Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Titus 2:11-15 Grace is God’s love, which He gives at a great cost to Himself. Salvation is something we could never obtain ourselves; it is only by His grace that we can be saved. There is not one spiritual thing to earn, but there is so much to learn; it is so important that we are not a disgrace to God's grace. Titus 2:11-12 says, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age…” We live in this physical world, but as Christians, we are meant to live differently from this world’s systems and orders. We are called to love people, but we cannot love this world’s system. (See 1 John 2:15.) Adrian Rogers said, “A Christian ought to stand out in this world’s system like a diamond in a coal mine; like a gardenia in a garbage can.” This world has a prince, the devil, who is the mastermind behind this world system. This world has an evil philosophy made up of skillfully woven ideals and values that seem beautiful but are dangerous. This world is hostile to the things of God because Jesus exposes sin and evil. The world’s purpose is to draw us away from Him. Genesis 13 tells the story of Lot, a classic example of a “worldly Christian,” or a man who was a disgrace to grace. Lot was Abraham’s nephew who, rather than seeking God, followed the world’s enticing attractions to an unspeakably wicked land called Sodom. Recognizing Lot’s mistakes, we learn that we must: 1. Resist the pull of the world 2. Refuse the persuasion of the world 3. Realize the pollution of the world 4. Remember the price of the world Lot’s story shows us what it costs to serve the world—it costs our potential, influence, family, and reputation. The same forces that worked on Lot are working on us today. We must remember the amazing grace of God, and decide every day to honor that grace by living godly lives. Apply it to your life There is a world system working on us today; be aware of the world’s prince, its philosophy, its power, and purpose. Don’t be a disgrace to grace: live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present time, because the Lord is coming soon.
