The Primacy and Power of Grace

REFLECTION QUOTES

“[He experientially knows that he] has done wrong in not rendering to God love and obedience. He feels that he has no excuse to make for not doing it. He feels that his own sinfulness and self-will have led him to refuse to do it. He acknowledges the great guilt of his pride and obstinacy of heart and is truly and deeply sorry for it. His will, subdued and humbled, bows in submission to the will of God; not as if forced to do it, as when a child yields to the will of the parent from the fear of punishment, but freely, fully and cheerfully desires to submit and trust to Christ to aid him in doing it.”

“…you cannot truly repent of your sins without at the same time trusting entirely in Christ of the forgiveness of your sins, and your acceptance with God.”

~Thomas H. Gallaudet (1787-1851), educator and advocate for the deaf community on the nature and source of genuine repentance

“Hospitality is not so much a task, as a way of living our lives and of sharing ourselves… Hospitality is not first a duty and responsibility; it is first a response of love and gratitude of God’s love and welcome to us.”

“For leaders of the ancient church, hospitality was a significant context for transcending boundaries and working through respect and recognition. Christian hospitality was to be remedial, counteracting the social stratification of the larger society by providing a modest and equal welcome to everyone.”

~Christine D. Pohl, contemporary author and professor of social ethics

“Some people are given to an ‘easy believism’ that resists careful curation of their own souls, while others are too easily tempted to doubt and despair. In a church culture, we can love each other both by pointing out evidence of God’s grace in each others’ lives and by asking tough questions…. By doing both, we help one another avoid the extremes of despair and complacency, and we encourage one another to see ourselves in the light of God’s saving work in our souls.”

~Thabiti M. Anyabwile, pastor of Anacostia River Church in metro DC

SERMON PASSAGE

Titus 2:1-15 (NASB)

1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.

3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; 7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

9 Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

15 These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.