Living Out God's Grace Through Good Works

Devotional

Day 1: God's Grace as a Transformative Power

God's grace, manifested through Jesus Christ, is the foundation of our salvation. This grace is not just a theological concept but a transformative power that trains us to live godly lives. It calls us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. This grace is a gift that should inspire us to respond with devoted good works. [33:17]

Titus 2:11-12 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age."

Reflection: How has God's grace transformed your life? Identify one area where you can further renounce ungodliness and embrace a godly lifestyle.

Day 2: Saved by Grace for Good Works

We are saved by grace, not by our works, but we are saved for good works. These good works are an expression of our love and gratitude towards God. They are not just busy work but purposeful actions that make a significant impact. Our faith should be active, not passive, and we should be zealous in seeking opportunities to serve others. [40:41]

Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Reflection: What is one good work you can commit to this week as an expression of your gratitude towards God?

Day 3: Living Out God's Character

Living a godly life means exhibiting God's character traits such as gentleness, kindness, and patience. It involves being tender towards others' weaknesses and showing love even to those who are hard to love. Our lives should be a stark contrast to the world's standards, prompting others to ask why we are different and giving us the opportunity to share our faith. [41:51]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is difficult to love. How can you show them God's gentleness and kindness this week?

Day 4: Submission as a Form of Obedience

As Christians, we are called to be submissive to rulers and authorities, as long as they do not require us to sin. This submission is a form of obedience to God and a witness to those around us. It involves dying to self and living in a way that reflects God's love and order. [01:02:04]

1 Peter 2:13-15 (ESV): "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people."

Reflection: In what ways can you practice submission to authorities in your life as a form of obedience to God?

Day 5: The Power of Encouragement and Support

The mission trip to Spain highlighted the importance of supporting and encouraging fellow believers. The team’s willingness to serve, their flexibility, and their loving interactions were a testament to God's grace at work. This experience underscores the value of community and the impact of collective good works. [01:25:39]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Who in your community can you encourage and support this week? How can you practically show them God's love and grace?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

This sermon focuses on the themes of God's loving kindness, grace, and the call to good works as outlined in Titus 2:11-3:8. The pastor reflects on a recent mission trip to Spain, where the team served workers ministering to unreached people groups in North Africa. The trip was not about evangelizing or starting new churches but about supporting and refreshing those already on the field. The pastor emphasizes that God's grace, manifested through Jesus Christ, brings salvation and trains believers to live godly lives. This grace calls Christians to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, live self-controlled lives, and be zealous for good works.

The sermon breaks down the passage from Titus into three sections, highlighting how God's grace appeared in Jesus, brings salvation, and trains us to live godly lives. The pastor underscores that good works are a response to God's grace, not a means to earn salvation. The team’s experience in Spain serves as a practical example of living out these principles, showing love, patience, and flexibility in challenging circumstances. The pastor also discusses the importance of submission to authorities, avoiding quarrels, and being gentle and courteous to all people.

The sermon concludes with a call to action, encouraging the congregation to be devoted to good works, to stand firm in their faith, and to emulate God's loving kindness in their daily lives. The pastor expresses gratitude for the support and prayers from the church community, which made the mission trip possible and fruitful.

###

Key Takeaways

1. controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. This grace is a gift that should inspire us to respond with devoted good works. [33:17]
2. The Call to Good Works: We are saved by grace, not by our works, but we are saved for good works. These good works are an expression of our love and gratitude towards God. They are not just busy work but purposeful actions that make a significant impact. Our faith should be active, not passive, and we should be zealous in seeking opportunities to serve others.

3. Living Godly Lives: Living a godly life means exhibiting God's character traits such as gentleness, kindness, and patience. It involves being tender towards others' weaknesses and showing love even to those who are hard to love. Our lives should be a stark contrast to the world's standards, prompting others to ask why we are different and giving us the opportunity to share our faith.

4. Submission and Obedience: As Christians, we are called to be submissive to rulers and authorities, as long as they do not require us to sin. This submission is a form of obedience to God and a witness to those around us. It involves dying to self and living in a way that reflects God's love and order.

5. Encouragement and Support: The mission trip to Spain highlighted the importance of supporting and encouraging fellow believers. The team’s willingness to serve, their flexibility, and their loving interactions were a testament to God's grace at work. This experience underscores the value of community and the impact of collective good works.

### [33:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[33:17] - Introduction and Big Idea
[34:30] - Context of Titus
[35:55] - Reading of Titus 2:11-3:8
[37:47] - God's Grace and Good Works
[38:57] - Jesus as the Example of Grace
[40:41] - Saved by Grace for Good Works
[41:51] - Living Self-Controlled and Godly Lives
[43:32] - God's Gentleness and Kindness
[44:57] - Loving the Unlovely
[46:06] - Patience and Joy in Service
[47:44] - Contrast with the Present Age
[49:18] - The Blessed Hope
[51:18] - Zealous for Good Works
[52:18] - Testimonies from the Trip
[56:10] - Submission to Authorities
[61:12] - Flexibility and Obedience
[62:04] - Ready for Every Good Work
[62:56] - Speaking No Evil
[63:50] - Gentleness and Courtesy
[64:35] - Avoiding Quarreling
[65:36] - Being Gentle
[66:53] - Perfect Courtesy
[68:21] - Testimonies from Age Group Leaders
[76:18] - God's Goodness and Loving Kindness
[77:56] - Jesus as Our Savior
[79:21] - Spiritual Renewal
[80:56] - Lavish Love of God
[82:35] - Heirs of Eternal Life
[84:03] - Devotion to Good Works
[85:39] - Encouragement and Support
[97:52] - Call to Action
[99:26] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Titus 2:11-12 say about the purpose of God's grace? How does it train us to live?
According to Titus 3:1-2, what behaviors are Christians encouraged to exhibit towards rulers and authorities?
In Titus 3:4-5, what is the basis of our salvation according to Paul? How does this contrast with works done by us in righteousness?
How does the pastor describe the team's mission trip to Spain in relation to the themes of grace and good works? ([37:47])

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of God's grace appearing in Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11) shape our understanding of salvation and godly living? ([38:57])
What does it mean to be "zealous for good works" as described in Titus 2:14? How can this zeal be practically demonstrated in daily life? ([51:18])
How does the pastor's emphasis on submission to authorities (Titus 3:1) challenge or affirm your current understanding of Christian obedience and witness? ([01:02:04])
Reflect on the pastor's discussion about living godly lives marked by gentleness, kindness, and patience. How do these traits contrast with worldly standards? ([41:51])

Application Questions

The pastor mentioned that God's grace calls us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions. What specific worldly passion or ungodly behavior do you feel called to renounce this week? ([35:55])
How can you actively seek opportunities to perform good works in your community, inspired by the mission trip to Spain? What is one specific action you can take this week? ([40:41])
Think of a person in your life who is difficult to love. How can you show them the same gentleness and kindness that God shows us? ([44:57])
In what ways can you practice submission to authorities in your life while maintaining your Christian integrity? How can this submission serve as a witness to others? ([01:01:12])
The pastor emphasized the importance of encouragement and support within the Christian community. How can you support a fellow believer this week, either through words or actions? ([01:25:39])
Reflect on a recent situation where you failed to live a self-controlled and godly life. What steps can you take to seek forgiveness and recommit to living according to God's standards? ([41:51])
How can you cultivate a spirit of joy and patience in your daily interactions, especially in challenging circumstances? What practical steps can you take to embody these traits? ([46:06])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "God has given us amazing grace in his loving kindness towards us so that we respond with devoted good works. God's called us to a purpose. He's called us to do things, not just be couch potatoes. Go read the book of James." [34:30] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "God's grace appeared in the person of Jesus Christ. He came in the flesh. He showed us how to live. If you want to know, what does it mean to live a life of grace towards other people? Read about what Jesus did. Go through the gospels and read and say, how did Jesus live? He was kind. He was faithful. He was, um, always abounding and love and mercy and grace towards other people." [38:57] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We are saved. We are saved by grace. But we are saved with purpose. God has saved us to do good works. We don't do good works to get saved. We get saved and then we do good works as an expression of love that we have for the Savior." [40:41] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "God is gentle. He is kind. He's tender towards our weaknesses. Our weaknesses are our failures. Our sin points are those things where we run out of capacity and can't handle life. And yet God is there to show us love and tenderness and compassion in those times." [43:32] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "God is good. In Him there's no evil, no hidden motives, no selfishness. We can trust His goodness. No matter what happens, remember that God is good. Not everything that happens is good, but our God is good. And He works all these things together for good, for those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." [01:16:18] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "As we look at these, uh, this passage, uh, you know, as we went on this trip, this trip was about good works. It wasn't a trip to, uh, go out and evangelize. It wasn't a trip to go start a church or anything like that, but we were going to serve those who are on the field. And to give them space for refreshment." [37:47] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "He has called us to live godly lives in this present age. Here we have a stark contrast between God's standards and the present age. In so many different areas of life, our godly lives should be a stark contrast, and that goes back to people should notice that. They should ask, why are you so different? You don't live like the rest of the world." [47:44] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus gave Himself to the to redeem us from all lawlessness. We're all sinners, we're all lost, and we're all lawbreakers. Yet Jesus redeemed us with His blood. He paid the penalty that we could never play. He made a way for us that we might be with God Almighty, a sinless, righteous God, reconciled to His people through the blood of Christ." [49:18] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "He has set us apart to be zealous for good works. Our response, should be not passivity. It shouldn't be just sitting around, oh, great, I get to go to heaven. But it should be active. This takes time. It takes energy. And He has set us apart for good works. Not just busy work, but things that are going to make an impact." [51:18] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "As we consider just wrapping up our sermon time as you consider the goodness and loving kindness of god how do you respond first of all stand firm in your faith of what god has accomplished on your behalf second remember that god is our example to live our lives in goodness and loving kindness third be devoted and zealous for good works be looking for things that god may do may have you do and be prepared it takes effort to prepare an effort to walk out these good works but that's what god has called us to do as his people." [01:37:52] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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