here’s why:

II. Faith is a condition.

A. What is faith? Are we saved by faith only?

1. Faith involves a fact; witness to the fact; the witness testifying to the fact – then there can be belief.

a) the fact is something we have not seen, but we believe it based on testimony:

b) heaven – prove it – faith

c) miracles – prove it – faith

d) resurrection – prove it – faith

e) we believe it because it has been confirmed – Heb. 2:3-4

2. Faith is something man does. Faith is a response on our part!

B. Faith can express itself in a number of ways.

1. Salvation is by faith. God has a perfect right to tell us “where” in our faith our sins are forgiven.

2. Remember these important things:

a) MEANS of salvation is in Christ

b) OPERATION of salvation is forgiveness

c) CONDITION of receiving that blessing is faith.

3. Paul says we are justified by faith. Rom. 5:1

a) it is a response of man to the word – Rom. 10:17

b) 10:13 – one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.

c) 10:14 – faith is expressed in our actions.

1) We can hear & believe and call on the name of the Lord to be saved.

C. Does God promise remission of sin when a man first agrees that he is in need of salvation – then believes Jesus is the remedy?

1. No.

2. But there are a number of passages that suggest that remission of sin comes at the point of baptism.

3. Does this mean baptism “merits’ or earns salvation? No. Salvation by grace.

4. Remember, gift of Jesus is God’s MEANS of redemption.

III. A look at Jericho.

A. Salvation comes at the point where God says it comes.

B. There are examples in Scriptures of God doing something for those who have faith.

1. Heb. 11:30

2. How did faith express itself w/Joshua & the Israelites?

3. Was there something that could only happen by God’s power? If so, at what point in their submission to God did it come?

C. Josh 6:1-2

1. City was a ‘gift” from God.

2. But at the end of 6:2 do they “have “the city yet?

a) Are the walls still standing? Yes

b) Are the gates still closed? Yes

c) Are the Israelites still outside the city? Yes

3. But yet…God said I have given the city into your hands.

a) What does I have given mean?

b) God had made “this available” to them.

c) 6:3-5 – he tells them HOW they could have it.

4. All of this is included in the gift of God’s grace.

5. Is the method in 6:3-5 a conventional means of taking a city? You cannot make a wall fall this way – w/o God!

D. God made the walls fall.

1. Just the act of walking around those walls did not cause them to fall.

2. Neither does “just” the act of baptism cause our sins to be forgiven.

3. The act per se is not the means….but the act must be based on faith.

4. God made the wall fall – Josh 6:12-16

a) Joshua a believer; a man of great faith.

b) Seen here in his leadership in inspiring them to follow God’s instructions.

c) 6:20 – God gave them the city & they “took it.”

d) Free will here – gift offered – they CHOSE to take advantage of it.

E. What about “earning” our salvation? Is this what we’re implying?

1. No. Faith; repentance; confession; baptism DO NOT MERIT salvation.

2. These are God’s conditions – established by God at which point He gives us salvation from sin.

3. In this case – a gift from God is conditional.

F. Isn’t this what happened at Jericho?

1. By power of God walls of Jericho fell.

2. But they fell when the people did what God told them to do.

3. Heb. 11:30 – it was done by faith.

IV. A look at Naaman.

A. 2 Kings 5:1-5 – had leprosy. Goes to Israel to be cured.

1. 5:8 – Elisha through a servant – tells him to dip 7 times in Jordan.

2. 5:9-11 – went away mad

3. 5:13 – reaction of servants

4. 5:14 – dips himself 7 times & flesh restored.

B. Something in the water that cured him of leprosy? Yes! Naaman!

1. No curative power in silt or water.

2. Naaman had to get into water; follow God’s instructions. THEN God removed his leprosy.

C. Action was a gift from God – but that gift of God was available to Him only when Naaman met conditions God placed upon the matter.

1. Naaman met these conditions by faith.

2. At what point in the faith was his leprosy removed?

3. When he did what God told him to do.

4. He was healed by grace – but grace had its conditions.

V., Something important to consider:

A. The means of salvation is of God.

1. Too often we fail to appreciate the fact that salvation is a gift of God.

2. Salvation something God provides – God is the giver.

3. He gave Jesus to die on the cross for our sins.

B. This is the basic fact.

1. We sometimes need to stress more the fact we are sinners & there is nothing we could do in and of ourselves that could merit or earn our salvation.

2. We’re not negating obedience to God.

3. Just that we need to put things in proper perspective.

4. The means is of God – the conditions are something man must measure up to.

a) We meet the conditions, but do not provide the means.

5. Salvation only possible because of the love of God expressed through the death of Jesus on the cross.

VI. The Nature of the conditions:

A. God wants us to trust Him completely.

1. He wants us to trust His way, not our own.

2. 1 Cor. 1:21-24 – He wants us to accept the foolishness of the message.

B. Rom. 1:16 – power of God to save is the gospel.

1. Obeying gospel involves trust in God.

2. we must believe in Him w/all our heart

a) Then faith must express itself – this is where the condition of faith comes in.

b) There must be an absolute trust in God before faith can be valid.

C. God-given conditions must absolutely be met.

1. Jericho – if children of Israel stopped marching – or had they refused to shout – they would not have received the city.

2. Took city only when they met all the conditions EXACTLY as God had given them.

3. This is how important true faith is – we lack faith in God when we are unwilling to trust His word about the conditions He has set.

D. Must understand that grace & love are expressed in the way God sees fit.

1. Who am I to argue w/God?

2. Who am I to question His wisdom?

3. Who am I to say “I don’t like your way God…”

4. Hab. 2:20

5. We must let God say what He wants to say – and do what He says.

Conclusion:

A. Means of salvation is Christ

B. OPERATION of salvation is forgiveness.

C. CONDITION of receiving that blessing is faith.

D. 2 Tim. 1:9-10 – gift of Christ is grace!

E. We are called to believe in Him so fully & so completely that we will submit to Him.

1. Each has a free will – accept or reject…

2. He wants us to give ourselves to Him.

a) to give up self

b) To become wholly enamored w/Jesus Christ.

c) To be ready to serve Him.

3. When we are humbled & penitent then we are ready to be saved by grace.

F. When we repent; confess; and are baptized for remission of sin then we will be saved because the Lord said one is saved that way.

G. Mk. 16:16

1. Salvation or Damnation?

2. Easier to be damned than saved. Lost? Just disbelieve.

3. Saved? Must listen to what God says.

4. Says: March around city?

5. Says: dip 7 times in Jordan?

6. Says: repent & be baptized….do exactly that!

H. Remission of sin is promised to those who meet God’s conditions. Have you?

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



The Conditions of God’s Grace 2003026 Topic # 279 (grace) Introduction: A. Salvation is a gift from God. Rom. 6:23b; Eph. 2:8 1. It = a gift available to all men – Titus 2:11-12. 2. But…salvation is conditional because not all will be saved. B. There are those who feel if grace has any conditions – then grace is no longer grace. 1. This line of thinking does not square w/biblical teaching. 2. Yes…we’re aware of Eph. 2:8. This = true statement; God said it so it is so. C. Eph. 2:4-10 1. 2:6 – “us” here is both Jew & Gentile. Jew/Gentile are now together in Jesus Christ. 2. 2:6 – God’s rich mercy extended through Jesus Christ. 3. 2:7-10 I. Grace begins with God. A. God is a God of mercy and a God of justice. 1. These attributes are not contradictory. 2. Justice of God demands payment for sin. a) Rom. 3:9, 23 – all have sinned b) 2 Tim. 1:9-10 – God planned to give us redemption through Christ. B. “Grace” must be understood in its proper context. 1. Grace is the mercy of God extended to fallen man. a) We’ve fallen not because Adam sinned; but because we’ve individually sinned. b) We stand condemned on the basis of our own sins. c) B/c of this, God planned to make redemption possible. 2. Jesus came to die & redeem us; to “buy us back.” 3. The means of redemption is a gift of God. 4. But yet, some believe Grace must be w/o any conditions whatsoever. Is grace w/o condition? Certainly not. Here’s why: II. Faith is a condition. A. What is faith? Are we saved by faith only? 1. Faith involves a fact; witness to the fact; the witness testifying to the fact – then there can be belief. a) the fact is something we have not seen, but we believe it based on testimony: b) heaven – prove it – faith c) miracles – prove it – faith d) resurrection – prove it – faith e) we believe it because it has been confirmed – Heb. 2:3-4 2. Faith is something man does. Faith is a response on our part! B. Faith can express itself in a number of ways. 1. Salvation is by faith. God has a perfect right to tell us “where” in our faith our sins are forgiven. 2. Remember these important things: a) MEANS of salvation is in Christ b) OPERATION of salvation is forgiveness c) CONDITION of receiving that blessing is faith. 3. Paul says we are justified by faith. Rom. 5:1 a) it is a response of man to the word – Rom. 10:17 b) 10:13 – one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. c) 10:14 – faith is expressed in our actions. 1) We can hear & believe and call on the name of the Lord to be saved. C. Does God promise remission of sin when a man first agrees that he is in need of salvation – then believes Jesus is the remedy? 1. No. 2. But there are a number of passages that suggest that remission of sin comes at the point of baptism. 3. Does this mean baptism “merits’ or earns salvation? No. Salvation by grace. 4. Remember, gift of Jesus is God’s MEANS of redemption. III. A look at Jericho. A. Salvation comes at the point where God says it comes. B. There are examples in Scriptures of God doing something for those who have faith. 1. Heb. 11:30 2. How did faith express itself w/Joshua & the Israelites? 3. Was there something that could only happen by God’s power? If so, at what point in their submission to God did it come? C. Josh 6:1-2 1. City was a ‘gift” from God. 2. But at the end of 6:2 do they “have “the city yet? a) Are the walls still standing? Yes b) Are the gates still closed? Yes c) Are the Israelites still outside the city? Yes 3. But yet…God said I have given the city into your hands. a) What does I have given mean? b) God had made “this available” to them. c) 6:3-5 – he tells them HOW they could have it. 4. All of this is included in the gift of God’s grace. 5. Is the method in 6:3-5 a conventional means of taking a city? You cannot make a wall fall this way – w/o God! D. God made the walls fall. 1. Just the act of walking around those walls did not cause them to fall. 2. Neither does “just” the act of baptism cause our sins to be forgiven. 3. The act per se is not the means….but the act must be based on faith. 4. God made the wall fall – Josh 6:12-16 a) Joshua a believer; a man of great faith. b) Seen here in his leadership in inspiring them to follow God’s instructions. c) 6:20 – God gave them the city & they “took it.” d) Free will here – gift offered – they CHOSE to take advantage of it. E. What about “earning” our salvation? Is this what we’re implying? 1. No. Faith; repentance; confession; baptism DO NOT MERIT salvation. 2. These are God’s conditions – established by God at which point He gives us salvation from sin. 3. In this case – a gift from God is conditional. F. Isn’t this what happened at Jericho? 1. By power of God walls of Jericho fell. 2. But they fell when the people did what God told them to do. 3. Heb. 11:30 – it was done by faith. IV. A look at Naaman. A. 2 Kings 5:1-5 – had leprosy. Goes to Israel to be cured. 1. 5:8 – Elisha through a servant – tells him to dip 7 times in Jordan. 2. 5:9-11 – went away mad 3. 5:13 – reaction of servants 4. 5:14 – dips himself 7 times & flesh restored. B. Something in the water that cured him of leprosy? Yes! Naaman! 1. No curative power in silt or water. 2. Naaman had to get into water; follow God’s instructions. THEN God removed his leprosy. C. Action was a gift from God – but that gift of God was available to Him only when Naaman met conditions God placed upon the matter. 1. Naaman met these conditions by faith. 2. At what point in the faith was his leprosy removed? 3. When he did what God told him to do. 4. He was healed by grace – but grace had its conditions. V., Something important to consider: A. The means of salvation is of God. 1. Too often we fail to appreciate the fact that salvation is a gift of God. 2. Salvation something God provides – God is the giver. 3. He gave Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. B. This is the basic fact. 1. We sometimes need to stress more the fact we are sinners & there is nothing we could do in and of ourselves that could merit or earn our salvation. 2. We’re not negating obedience to God. 3. Just that we need to put things in proper perspective. 4. The means is of God – the conditions are something man must measure up to. a) We meet the conditions, but do not provide the means. 5. Salvation only possible because of the love of God expressed through the death of Jesus on the cross. VI. The Nature of the conditions: A. God wants us to trust Him completely. 1. He wants us to trust His way, not our own. 2. 1 Cor. 1:21-24 – He wants us to accept the foolishness of the message. B. Rom. 1:16 – power of God to save is the gospel. 1. Obeying gospel involves trust in God. 2. we must believe in Him w/all our heart a) Then faith must express itself – this is where the condition of faith comes in. b) There must be an absolute trust in God before faith can be valid. C. God-given conditions must absolutely be met. 1. Jericho – if children of Israel stopped marching – or had they refused to shout – they would not have received the city. 2. Took city only when they met all the conditions EXACTLY as God had given them. 3. This is how important true faith is – we lack faith in God when we are unwilling to trust His word about the conditions He has set. D. Must understand that grace & love are expressed in the way God sees fit. 1. Who am I to argue w/God? 2. Who am I to question His wisdom? 3. Who am I to say “I don’t like your way God…” 4. Hab. 2:20 5. We must let God say what He wants to say – and do what He says. Conclusion: A. Means of salvation is Christ B. OPERATION of salvation is forgiveness. C. CONDITION of receiving that blessing is faith. D. 2 Tim. 1:9-10 – gift of Christ is grace! E. We are called to believe in Him so fully & so completely that we will submit to Him. 1. Each has a free will – accept or reject… 2. He wants us to give ourselves to Him. a) to give up self b) To become wholly enamored w/Jesus Christ. c) To be ready to serve Him. 3. When we are humbled & penitent then we are ready to be saved by grace. F. When we repent; confess; and are baptized for remission of sin then we will be saved because the Lord said one is saved that way. G. Mk. 16:16 1. Salvation or Damnation? 2. Easier to be damned than saved. Lost? Just disbelieve. 3. Saved? Must listen to what God says. 4. Says: March around city? 5. Says: dip 7 times in Jordan? 6. Says: repent & be baptized….do exactly that! H. Remission of sin is promised to those who meet God’s conditions. Have you? I. I N V I T A T I O N