The Last Verse
A. THE FIRST VERSE IN THE BIBLE TELLS US SO MUCH ABOUT GOD.
1. His existence.
2. A fit description of Him, his Glory and Infinite Nature.
B. THE LAST VERSE IN THE BIBLE TELLS US SOMETHING ABOUT HIS GRACE.
A. WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE. BUT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
1. Grace – charis, “favor.”
2. The true meaning of grace cam be seen in the fact that salvation is not the only
gift from the Father ( James 1:17 ). Food, water, breath, etc.
3. Man can’t be passive toward grace.
a. He must eat his food, drink his water,
b. Likewise, benefit from spiritual grace depends on reaction ( 2 Cor. 6:1 ).
B. ALL GRACE FROM GOD IS UNDESERVED ( Rom. 5:8; 6:23; 1 John 4:9-10 ).
1. Nothing we do obligates God to provide material blessing.
2. Nothing we do obligates God to save us.
C. GRACE PROVIDES A SACRIFICE ( 2 Cor. 5:14-15; 21 ).
D. GRACE TEACHES ( Titus 2:11-12; Rom. 1:16; Acts 20:32 ).
E. GRACE DEMANDS FAITH ON OUR PART ( Rom. 5:1-2; Rom. 10:17; Heb. 4:2).
F. THIS SALVATION IS THE SOURCE OF GREATEST JOY ( Acts 8:39; Phil. 4:4 ).
A. OUR PLACE IN THE WORK IS OF GRACE ( Eph. 4:7-12 ). “Unto each one of us…”
1. Paul’s specific role a gift from God ( Eph 3:7-8; Rom 15:15-16 ).
2. He was able to accomplish great things – Corinth ( 1 Cor 3:10; Phil. 4:13 ).
3. The ability to give among the Macedonians considered a gift to them ( 2 Cor. 8:1-5 ).
4. We have gifts that we are expected to use ( Rom. 12:6-8 ).
5. Faithfulness is demanded in using our gifts ( 1 Pet 4:10-11 ).
6. As with Paul, God gives us ample power to do (2 Cor. 9:8 ).
B. GRACE MAKES US STRONG ( 2 Tim. 2:1 ).
1. God has promised to strengthen us (1 Peter 5:10-12 ).
2. He has provided the church ( Eph. 4:11-15 ).
3. He has provided his word ( Acts 20:32 ).
a. Grace first appears to us in teaching ( Titus 2:11-12 ).
b. Every good work is found in Bible teaching ( 2 Tim. 3:16-17 ).
4. It is reasonable that we should grow ( 2 Pet. 3:18 ).
C. GRACE PROVIDES COMFORT IN TRIAL ( Heb. 4:16 ).
1. Paul’s example ( 2 Cor. 12:7-10 ).
2. Comfort is ours through grace ( 2 Thess 2:16 ).
3. Grace and Peace ( 2 Peter 1:2; 2 John 3; Titus 1:4 ) (Phil. 4:6-7).
Peace from Hope.
D. LIFE AND ITS BLESSINGS ( 1 Pet. 3:7 ).
1. Provision for life here ( Matt. 7:7-11; James 1:17 ).
a. Food and raiment ( Matt. 6:26-33; Psa. 37:35 ).
b. Companionship ( Gen. 2:18; 2 Cor. 7:2 ).
Great Blessing in being Joint Heirs.
2. The promised grace of eternal life ( 1 Pet. 1:18 ).
a. An anchor of the soul ( Heb. 6:18-19 ).
b. Engendered by Grace ( Titus 3:7 ).
A. SPEECH AND CONDUCT SHOULD REFLECT GOD’S GRACE ( Eph. 4:29; Col. 4:6 ).
B. SO SHOULD OUR WORSHIP ( Col. 3 16; Heb. 12:28-29 ).
C. WE MUST BE HUMBLE ( Jas. 4:6, 10; 1 Pet. 5:5-7 ).
1. Beware the “Pride of Grace” ( 1 Cor. 10:12 ).
2. Grace demands fairness ( Rom. 14:10-12 ).
D. WE MUST BE HOLY ( Heb. 12:14-15 ).
E. WE MUST PRAY AND READ!
1. Paul prayed ( 2 Cor. 12:8; Heb. 4:16 ).
2. The “Word of his Grace” ( Acts 20:32 ).
A. GOD’S GRACE BRINGS SALVATION TO ALL.
1. To those outside Christ ( Titus 2:11 )
2. And to Christians in the form of forgiveness ( 1 John 2:1-2 ).
B. GOD’S INVITATION IS TO ALL ( Matt. 11:28 ).
C. BUT WE MUST RESPOND AS HE DIRECTS.
1. The Outsider? ( Acts 2:38 ).
2. The Christian who sins? ( 1 John 1:6-7, 9 ).