This morning, we are in a sermon series called “Transformed by Grace.”
Pastor Mike has titled today’s message “Amazing Grace.”
Titus was tasked with strengthening the churches of Crete by establishing leaders and calling them to live in godliness.
In Titus we see the importance and connection of sound theology and righteous living.
Titus 1:16
They claim to know God, but they deny him by their works.
Titus 1:9, 11, 13
…holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able
both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it… It is necessary to silence them… For this reason, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith.
Transformed lives validate the Gospel.
AMAZING GRACE
This passage shows us the effect of grace.
Titus 2:11-15
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.15 Proclaim these things; encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Grace appeared with the life and work of Jesus.
#1 Effect of grace: Our salvation.
Titus 2:11, 14
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people… 14 He (Jesus) gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.
Ephesians 2:4-5
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, 5 made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!
Romans 3:23-24
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
John 14:6
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Acts 4:12
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.
Salvation is found in Christ alone, by the grace of God.
#2 Effect of grace: Our transformation.
Titus 2:11-12, 14
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age,… and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.
The Greek word translated as ‘instructing’ is paideuo meaning educating, training, and disciplining in a way that is developmental and formative.
2 Timothy 2:22
Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Ephesians 5:8-9
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth.
Ephesians 2:8-10
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.
The grace of God leads us to live in righteousness while we do good works.
#3 Effect of grace: Our hope.
Titus 2:11, 13-14
For the grace of God has appeared… 13 while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession…
Hope is a confident assurance based on the promise of God, and secured because of the faithfulness and power of God.
Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful.
1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your
hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
2 Cor 4:16-18 (NIV)
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Jesus voluntarily ‘gave himself for us’ when he died on a cross.
The second coming of Christ will reveal the glory of God.
Jesus is God, our great God and Savior.
For further study on the deity of Jesus Christ: John 1:1-3, Col 1:15-20, 2 Pet 1:1, John 20:28, Rom 9:5, 1 John 5:20
Titus 1:1-2
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.