INTRODUCTION:
In this teaching, we are going to look at the concept of Saving Grace and the role of the redemptive work of Christ in taking care of Sin, Guilt and the Penalty of sin
The subject of saving grace or salvation is one of the deepest mysteries of God of all ages that baffled the Prophets of Old who did prophesy about it and the Angels in Heaven who are confused about it.
1Pet. 1:8-12
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 ¶ Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the concept of Saving Grace and the role of the redemptive work of Christ in taking care of Sin, Guilt and the Penalty of sin.
KEY SCRIPTURES: Ephesians 2:4-9; Titus 2:11
Eph. 2:4-9
4 ¶ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 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.
Tit. 2:11
11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
OUTLINE:
- Defining Saving Grace: Explaining how God’s grace brings salvation to all people.
Saving Grace is God’s Redemption At Christ’s Expense
- God’s Initiative: Understanding that it is God’s initiative to extend grace to humanity, even when we are undeserving.
- Faith and Grace: Discussing the relationship between faith and grace in the process of salvation.
- Discussion:
How the redemptive work of Christ took care of our Sin, Guilt and the Penalty of sin by means of Propitiation, Justification and Atonement.
SAVING GRACE – How PROPITIATION Took Care of the SIN:
Propitiation refers to Jesus’ sacrifice as the means by which God’s righteous wrath against sin is appeased. It highlights the satisfaction of divine justice through Christ’s death.
Scriptures:
Rom. 3:23-25
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (Gk. Hilasterion: an expiatory (place or thing), i.e. (concretely) an atoning victim) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
1John 2:1, 2
1 ¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
SAVING GRACE – How JUSTIFICATION Took Care of the GUILT:
What Is Justification?
Justification is the supernatural act of God by which He changes our sentence of guilt and condemnation into acquittal and discharge. Thereby declaring a sinner righteous on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ.
This is accomplished through the legal process of the vicarious death of Jesus Christ and involves the forgiveness of sins and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to the believer.
Scriptures:
Rom. 3:23-26
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified (GK. Dikaioo: to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent: free, be righteous.)freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Rom. 8:1, 2; 33, 34
1 ¶ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
33 Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
SAVING GRACE – How ATONEMENT Took Care of the PENALTY OF SIN:
Atonement refers to the reconciliation of sinful humanity with God through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the removal of the penalty of sin (i.e. spiritual death and second or eternal death) that separates humans from God.
Scriptures:
Leviticus 16:6-10, 20-22: The Day of Atonement and the sacrificial rituals.
Rom. 5:8-11
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
John 5:24
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
1Thess. 1:9, 10
9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
