Grace: Freedom Not to Sin
The sermon emphasizes that grace is not the freedom to sin, but the freedom not to sin, and that it is God's heart extending itself towards us to initiate the ability to overcome our weaknesses.
Major Ian Thomas emphasizes that grace is not merely the freedom to sin, but rather the power to resist sin and live righteously. He explains that God's grace trains us to renounce ungodliness and empowers us to lead self-controlled and godly lives. Through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, grace enables us to overcome our weaknesses and transforms our lives, making us fit for both heaven and earth. The essence of grace is not just being in Christ for salvation, but having Christ in us for sanctification and a purposeful life. This profound relationship with Christ changes our destiny and equips us to live out His will in the world.
Text
Power to Say, "No," to Ungodliness and, "Yes," to Righteousness
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age . . . .
Titus 2:11-12
Grace is not the freedom to sin, but the freedom not to sin. Grace is God's heart extending itself towards us as he initiates in us the ability to overcome our weaknesses, failures, and inadequacies. The foremost characteristic of living by grace is trust in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ: the Cross forgives our past sin through Christ's death, puts away our present sin through Christ's burial and triumphs over future sin through Christ's resurrection. Grace is not an abstraction, but Jesus living his life in us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
To be in Christ--that is redemption; but for Christ to be in you--that is sanctification! To be in Christ--that makes you fit for heaven; but for Christ to be in you--that makes you fit for earth! To be in Christ--that changes your destination; but for Christ to be in you--that changes your destiny! The one makes heaven your home--the other makes this world His workshop.
Sermon Outline
- I. What is Grace?
- A. The freedom not to sin
- B. God's heart extending itself towards us
- C. Initiating ability to overcome weaknesses
Key Quotes
“Grace is not the freedom to sin, but the freedom not to sin.” — Major Ian Thomas
“To be in Christ--that is redemption; but for Christ to be in you--that is sanctification!” — Major Ian Thomas
“The foremost characteristic of living by grace is trust in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ:” — Major Ian Thomas
Application Points
- We must trust in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ to live by grace.
- Having Christ in us changes our destiny and makes us fit for earth.
- The Holy Spirit gives us the power to live by grace and overcome our weaknesses.