(remember, these are unedited/draft show notes, not a transcript — listening is always better)
Focus:
What does a response to God’s grace look like?
Intro:
Happy Monday, and let’s get right to it today. Our focus question today is, “What does a response to God’s grace look like?” And since the very first word we’re going to hear out of Paul’s mouth today is “but,” it’s useful to remember what he was just talking about.
(The false teachers) were (1) “rebellious” because they rejected the demands of the gospel message; (2) “mere talkers” because they tried to use impressive speech, even though it accomplished nothing; and (3) “deceivers” because they were leading astray the church members. These false teachers could not and should not be trusted because they were “liars,” (1:12–13).(1)
So as we get rolling, the first thing you’ll hear is Paul instructing Titus about different groups, but with regard to our focus question, see if you can spot what undergirds them all?
New covenant:
Passage: Titus 2
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 15
Words: ~302
Did you catch that last bit? We are rescued from thoughts, feelings, and actions that are out of kilter with God’s design, and saved for good works. Remember, of course, that Paul isn’t saying we earn anything from our good works, but rather that our transformed hearts and minds will be evidence in changed behavior that just happens to “wear” the clothes of sound doctrine well.
Sadly, as we’ll see in today’s chunk of 2 Kings, not everyone who has an encounter with God is transformed.
Old covenant:
Passage: 2 Kings 8-9
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 66
Words: ~2089
Wisdom:
Passage: Psalm 46
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 9
Words: ~148
The bottom line:
We are saved by grace alone, not by our good deeds but for good deeds. Of course, that’s a response to grace looks like…when we are changed by love and fall in love.
Love you!
Roger
ForTheHope is a daily audio Bible + apologetics podcast and blog. We’ve got a passion for just keepin’ it real, having conversations like normal people, and living out the love of Jesus better every single day.
Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in digitally-extended communication and connection, an award-winning speaker, award-winning author, and a passionately bad guitarist. Follow him on Twitter -- @RogerCourville and @JoinForTheHope – or his blog: www.forthehope.org.
Sources and resources:
(1) David S. Dockery, ed., Holman Bible Handbook (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 1992), 742.