JUSTIFIED BY GRACE
Text: Titus 3
23 April 2006
(I) A THEOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING OF JUSTIFICATION
1. The triggering factor – Faith
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,…” Romans 5:1
2. The means – By His blood
“Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Romans 5:9
3. The application – By the Spirit of God
“But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:11
4. The under girding principle – The grace of God
“That having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:7
(II) THE ANTI-THESIS TO GRACE – THE WORKS OF MEN
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done…” Titus 3:5
1. The works of men to gain righteousness
2. The limitation of works
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law…for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” Galatians 2:16-17
a) Works do not have a vicarious element
b) Works do not have a regenerative element
c) Works discredit God’s idea of salvation.
3. A system where there is the absence of grace.
a) No Kindness
b) No love
c) No mercy
(III) THE TRUE GRACE OF GOD EXPRESSED
“But according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour” Titus 3:5
1. Commencement point – Regeneration of the Holy Spirit
a) Washing of the regeneration of the Spirit
b) Sealed by the Spirit of God
“In whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” Ephesians 1:13
c) The giving of life by the Spirit.
“He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11
2. Continuing process – Renewal of the Spirit
a) Renewal of the mind
“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:24
b) Renewal through knowledge
“And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him…” Colossians 3:10
c. Renewal day by day.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16
(IV) THE PRODUCT OF GOD’S GRACE
“We should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:7
1. Heirs
2. Hope of eternal life