Text: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Keep from Exalting Self Pride is a persistent problem (2 Timothy 3:2) — no matter who we are, we each have things we could boast about; but we must not Paul could have boasted in the revelations (v. 7) and other things (Philippians 3:4-6) — the thorn in the flesh prevented [...]

Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18; Luke 9:23 The themes associated with Christ’s cross extend to ours as well. Love “God so loved the world…” (John 3:16) Jesus laid down His life for us (John 10:17-18) Our following Christ & enduring all things must be done in love (John 14:15; Matthew 22:36-40) Grace Man’s condition before the [...]

Text: Romans 1:1-6 The Source of the Message (v. 1) Fulfillment of Prophecy (v. 2) The Deity & Humanity of Christ (v. 3-4) Christ was Raised from the Dead (v. 4) We Have Received Grace (v. 5) We Must Faithfully Obey (v. 5) We Are the Called of Christ (v. 6)

Text: Ezekiel 16 Man’s Helplessness without God (v. 4-5) We have no hope without God (Ephesians 2:12) Why? … Sin (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 6:23) God Showed Kindness to Man (v. 6) This was done while man was in his helpless state (Romans 5:6-10) As we will see, grace does not guarantee salvation (Titus 2:11; Matthew [...]

Where Have We Been? Born innocent, without sin (Ecclesiastes 7:29) All who have reached an accountable age have sinned (Romans 3:23) Sin separated us from God (Isaiah 59:2; Ephesians 2:1-3) Without direction (Jeremiah 10:23) Where Are We Now? Those who have not had their sins forgiven are still in the condition described above Christians have [...]

Text: Ephesians 1:3-14 Spiritual Blessings Predestination (v. 4-5) — God was able to foreknow who would be saved: those who were holy and blameless Grace (v. 6) — God’s gift of salvation, given to us freely, not according to what we deserve Redemption (v. 7) — God purchased us, bought us back from our bondage [...]

Text: John 3:14-21 Just as Moses Lifted Up the Serpent (v. 14-15; cf. Numbers 21:4-9) Necessary because of sin God had a remedy for sin The people were responsible to take advantage of God’s remedy Demonstration of God’s Love (v. 16-17) This was God’s plan God’s love was extended to the world We deserve punishment [...]

Text: John 1:14 The Word - Jesus is the word (John 1:14,17) Became Flesh - This was necessary to complete His work (Hebrews 2:14-15; 9:14; 10:10) Dwelt Among Us - Lived among men (Philippians 2:7), left us an example (1 Peter 2:21) We Saw His Glory - The apostles were eyewitnesses (2 Peter 1:16-18; 1 John 1:1-3) The Only [...]

Text: Hebrews 3:12-13 We can be deceived into thinking sin is… Not Sin – change the definition of what sin is Right in Certain Situations – situation ethics Not a Problem – God’s grace covers us Excusable – “we’re only human” or “others are doing it” Without Consequences – pleasure is temporary, consequences are eternal

Misunderstanding Grace Leads to Error More sin leads to more grace (Romans 6:1-2) Grace is a license to sin (Jude 4) With the grace-unity movement, grace is the basis for unity What is Grace? God’s gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:8) The gospel is the message of God’s grace (Acts 20:24) Grace is not without works [...]