Sermon Cloud

“Responding to Grace”

August 9, 2009

TEXT: 2 Peter 3:13-18

GROW IN GRACE

1. Some Things Get Twisted

A. Truth Becomes Error

B. Tradition Becomes Truth

2. Grow in Grace

A. It Starts with Your Mindset - "be diligent" v 14

B. It Requires Action - "without spot and blameless"

C. It Demands "Steadfastness"

Growing in Grace = getting to know Him better and better

FAITH IS MY RESPONSE TO GRACE

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His 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 of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:4-10

1. Grace Enables Salvation

"Even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)" v 5

2. Grace Promises a Rich Inheritance

"That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." v 7

3. Grace Demands Faith

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God" v 8

A. Faith Abandons My Ability

"Not of works, lest anyone should boast" v 9

B. Faith Knows Only Christ

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

LOVE IS THE EVIDENCE OF GRACE

"And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 1:14

1. I Love God

2. Love is Required

"Jesus said to him, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."" Matthew 22:37

3. Love is a Radical Commitment

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” John 21:15-19

GRACE SHOULD BE ON DISPLAY

21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20-21-24

LIFE APPLICATION:

0. Grace impresses me with God's love and commitment.

0. Grace moves me to a radical commitment and lifestyle.

1. Grace causes me to give my life as a testimony of God's love and gift.