KEY VERSE – It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Gal. 5:1)
SECONDARY THEME VERSES: “A man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ” (Gal. 2:16); “If righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing” (Gal. 2:21).
THEME: Salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone releases us from the yoke of the law, freeing us to live a life of love through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Legal (Imputed) Righteousness: We are justified by faith in Christ (Gal. 2:16). Imparted Righteousness: Immediate Moral Change at conversion (Gal. 6:15); Gradual Moral Change through the fruit-growing work of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) which requires our cooperation (Gal 5:16-17, 25, 6:8). We cooperate by using CCRC (Concentration, Choice, Reflection, Confession/Thanksgiving. Foundational verse, “By one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (Heb. 10:14)
Good Teachers: (1) Constantly re-evaluate what they are doing; (2) Set large goals; (3) Ask – Does everything I do contribute to learning?; (4) Prepare well; (5) Check for understanding; (6) Like teaching; (7) Get results from their teaching; (8) Have perseverance. Don’t give up.
TEACHING GOAL: To show how that Paul received the Gospel Message through divine revelation.
TEXT FOR THE DAY: I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather I received if by revelation from Jesus Christ. (Gal. 1:11-12)
THE DIVINE SOURCE OF PAUL’S GOSPEL
1. Paul’s Knowledge of Christ/The Gospel before the Damascus Road
2. Paul’s Knowledge of Christ/Gospel Was Not Received in the Traditional Way
3. Paul Received the Gospel as a Direct Revelation from God
4. The Core of the Paul’s Damascus Road Revelation
5. Salvation by Grace in the New Testament Letters
6. Salvation by Grace in the Old Testament
7. Salvation by Grace in the Gospels
INTRODUCTION
“It is ironic that those who preach salvation by grace alone typically cite the apostle Paul’s writings but ignore the teachings of Christ himself. While the Book of Mormon teaching that we are “saved by grace after all we can do” may conflict with the theology of some modern Christian groups, it is consistent with Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament.
The Savior spent three years teaching people the principles by which they should live their lives, never once mentioning grace. His principal message was “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” (which was the same message taught by John the Baptist.” (John A. Tvedtnes from the web)
V. SALVATION BY GRACE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT LETTERS
“His encounter with the risen Christ must also have meant that he recognized that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. And since the early Christians believed that God had made Jesus Lord as well as Messiah (Acts 2:36), it may reasonable be assumed that with the recognition of Jesus’ messiahship there was also the recognition of his being the Lord (I Cor. 9:1). (Fong, 65)
Paul’s conversion it to be understood as involving: (a.) Recognition of the risen Jesus as Messiah, Lord, and Son of God; (b.) the experience of being justified by faith apart from legal works; (c.) The revelation of the basic principles of the Gospel; (d.) The call to be an apostle to the Gentiles. (Fong, 70)
QUESTION: What verses in the NT letters would you give to show that Paul preached a Gospel of salvation by grace?
And are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:24)
And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. (Romans 11:6)
Who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father (Galatians 1:4)
I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” (Galatians 2:21)
Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Galatians 3:6)
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” (Galatians 3:13)
So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:24)
You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. (Galatians 5:4)
Made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (Eph. 2:5)
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph. 2:8-9)
SING:
(1) Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, / Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured, / There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.
Grace, grace, God’s grace, / Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace, / Grace that is greater than all our sin.
Obviously the coming of Christ is the core of the Gospel Event in history. The core of the Gospel message as it relates to our personal salvation is that we are “saved by grace.” This is not debatable.
The question: Did Jesus proclaim “Salvation by Grace”? But before we discuss that question, is “Salvation by Grace” evident in the Old Testament, the Law and the Prophets?
QUESTION: What verses in the OT would you give to prove that Gospel of salvation by grace is an OT message?
VI. SALVATION BY GRACE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
(1) ADAM AND EVE
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Gen. 3:15)
The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. (Gen. 3:21)
(2) ABRAHAM
Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” (Gen. 22:6-14)
READING: Throughout the Muslim world today the korbani (sacrifice) practice is basically observed in the following way: The father, or recognized head of the family, buys a sheep, goat or cow which is healthy and without any defects. They use the word pure to describe the condition of the animal. The animal is brought home and tied up in the yard, where it is well fed. On the morning of Korbani-Eid, family members dress in their finest clothes. Male members gather around the animal. They place their hands on the animal as a local hired expert prepares to slit the animal’s throat with a knife. In the father’s possession is a piece of paper with the names of relatives or individuals close to the family. Before the animal is killed, the father reads out loud the names on the paper. The korban is intended to atone for the names on the paper as well as those placing their hands on the animal. After the father says a prayer, the animal’s throat is cut and he dies. The korban is now complete. Meat is divided up among family, friends and poor people in the community. Some Muslims will untie the animal before the throat is cut. This symbolizes the willingness of the animal to be used as a sacrifice. )The Camel, Wigtake Resources, Pg. 115)
(2) Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, / Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, / Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
Grace, grace, God’s grace, / Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace, / Grace that is greater than all our sin.
(3) PASSOVER
“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. (Exodus 12:12-13)
(4) SCAPEGOAT
Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat. Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the LORD and sacrifice it for a sin offering. But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement by sending it into the desert as a scapegoat. (Lev. 16:7-10)
(5) THE BRONZE SERPENT
They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. The LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived. (Numbers 21:4-9)
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. (John 3:14)
ILLUSTRATION: I’ve a message from the Lord, Hallelujah! / The message unto you I’ll give; / ‘Tis recorded in His Word, Hallelujah! / It is only that you “look and live.” Refrain: Look and live, O sinner, live, / Look to Jesus now and live; / ‘Tis recorded in His Word, Hallelujah! / It is only that you look and live. (William Ogden)
(3) Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. / What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, / Brighter than snow you may be today.
Grace, grace, God’s grace, / Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace, / Grace that is greater than all our sin.
(6) BLOTS OUT SINS
“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. . . . I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” (Isaiah 43:25, 44:22)
(7) SUFFERING SERVANT AS SIN-BEARER
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:4-6)
(8) A NEW HEART
Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. . . . . I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.’ (Ezekiel 36: 22, 25-27)
(4) Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, / Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face, / Will you this moment His grace receive?
Grace, grace, God’s grace, / Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace, / Grace that is greater than all our sin.
(9) THE GIVER OF VICTORY OVER DEATH
“I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction? “I will have no compassion, (Hosea 13:14)
(10) SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AS HEALER
But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. (Malachi 4:2)
VII. SALVATION BY GRACE IN THE GOSPELS
“It is ironic that those who preach salvation by grace alone typically cite the apostle Paul’s writings but ignore the teachings of Christ himself. While the Book of Mormon teaching that we are “saved by grace after all we can do” may conflict with the theology of some modern Christian groups, it is consistent with Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament.
The Savior spent three years teaching people the principles by which they should live their lives, never once mentioning grace. His principal message was “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” (which was the same message taught by John the Baptist.” (John A. Tvedtnes from the web)
The Question: If we didn’t have the teachings of Paul would we still have a Gospel of Salvation by Grace?
QUESTION: What teach of Jesus emphasizes the Gospel of Grace alone?
(1) THE PARABLE OF THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. “The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. (Matthew 18:22-27)
(2) THE LABORERS IN THE VINEYARD
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. “About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. “He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ ” ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ “The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ “But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Mt. 20:1-16)
(1) Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, / Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured, / There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.
Grace, grace, God’s grace, / Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace, / Grace that is greater than all our sin.
(3) THE PRODIGAL SON
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:11-24)
(4) THE LOST SHEEP
Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:3-7)
(2) Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, / Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, / Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
Grace, grace, God’s grace, / Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace, / Grace that is greater than all our sin.
(5) THE LOST COIN
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:8-10)
(6) THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX COLLECTOR
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)
(3) Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. / What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, / Brighter than snow you may be today.
Grace, grace, God’s grace, / Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace, / Grace that is greater than all our sin.
(7) THE THIEF ON THE CROSS
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)
He prayed (Remember me); He worshipped (Lord); He preached to / rebuked the other thief (Don’t you fear God?); He justified Christ (This man has done nothing wrong.); He received eternal life (Today you will be with me in paradise.)
(8) SALVATION VERSES IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:12-14)
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” . . . Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:3, 5)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. . . . . . Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” (John 3:16, 36)
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:27-28)
(4) Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, / Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face, / Will you this moment His grace receive?
Grace, grace, God’s grace, / Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace, / Grace that is greater than all our sin.
(9) THE LAST SUPPER
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Mt. 26:26-28)
CONCLUSION:
“The remarkable understanding which Paul thus shows of the central message of the Master – the more remarkable in that his letters give no evidence that he knew the parables of Jesus – is fully consonant with his claims in Gal. 1:12, 16. (Fong, 67)
So, how did Paul know? “The Gospel I preached is not something that man made up. … I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ . . . God … was pleased, to reveal His Son in (to) me.” (Gal. 1:12, 16)
SO WHAT????
1. The Gospel of Salvation by Grace is an OT message. It is also the core to the salvation message taught by Jesus.
2. We are not saved by grace + works. We are saved by grace alone.
3. Paul received independently by revelation the Gospel message of Salvation by Grace, a Gospel message that in totally in sync with the teaching of Jesus.
(2) Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, / Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, / Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
Grace, grace, God’s grace, / Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace, / Grace that is greater than all our sin.