Saving Grace

6 September 2020 AM – Titus 2:11 – Tit20 – Scott Childs
Introduction: A year ago, if someone were selling surgical masks, they would have had a very small turnover. However, once COVID-19 started it was extremely difficult to find any surgical masks at any price. What made the difference? People saw the need.
            In a similar way, when we share the Gospel with people in the community, very few will even give it a thought. However, on Judgment Day, they will long for God’s mercy, but it will be too late. Sadly, right now God’s saving grace just does not seem important to them.
Transition: This morning as we examine God’s Saving Grace, I want to show you three aspects of it that you dare not neglect.
  1. God’s Salvation is for You
a.         However, you may not know that you need it.
1)         Before you will see a need for God’s salvation, here are a few if the myths that you must quash.
a)         I am a good person. (Ecclesiastes 7:20) “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.“
b)         My good deeds will outweigh my bad. (Titus 3:5) “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, …“
c)         God only sends very wicked people to hell. (2 Thessalonians 1:8) “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:“
d)         I believe in God, so I will go to heaven. (Matthew 7:21-23) “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.“
2)         You may say, “Pastor Childs, I am not a wicked sinner.” The truth is that you will never receive God’s saving grace until you admit that you are a guilty sinner deserving eternal damnation. Let’s test your sinlessness.
a)         Growing up, did you ever disobey your parents? __ God’s 5th Commandment states, (Exodus 20:12) “Honour thy father and thy mother…“
b)         Have you ever had a lustful thought? __ God’s 7th Commandments states, (Exodus 20:14) “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”  To this Jesus added, (Matthew 5:28) “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.“
c)         Have you ever taken anything that was not yours (small or great)? __ God’s 8th Commandment states, (Exodus 20:15) “Thou shalt not steal.“
d)         Have you ever told a lie? __ God’s 9th Commandment says, (Exodus 20:16) “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” (cf. James 2:10)
3)         When you stand before God, will you dare to plead not guilty to these charges? The truth is we have all sinned!
4)         Because God is holy and just, He must punish sin. (Romans 6:23) “For the wages of sin is death…” That death is eternal death, separated from God in hell. You say, “Are you sure?” (Revelation 21:8) “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.“
b.         Yes, you need deliverance.
1)         The word “salvation” means deliverance.
2)         Our greatest need as sinners is for God to deliver us from the damnation in hell that we deserve. Once convicted of his sin, the Philippian jailor cried, (Acts 16:30-31) “… Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Luke 19:10) “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (John 3:17) “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.“
3)         Your greatest need is for God’s salvation from hell.
2.        God’s Grace is for You
a.         God’s grace enables salvation
1)         As sinners, we can do NOTHING to escape hell. Our sin keeps us from entering God’s presence. (Romans 3:23) “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Isaiah reminds us of this. (Isaiah 64:6) “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.“
2)         Grace is divine enabling. God enabled our salvation through Christ’s death and resurrection. The Apostle Paul wrote, (1 Timothy 1:15) “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” Peter preached, (Acts 4:12) “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.“
b.         God’s grace brought salvation to man.
1)         Though you are a condemned sinner, God loves you. He does not want you to suffer damnation in hell because of your sin. (John 3:16) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.“
2)         Christ, in love, died in your place to pay for your damnation in hell. (Romans 5:8-9) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) “… Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Peter 1:18-19) “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:“
3.        God’s Offer is for You
a.         God provided salvation for all
1)         Christ died for all. (1 Timothy 2:6) “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 John 2:2) “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.“
2)         Christ’s payment is sufficient for all. No sin is so great that God cannot forgive it. God’s saving grace is sufficient! Praise God!
b.         God’s salvation is potential for all
1)         God’s salvation appears to all men. It is available to all who will receive it. (1 Timothy 2:4) “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (Romans 10:13) “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.“
2)         God offers His saving grace to you, but you must choose to receive it. Earlier I said you will never receive God’s saving grace until you admit that you are a wicked sinner deserving eternal damnation. Receiving God’s salvation is not just going to church or saying a little prayer. It is more than crying out to God during a danger. It is not receiving a free ticket into heaven. You cannot give salvation a 30-day trial. It is yielding to the deep conviction that you are a doomed sinner and crying out to God to save your wicked soul from hell. Here are God’s words to you. (Acts 3:19) “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out …” (Romans 10:9) “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.“
Conclusion: God’s salvation is for you – Your condemned soul needs God’s saving grace. God’s grace is for you – It enabled salvation through Christ’s atonement and it brings salvation to you. God’s offer is for you – He provided salvation for you and it is potentially yours, but you must receive it.
Many of you have already received God’s saving grace. If you have, take time to thank Him for it right now. However, if you have not yet yielded to the conviction of your guilt, and humbly repented and placed your faith in Christ to save you from hell, I urge you to do so right now. Do not wait until Judgment Day when it will be too late.
Song: God’s Final Call – 250