Amazing Grace, Awakening Grace (Titus 2:11-14)

Amazing Grace, Awakening Grace (Titus 2:11-14)

Collin Leong. 15 January 2016

Scripture: Titus 2:11-14: 

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

I. Introduction

What is so unique about Christianity compared to other religions? This was the question that stumped a team of theological experts during a British conference on comparative religions.  Is it heaven, hell, sacrifices, prophecies, miracles, incarnation, resurrection? You can always find at least one other religion having similar concepts. After hours of debate, CS Lewis wandered into the room. Learning what the ruckus was about, he responded: “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.”  After some examining, everyone agreed.  

Probably all Christians know that the Bible clearly teaches that it is by God’s grace, and not of our own goodness or works, that we are forgiven and saved. The grace is free but not cheap – the cost was the sacrifice of God’s son on the cross. We don’t deserve it, but out of love, God did it for us. Thus for most Christians, grace has always been defined as an “unmerited favor” from God.  But is that all we think grace is? If that is all it is, then beyond being grateful to God, there’s nothing left for us to do – we can be live passively until we get to heaven. 

However, according to this passage in Titus (and elsewhere in scripture), we find that there’s a lot more about Grace, and a lot more we are accountable for. But before that let’s look at how the word “grace” is used in the bible:

• Greek “charis” - “favor,” “goodwill,” and “lovingkindness”; 

• “Charis” also translated to “credit”, “gratitude”, and “thanks (be to God)”  - I guess that’s why we say “grace” before each meal. Makes sense now?

• Occurs in OT  6 times; in NT 122 times  (ESV)

• Concept first appeared in Gen 6:5  “Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord..“  Moses is said to have found favor with God five times.

• From where and how did grace come? (John 1:14, 16) “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

•  Bedfellows of grace:

• Grace and Truth (eg: John 1:17); Implies grace doesn’t mean anything goes and sin doesn’t matter – it’s only genuine when God’s truth is upheld. Sin mattered because God has to sacrifice his son before Grace can be given.

• Grace, mercy and peace  (eg: 1 Tim 1:2);  Grace also brings reconciliation. Many Christians still live with guilt and burden from a dark past – but the true grace of God not just forgives sin but also liberates the sinner from the guilt of sin. 

II. What Does Grace Do?  More than Salvation!

These are the function of grace as observed from Titus 2:11-12:

• Salvation/Redemption. "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves,  it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 1:7,8). 

• Training (paideuó - discipline, educate, train, chastise) to renounce (deny) evil. “he has granted       to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of             the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”   (2 Pet 1:4)

• Power to live godly lives.  “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us toc his own glory and excellence” (2 Pet 1:3)  

From the above observation and other scriptures, we realize that grace is not just given once for purpose of salvation, but also for the continuous training to resist wrong and power to live right. In other words, grace must change us! To do this, we must “awaken” grace in different areas of our lives. 

III. The Grace Awakens

For fans of Star Wars, episode VII was entitled “The Force Awakens” – in it, the force had been long forgotten but is now “awaken” in a new disciple, a girl named Rey. With her new found power, she joined the rebels to fight the dark side. Similarly, it is not enough to appreciate the grace that has saved us, but we must “awaken” the grace to be effective soldiers of Christ. This is what we know so far about grace (and I put parallels of Star Wars in here just for you fans):

• It’s free and already given. “the force is everywhere” Master Yoda.  Romans 3:24   ”for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”

• We must believe to receive it.  Skywalker: “I  don’t believe it.”  Master Yoda: “That is why you fail.” Ephesians 2:8-9 “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.” 

• It saves us, but also give us power (dynamis).  “Use the force, Luke!” (Obi Wan Kenobi)  2 Corinthians 12:9  “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Timothy 2:1 “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus” 

• It gives us power, in order for us to change. (Growing Grace) “I will never join the dark side!” Luke Skywalker.  Ephesians 2:1-22 “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience."  Romans 6:14 “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”

• It’s God’s will for us to change and be Christ-like. (Godliness). “Without the midi-chlorians, life could not exist, and we would have no knowledge of the Force. They continually speak to you, telling you the will of the Force. — Qui-Gon Jinn to Anakin Skywalker.  1 Corinthians 2:12  Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.

IV. Grace Amazing and Grace Awakening

The last part of our Titus passage says “… our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”  This speaks of Salvation and Sanctification – the two consequences of the given grace.  See illustration below:

Notice that when we are saved by grace, we are also freely given other gifts. Firstly, we were given the Divine Nature (2 Pet 1:4) and the because of this we are asked to develop the 7 divine character qualities listed in 2Peter 1.  Secondly we are also given the Spiritual Gifts and 7 of them are listed in Romans 12. Compare the qualities and gifts below. Do you see something interesting?

God knows that it will take a long time for each of us to develop ALL the divine qualities and to become Christ-like – probably life-long or longer.  So, in His wisdom, he gave different grace-gifts to us (Rom 12:6). When we practice our gifts in unity, it made it possible for the collective body of Christ to exhibit the full grace of God to everyone, even when each of us are not yet perfect! 

The question is – do we practice these gifts as a means to give grace to others, and at the same time build the divine character in by the power of that grace?

V. Conclusion

• So, what is grace? I still don’t know and its OK. “I do not at all understand the mystery of grace - only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.” (Anne Lamott).

• How does grace look like? My favorite quote: “Love that goes upward is worship; love that goes outward is affection; love that stoops is grace”  (Donald Barnhouse)

• What does grace do to us?  My hybrid answer: “Grace gives us the knowledge, the desire, and the power to do God’s will.”

• What should we do with grace?  PASS IT ON!  “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.” (Rom 12:13-15)

So, how is grace doing in your church? In you?

Philip Yancey, in this book “What is so amazing about grace” said he doesn’t think the church is doing well with dispensing grace. Many Christians are so used to living in an ungracious, meritocratic, social-status climbing world that they bring the “ungrace” spirit into the church. On Sundays maybe we put on a façade of happy, gracious people, but driving out of the car park, our ungracious side shouts out in harsh words and angry honks. Are we any better than the Pharisee’s during Jesus’s day? Or should we be more like Jesus, who came “full of grace” and regularly associate with the sick, the social rejects and sinners and with loving grace, turn their attention away from their plight and unto God.  

Many people struggling with addiction, sin and problems avoid Christians or the church, as they don’t need another group of judgemental people. If the church and Christians are not where these people will turn to, then where else will they go? If Christians do not reach out, who will? As Gordon Macdonald said, “the world can do anything the church can do except one thing: it cannot show grace.”

Amazing Grace that saves us, Awakening Grace that changes us, Abounding Grace that grows us.  The more we pass grace on, the more we appreciate grace, and the more it empowers us.  

May the Grace be with you. (2 Timothy 4:22  “The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.”)

VI.  Application Questions

• Amazing Grace: What amazes you about God’s grace? Or how have you experienced it in your life? (Do you recognize grace when given to you?)

• Awakening Grace: As a recipient of God’s love and grace, does it motivate you to change and grow? (Titus mentioned at least 2 motivation).

• What are one or two areas in your life/walk do you want to awaken grace? And to who? List it down.