2. Here’s the question: Here’s the problem: Man, because of his own sin (Rom.3:23), is separated from God, Isa.59:1-2. By the Law of God, this makes him deserving of death, Rom.6:23. How then is he absolved of guilt and made fit for the Kingdom of God? The “short answer” is: GRACE! How does sinful man become fit for habitation in a holy heaven with righteous God?

3. The Interaction of God’s Grace & Man’s Faith to Produce Salvation  The common view says that Salvation is wholly a matter of God’s grace with no mixture of man’s works whatsoever, John 3:16 & Eph.2:8-9.  But is this really what these passages teach when kept in their contexts? cf. John 3:3,5 & Eph.2:10 Which brings us to:

4. The Process of Salvation (the interaction of God’s Grace and Man’s Faith ) God has already done His part (Jude 3). Righteous God in Heaven wants to be with Sinful Man on Earth So, what must man do for his part of this process?

5. Think of the Process of Salvation (the interaction of God’s Grace and Man’s Faith ) as a staircase. Sinful Man on Earth Righteous God in Heaven 1. Hear the Gospel Rom.10:14,17 2. Believe John 8:24 3. Repent Luke 13:3 4. Confess Mt.10:32 5. Baptized Mk.16:16 God has already done His part (Jude 3), so here’s what Man must do in faith: 6. But even when man Lives Faithfully, he cannot earn entrance to heaven! Heb.3:12-15; Luke 17:10; & Eph.2:9 So, how is that final gap between man’s obedient but insufficient (while alone) faith and salvation with God bridged? GRACE! 2Tim.1:9

6. The key to understanding God’s plan for redeeming Man is…. < By God’s own design, it is the perfect interaction of the two. Here’s why: >If salvation was wholly a matter of God’s grace, then all would be saved, Titus 2:11. >But such is obviously not true! Matt.7:13-14 >God’s grace has not promised to save man at any step short of faithful (by faith and full ) obedience. that it is neither wholly a matter of God’s Grace nor Man’s Faith!

7. Instead, God’s plan for saving man requires….  Note Titus 2:12 -Grace appeared, bringing salvation to all. -But it did so in the form of “teaching”. -All who therefore hear and obey the teaching brought by grace, are saved by it! see Mt.7:24-25 -Conversely, those who reject the teaching brought by grace (by not hearing and obeying) cannot be saved by it. Mt.7:26-27 -And they cannot be saved without it! Rom.4:1-8 that although man cannot save himself, he must do what is expected by God’s Grace!

8. What does it all mean? Sinful Man on Earth Righteous God in Heaven God has already done His part in saving man by sacrificing His Son and revealing His Will- both by GRACE! 1. Hear the Gospel 2. Believe 3. Repent 4. Confess 5. Baptized So, now man has to do his part by faithfully obeying in becoming and remaining a Christian. GRACE! Then God’s Grace will bridge the gap and supply that which is lacking in our salvation. But God’s grace does not meet us anywhere short of complete obedience!

9. God has already done His Part for you to be saved. Have you / are you doing yours? Why not start today?