Life Together – "Amazing Grace"
“By Grace…Through Faith…To Good Works”
Your Spiritual Biography
- Dead - You are/were dead in your sins (vs. 1)
- Disobedient - You are/were the slave of the World , the Devil, and the Flesh (vss. 2-3a)
- Doomed - You are/were under God’s wrath (v. 3b)
- Difference - “But God” (v. 4a)
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Dead in trespasses and sins! Alive together with Christ
Sons of disobedience! Raised up with Christ
Children of wrath! Seated with Christ
Children of wrath! Recipients of generous mercy
Children of wrath! Recipients of great love
Children of wrath! Recipients of rich grace
Children of wrath! Recipients of God’s kindness
Children of wrath! Trophies of God’s grace
Salvation is for Sinners (v. 5)
Matthew 19:16–22 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Salvation is from God (v. 8)
Grace
Faith
God’s grace is sufficient for all but only efficient for those who believe.
Gift
Salvation gives God the Glory (v. 9)
Pascal said, “Grace is indeed required to turn a man into a saint; and he who doubts this does not know what either a man or a saint is."
Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Salvation transforms us into God’s Masterpiece (v. 10)
Works are not the root, but the fruit of salvation Faith alone justifies, but saving faith can never be alone.
John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
- Knowledge of God increases
- Working/Fruitfulness for God increases
“Good works don’t produce salvation, but are produced by salvation. They don’t bring discipleship, but they prove it is genuine.”
Amazing Death – 1-3
Amazing Heights – 4-7
Amazing Grace – 8-9
Amazing Work – 10
R Kent Hughes
Can People Say “You are a work of God?”
• Sola scriptura (“by Scripture alone”)
• Sola fide ("by faith alone")
• Sola gratia (“by grace alone”)
• Solus Christus or Solo Christo ("Christ alone" or “through Christ alone”)
• Soli Deo gloria ("glory to God alone")