the word of His grace Acts 20:32

"And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:32

"And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:32

 Paul says in Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9: 4 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)... 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast.”

“8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) We Are Saved By Grace Question: Does this mean that being baptized is not necessary to be saved?

What Is Grace? Grace defined:  charis - usually defined as “unmerited favor”  Thayer - “good-will, lovingkindness, favor” in a broad sense - and then comments “…but the NT writers use CHARIS pre-eminently of that kindness by which God bestows favors even upon the ill-deserving, and grants to sinners the pardon of their offenses and bids them accept eternal salvation through Christ…” p.666

What Is Grace? Grace defined:  Example of charis - 1. Paul as an apostle - I Cor. 15: For I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.”

What Is Grace?  The grace of God teaches us to live godly 11 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus;”Titus 2

What Is Grace?  God’s love for us John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

What Is Grace?  God’s mercy for us Titus 3:5 “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,”

Expressions Of Grace  Sacrifice of the Son of God “Jesus...that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” (Hebrews 2:9) Jesus shed His blood “ for many for forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28) The greatest expression of grace ever shown!

Expressions Of Grace  The Word of God The grace of God is expressed through the written revelation - the Bible The grace of God “teaches us” (Titus 2:12) Gospel called “word of His grace” (Ax14:3;20:32) Only through Word do we know of God’s grace

Expressions Of Grace  Offers to save man The grace of God is expressed in every passage that says God wants to save man. I Tim.2:3-4 “God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

God’s Eternal Purpose  God’s plan for saving man was: “before the foundation of the world” (Eph.1:4) through “the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph.3:11) by His eternal grace

God’s Eternal Purpose  Is offered to all men Acts 10:34 “Peter said: "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right, is welcome to Him.” Christ died for “everyone” (Heb.2:9)

God’s Eternal Purpose  Even though grace is offered to all men Not all men will be saved "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt.7:21) Why not?

Grace Is Conditional  Man must obey God “For by grace you have been saved through faith” (Eph.2:8) Man not saved by grace only! “For this reason it is by faith, that it might be in accordance with grace” (Rom.4:16)

Grace Is Conditional  Man’s salvation is by grace - yet conditional Example - Israel defeating Jericho (Joshua 6) 1. "See, I have given Jericho into your hand” (God’s grace) 2. Was God’s grace conditional? 3. YES! Israel had to march around Jericho (Israel’s faith)

Grace Is Conditional  How the Ephesian’s were saved:  Heard the gospel (Eph.1:13)  Believed the gospel (Eph.1:13)  Repented of their sins (Acts 19:19)  Were baptized (Acts 19:5)  How were the Ephesians saved? “For by grace you have been saved through faith” (Eph.2:8)

We nailed Him to the cross… by His grace we can be forgiven... if we come to Him by faith.