Amazing Grace

1. Amazing Grace ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed.” “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now I’m found, Was blind, but now I see Text: Eph. 2:1-12

2. Eph. 2:4-5, 8 4. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5. even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 8. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; • “Saved by grace” • “Grace” = charis [khar'-ece ] (G5485): unmerited favor; grace (ious), benefit, gift, joy of liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy). • It means it is favor granted to someone who does not deserve it. • God’s favor to man is shown in the death of Christ and His • word • Heb. 2:9: Christ, by God’s grace (G5485), died for all. Intro God didn’t have to! • Acts 20:32: The word of God is the “word of His grace (G5485).” Amazing Grace God didn’t have to!

3. John Newton (1725-1807): • “Amazing Grace” (1779) • A British sailor and slave trader, and later a gospel preacher. • He became a slave trader, and was even enslaved for a period of time himself. • On 03/10/1748 (a date he never forgot) his ship was nearly wrecked, and he cried out to God for help. When the storm quieted, he found a Bible and when landed, he converted. • He gave up profanity, gambling, and drinking. • Though converted he remained a slave trader till his retirement in 1854. • He authored “Amazing Grace” in 1779 as his spiritual autobiography (I Chr. 17:16-17). • In 1788, 34 years after retiring he aided the abolition of the slave trade in the U.K. He said later that he didn’t feel truly converted till he did so! • “Amazing Grace” was given an American “Plantation” tune in 1835. Intro Grace was necessary for salvation because man is separated from God by sin! Amazing Grace

4. Eph. 2:1-12 (4:18) 1. And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2. in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5. even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6. and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7. so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9. not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. 11. Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands-- 12. remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Reason for Grace Amazing Grace

5. When one understands their lost state, they may ask, “What do I do?” Acts 2:36-37 36. "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ--this Jesus whom you crucified." 37. Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" Reason for Grace Amazing Grace

6. In order for there to be salvation, there must be something to be saved from! Rom. 5:8-9 8. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved (G4982) from the wrath of God through Him. • “Saved” = sozo [sode'-zo] (G4982): to save, that is, • deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): heal, preserve, • save (self), do well, be (make) whole) • Eph. 2:8-9: By God’s grace we are saved (G4982) through faith. • Acts 15:11: Salvation (“saved” – G4982) is by God’s grace (G5485). Reason for Grace Man needed a Savior because sin separated man from God, and man was lost! Amazing Grace

7. Eph. 2:5: Grace is in and by Christ – that means His death (sacrifice) accomplished grace Heb. 2:9: A price had to be paid for sin. He tasted death for everyone! Rom. 5:6-10 6. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Method of Grace Amazing Grace

8. Gal. 2:21: Man could not be saved by the Law of Moses (If so, Christ died needlessly) Heb. 10:1-4: The Law of Moses involved the blood of animals (Could not remove sin) Heb. 10:10-14 (Heb. 9:28; 10:29) 10. By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11. Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12. but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, 13. waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES BE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET. 14. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. Method of Grace While man was helpless God’s grace provided a means for salvation! Amazing Grace

9. Acts 15:11 11. "But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are." • Who makes the statement here recorded by Luke? • (Vs. 7: Peter) • Mt. 10:2: A man who had been personally associated with Christ • Mt. 16:16-17: One to whom the identity of Jesus had been revealed • Mt. 16:19: The one promised the “keys of the kingdom” • Acts 2:1-4: One who was baptized in the Holy Spirit • Acts 3:9: One who could heal the sick and raise the dead • Acts 15:11: • The proof of Peter’s salvation was his faith! • “But we believe” “Saved By Grace” Amazing Grace

10. He understood that this salvation was by God’s grace • I Jn. 2:25: God has promised eternal life (salvation) • II Peter 1:5-11: God has made salvation possible if we possess certain qualities and live our lives a certain way II Peter 1:10-11 (I Pet. 1:4-5: Heaven) 10. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11. for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. • Grace is the gift of God that brings about salvation • Rom. 3:24; 5:15; Eph. 4:7: God sent His Son to die for the sins of the world as a free gift unto salvation! “Saved By Grace” Heaven is to be revealed as the ultimate expression of God’s grace: An eternal rest! Amazing Grace

11. Is salvation by grace conditional or unconditional? • Titus 2:11-12: • If unconditional—universal salvation is true • Note: Grace appeared, bringing salvation to all men Titus 2:11-12 11. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12. instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, Conclusion Amazing Grace

12. Is eternal salvation unconditional? • Col. 1:21-23: “If indeed you continue in the faith…” • I Cor. 10:12: If unconditional, why Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians? “Take heed” that one does not fall • I Pet. 1:17: If unconditional, why Peter’s admonition to “conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth”? • Js. 2:14-26: If unconditional, why is “faith without works dead?” Conclusion Amazing Grace

13. If salvation is conditional, does compliance with the • conditions nullify salvation by grace? • Acts 2:38: Do the conditions of eternal salvation make void Peter’s statement in Acts 15:11? • Why then would complying with the conditions (Mk. 16:16: set forth by the Lord) nullify salvation being by grace? • Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 2:11-14: As Naaman was instructed to dip 7 times in the Jordan (II Kings 5) to be healed, God’s grace is given to those who obey Him • The gift of God is for those who are obedient (Heb. 5:9) Conclusion • He doesn’t ask much: To give our lives to the One who gave His life for us (Tit. 2:14) Amazing Grace

14. The gift of God is for those who are obedient! Heb. 5:9 9. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, Mk. 16:16 (Acts 20:32; Gal. 1:6) 16. "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. God, by His grace, gave to man the means to be saved! Conclusion Those obedient to God’s word truly receive “Amazing Grace!” Amazing Grace

15. Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17) Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24) Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38) Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10) Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16) Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10) “What Must I Do To Be Saved?” For The Erring Child: Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9), Pray (Acts 8:22)