These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
Ano ang grasya sang dios… (3 ka punto)
- 1st – What is GRACE… Ano ang Grasya…
- 1st – TWO lists… 2 ka lista…
- One GOOD list and one BAD list – we KNOW which is which…
- Read the Bible / pray / go to church / love others / help those who are in need…
- Gambling / being drunk / cheating / lying / partying / fighting!
- All of us know GOOD from BAD – we know what God says we should be doing…
- Tanan kita kabalo sang insakto kag malain-kon ano ang gusto sang Dios nga himuon naton…
- We also KNOW what NOT to do – those that are BAD / not pleasing to God…
- Kabalo kita kon ano ang indi himuon-ang mga malain indi makahatg kalipay sa Dios…
- We KNOW as Christian what to do – live our lives in a way that pleases God!
- Bilang Kristohanon kabalo kita sang dapat-magkabuhi nga madayaw ang Dios!
- 2nd – HOW to live for God…
- The question is not WHAT to do – but HOW do we do the right things…
- How do I do the right things – how to live my life for Jesus Christ!
- So many Christians are under the deception they can live a GOOD life on their own…
- Damo nga mga Kristohanon nga nagapati nga pagusto lang sila kabuhi sa ila kaugalingon…
- Assuming the more they read their Bible / go to church / pray / give…
- Para sa ila dugangan lang nila basa sang Bibliya/permi masimba/pangamuyo/kag mahatag..
- The more God will accept them / bless them / love them…
- Kag batonon sila sang Dios/bugayan sila/higugmaon sila…
- Thinking the more they do for God – the more they will grow in God!
- Kon damo ang ila nahimo sa Dios-mas magatubo sila sa Dios!
- Learning by failing…
- When we try to live a HOLY life – when we try to depend in OUR power – and FAIL…
- ONLY then do we come to the understanding – we are actually VERY weak!
- But it is in our weakness we look up – and find true POWER…
- Sa aton kaluyahon magtulok kita sa babaw-kag makita ang tuod nga gahom…
- When we realize we are weak – we learn to depend on the GRACE
- Kon marealisar naton nga luya kita-matuon kita mag sandig sa Grasya– 2 Corinto 12:9
- Only by GRACE can we be STRONG – have the ability to do what is GOOD!
- Paagi lang sa grasya nga mangin mabaskog kita-may abilidad sa paghimo sang insakto!
- 3rd – Defining GRACE…
- GRACE – 156x in NT (meaning it is important) …
- Grasya- ka 156 nasulat sa NT- importante
- GRACE is a funny word – we toss it around and use it frequently in church – but what is it…
- Grasya- permi ini ginagamit naton nga pulong sa simbahan…
- GRACE means GIFT – is speaks of what God FREELY gives to us!
- Grasya – regalo- ang libre nga ginhatag sang Dios sa aton!
- The idea being we cannot PAY for Grace – we cannot EARN it – we do not DESERVE it…
- Indi naton mabayaran ang grasya-indi naton mapangabudlyan-indi kita takos…
- Grace is FREE to us – though it cost Jesus everything – it was paid for in his blood!
- Ang grasya libre sa aton- dako ang ginbayad ni Jesus-ginbayadan sang iya dugo!
- GRACE means POWER…
- What does God FREELY give us – the POWER to live GODLY…
- One of the synonyms for GRACE in the Bible – is the be FULL of the SPIRIT…
- By GRACE – God freely gives us His SPIRIT – us and make us POWERFUL for Jesus!
- There are ONLY two resources in life we can draw from to live for God…
- May 2 lang ka paagi sang kabuhi nga makakabuhi kita sa Dios…
- We can depend on OUR strength – our RULES – to TRY and make us HOLY…
- Makasalig kita sa aton kusog-aton pagsulundan- magtinguha nga mangin balaan…
- Or we can depend on the strength of GOD – look to His GRACE to make us HOLY!
- Ukon magsalig sa kusog sang Dios- magtulok sa Iya grasya nga maghimo sa aton balaan!
- Romans 5:2 – “We have access by FAITH into this GRACE in which we STAND…”
- Paano magkuha sang gahom…
- If someone gave you a new Fortuner – nice gift – but had no gas it would not go far…
- You could move it – but it would be slow – and exhausting work!
- By GRACE – God gives us His Holy Spirit – to give us the POWER to take action!
- Paagi sa grasya-ang Dios naghatag sang Balaan nga Espiritu sang gahom nga maka obra kita!
- Salvation is an AMAZING gift – but we still need the POWER of the Spirit!
- Ang kaluwasan regalo-pero kinahanglan naton gahom sang Espiritu!
- If not – we end up getting exhausted – never become all God intended us to be!
- Kon indi- makapoy kita kag indi na makapadayon kon ano ang plano sang Dios sa aton!
- To get the POWER of the Spirit – just ask the FATHER…
- Sa pagkuha sang gahom sang Espiritu- mangayo sa Amay…
- Lucas 11:13 -“…ang inyo Amay sa langit! Ihatag gid niya ang Espiritu Santo sa mga nagapangayo sa iya.”
- Not just once – but over and over – DAILY asking for the Holy Spirit – Mateo 7:7
- We need to be daily filling up on the Holy Spirit to live a GOOD life for Jesus!
- 4th – Afraid of GRACE…
- A lot of churches are afraid to teach about the GRACE of God…
- They fear people will use GRACE – as an excuse to live in sin…
- Roma 5:20 – “Pero bisan nagdugang ang sala, nagdugang pa gid ang bugay sang Dios.”
- No matter how much we sin – no matter what sin – GRACE covers it…
- Therefore – why not go ahead and sin a lot – it is covered by GRACE!
- This is not talking about making mistakes – occasional slip up…
- This is a willful choice to live a lifestyle of sin contrary to the standard of God!
- GRACE has just the opposite effect…
- It is ONLY through the GRACE we are free NOT to sin…
- Only though the GRACE of God – can we have a change our heart!
- Jesus changes our desires – so we do not want to do the things that are BAD…
- GRACE gives us the freedom to overcome the power of sin in our lives!
- Roma 6:14 – “Gani ang sala indi dapat maggahom sa inyo, kay wala na kamo sa idalom sang Kasuguan, kundi ara na sa idalom sang bugay sang Dios.”
- 1st – TWO lists… 2 ka lista…
- 2nd – Grace has APPEARED… vs. 11
- 1st – APPEARED to bring SALVATION…
- APPEARED – to be revealed – to become visible…
- Grace APPEARED when Jesus died on the CROSS for the sins of men – John 3:16
- Because men had a PROBLEM – they were all destined for hell…
- Everyone is a SINNER – Romans 3:23 – and the penalty for SIN is DEATH – Roma 6:23
- We may think we look pretty GOOD – but to God our goodness is filthy rags – Isaias 64:6
- We are all really BAD people – we are all every one of us – TOTAL sinners!
- Roma 3:10 – “Wala gid sing bisan isa nga matarong;
- SALVATION – sōtērios – 5x in NT
- Efeso 2:8-9 – “Kay tungod sa bugay sang Dios naluwas kamo paagi sa inyo pagtuo kay Jesu-Cristo. Ini regalo sang Dios kag wala nabasi sa inyo maayo nga mga binuhatan, gani wala gid sing may makapabugal.”
- Being a sinner NO longer keeps us out of heaven – Jesus paid the price for ALL sin…
- By GRACE – we can now FREELY be SAVED from our sinful past!
- The way we receive the GIFT – is through FAITH…
- Hebreo 11:1 – “May pagtuo kita kon hugot ang aton pagsalig nga mabaton ta ang mga butang nga aton ginalauman, kag bisan wala pa naton makita ang mga ginpromisa sang Dios, nasiguro ta nga mabaton gid naton ini.”
- We cannot see God – and the GIFT God gives us is not something we can hold…
- It is something we believe – by FAITH we believe God has forgiven us of our sin…
- By FAITH we believe that life is not only about living here on earth…
- By FAITH we believe one day God will take us to be with Him forever in heaven!
- We have nothing to BOAST about…
- If I could be saved by my own efforts – by my own GOOD works – then I could BOAST…
- But because salvation is a GIFT of God – we lose the ability to BOAST!
- Jesus did all the work to save us – we go to heaven as a GIFT from God!
- We cannot BOAST how good we are – we are NOT good – we can only BOAST in God!
- Salmo 34:2 – “Ipabugal ko ang Ginoo, kag kamo nga mga ginapigos magpamati kag magkalipay.”
- 2nd – APPEARED to ALL men…
- ANYONE who comes to Jesus – He receives – He will NOT reject anyone…
- It does not matter who we are – God makes salvation available for all!
- Juan 3:17 – “Kay ang Dios wala nagpadala sang iya Anak diri sa kalibutan agod sentensyahan ang mga tawo nga silutan, kundi ginpadala niya siya sa pagluwas sang mga tawo.”
- God desires that EVERYONE will be saved – 2 Pedro 3:9
- That does not mean that everyone WILL be saved – but EVERYONE has the chance…
- God is a gentleman – He will not force us to do anything we do not want to…
- God does not make anyone go to heaven – He only provides the way…
- Just because He offers us the GIFT – it does not mean we have to take it…
- We still have a choice – we still have to choose to receive salvation!
- Romans 10:13 – “Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
- 1st – APPEARED to bring SALVATION…
- 3rd – Grace TEACHES us… vs. 12-15
- TEACHES – 14x in NT – to instruct or learn
- Paul is going to give us FIVE things that grace TEACHES us
- Present tense – the lessons grace TEACHES us – are ones we are DAILY learning…
- These are NOT lessons we get the FIRST time – we do NOT learn in a day…
- We are to be CONSTANTLY learning – being TAUGHT – by the GRACE of God!
- 1st – What to DENY… vs. 12
- UNGODLINESS – to NOT be devoted to God…
- Ungodliness means doing anything that would NOT be pleasing to the Lord…
- Ungodliness is going about our daily lives – NOT thinking about the Lord…
- When we make decision WITHOUT asking the Lord – they are often UNGODLY decisions!
- Our tendency is to think we do NOT need the Lord for EVERY decision in our lives…
- As if we are strong enough / smart enough to take care of things on our own…
- That is a lie straight from satan – and the Grace of God reminds us we NEED Jesus!
- WORDLY lusts… vs. 12
- 1 Juan 2:15 – “Indi ninyo paghigugmaa ang kalibutan ukon ang kalibutanon nga mga butang. Kon ginahigugma ninyo ang kalibutan, wala kamo nagahigugma sa Amay.”
- The things of this world are not the problem – it is the attitude of our heart…
- The world is trying to TEACH us not to THINK about God – THINK about stuff…
- We need a new cell phone / a new house / a new (fill in the blank) …
- But if we are using all our time LUSTING after this world – we are NOT following the Lord!
- Thankfully the Grace of God is there to TEACH us that things are not important!
- 2nd – How to LIVE… vs. 12
- We SHOULD (subjunctive) live – if we are living by GRACE…
- This is a TEST – if we want to know IF we are living by GRACE…
- Then we should see these things coming from our lives as the PROOF!
- Live SOBERLY – someone who has SELF-CONTROL…
- This is from the same root word we saw used FOUR times in – Tito 2:1-10
- Before we knew Jesus – we were wild – driven by our sin and lusts…
- But as we are EMPOWERED by GRACE – we are no longer out of control…
- We are able to make GOOD choices – live a GODLY life…
- Grace TEACHES us SELF CONTROL – and we put the Lord FIRST in our life!
- Live RIGHTEOUSLY…
- RIGHTEOUSLY – to do what is RIGHT…
- 1 Corinto 15:34 – “Maghunahuna na kamo sing husto kag bayai na ninyo ang pagpakasala. Ginahambal ko ini sa inyo agod mahuya kamo, kay ang iban sa inyo sala ang pagkilala sa Dios.”
- Grace TEACHES us to do what is RIGHT – stop sinning – and tell others about Jesus!
- We do NOT share Jesus out of some sense of obligation – or for some reward…
- But because of the very real danger of Hell – the destination for any who reject Jesus…
- It is to our shame that people do not know the GOSPEL – it is RIGHT for us to tell them!
- Live GODLY…
- GODLY – 2x in NT – a life devoted to God – in this PRESENT age…
- The challenge is to be a LIGHT to the world – rather than blending into it…
- 2 Timoteo 3:12 – “Ang matuod, ang tanan nga luyag magkabuhi sang diosnon nga kabuhi bilang sumulunod ni Cristo Jesus magaagi gid sa mga paghingabot.”
- If we are not SUFFERING – it likely means we are NOT living GODLY!
- Because it is far easier to blend into the world – than to stand for Jesus…
- And if we seek to please the world – follow the crowd – go with the flow…
- We are choosing this world rather than Jesus – it means we are NOT living Godly!
- Santiago 4:4 – “Kon palabihon ninyo ang mga butang diri sa kalibutan sang sa Dios, ginahimo ninyo ang inyo kaugalingon nga kaaway sang Dios.”
- 3rd – What to HOPE for… vs. 13
- Grace TEACHES us to be LOOKING for the BLESSED HOPE…
- LOOKING – (present) to be constantly / daily looking for…
- BLESSED – makarios – to be HAPPY – same word used in the beatitudes – Mateo 5:1-10
- HOPE – elpis – 54x in NT – carries the idea of expectation – what we EXPECT to happen…
- HOPE – of the GLORIOUS appearing…
- We call it the RAPTURE – when the trumpet of God sounds – and the church to goes home…
- 1 Tesalonica 4:16 – “Sa sina nga tion ang Ginoo mismo magapanaog halin sa langit nga may pagmando. Mabatian ta ang pagtawag sang pangulo nga anghel kag ang tunog sang trumpeta sang Dios.”
- It will happen in a moment (atom) – in the blink of an eye – 1 Corinto 15:52
- When we least expect it – like a thief in the night – 1 Tesalonica 5:2
- Jesus will come for His church – if we are not ready – we will be left behind!
- 1 Juan 3:3 – “Gani ang tagsa-tagsa nga may ara sini nga paglaom kay Cristo dapat magkabuhi sing matinlo subong nga ang kabuhi ni Cristo matinlo.”
- We tend to think Jesus will not come back in our lifetime – it has not happened yet…
- But we are in the last days – Jesus could come next week – today – right now!
- Are we ready – if Jesus came back today – what would He find in our lives…
- This is a hugely important message – both as an encouragement and warning…
- Jesus is coming – VERY soon – we need to be constantly prepared / ready!
- No man knows the day and the hour – so we need to be constantly prepared!
- Lucas 21:28 – “ Kon ini nga mga butang magasugod na nga magkalatabo, maglaom kamo kag maghulat[a] kay madali na lang ang pagluwas sa inyo.”
- HOPE – in our great God…
- Roma 9:5 – the Eternally blessed God / Hebreo 1:8 – the God who sits on the Throne…
- Juan 20:28 – Our Lord and God / 1 Juan 5:20 – the True God / Juan 10:30 / 1 Juan 5:7
- If Jesus was just a good man / or an angel / or the brother of satan…
- Then He could NOT give us much HOPE in overcoming sin…
- But Jesus is the GREAT God – therefore He has ALL power / and ALL authority!
- So there is NO ONE better to put our HOPE in to live a Godly life!
- HOPE – in our savior Jesus…
- If we are trusting in a church / religion – to be able to make us GOOD…
- Or if we are trusting in a person / pastor – to keep us from sin…
- We are going to be horribly disappointed – our only HOPE to be GOOD comes from Jesus!
- Colosas 1:27 – “Kag tungod nga si Cristo ara na sa inyo, may paglaom kamo nga mangin matahom gid ang inyo kahimtangan sa palaabuto.”
- 4th – What to SEE… vs. 14
- Why Jesus gave (aorist) Himself us…
- Grace TEACHES us why Jesus died on the CROSS – to REDEEM and PURIFY …
- REDEEM (subjunctive) – to be set FREE – from EVERY lawless deed – our SINFUL past…
- PURIFY (subjunctive) – to be made CLEAN – to now live a GOOD life for Christ!
- 1 Juan 1:9 – “Pero kon ituad ta sa Dios ang aton mga sala, masaligan siya sa pagpatawad sang aton mga sala kag sa pagtinlo sa tanan ta nga mga kalainan. Himuon niya ini tungod nga matarong siya.”
- Now when God looks down on us – He does NOT see our sinful mistakes / flaws…
- He instead sees the perfect life of His Son Jesus – He sees us as perfect / flawless!
- Salmo 103:12 – “Pero kon ituad ta sa Dios ang aton mga sala, masaligan siya sa pagpatawad sang aton mga sala kag sa pagtinlo sa tanan ta nga mga kalainan. Himuon niya ini tungod nga matarong siya.”
- We are His own SPECIAL people…
- 1 Pedro 2:9 – “Pero kamo pinili nga mga tawo…kag mga katawhan sang Dios… Nangin iya kamo …”
- God choose us – knowing exactly what He was getting – He knows everything…
- He chose us knowing all of our sin / weaknesses / faults / and failures!
- I know how much of a challenge I can be – how many times I make mistakes…
- I am always amazed – that God also knowing exactly who I am – still choose me!
- God is not surprised by our mistakes – He choose us knowing we were sinners!
- ZEALOUS for GOOD (kalos) works…
- ZEALOUS – 5x in NT – to have a passion or burning desire…
- It is not that we HAVE to do GOOD works – it is our PASSION to do GOOD works!
- Because the GRACE of God has TAUGHT us – what we are to DENY – worldly lusts…
- TAUGHT us LIVE – soberly / righteously / and Godly in this present age…
- TAUGHT us – to have HOPE looking for the glorious appearing of our Great God – Jesus…
- TAUGHT us – to SEE why Jesus died for us – to make us pure / His special people…
- And as a result of all that – we now have a ZEAL for GOOD works – PASSION to live for God!
- 5th – What to SAY… vs. 15
- Grace TEACHES us what to SAY daily (present) in THREE ways…
- SPEAK – (imperative) – do NOT keep quiet – we are commanded to open our mouths!
- EXHORT – (imperative) – encourage – to come along side of others…
- When we see brothers / sisters struggling in their walk – NOT living by GRACE…
- Then we are to encourage them – by pointing them to the POWER of the SPIRIT!
- REBUKE – (imperative) – to find fault – and correct…
- There are those who do NOT want the Grace of God – they prefer RULES…
- Because it is easier to follow a rule – than to depend by FAITH on the Lord!
- Let no man DESPISE – only here NT – to disregard as unimportant…
- If we were sharing our ideas / our words – then people could IGNORE us…
- If it is only our ideas – then we might righty be HESITANT to share them…
- But the Grace of God is not our idea – it is not our message…
- The Gospel of Grace is the POWER of salvation to ANYONE who believes…
- And it is the ONLY way to have POWER to live righteously for all believers…
- So we can be VERY bold – have completely authority – when we share it!