January 22, 2017 Pastor Kenton Rahn
“A Gospel Centered Life” Titus 3:3-8
Titus 3:3-8 “For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.” Introduction C.J. Mahaey - “You need to rediscover the truth that first saved you. The key to joy, to growth, to passion isn’t hiding from you. It’s right before your eyes. It’s the gospel.” (The Cross Centered Life) Five Truths About Salvation 1. The Need of Salvation Verse 3: “For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.”
2. The Source of Salvation: Verses 4-7: “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us… according to His mercy… being justified by His grace….”
3. The Means of Salvation •
We are not saved by works. Verse 5: “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness...”
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We are justified by grace. Verse 7: “justified by His grace…”
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We are regenerated by the Holy Spirit.
Verses 5-6: “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior…” What happens to a person who is born again? o Raised spiritually from the dead (Eph 2:4-6) o Made into a new creation (2Cor 5:17) o Receive a new heart (Eze 36:26) o Set free from the power of sin (Rom 6:17-18) o Mind opened to spiritual things (Eph 1:18; 1Cor 2:9-16) o Process of sanctification begun (Phil 2:13; Rom 12:2) 4. The Goal of Salvation Verse 7: “so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” 5. The Evidence of Salvation Verse 8: “This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.” (cf. Ephesians 2:10) Conclusion • • • •
Be prepared to share the gospel. Be motivated by joy not guilt. Don’t procrastinate when you have an opportunity to share your faith. Don’t forget the mercy that God has shown you.
Discussion Questions 1. How did you come to know Christ? 2. Do you feel like the joy of your salvation has faded over time? What do you think about C.J. Mahaney’s belief that the reason we lose joy is because we drift away from the gospel? 3. Which of the five “truths about salvation” stood out to you the most, and why? 4. What amazes you the most about the gospel? 5. Is the Lord leading you to share your faith with someone in particular right now? What are you going to do to respond to the Holy Spirit’s prompting?
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