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2. TONIGHT’S TOPIC INVESTIGATE THE TRUTH ON GOD’S GRACE Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

3. WHAT DO WE MEAN WHEN WE SPEAK OF GOD’S GRACE ??? charis (cavri", (5485)) has various uses, –(a) objective, that which bestows or occasions pleasure, delight, or causes favourable regard; it is applied, e.g., to beauty, or gracefulness of person, Luke 2:40; act, 2 Cor. 8:6, or speech, Luke 4:22, R.V., “words of grace” (A.V., “gracious words”); Col. 4:6; –(b) subjective, (1) on the part of the bestower, the friendly disposition from which the kindly act proceeds, graciousness, loving–kindness, goodwill generally, e.g., Acts 7:10; especially with reference to the Divine favour or grace, e.g., Acts 14:26; in this respect there is stress on its freeness and universality, its spontaneous character, as in the case of God’s redemptive mercy, and the pleasure or joy He designs for the recipient; thus it is set in contrast with debt, Rom. 4:4, 16, with works, 11:6, and with law, John 1:17; see also, e.g., Rom. 6:14, 15; Gal. 5:4;

4. WHAT DO WE MEAN WHEN WE SPEAK OF GOD’S GRACE ??? –(2) on the part of the receiver, a sense of the favour bestowed, a feeling of gratitude, e.g., Rom. 6:17 (“thanks”); in this respect it sometimes signifies to be thankful, e.g., Luke 17:9 (“doth he thank the servant?” lit., ‘hath he thanks to’); 1 Tim. 1:12; (c) in another objective sense, the effect of grace, the spiritual state of those who have experienced its exercise, whether –(1) a state of grace, e.g., Rom. 5:2; 1 Pet. 5:12; 2 Pet. 3:18, or –(2) a proof thereof in practical effects, deeds of grace, e.g., 1 Cor. 16:3, R.V., “bounty” (A.V., “liberality”); 2 Cor. 8:6, 19 (in 2 Cor. 9:8 it means the sum of earthly blessings); the power and equipment for ministry, e.g., Rom. 1:5; 12:6; 15:15; 1 Cor. 3:10; Gal. 2:9; Eph. 3:2, 7. Vine, W. E., Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, (Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell) 1981.

5. THE TEACHINGS OF MEN CONCERNING GOD’S GRACE … We are Under Grace and Not UNDER LAW! –IF NOT UNDER LAW --- Then How DO WE BECOME SINNERS? --- 1 John 3:4 –We are NOT Under the Old Law BUT We Are Under The Law of Christ. We Are Saved By Grace not by WORKS! –Meritious Works --- NO! –But: THE WORKS OF GOD --- YES! James 2:14-24 GOD’S GRACE Covers All Sins Automatically. –1 John 1:7-9 --- We Have something to Do!

6. THE SUBJECT OF GOD’S GRACE ILLUSTRATED in John 9:1-41 First To Note In This Text Is The Individual Resposibility. –As Jesus Was Passing By – vrs 1 –Jesus Did Not Turn A Blind Eye To The Needs Of This One. – vrs 1 Secondly: –The Physical Blindness was not the Result of Sin – vrs 2, 3 Thirdly: –Jesus Can and Does Help The Blind {Both Physically and Spiritually} To See. – vrs 5 BUT: ……..

7. GOD’S GRACE DEMANDS THAT WE NOTE IT IS NOT WITHOUT INSTRUCTION … Vrs 7 --- “…GO…” –“…WASH..” The Miracle that Is To Take Place Here Is “Unmerited Favor – Grace” –BUT: CHRIST GAVE INSTRUCTIONS IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE FREE GIFT OF SIGHT. BEFORE WE: –CLAIM GOD’S GRACE WE MUST: FIRST NOTE IF THERE ARE INSTRUCTIONS TO FOLLOW BEFORE WE CAN BECOME OBTAINERS OF THE FREE GIFT.

8. GOD’S GRACE DEMANDS THAT WE BE OBEDIENT TO ALL THE COMMANDS … Vrs 7b – “… so he went…” –And “…he washed…” Note: –That There Was And Still Is NO Logical Reason That Washing Blind Eyes Make Them See. But: –GOD’S GRACE + MAN’S FAITH = END RESULT –HE CAME BACK “… seeing.” Approved Examples Of This Fact: –Naaman The Leper --- 2 Kings 5:13-14 –Noah The Ark Builder --- Genesis 6:22

9. GRACE DEMANDS THAT WE HAVE STRICT OBEDIENCE TO THE COMMANDS OF GOD! “…Washing…” Was required – vrs 7 –But Not Just Any Water would Do: The “Pool of Siloam” was Specified – vrs 7a Now The Fact: –God Has The Right And The Authority To Specify Certain Elements AS A Condition Of Our Acceptance Of His Free Gift. WE HAVE NO RIGHT TO QUESTION GOD REQUREMENTS NO MATTER HOW ILLOGICAL IT MAY SEEM TO US! Approved Examples: –Building Of The Tabernacle --- A Pattern Was Given To Moses – Heb. –Becoming A Christian --- God Has Given Us A Pattern To Follow : Hearing, Believing, Repenting, Confessing and Being Baptized by Immersion For The Remission of Sins = Salvation + Further Obedience --- Matthew 28:19-20

10. OBSERVATIONS ABOUT GOD’S GRACE FROM John 9:1-41 We See The Refusal Of The Majority To Accept The Simple But Obvious Truth – vrs 13-34 We See The Power Of Peer Pressure – vrs 18- 22 We See The Power Of Conviction: –Vrs 15 --- The Truth Of What Occurred –Vrs 17 --- “He Is A Prophet…” –Vrs 27 --- “Do You Want To Be His Disciples…” –Vrs 33 --- “If He Was Not Of God He Could Do Nothing…” –Vrs 38 --- “I Believe…”

11. SAD OBSERVATIONS ABOUT GOD’S GRACE FROM John 9:1-41 There Are Those Who Choose To Refuse The Light Of God – Thus Remaining In Their Blindness –They Are Blinded By: Their Religious Beliefs --- Vrs 28-29 Their Pride --- Vrs 34 Their Fear Of Rejection --- Vrs 22 Though Seeing They Are Blind: –Vrs 39-41 –Matthew 13:13-17

12. BUT …. JOY IS FOUND IN THE ONE WHO RECEIVES GOD’S GRACE Vrs 35-38 --- Praise, Adoration and Worship –He Did Not Claim: IT Was By His Works THAT He Merited His Sight THAT God Owed Him Something No What He Did Is What We Need To Do: –Be Thankful –Be Obedient –Give God All The Glory

13. IN APPLICATION … GRACE Cannot Be: –Earned or –Received Thru Meritorious Works When Christ Demands Water and Washing That’s What He Wants. The Individual Responsibility And Faith Is Essential WE Are Created For Good Works…. “Ephesians 2:10 --- For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” –The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

14. Call NOW TO SPEAK TO US LIVE!!! Call And --- –Ask For A Copy Of This Presentation –Ask To Be Added To The Beacon’s Mailing –Ask For A Free Bible Correspondence Course Call With A --- –Biblical Question Or Comment –Receive a Biblical Answer – “Book, Chapter and Verse” Call (828) 327-9459 or - WHKY