The Grace of God Instructs Us - Titus 2:11-14

Introduction.

1. Grace is the unmerited, undeserved favor of God.

2. Romans 3:10,23.

3. In our last lesson, we examined some misunderstandings people have concerning the grace of God.

1) Law-keeping, to the exclusion of God's grace through Christ.

2) Grace and no works; but we noted there are two types of works, works of merit, and works of obedience.

3) One can never fall from grace.

4. This morning we want to look at Paul's reference in Titus 2: 11-14 and see that the grace of God teaches us.

Body.

I. WHAT IS THE INSTRUCTION ? (Titus 2:11-12).

A. Paul says we must abstain from "ungodliness."

1. Ungodliness - "to be irreverent and rebellious toward God and that which is holy."

2. The original word occurs some 10 times in the books of 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus.

3. It suggests that some attitude and actions are displeasing to God.

4. Romans 6:6.

5. Ephesians 4:22.

B. Paul writes that we must also abstain from or deny "worldly lusts."

1. I John 2:15.

2. Galatians 5:19-21.

3. I John 5:19.

4. Romans 12:1-2.

C. In our text Paul then reminds us of the positive side of what grace teaches us; to "live soberly."

1. Soberly - "sound minded," , "to have control of your passions, appetites, and desires.

2. Titus 1:8.

3. Galatians 5:22-25.

D. When Paul wrote this letter to Titus, he was living on the Island of Crete in an very immoral society.

1. Titus 2:2-5.

2. The question arises: What kind of example would the older men on the Island of Crete have been if they had no self-control? Or how could the older women have instructed the younger if they failed in self-control?

3. II Corinthians 10:5.

E. Paul states that Christians are also to live "righteously."

1. Righteously - "the quality of being just or right."

2. Matthew 5:6.

3. The word "righteously" then means living and doing that which is right; unlike the Pharisees who pretended to do right: (Matthew. 6:3-5).

4. Philippians 1:15.

F. Paul then continues: we must live "soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world."

1. Godly - means to live "piously or reverently."

2. I Peter 2:21-24.

3. 2 Timothy 3:12.

II. WHAT IS THE REWARD?

A. The grace of God instructs us in not only how to live, but as an incentive as we look forward to the reward of our labors. (Titus 2:13)

1. Hebrews 10:4.

2. Hebrews 10:14.

B. Not only did the Lord give Himself to redeem us from every lawless act, He purify for Himself His own special people, as well.

1. Jude 23.

2. Psalms 51:2.

3. Isaiah 1:18.

4. Song: "What can wash away my sins?...Nothing but the blood of Jesus."

5. 1 Peter 4:4.

C. As the special people of God, we are to be "zealous for good works."

1. As a result of our gratitude for our salvation, we do what the Lord asks of us -- those things which are good, wholesome, and right.

2. Ephesians 2:10.

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The Grace of God Instructs Us - Titus 2:11-14

Introduction.

1. Grace is the unmerited, undeserved favor of God.

2. Romans 3:10,23.

3. In our last lesson, we examined some misunderstandings people have concerning the grace of God.

1) Law-keeping, to the exclusion of God's grace through Christ.

2) Grace and no works; but we noted there are two types of works, works of merit, and works of obedience.

3) One can never fall from grace.

4. This morning we want to look at Paul's reference in Titus 2: 11-14 and see that the grace of God teaches us.

Body.

I. WHAT IS THE INSTRUCTION ? (Titus 2:11-12).

A. Paul says we must abstain from "ungodliness."

1. Ungodliness - "to be irreverent and rebellious toward God and that which is holy."

2. The original word occurs some 10 times in the books of 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus.

3. It suggests that some attitude and actions are displeasing to God.

4. Romans 6:6.

5. Ephesians 4:22.

B. Paul writes that we must also abstain from or deny "worldly lusts."

1. I John 2:15.

2. Galatians 5:19-21.

3. I John 5:19.

4. Romans 12:1-2.

C. In our text Paul then reminds us of the positive side of what grace teaches us; to "live soberly."

1. Soberly - "sound minded," , "to have control of your passions, appetites, and desires.

2. Titus 1:8.

3. Galatians 5:22-25.

D. When Paul wrote this letter to Titus, he was living on the Island of Crete in an very immoral society.

1. Titus 2:2-5.

2. The question arises: What kind of example would the older men on the Island of Crete have been if they had no self-control? Or how could the older women have instructed the younger if they failed in self-control?

3. II Corinthians 10:5.

E. Paul states that Christians are also to live "righteously."

1. Righteously - "the quality of being just or right."

2. Matthew 5:6.

3. The word "righteously" then means living and doing that which is right; unlike the Pharisees who pretended to do right: (Matthew. 6:3-5).

4. Philippians 1:15.

F. Paul then continues: we must live "soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world."

1. Godly - means to live "piously or reverently."

2. I Peter 2:21-24.

3. 2 Timothy 3:12.

II. WHAT IS THE REWARD?

A. The grace of God instructs us in not only how to live, but as an incentive as we look forward to the reward of our labors. (Titus 2:13)

1. Hebrews 10:4.

2. Hebrews 10:14.

B. Not only did the Lord give Himself to redeem us from every lawless act, He purify for Himself His own special people, as well.

1. Jude 23.

2. Psalms 51:2.

3. Isaiah 1:18.

4. Song: "What can wash away my sins?...Nothing but the blood of Jesus."

5. 1 Peter 4:4.

C. As the special people of God, we are to be "zealous for good works."

1. As a result of our gratitude for our salvation, we do what the Lord asks of us -- those things which are good, wholesome, and right.

2. Ephesians 2:10.

Conclusion.

1. As we apply the grace of God, we learn from it and it in turn should bring us closer to God.

2. The key thought is to remember that God's grace teaches us through the Word!