Grace. Bryant Hewitt Message

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubJfLpKauEU

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/26606424

GRACE AND THE CHRISTIAN

   A. WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE!
      1. Salvation is first, foremost, and always a matter of grace!
         - Ep 2:5-8
         a. God doesn't owe us anything
         b. What we deserve is eternal damnation, because all are
            sinners - Ro 3:23; 6:23a
         c. Salvation is a gift, which God in lovingkindness offers to
            man - Ro 6:23b; Tit 3:3-7
      2. No matter what God may call upon us to do in order to receive
         His grace, when we do those things (cf. believe, repent,
         confess Jesus, be baptized)...
         a. In no way can we ever say that we earn or merit salvation
         b. We are still "unworthy servants" - cf. Lk 17:10
      3. We must forever remember that only by God's grace is salvation
         possible!

   B. GOD'S GRACE REQUIRES HOLY LIVING!
      1. Some people reason that since we are saved by grace, we are
         free to do whatever we wish
      2. Yet Paul wrote that the "grace of God...teaches us" to:
         a. Deny ungodliness and worldly lusts
         b. Live soberly, righteously and godly
         c. Look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of Jesus
            Christ - cf. Tit 2:11-13
      3. As he continues, Paul explain why Jesus in grace gave Himself
         for us...
         a. That He might redeem us from every lawless deed
         b. That He might purify for Himself His own special people,
            zealous for good works - cf. Tit 2:14
      4. The unmerited favor of God is no excuse to go on sinning!

   C. HOLY LIVING REQUIRES GOD'S GRACE!
      1. To live "soberly, righteously and godly" requires the grace of
         God
      2. We cannot do it on our own, but with God's help we can!
         a. He works in us to do His good will - Php 2:12-13
         b. By His strength we can do all the things He desires of us
            - Php 4:13

   D. WE MUST GROW IN GRACE!
      1. This is especially true if we are going to live holy lives
      2. Peter commands us to grow in grace - cf. 2Pe 3:18
      3. Dear brother or sister, it is not enough just to experience
         God's grace in forgiving our sins
         a. God has so much more to share with us, both in this life
            and the life to come - Ep 2:7
         b. This explains Paul's salutations and benedictions - cf.
            1Th 1:1; 5:28
      4. We can grow in grace through:
         a. Heeding the Word of God - Ac 20:32
         b. Drawing near to God in prayer - He 4:16