Return to 2005 Sermons

TITLE: The Abuses of Grace

TEXT: Jude 1:3-4
PROPOSITION: The grace of God can be abused.
QUESTION: How?
KEY WORD: Abuses
SCRIPTURE READING: Same

INTRODUCTION:

1. Grace is a beautiful word – Greek – charis

2. We often say – unmerited favor

3. Imagine – arrested, found guilty of felony, judge awards you $1 million

4. That is grace!

Some facts about Grace

1. The gospel is a result of God's grace – Galatians 1:6-9

2. Grace is sufficient – 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

3. Man is saved by grace – Ephesians 2:5-8

4. God's grace makes us better people – 1 Corinthians 15:9-10; Hebrews 4:16

The Origin of Grace

1. 1 Corinthians 1:3 – From God and Jesus

2. In the NT – especially associated with Jesus – John 1:17

Grace can be Abused

1. Encourage sin

   1. Jude 1:4

   2. Romans 6:1

   3. Instead of teaching the responsibility of man – we think that grace will allow us to keep on sinning

2. Salvation by Grace Only

   1. Some teach that salvation is ONLY by grace

   2. Quote from Shelley - “Man has not one whit to do with his salvation.”

3. Grace Excludes Works (Obedience)

   1. Grace and works are NOT mutually exclusive

   2. The Bible teaches – BOTH

   3. Ephesians 2:8-10

   4. Saving faith is always active and obedient – James 2:19-26

4. Grace Foregos Righteousness

   1. Romans 5:21 – grace reigns through righteousness

   2. Grace – God's gift

   3. Righteousness – Man's acceptance of that gift

Return to 2005 Sermons