Grace Is the Answer / Richard Stratton

Richard Stratton speaks to the students about how God’s grace is so expansive and sufficient in both the highs and the lows. He points out that nothing can keep one from God’s grace but oneself.

God’s grace saves and sanctifies, and grace can be obtained through going to God boldly and through humbly going to Him.

Scripture Text

Titus 2:11-12

Main Points or Ideas

Definition and Power of Grace

• Grace is goodwill, loving kindness, and favor, but also the merciful kindness by which God exerts His holy influence upon souls, turning them to Christ, saving them, and then keeping, strengthening, and increasing them in Christian faith
• Grace not only tells us what we're supposed to do but gives us the power to do it—it energizes us to exercise Christian virtues
• Examples of those who found grace include Noah the drunk, Moses with anger management problems, Gideon the coward, Peter the mouthy fisherman, Mary Magdalene from whom seven devils were cast, and Paul the self-righteous murderer

Grace Saves Us (Titus 2:11)

• An appeal to those at Christian colleges who may not yet know Christ as personal Savior—believe today, repent of sin, and believe in Him
• We all have to live somewhere forever; there is life after this life

Grace Teaches Us (Titus 2:11-12)

• Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts—these are "God competitors" that take His place in our lives
• God competitors can be sinful things or even good things like sports, hobbies, studying, scrolling, or gaming that come between us and God
• If you have to be defensive about something you're doing, it's probably not good; ask your friends if there's a God competitor in your life and believe what they say

Grace Empowers Three Ways of Living

• Self-controlled — Grace teaches and empowers us to live self-controlled lives, not through self-help but through God's power
• Upright — Refers to our horizontal relationships with roommates, classmates, teammates, and others; this includes understanding that God created both "rule keepers" and "rule stretchers," and both groups need grace to love each other without looking down on one another or forcing others to violate their conscience
• Godly — Refers to our vertical relationship with God; aspire toward a God consciousness throughout the day, recognizing that Emmanuel (God with us) is always present

How to Receive Grace

• Come to Him — Draw near with confidence to the throne of grace throughout the day to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16)
• Come humbly — God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble; ask the Lord to give you humility, which leads to more grace (James 4; 1 Peter 5)

Conclusion

God lavishes grace upon us in limitless supply. Whether problems are self-inflicted or come from outside circumstances, His grace is still sufficient. Make grace a big deal in your life by pursuing the One who supplies it abundantly.