"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men" (Titus 2: 11).
I. Quality of grace "The grace of God"
A. It cannot be merited (Rom. 11:6)
B. It cannot be inherited (Eph. 2:8)
C. It maybe discredited (Gal. 2:21; James 4:6)
II. Glory of grace "that bringeth salvation"
A. Justifying grace (Rom. 3:24; Titus 3:7)
B. Delivering grace (Acts 15:11)
C. Forgiving grace (Eph. 1:7)
D. Enriching grace (Phil. 4:19)
E. Empowering grace (2 Tim. 2:1)
III. Ministry of grace "hath appeared to all men."
A. To all who look (Isa. 45:22; John 3:14, 15)
B. To all who call (Rom. 10:12)
C. To all who come (Isa. 55:1; Matt. 22:9; Rev. 22:17)
Grace abounding
The house in which he lived was condemned. According to the Town Council it was unfit and unsafe because the foundation had been undermined. This happens often in coal-mining areas. Nevertheless, he lived there because he could not afford to live anywhere else. A confirmed drunkard and incurable gambler, he was the despair of his long-suffering wife.
One night he stumbled home to his wretched hovel so drunk he had no knowledge of what he was doing. Thinking he was headed for the door that led upstairs, he did not know he was trying instead to force his head and shoulders up the wide chimney. He began to cough and sputter with choking soot, and staggered back into the room, a condemned man in a condemned house. He had no thought for God, and no hope in life. In this fearful condition God spoke to him, and heard the voice that wakes the dead to life calling him by name. He fell to his knees, and was perfectly sober in a moment, conscious of his surroundings and aware of his soul's deep need of cleansing. The God of all grace heard him as he cried for mercy, came to him and delivered him out of all his distress; and what is more God commissioned him to preach the gospel. That condemned man in a condemned house is today one of the most convincing and inspired preachers it has been my privilege to hear. It is difficult to realize that this present-day minister ever in such a terrible plight. Amazing grace indeed that raises beggars from the dung-hill to set them among princes.
