Lessons From The School Of Grace Titus 2:11-14
Mar 9, 1998 Lorenzo Nicholson Sr.
11 For the Grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto
himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
It is not uncommon for us to think of school as a part of the normal process of life. In this country it is expected that everyone should attend school at some given time. As a matter of fact, if a child is of school age and does not go to school, the door is open for all sorts of questions. In some cases, Parents can be charged with negligence if they fail to send their children to school.
Upon completion of grade school and high school, some of us go on to institutions of learning. We then expect to find better jobs wherein we can work and utilize the knowledge and skills we have learned.
The School of Grace is pretty much the same. Lets consider:
I. Everyone is presented with an opportunity to enroll into the school of grace.
A. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,--A person must have faith to gain access into this school of grace.
1. Rom. 5:2 “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand.
2. Eph.2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith…”
B. After we receive this grace and gain access into it we are required to grow in it.
C. 2 peter 3:18--But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
II. We receive the ability to discern between truth and error through the anointing which we receive. (every believer receives the anointing of the Holy Spirit.) The level of anointing is determined by God himself, based on many factors including our dedication and our desire to be taught.
A. When any form of seductive teaching is heard that is contrary to the doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ, the anointing distinguishes and reinforces the teaching of grace.
1. 1 Jn. 2:26--”These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27--”But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
III. The only way anyone can grow in grace is through the teaching of grace. The Holy Spirit, through grace teaches the believer how to live a godly life. The godly life is a successful life. What are some of the teachings of grace.
A. Titus 2:12 “Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,…”
1. James 1:14--”But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.--15--”Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
B. The second thing that we are taught in vs. 12 is “we should live soberly”
1. A believer is most venerable when he is not sober-minded.
2. 1 peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about , seeking whom he may devour.
C. The third thing the Holy Spirit teaches us through grace is that, “we should live...righteously, and godly, in this present world;
IV. Through the school of grace we learn of a new hope. We learn to expect the return of Christ for his church.
A. Titus 2:13--Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our saviour Jesus Christ.
1. The hope of the appearing of Jesus Christ helps the believer to live a godly life.
a. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
