This is the ninth sermon in a series of messages designed to enlarge our concepts of what God has provided for us in and through Jesus Christ. He came to do something more than give us a ticket to heaven.
Salvation in the past tense—the new birth, or justification by God—is wonderful. Blessed indeed is the person who can look back and say, “I have been saved. I have committed my life to Jesus as Lord and Savior and experienced the joy of forgiveness and the privilege of becoming a member of God’s family.”
Salvation in the future tense, which includes the promise of victory over death and the grave and the privilege of fellowship with the Father and the saints for eternity, is certainly a great salvation that brings joy to each believer. The New Testament calls this glorification. The gift of the Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee to each believer of the final redemption from the consequences of sin.
Salvation in the present tense—called sanctification in the New Testament—is also part of God’s plan for each of his children. It is not God’s will that his children live under the dominion of evil. Jesus Christ came to save us from the power and practice of sin as soon as we experience the new birth; this protection continues until either death or Jesus’ glorious return.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Freedom is the ideal in every age. Where do we seek it? How do we exercise it? I say that we experience real and lasting freedom through experiencing the great salvation we have been talking about for the last two months.
Click the YouTube link at the end of the manuscript to hear an audio recording of the sermon.
Salvation in the past tense—the new birth, or justification by God—is wonderful. Blessed indeed is the person who can look back and say, “I have been saved. I have committed my life to Jesus as Lord and Savior and experienced the joy of forgiveness and the privilege of becoming a member of God’s family.”
Salvation in the future tense, which includes the promise of victory over death and the grave and the privilege of fellowship with the Father and the saints for eternity, is certainly a great salvation that brings joy to each believer. The New Testament calls this glorification. The gift of the Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee to each believer of the final redemption from the consequences of sin.
Salvation in the present tense—called sanctification in the New Testament—is also part of God’s plan for each of his children. It is not God’s will that his children live under the dominion of evil. Jesus Christ came to save us from the power and practice of sin as soon as we experience the new birth; this protection continues until either death or Jesus’ glorious return.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Freedom is the ideal in every age. Where do we seek it? How do we exercise it? I say that we experience real and lasting freedom through experiencing the great salvation we have been talking about for the last two months.
Click the YouTube link at the end of the manuscript to hear an audio recording of the sermon.
Scripture Reading:
Titus 2:11-14 NLT For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
Text:
Titus 2:11 NLT For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.
Introduction
Nearly two and a half centuries ago, a few men assembled in Philadelphia endorsed the words of Thomas Jefferson that prefaced one of the major political revolutions in human history, words that stir the feelings of people who seek and value freedom:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Freedom is the ideal in every age. Where do we seek it? How do we exercise it? I say that we experience real and lasting freedom through experiencing the great salvation we have been talking about for the last two months.
Salvation in the past tense—the new birth, or justification by God. Blessed indeed is the person who can look back and say, “I have been saved. I have committed my life to Jesus as Lord and Savior and experienced the joy of forgiveness and the privilege of becoming a member of God’s family.”
Salvation in the future tense, includes the promise of victory over death and the grave and the privilege of fellowship with the Father for eternity. The gift of the Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee to each believer of the final redemption from the consequences of sin.
Salvation in the present tense—called sanctification in the New Testament—is also part of God’s plan for each of his children. It is not God’s will that his children live under the dominion of evil. Jesus Christ came to save us from the power and practice of sin as soon as we experience the new birth; this protection continues until either death or Jesus’ glorious return.
In the scripture that I read and in our text for today, the Apostle Paul rejoiced over God’s free salvation. A salvation that he has provided for the benefit of all people of all time. Paul described the nature of our great salvation in verses 12-15 of Titus 2.
Titus 2:12-15 NLT And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.
In these versus Paul set forth some things that our salvation teaches us. These verses contain God’s plan for our great salvation from the power and practice of sin.
1. “The grace of God . . . has appeared.”
Titus 2:11 NLT For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.
A. Grace.
The Greek meaning of this word refers to favor conferred freely upon a friend by a friend.
Scripture tells us that when we are saved we become friends of God.
Romans 5:7-11 NLT Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
So God revealed His grace because He loves us as friends of His.
B. Grace in the New Testament has a distinct meaning.
Through Christ, God has freely granted his favor, kindness, and mercy on people who have rebelled against him and fallen short of his glory.
Romans 6:20-23 NLT When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
2. “Grace . . . that brings salvation has appeared to all men.”
Back to our text;
Titus 2:11 NLT For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.
A. God’s gracious salvation is available to everyone without respect of persons.
It is available for the old, young, and middle-aged regardless of race or nationality.
Romans 4:16 NLT So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe.
God’s grace doesn’t play favorites. Regardless of your status, your background, and the sins you have committed, God loves you. God’s grace is for everyone.
Everyone comes to God the same way as Abraham did. Though he was the father of the Jewish people and the greatest of the Old Testament patriarchs, the Bible says he came to God’s grace by faith.
Romans 4:3 NLT For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
When the Bible says that God’s grace is available to all, it gives no preconditions. It means God’s grace is available to you whether you’re a frequent church attender, a spiritual novice, rich, poor, tall, short, or somewhere in between. God’s grace is available to you by faith.
B. This great salvation comes from the impartial and unlimited love and grace of God.
John 3:16 NLT For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
C. This great salvation has appeared for the salvation of all sinners, no matter who they are or how they have sinned.
Titus 2:11-14 NLT For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
Text:
Titus 2:11 NLT For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.
Introduction
Nearly two and a half centuries ago, a few men assembled in Philadelphia endorsed the words of Thomas Jefferson that prefaced one of the major political revolutions in human history, words that stir the feelings of people who seek and value freedom:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Freedom is the ideal in every age. Where do we seek it? How do we exercise it? I say that we experience real and lasting freedom through experiencing the great salvation we have been talking about for the last two months.
Salvation in the past tense—the new birth, or justification by God. Blessed indeed is the person who can look back and say, “I have been saved. I have committed my life to Jesus as Lord and Savior and experienced the joy of forgiveness and the privilege of becoming a member of God’s family.”
Salvation in the future tense, includes the promise of victory over death and the grave and the privilege of fellowship with the Father for eternity. The gift of the Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee to each believer of the final redemption from the consequences of sin.
Salvation in the present tense—called sanctification in the New Testament—is also part of God’s plan for each of his children. It is not God’s will that his children live under the dominion of evil. Jesus Christ came to save us from the power and practice of sin as soon as we experience the new birth; this protection continues until either death or Jesus’ glorious return.
In the scripture that I read and in our text for today, the Apostle Paul rejoiced over God’s free salvation. A salvation that he has provided for the benefit of all people of all time. Paul described the nature of our great salvation in verses 12-15 of Titus 2.
Titus 2:12-15 NLT And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.
In these versus Paul set forth some things that our salvation teaches us. These verses contain God’s plan for our great salvation from the power and practice of sin.
1. “The grace of God . . . has appeared.”
Titus 2:11 NLT For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.
A. Grace.
The Greek meaning of this word refers to favor conferred freely upon a friend by a friend.
Scripture tells us that when we are saved we become friends of God.
Romans 5:7-11 NLT Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
So God revealed His grace because He loves us as friends of His.
B. Grace in the New Testament has a distinct meaning.
Through Christ, God has freely granted his favor, kindness, and mercy on people who have rebelled against him and fallen short of his glory.
Romans 6:20-23 NLT When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
2. “Grace . . . that brings salvation has appeared to all men.”
Back to our text;
Titus 2:11 NLT For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.
A. God’s gracious salvation is available to everyone without respect of persons.
It is available for the old, young, and middle-aged regardless of race or nationality.
Romans 4:16 NLT So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe.
God’s grace doesn’t play favorites. Regardless of your status, your background, and the sins you have committed, God loves you. God’s grace is for everyone.
Everyone comes to God the same way as Abraham did. Though he was the father of the Jewish people and the greatest of the Old Testament patriarchs, the Bible says he came to God’s grace by faith.
Romans 4:3 NLT For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
When the Bible says that God’s grace is available to all, it gives no preconditions. It means God’s grace is available to you whether you’re a frequent church attender, a spiritual novice, rich, poor, tall, short, or somewhere in between. God’s grace is available to you by faith.
B. This great salvation comes from the impartial and unlimited love and grace of God.
John 3:16 NLT For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
C. This great salvation has appeared for the salvation of all sinners, no matter who they are or how they have sinned.
3. We are able to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and yes to God
What Do We Say No To?
We should say no to the ungodly and worldly life that appeals to the flesh and to values that are significant only in this world.
Galatians 5:16-17 NIV So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
Romans 8:12-13 NIV Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
On the other hand we say yes to living with self-control under the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Galatians 5:22 NLT But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
A few months I preached a sermon in which I said that that meekness was the ability to maintain self-control and that the meek would somehow be happy.
Matthew 5:5 NIV Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
You might find it rather challenging, because of our misunderstanding of meekness. In a world that thinks only an aggressive and ambitious person can get ahead in life, it is hard to believe that those who are meek will inherit anything, much less the earth!
Jesus wasn’t implying that being fearful or weak brings happiness. Instead, Jesus was talking about an attitude or an outlook. The meekness he described requires us to be strong people who are grounded in Him. It demands us to have a personal relationship with God. This kind of meekness really does bring happiness.
We all do have rights but, those who are meek do not insist on them.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 ESV All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
Having great freedom, those who are meek do not flaunt it. They would rather forgive than accuse. That kind of self-control results in an inner peace. People who cannot control their anger, greed, lust, tongue, or ambition will never be at peace within. They will constantly be at war with themselves.
A. In relationship to others, we should be just, honest, helpful, and dependable.
We are to be people of genuine integrity motivated by a caring concern for the welfare of others.
Ephesians 4:21-32 NLT Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
And;
Galatians 6:2-3 NLT Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
B. We should be submissive, responsive, and open to God’s will.
James 4:7-10 NLT tells us So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
1 Peter 4:1-2 CEB Therefore, since Christ suffered as a human, you should also arm yourselves with his way of thinking. This is because whoever suffers is finished with sin. As a result, they don’t live the rest of their human lives in ways determined by human desires but in ways determined by God’s will.
And in Jesus model prayer, the one we prayed today, He tells us to pray that God’s will be done in our lives.
Matthew 6:9-10 NLT Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Conclusion
We are to live in view of the hope of our Lord’s return. He gave himself for us, dying to redeem us from all iniquity. He arose to purify for himself a special people who are eager to do good.
We said just last week that God has made us a people special to Himself
I Peter 2:9-10 NKJV But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Our great salvation is not limited to something that is yet to happen. God wants our salvation to be in process at the present time.
Freedom in Christ begins with a humbling. We’re meant to keep our eyes on Him, so much so that we aren’t able to compare ourselves with others. We need to surrender to the One who made us. That’s what sets us free.
The message for this July 4th 2020 is summed up in
Galatians 5:13 NLT For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
What Do We Say No To?
We should say no to the ungodly and worldly life that appeals to the flesh and to values that are significant only in this world.
Galatians 5:16-17 NIV So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
Romans 8:12-13 NIV Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
On the other hand we say yes to living with self-control under the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Galatians 5:22 NLT But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
A few months I preached a sermon in which I said that that meekness was the ability to maintain self-control and that the meek would somehow be happy.
Matthew 5:5 NIV Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
You might find it rather challenging, because of our misunderstanding of meekness. In a world that thinks only an aggressive and ambitious person can get ahead in life, it is hard to believe that those who are meek will inherit anything, much less the earth!
Jesus wasn’t implying that being fearful or weak brings happiness. Instead, Jesus was talking about an attitude or an outlook. The meekness he described requires us to be strong people who are grounded in Him. It demands us to have a personal relationship with God. This kind of meekness really does bring happiness.
We all do have rights but, those who are meek do not insist on them.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 ESV All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
Having great freedom, those who are meek do not flaunt it. They would rather forgive than accuse. That kind of self-control results in an inner peace. People who cannot control their anger, greed, lust, tongue, or ambition will never be at peace within. They will constantly be at war with themselves.
A. In relationship to others, we should be just, honest, helpful, and dependable.
We are to be people of genuine integrity motivated by a caring concern for the welfare of others.
Ephesians 4:21-32 NLT Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
And;
Galatians 6:2-3 NLT Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
B. We should be submissive, responsive, and open to God’s will.
James 4:7-10 NLT tells us So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
1 Peter 4:1-2 CEB Therefore, since Christ suffered as a human, you should also arm yourselves with his way of thinking. This is because whoever suffers is finished with sin. As a result, they don’t live the rest of their human lives in ways determined by human desires but in ways determined by God’s will.
And in Jesus model prayer, the one we prayed today, He tells us to pray that God’s will be done in our lives.
Matthew 6:9-10 NLT Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Conclusion
We are to live in view of the hope of our Lord’s return. He gave himself for us, dying to redeem us from all iniquity. He arose to purify for himself a special people who are eager to do good.
We said just last week that God has made us a people special to Himself
I Peter 2:9-10 NKJV But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Our great salvation is not limited to something that is yet to happen. God wants our salvation to be in process at the present time.
Freedom in Christ begins with a humbling. We’re meant to keep our eyes on Him, so much so that we aren’t able to compare ourselves with others. We need to surrender to the One who made us. That’s what sets us free.
The message for this July 4th 2020 is summed up in
Galatians 5:13 NLT For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
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