| Introduction We just spent a season of celebration of the birth of our Savior. Whether we celebrate Christmas or not, we live our lives in light of the fact that Jesus Christ, God in flesh, has come. Every moment of every day is lived under this truth. For those who trust in Jesus Christ, the fact that Jesus Christ has come is the basis for a joyful life of obedience to the God who has redeemed them. To those who do not believe that Jesus Christ is their Savior, the fact that Jesus Christ has come just adds more judgment to them. But that is not the only coming of Jesus that we should be celebrating and living in light of. As sure as he came the first time over 2,000 years ago, he will come again, and that is our blessed hope, according to the apostle Paul. As we begin 2013, let us make our purpose to ground our lives, our hearts, everything that makes us, on the past and future grace of the comings of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. I. An Analysis of the Passage A. The argument, the reasoning, for this passage actually starts in chapter 1. B. These unbelievers are not outside of the church – They profess to know God, but their lives deny that profession, 1:16. C. In contrast with these unbelievers who are not qualified for anything good, each segment of the church is to do what God calls them to do, 2-10. II. The Pivotal Element for Doing What God Calls Us to Do: The Grace of God That Teaches. A. Notice how Paul says in v. 11 that we do all these things because (for) the grace of God has appeared to all men. B. Notice that Paul speaks of past and future grace of God through Jesus Christ. C. It is worth now asking the question, "what is the grace of God?" D. So, Christ pushes us as we think of the cross and he pulls us as we think of his coming back. III. The Teaching That the Grace of God Does A. The favorable disposition of God toward us teaches us several things. B. Notice that the grace of God has appeared and is teaching all types of people. C. Paul list two put offs and three put ons that grace teaches us. D. Notice that these two negatives and three positives summarize the several groups of people and relationships in vv. 2-10. Conclusion The turning of the New Year is often nostalgic and hopeful. There is a looking back at what took place in the year that ended and an excitement about what the New Year is going to bring. The Christian life is similar to that. We look back to past grace in the cross and that propels us to future grace in the coming of Jesus Christ. That grace, past and future, fuels us to obedience in the now age. | |||
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Thursday, January 3, 2013
Past and Future Grace in the New Year - Titus 2
