11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Grace is undeserved favor

Grace begins with God

Grace brings salvation –

Grace leads to a re-connecting with God, a rescuing from sin, and a ransoming of our souls from the penalty of God’s judgment……

Grace has appeared to all

Passive voice – which means grace is revealed by someone else it does not act independently nor do you just happen to find it………..


Remember the song....?

Where would I be if Jesus hadn’t loved me, where would I be if Jesus didn’t care, where would I be If he hadn’t sacrificed his life – Oh but I’m glad so glad he did….

Teaching us….instructing us as you would a little child about the fundamentals of life – or what an elementary school teacher does……….

Say no - at some point in time we make the decision to turn away from……..(aorist tense)
to ungodliness – habits that say we do not know God
to worldly passions – the appetites of the body that can consume us and draw us away from God


Say yes –
to self-control
to living “right” – righteousness, doing what is proper before God
to godliness – piety, reverence,
to living “in the now” – literally what it means – we have our faith in the God of heaven and yet are firmly involved in the affairs of the world. We are not like the world but live for the world…….

So - say yes to godliness

The ability to wait for something has a lot to do with how much you value what you are waiting for……..here is how the

Scriptures describe the second coming

For the blessed hope Titus 2:13

For the glorious appearing Titus 2:13

Times of refreshing Acts 3:19

Times of restitution Romans 8:21

Last time I Peter 1:5

Appearing of Jesus Christ I Peter 1:7

Revelation of Jesus Christ I Peter 1:13
(Illus,

Coming of the Day of the Lord 2 Peter 3:12

Day of our Lord Jesus Christ I Corinthians 1:8

Who are we waiting for?

God

Our savior

Jesus

Christ


So – live in the now with anticipation

Redemption
For our benefit
For our deliverance

Purification
A personally connected
people
A personal possession

Mobilization

Eagerness – word we get zeal or zealot from – indicates that if we do not have a zeal for good works chances are we do not have clear picture of grace…..

and Good works …….the tings that lead to wholeness, fullness, and health


So – respond to the light

Keep on speaking – normal word for speaking to someone, no special emphasis training or position, just talking to others about the grace of God at work in their lives – testimonies of grateful people who have been impacted by God


Keep on encouraging – parakalew – find people to come alongside and make it as a lifestyle to be strengthening others……



Keep on rebuking – does not mean to yell at someone, but rather to use the Scriptures to bring to light things in their lives that are destructive and need attention –
(Illus. Road through the desert – get off the truck, and I say I think I will stretch my legs and go for a short walk……One guy says I don’t think you should do that Chaplain……why not I asked……..and one of the other soldiers shines his light on a sing that says…….minefield….Ahh I think I will stay right here…..)

Keep on leading – idea of people intimidating you by thinking around you…..discounting what you think to the point they ignore you……..looking down on you for what they believe is intellectual inferiority…….


So – keep on…..make it a habit, lifestyle, matter of daily activity…….