Tri-Annual Singing!
February 21, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Category: Grace
Subject: Grace
Is Grace Limited?
The question, “Is grace limited?”, is a bit too obtuse to answer definitively one way or another. Let’s examine it a bit more closely.
The grace of God makes salvation available to all men. He sent His only begotten Son to the world as a propitiation for sin. The word propitiation indicates a sacrifice that is made to atone for or pay the penalty for sin. The Bible clearly establishes the efficacy of the blood of Jesus. “By that will [the will of God] we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). Continue reading “Is Grace Limited?”
Mining the Scriptures: Titus 3:8
In the first seven verses of the chapter, Paul affirms an important truth, we are saved by the mercy and grace of God, brought to us through Jesus Christ.
Right after he states that we do not merit our salvation by “works of righteousness we have done” (5), he writes Titus to “affirm constantly” the need to “maintain good works.”
Interestingly, denominational preachers often do just the opposite. They are so interested in affirming that we are not saved by our own merit (which is true), that they deny that our salvation depends at all upon our obedience (which is decidedly false)!
Read this from Paul’s pen, “those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works” (8).
Any doctrine that teaches God’s grace does not expect anything in return from its recipients is a cheap and faulty view of grace. We can’t get to heaven without God. We all agree with this. Nowhere does the Bible say we don’t have to do anything!
Mining the Scriptures: 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18
With a final benediction, Paul brought to a close this second letter to the church in Thessalonica. These last words were written by Paul personally. While it seems that he dictated most of his letters, (cf. Romans 16:22), he typically sent his salutation with his own handwriting. “See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!” (Galatians 6:11). Perhaps Paul had bad eyesight, or some other condition that made it hard for him to write.
The words themselves are beautiful and significant. They declared clearly Paul’s love for his brethren. He asked God’s blessing upon the Thessalonians, that God grant them peace, and be with them. The phrase “be with you all” is not merely a closing. Paul desired they be granted and maintain a close relationship with the Lord.
He finished his letter with a request that Jesus Christ’s grace or favor be upon them. The ultimate expression of this is salvation.
Mining the Scriptures: Ephesians 2:8-10
Paul’s great teaching on man’s redemption is encapsulated in these few verses. They are plain, though often misunderstood by the biases and twisted theologies of men. What is affirmed?:
We have been saved by the grace of God. This is God’s love expressed by a freely given gift of salvation. The sin of man brought death upon him, and only God’s mercy can lift that burden. His justice demanded a sacrifice and God supplied His Son. This is a fact to which we all give assent.
Salvation is not universal. It is granted only to those who exhibit faith in Jesus. He is the sole Messiah. He is God’s chosen, we must not look to another.
With these two truths in hand, we know that we can’t earn our salvation. No one can boast about his standing with God because it comes despite, not because of what we have done.
God has created us to obey. To do His good works, works that God has determined beforehand we “should walk in them” (10).
Abundant Mercy
In 1 Peter 1, the apostle pronounced a benediction [devout or formal utterance of blessedness] upon God for his “abundant mercy” (3). According to Peter, this mercy is shown by His giving spiritual life to us, and a “living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (3-5). Continue reading “Abundant Mercy”
“If the righteous one is scarcely saved”
Peter had an arresting thought he shared in his first epistle, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now, ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’ Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator” (4:17-19). Consider the ramifications of this text.
First, we know that any man who is saved is “scarcely saved.” It has nothing to do with how righteous a man may strive to be. The reason for this is sin. The universality of sin is declared by inspiration, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). As the cost of that sin is our separation from God, man himself is incapable of securing his standing with Him. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Continue reading ““If the righteous one is scarcely saved””
Mining the Scriptures: Titus 3:4-7
Our text is one of many which teaches our salvation from sin through the grace of God. This salvation came because of God’s love and kindness toward us. Because He loves us, He has showed mercy where none was deserved. We in no way deserve our salvation because of our own “works of righteousness” (cf. Romans 6:23).
This salvation by grace was accomplished through the agency of the Holy Spirit (cf. John 3:5), through which we are born again or renewed; and the Son of God, “Jesus Christ our Savior” (6). What a wonderful thing to know, that all three Persons in the Godhead — The Father, Son and Holy Spirit — were in agreement and assisted in bringing about our redemption (cf. John 3:13-15).
Because of His grace, we are justified. The word justified means to be pronounced righteous and to be acquitted of our sins. Equally wonderful is the reward that we look to receive as a result of that justification, eternal life in His presence!
Spring 2025 Meeting with Reagan McClenny
Our Spring 2025 meeting with Reagan McClenny took place May 10-15, 2025. All lessons were audio recorded and livestreamed.
To see other sermons visit our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@WSchurchofChrist
Saturday: Underestimating God’s Grace
Sunday 1: Grace for Grace: The Reciprocal Nature of Grace in the New Testament
Sunday 2: When My Love to Christ Grows Weak
Sunday 3: An Axe-Head Worth of Grace
Monday: What God’s Grace Teaches Us About Marriage
Tuesday: “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things?” God’s Grace and the Laborers in the Vineyard
Wednesday: Tune My Heart to Sing Thy Grace
Thursday: Salvation: By the Numbers
Mining the Scriptures: Ephesians 2:4-7
Our verses continue to explain God’s show of mercy and grace, revealed in Paul’s statement in (2:1), “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”
First is the affirmation of God’s rich mercy. This is a mercy that has been shown to many over the ages, which at its apex allows man to continue to exist despite our rebellion against Him.
This mercy comes because of God’s love for His creation, especially man, and despite our sin. As Paul relates our existence, “we all conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath” it becomes obvious that our continued existence can be explained ONLY by our Creator’s love and mercy.
God sent His Son, and that grace is how we are made alive! It is why we have the hope of eternity in heaven, sitting together. God is so very kind and gracious. That love is seen in, and only in, the gift of His Son to the world. (cf. John 3:16).
Sermon: The Words of Elihu
Job’s 4th companion speaks in chapters 32-37 with some powerful words about the Graciousness, Justice, and power of God.
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
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Grace Teaches Us
Paul wrote to Titus, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us…” (Titus 3:11-12a). It is a simple principle. God has granted His great mercy to us, and we are so blessed by this extended grace. We learn from this largesse that He loves us, He is good, He is omnipotent, He is eternal. Knowing Him by His grace, we are aware of our own obligations to be who He desires for us to be. Consider the following: Continue reading “Grace Teaches Us”
Mining the Scriptures: 1 Timothy 1:16-17
After admitting that he was chief among sinners (15), Paul then writes that despite his low state he received mercy from God. This truth can be seen both in his conversion in Acts 9, and in his many personal explanations of that conversion to Christ.
Here he states why that mercy was shown to him. So that in him Jesus Christ’s longsuffering could be demonstrated. If God was willing to save the most violent and zealous enemy of the faith, and then use him as a preeminent apologist for that same faith, it is obvious that anyone who accepts Christ can be forgiven. This is a truth that gives hope to all.
It is for this reason in verse 17 Paul praises God so graciously in this spontaneous expression of praise. He is eternal and immortal — without beginning or end. He is invisible—indicating His spiritual and divine nature. And He is wise to an extent that defies comparison.
For these reasons He is worthy of the praise of our lips and pens.
Mining the Scriptures: Galatians 2:17-21
Here, Paul refers to himself and other Jews (as contrasted to Gentiles) and especially Peter as themselves sinners. So, there was nothing in that regard to separate them from the Gentiles. But, did it follow that Christ made them sinners? Absolutely not! Instead, Christ simply reveals what is already so, we are all in need of the grace of God.
It was this truth that made Paul “die to the law that I might live to God” (19).
His purpose was to live for Christ. In his conversion, his own will became irrelevant. It was Christ who determined his life. Such should be so for us as well. “I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (20).
Christ’s death was useless (vain) if a man could appear just before God as a result of the law of Moses. But, all have sinned, and there was no provision for grace and mercy under the old law. Christ is needed, and His death has value for every man.
Sermon: The Triumph of Our Faith (Romans 5:1-11)
A discussion of Romans 5:1-11, discussing salvation, obtained by God’s grace through our faith in Jesus, bringing us a firm hope of eternity with God.
Note: Be sure to add Categories Sermon and Subject Index
Sermon: One Long Sentence (Ephesians 1:3-6)
An exegesis of Ephesians 1:3-5, which the apostle Paul, in one long sentence teaches three important points about God’s plan for redeeming man.
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
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