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 [...]

Text: 2 Corinthians 11:3 Revelation Understandable (Ephesians 3:4) Concise (John 21:25) Complete (Jude 3) Salvation Problem of sin (Isaiah 59:2) God’s grace (Titus 2:11) Our faithful obedience (Romans 5:1; James 2:24) Evangelism Message (2 Timothy 4:2) Individual work (1 Peter 3:15) Collective work (1 Timothy 3:15)

Text: Matthew 7:13-14 Lessons from the Text We have two choices The right way is hard Few will be saved What God has Given to Help Us on the Way A light – Psalm 119:105 A Map – 2 Timothy 1:13 A Guide – John 14:6 Company – Hebrews 3:12-13 His Grace – 2 Thessalonians [...]

Faith is Necessary for Salvation – Hebrews 11:6; Romans 5:1 What Kind of Faith? – James 2:14-26 Do We Earn Our Salvation? – Ephesians 2:8-10

Text: Ephesians 3:4 Matthew 16:18 – there is one church Ephesians 2:8-9 – what salvation by grace means James 2:24 – we are not saved by faith alone Mark 16:16 – belief and baptism are necessary for salvation 1 Peter 3:21 – baptism saves