1. God’s Abundant Grace “abundant grace was upon them all” Acts 4:33

2. Blessed Assurance of Grace Please open your Bible & follow along in 1 John 5:13! God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

3. Questions asked by the concerned Christian: – Can I know for sure that I am in a saved condition? – How does grace save me and keep me saved? – What must I do to stay saved? God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

4. Outline: The Blessed Assurance of Grace – God’s promise to save – How grace saves the sinner – How grace keeps one saved – What must I do to stay saved? – The blessed assurance of grace God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

5. God’s promise to save – 1 John 2:25 “This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life.” – Titus 1:2 “the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago” – Heb. 6:13-19 no greater promise could be more sure…this promise is the anchor of the soul when doubts and fears arise – Heb. 10:23 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” – God promised to save people…will you believe Him? Did you not believe upon Him when you obeyed the Gospel? – The promise gives us confidence to know that God will save the faithful, and He will save us by His grace… God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

6. How grace saves (Acts 15:11) – Sin separates us from God…grace is God’s desire + effort to reconcile (restore, reunite) us to Himself. – By grace, salvation is offered to all people (Titus 2:11) – By grace we are called to God (Gal. 1:6) – By grace we are forgiven of sins and redeemed (Eph. 1:7) – By grace we are justified and made heirs(Titus 3:7) – Our confidence is in the sufficiency of God’s grace to make salvation possible and available to us through the sacrifice of His Son. – But what would be the point of drawing us to Himself by grace if God did not also provide a way to keep us? God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

7. How grace keeps me saved – Grace is God doing for man what man cannot do for himself – Grace prevents Satan from snatching you away (John 10:27-29) “He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thess. 3:3) You can choose to leave God, but Satan cannot kidnap you. – Grace prevents Satan from forcing you to sin (1 John 5:18) No more demon possessions…free will is protected. A way of escape from every temptation (1 Cor. 10:13) – Grace provides law to guide us on the path (Titus 2:11-12) We are not saved by law, but obedience keeps us from falling. – Grace provides forgiveness and an advocate (1 John 1:9; 2:1-2) Not automatic or continual…we must seek His forgiveness! Draw near to His throne of grace in time of need (Heb. 4:16) God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

8. What must I do to stay saved? – To be “in grace” is to be in a favorable relationship with God – Speaking now to those who have obeyed the Gospel… – Rom. 5:2 “stand in grace” – Acts 13:43 “continue in grace” – John 3:36; Heb. 5:9 “obey the Son” – I Cor. 15:1-2 “hold fast the word” – Jms. 1:12 “persevere under trial” – Rom. 2:7 “perseverance in doing good” – Rev. 2:10 “be faithful until death” – I know I am saved when I meet the divine conditions for receiving and remaining in God’s grace. God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

9. The blessed assurance of grace Titus 3:7 “by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” Rom. 5:17 “those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One…” 2 Thess. 2:16 God gives “eternal comfort and good hope by grace” 1 Pet. 5:10 “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” 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.” John 14:1-3 “I go and prepare a place for you…” We can depend on God’s grace to fulfill God’s promise. God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

10. Summary – Our confidence in salvation is not based on wishful thinking, but on evidence – Evidence that God has promised salvation – Evidence that grace is available to save us – Evidence that grace is available to keep us saved – Evidence that I stay saved while I walk in grace – Evidence that grace gives to reassure us of God’s intent – God’s part is guaranteed to succeed…what remains is YOUR part in receiving and holding on to it! God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

11. You can know with confidence that you are saved. If you do not have confidence in your condition, act now! Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for our sins and was raised up. Repent of your sins…commit yourself to holiness. Confess your faith in Christ to save you. Be baptized into Jesus for forgiveness of your sins…this marks the moment when grace saves the sinner. Continue in the blessed relationship of His favor by remaining faithful in godliness. God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

12. God’s Abundant Grace “abundant grace was upon them all” Acts 4:33