1. Problems with Grace We sing of: “Amazing Grace” and the “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” and the “Grace Greater Than All My Sin” and how “His Grace Reaches Me” But, we also have

2. Our Problems with Grace I mean “Our” in a very broad sense: • Including “us” here at Southside, certainly. • Including also “we” of the Church, of course. • But also including “all” who desire heaven as our home, believe in the God of the Bible, accept Jesus as His Son, and are reasonably concerned with living a Christian life. • Basically, “anyone” and “everyone” interested in grace from a spiritual perspective.

3. Our Problems with Grace By the term “Problems”: • I don’t really mean the “concept” of grace- I think most everyone comprehends “undeserved favor.” Eph.2:8 • And I don’t really mean the “definition” of grace either- “the favorable regard and benevolent actions of God toward man who does not merit them”is generally understood, Rom.11:6. • But I do think “we” (as previously defined) do have “problems’ with regard to its application...

4. Our Problems with Grace Please understand first of all that “we” don’t really apply God’s grace anywhere- He does. • We cannot save ourselves by any strength or wisdom of our own, and therefore certainly cannot save anyone else by applying God’s grace for Him! But… • Our problem(s) are in understanding what the N.T. says about when and where He will apply His grace.

5. Our Problems with Grace Some of us take it too far by trying to apply God’s grace in places and times that He never promised He would. • As in “Just Believe and Accept Jesus as your personal Savior.” • We will all be judgedand savedor lostas individuals- and therefore personally, 2Cor.5:10. • But, the idea of believing and accepting Jesus without obeying (doing what He says) is never promised to produce salvation, Luke 6:46; John 14:15; 15:10,14; 12:42 > 47-48.

6. Our Problems with Grace Some of us take it too far by trying to apply God’s grace in places and times that He never promised He would. • As in “Once Saved, Always Saved.” • Some of “us” believe that after entering fellowship with Jesus, salvation cannot be lost or forfeited because God’s grace just keeps on giving. But what does the N.T. say? • Heb.3:12-15brethren can fall away • 2Pet.2:20 those escaped can become entangled • Rev.2:4-7 the church at Ephesus had fallen

7. Our Problems with Grace But some of us instead have the opposite problem of not taking it far enough by refusing to apply God’s grace in places and times when He promised He would. • As in “I can’t forgive myself, or believe that God has.” • It is one thing to remember your past sins as motivation to avoid them in the future, cf.1Tim.1:15. • But it is another matter entirely to refuse to relinquish the guilt of that sin, Heb.8:12-13 (merciful is a synonym of gracious) > Phil.3:13.

8. Our Problems with Grace But some of us instead have the opposite problem of not taking it far enough by refusing to apply God’s grace in places and times when He promised He would. • Or as in “I hope I’m saved, but just don’t know for sure.” • Humility is a good thing, Luke 17:10; • But was not, and is not, intended to supplant confidence in salvation through God’s grace for the child of God! 1John 5:13

9. Our Problems with Grace But some of us instead have the opposite problem of not taking it far enough by refusing to apply God’s grace in places and times when He promised He would. • Or as in “I just can’t be sure that I’ve done everything I should or could.” • Well I’m sure. In fact, I’m absolutely positive that you didn’t do everything you should or could have! • None of us have, or will! Rom.3:9-12,23 • But thanks be to God that our salvation is not dependent upon doing “everything”- that was the requirement of the Old Law, and we’re under the New One! Rom.3:20-28 • If our salvation was dependent on doing “everything” right, it would exclude “grace” completely, Rom.4:4-5.

10. God’s Grace Can’t really be applied by anyone who is not Divine in the first place. But: • We can’t believe and act like He will apply it in places and at times that He has not promised to do so. • Nor can we refuse to believe and act like He will apply it in places and at times that He has promised to do so.

11. God’s Grace Are there requirements for the application of it? Absolutely, Titus 2:11-14. Are there limitations for the application of it? Sure, 2Thess.1:8-9; 1Pet.4:17-18. But if we think we have to deserve it, or do everything right to attain it, or if we can’t trust it, haven’t we missed the whole concept of “unmerited favor”? Listen closely, “Our salvation is… NOT DEPENDENT ON OUR MERIT! Titus 3:5a It IS DEPENDENT ON HIS GRACE/MERCY! Titus 3:5b Now, have you been “washed” and “renewed”? Titus 3:5c