The Grace Of God Teaches Us

Introduction

And the word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness about him and cried out, This was he of whom I said, He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me. And from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. In the beginning words of his account of the life of Jesus, John records for us that in this Christian system, under Christ, we have the fullness of God’s grace. That we experience God’s grace in ways that are unable at any other time in history. Was there grace under the law of Moses?

Absolutely. God’s blessings on Israel was a matter of grace. But now in Christ Jesus, the apostle is telling us, now we have the fullness of God’s grace. Grace is a word, grace is an idea that all Christians cherish and hold in common. But it’s one I want to consider this morning for this reason. When you think of grace, you think of the grace of God, and you think of the grace of God applying to you.

Through faith. And that we may conclude from that that, yes, when we respond in obedient faith to God, the grace of God saves us. But if our idea is that in that one instant, that was when the grace of God was with me, and that was all. We don’t think of the continuing grace of God. I think we missed the point. Yes, we are saved by grace. Yes, there is actual a time in our lives when we come to God in obedient faith. That, yes, the grace of God washes away our sins, but grace does not end there in the life of a Christian. In fact, in the writings of the Apostle Paul, in every one of his letters, he begins by, or with this earnest request that his audience would be blessed with peace and grace.

Paul was not writing to heathens. He was not writing to those who had never experienced the grace of God. He was writing to Christians, those who, through the grace of God had had their sins cleansed in the blood of Jesus. And yet he continued to pray that they would continue to be blessed with peace and with grace.

In the second chapter of the book of Titus, and I’d like for you to read with me the first verse 11 through 14 will be our text this morning. Titus 2, 11 through 14. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all and all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Several things that we could comment on from this passage, and we’ll go bit by bit.

1. The Grace of God

First of all, he says, the grace of God. When we talk about grace, when we talk about grace in the life of a Christian, we’re certainly talking about the grace of God. Well, what is grace? Many times the idea or the word grace is defined as unmerited favor. That is God doing for us something we do not deserve. That is certainly true. But that is not all that is behind the idea of grace. For instance, you may want to pay my house payment this month. I would let you. Did I deserve it? No, I did not deserve you paying my house payment. But here’s where the grace of God is different. It’s not that it’s just that we did not deserve his grace. It is something that we could not do for ourselves.

Fortunately, I could make my house payment this month. I could do that myself. But when it comes to the grace of God, not only did we not deserve his grace, it’s something we could not do for ourselves. Back in the book of Romans, in Romans, the fifth chapter, and in verse 6, beginning. While we were still weak, various translations will say, while we were still helpless. That is, we were unable to help ourselves. We were too weak to do what was required. We could not save ourselves. While we were still weak at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person, though perhaps for a good person, one would dare even to die. But God shows his love for us, and that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

That is grace. The word grace is never mentioned there, but that is grace. We did not deserve it, we were still sinners, we were ungodly, and we could not do it for ourselves. We were helpless. We were weak. It is the grace of God. And those who have gathered here this morning understand that that full manifestation of God’s grace was present in His Son. Back again in Titus and now in the third chapter of Titus and in verse 4. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us. Not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration, renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

2. Bringing Salvation for All People

Where was God’s grace ultimately and fully found? In Christ Jesus. He who came to save us, he who came to redeem us, it is the grace of God. But note further, back again in Titus 2 and in verse 11. The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people. Let’s pause there for a moment and discuss that idea. Because this is an idea that has been limited or tried to have been limited by many over the time over the centuries. That no, the grace of God is not for all people. It is. The text says that it is. Even within the early church, and of course, the earliest Christians, all being from the Jewish nation. And there was this idea among the early Christians that grace is for us.

God’s grace, even through the Son, even through Jesus, is only for us. But of course, God revealed that to not be so. In Acts the 10th chapter, our Lord appears to Peter in visions and instructs him to go when he is called. He was going to go to the house of Cornelius. And Cornelius’ house, a Gentile, and Peter goes to Cornelius’ house, and he says in Acts 10 and verses 34 and 35, truly I understand that God shows no partiality. But in every nation, anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. God’s grace knows no national boundaries. God’s grace knows no racial boundaries. It’s a sad fact that in our own history, that when slavery was a legalized institution in this country, one of the arguments given for that was that black people, Africans, were accursed people.

They were the descendants of Ham. They were not recipients of God’s grace. Clearly, those who were making such arguments did not understand the scriptures. The scriptures fully state that God’s grace knows no boundaries. But even later on, in theological circles, again, the grace of God was limited, or people tried to limit the grace of God. John Calvin and his doctrine of election, and saying that only those whom God chooses before time begins will be saved. And that the elect are those whom God, not themselves doing this, God will send his Holy Spirit, open their eyes, open their hearts, and God will convert them. And for the rest of us, there is no hope. Again, what has man tried to do? He has tried to limit the grace of God.

But the scriptures will not allow John Calvin’s doctrine to be true. Paul, again in 1 Timothy chapter 2, verses 3 and 4. This is good and is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Or the Apostle Peter in 2 Peter 3 and in verse 9, the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise, as some count slowest, but is patient towards you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. Or, in our text, as is so simply stated, the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people. Now, does that mean that all people will, in fact, experience salvation? And again, the scriptures would say, no.

You go back to the words of our Lord in John the third chapter, and that wonderful verse that so many of the world know so well in John 3 and verse 16, that God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. There is grace. For God did not send his sons of the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment. The light has come into the world, and people love the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been carried out in God. Here, Jesus is making a distinction. There is a clear distinction. I have come. God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son. There is grace. Many will not accept the gift. Many prefer darkness. That is not man limiting the grace of God and teaching that God’s grace cannot apply to someone. That is man choosing not to accept the grace of God. Brethren, let us be careful that we do not make the same mistakes as many people have made over the centuries.

3. We Want People to Experience the Grace of God

So much of what we do is to be aimed at, bringing people to experience the grace of God. Even when you look at our worship assemblies and you read the principles that is taught in 1 Corinthians chapter 14, and how even our worship assembly is to be geared, not solely, but to be geared to that when others come and they worship with us, they too will bow down and give honor and praise to God and testify that he is among us. There’s some prints, there’s some just some practical things that we need to keep in mind. We need to make a place for those who come to worship with us. We need to perhaps vacate the back a little bit, maybe a little area on the side, so that our visitors do not have to come all the way down to the front when they worship with us.

We need to be mindful of how we conduct ourselves in our worship. If we’re talking amongst ourselves, or if we’re having a constant stream of our young ones going back and forth to the water cooler into the restroom and keep on coming in and out, what does that do? It disturbs the visitor and it shows them we don’t take this very seriously.

We want people to experience the grace of God, and yes, even what we do in a public assembly will play a role in that. What we do in our private conversations will play a role in that. 1 Peter chapter 3, if you would turn there. 1 Peter chapter 3. And in verses 15 and 16. In your hearts, regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that when you are slandered, those who revow your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

We may differ on some applications of the scriptures. You may be very sincere in your view of the scriptures, and I too would be very sincere, the scriptures. Can we talk about those things? Fact is we must talk about those things. We are going to be governed by the law of Christ. We are going to be governed by the Word of God. The Apostle Peter is making the point. When you do that, you conduct yourself in an honorable way. We’re not here to sling mud. We’re not here to call names. We are here to show what God has said, what Christ has taught. And if people accept it or reject it, that is what will determine their eternal destination. We don’t determine them in that for them.

God alone will do that. Our private conversations. We want people to experience the grace of God. So we need to conduct ourselves in gentleness and understanding. Never, never giving way to truth, holding the truth firmly, but in a manner so that others will see this is truly what God has said. Staying in 1 Peter in chapter 2, 1 Peter chapter 2 and verses 11 and 12. Our conduct may have an effect on others and their ability to experience the grace of God. Beloved, I urge you, as sojourners and exiles, to abstain from the passions of the flesh which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

My private conduct has an effect on people. What I do and people see me doing that has an effect on people. And if I claim to wear the name of Christ, then how I live and the activities that I engage in is going to have an effect on them.

4. The Grace of God Trains Us

Let me always, let us always uphold the light of Christ. The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people. But you continue on in Titus 2 and in verse 12. Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. Here is where I why I say that when we talk about the grace of God, the grace of God is not just a point of contact type thing. It’s not that we experience the grace of God one time and then we move on. No, we must always have the grace of God in our lives because what does it say? The grace of God trains us. That word, like so many words in the Bible, is a very picturesque word.

It has the idea of bringing up a child, training that child to do things he does not yet know how to do. And yes, that very idea scares me. I worry. Will my child learn to walk? Will my child learn to talk? And will he talk with an accent? Those kinds of things. They have to be trained in everything.

The grace of God trains us. Trains us to do what? To renounce. The grace of God is not just some lovey dovey type thing that we talk about. And yes, God loves us. The grace of God teaches us, trains us. You renounce certain things from your life. You renounce ungodliness. The word for godliness is Eusebia. It’s the idea of showing reverence to God in all that you do. So, what would ungodliness be? Ungodliness is that activity or any activity that would not show reverence and respect to God. Worldly passions. We are also told to renounce. The passions of the world, or very simply put, the things that we do that we don’t want God to see. Worldly passions. The text says the grace of God trains us to renounce such things.

We don’t have time to talk about all the things that that entails. But just looking here in the book of Titus, notice some things that the Apostle Paul brings out that would be classified as either ungodly behavior, which does not bring reverence or respect to God, or worldly passions, those things we do that we don’t want God to see. Back in chapter 1 is speaking of the overseers, but certainly would apply to us all. In verse 7, that an overseer as God’s steward must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered, or a drunkard, or violent, or greedy for gain. This is mentioned for the overseers because they are to be the example in these things, but the principle applies to us all. This is ungodly, worldly passionate behavior.

Those who are arrogant, quick-tempered, a drunkard, violent, greedy for gain. Over in chapter 2, speaking of the older women. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior. Verse 3. Not slanderers. Those who do not want to speak evil of others, or not willing to spread gossip of others or to ridicule others. Or slaves to much wine, they are to teach what is good. Chapter 3, one that should perhaps hit close to home. Chapter 3 and verse 1. Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy towards all people. Brother Duncan had an excellent article last week about how we respond, even when we receive emails that are inflammatory, that disrespect our rulers.

That is ungodly behavior. That does not show honor to your God. Or what about when we are quick to quarrel? Or we are not gentle with each other. Or we will not show patience and courtesy to one another. What have we done? We have engaged in ungodly behavior. The grace of God trains us to renounce such behavior. If you want to have the grace of God in your life, you have to get rid of those kinds of things. But not only is it train us to get rid of and to do away with some things, it trains us to live, to live self-controlled. Here is one who’s mastered those passions. He’s bringing those passions under control. And you might not master all of them at the same time.

It may be a process, but you are always in the process of breakinging into subjection, into submission every passion that would go against God. Upright. Your version may read righteously. The upright, the righteous life. Here is one who not only is he renounced the things of the world, not only has he brought those things into control, now his aim, his goal is to live an upright, a righteous life. That is a life that is guided and directed solely by the Word of God. That’s what it means to be righteous. Right manner of conduct.

5. How the Grace of God Trains Us

A godly life, again, is that kind of life which is aimed at bringing respect and showing reverence to God at all times. Such lives are commented on by the apostle beginning in verse 1 of chapter 2. We’ll not take time to read that this morning. Read the first 10 verses of chapter 2. You will find yourself there. You are either an older man or a younger man. You are either an older woman or a younger woman. The principles of how to live a self controlled, upright, and godly life are there. What does it mean, or how is it that the grace of God trains us to do that? Two ways I submit to you. Certainly, the grace of God trains us to renounce the worldly passions, to renounce ungodliness and to live the proper kind of life through the written word.

The very fact that we have the word of God, or as Paul would write in 2 Timothy 3 and 16, that the scriptures are inspired, breathed out by God, and that if through following them we can be perfect and complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work. The very fact that we have that is in fact the grace of God. And God is ever seeking to train us through his word. That’s one aspect of how the grace of God trains us, but there’s a second. And that is the grace of God is the great motivator. The grace of God is the reason why you do this. That was true in the Old Testament. Back in Exodus, the 19th chapter, as it as Moses has led the children of Israel out of Egypt.

And he has brought them to Mount Sinai, and Mount Sinai is where in chapter 20 of Exodus, the children of Israel are going to receive the Ten Commandments. They’re going to receive the law of Moses. They’re going to enter into a covenant with God. But God first addresses the people in chapter 19 and a verse 4, where he says to the people, You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagle’s wings and brought you to myself.

You shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine. Why should you obey me? Why should you keep my commandments? Because I, God says, have borne you on eagle’s wings. I have delivered you, I have delivered you from your oppressors. I have made you my people. Follow me. The apostle Peter would write in 1 Peter chapter 2 and in verse 1 beginning that we are to put away all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. And like newborn infants long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation. Note verse 3. If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Why should you put away these things? Why should you ever yearn for the milk of the Word of God to grow if you have tasted that the Lord is good?

Grace is your motivator. Even in looking in the construction of Titus chapter 2, you have these principles of how to live godly lives in the first ten verses, and then the apostle says, For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. Why, if I’m an older man or an older woman, or a younger woman or a younger man, why should I do these things that the apostle Paul says? For grace has appeared. And it’s to train us. And we cannot say to still be within the grace of God if we refuse to allow God to train us. If the sacrifice of our Lord no longer has power in my life, if I cannot look back and think about what God has done for me, and commit myself to live every day, to do what God wants me to do.

6. The Grace of God Is Also Preparing Us

And I have removed myself from the hold of God’s grace. The grace of God trains us. But the grace of God is also preparing us. Verses 13 and 14. Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness, to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Will you note the symmetry from verse 12 to verses 13 and 14? In verse 12, the grace of God is that which is training us to renounce certain things and to live a certain kind of life. In verses 13 and 14, we are being told that the Lord is returning. The Lord who came, who gave himself for what purpose?

He came to redeem us from all lawlessness. Is not the grace of God to train us to renounce all lawlessness? Absolutely it is. Our Lord came, verse 14, to purify for himself a people for his own possession, who are zealous for good works. Is not the grace of God that which is training us to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives? So what’s the point in all this? The grace of God is that which is preparing you for the return of your king. And you will not be ready for the return of your king if you do not allow the grace of God to fully work in your life. And that is to instruct you and to motivate you to cleanse yourself from sin, to keep these things away, and to live the upright, godly lives that Christ intended.

Christ gave himself for that very reason. The grace of God is given to us to train us to live such lives.

Conclusion

The grace of God that has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. We conclude this morning by offering an invitation. Yes, the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. Will you accept the gift? Because not everyone has. Again, the book of John, in the first chapter, says in verse 12 of John chapter 1, to all who did receive him, that is, to all who did receive our Lord, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who are born not of blood, nor the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God. How is it we are to be born of God? Chapter 3 and in verse 5, as our Lord was speaking to Nicodemus and speaking of the kingdom, and those who are in the kingdom are those who are experiencing the grace of God, he says, Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

The offering of our Lord is always there. Here is my grace. Will you accept it? Will you be born of water and the Spirit? Would you believe in Jesus as the Christ? Would you accept him, receive him, repent of what you have done wrong, and be baptized, being born of water to have your sins forgiven. And you will know the grace of God has saved me. And do not allow the grace of God to disappear from your life. Always allow it to train you to renounce evil and to live godly and upright lives. Can we aid you in any way? If so, would you come even now as we stand and as we sing?