Waiting For the Blessed Hope
Titus 2:11-14
Pastor Jerry Koller

Today’s passage of Scripture talks about waiting.

Paul states,

In this verse, all is a word that has to do with each part that applies to the whole. It does not mean each and every human being who has ever lived.
In this verse, we see how grace comes from God.

Some key components of God’s grace are love, mercy, compassion, benevolence, and favor (or kindness).
It is not based on any category such as gender, social status, age, race, merit, and so on.

As we examine Scripture, we see there seems to be different kinds of grace. The components are the same, but the kinds seem to apply to the needs for which they are given.
· There is a common grace that is given by God to all living creatures.
· Scripture identifies a grace that leads to salvation. Call it saving grace.
· There is enabling grace which is given to specific individuals to accomplish specific things.

3 Responses to Grace:
· It may go unnoticed by its recipients. This is often the case with common grace.
· It can be resisted. Such would be the case with enabling grace.
· Grace can be irresistible - so overwhelmingly attractive that one simply has to act upon or carry out the purpose for which it is given.
· We see grace personified in Jesus Christ.

Verse 12 gives us a description of what enabling grace should accomplish in the lives of those in Christ.

There are two aspects of enabling grace described in this verse.
· One deals with what must be avoided.
· The other deals how those in Christ are to live out their faith.

Enabling grace teaches those in Christ to say “no” to:
· ungodliness
· worldly passions (lusts)

The word “teaching”has to do with a child under development who is being trained to reach his or her full potential, to become mature.

God wants us to be mature in our faith. He wants us to reach our full potential as far as being Christ-like is concerned in this present age—in the here-and-now as opposed to some future time

Wait has to do with looking forward to something with eagerness and expectation.
· We are looking forward to the blessed hope.
· Biblical hope is something that will come true because it is a strong and confident expectation.

Notice how the Apostle Paul reveals or better describes what that blessed hope is. It is the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

God’s purified people are a people who are eager to do what is good.
· The Greek text literally reads they are zealous of good works.

Salvation Has Come—Those who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.

We Are Redeemed—Through His death and resurrection, He has redeemed us—freed us from bondage to sin.

We Are Purified—Through His shed blood, He has washed away sin’s impurities.

We Have Received Grace—Without it, we could not have placed our faith and trust in Jesus.

We are here to praise, to give thanks, and to worship our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Don’t Refuse Grace—We must say no to ungodliness and worldly passions for they do not contribute to self-control nor help us to be upright and godly.

· Renee Goff is recovering from a procedure to have an injectable heart monitor inserted.
· Caroline Bocock has been terribly ill as she is dealing with a Lyme Disease outbreak. She has begun a treatment regimen that looks promising. Please pray that it is effective and that she will be feeling better soon.
· The Marshall Family: Tracy has requested that we specifically pray for the following: "Nolan is signed up for Boys and Girls Club (BGC) this summer. It's every day from 12-5 and we desperately need him to hold it together well enough to attend. We tried BGC during school and he lasted three days before he was asked to not come back. But since he punched his friend and now is not allowed to play with anyone in the neighborhood, if he can't handle this, then we are in for a verrrrrry long summer while we are trying to work . Daniel is getting a lot of pressure from his boss to come back into the office and HR is involved...please pray they grant this flexible work arrangement and also that Nolan will be successful at the BCG."
· Chris Tragna (Kristen Schultz' mother) is recovering from a stroke, and they are working through her healing as well as looking at options for 24 hour care. Please keep her and her family in prayer as she recovers and decisions are made.
· Sarah McKamey received good test results and it doesn't appear that she had a heart attack. Her medications have been adjusted - please pray that the changes are effective so she doesn't have a repeat episode .
· We extend our condolences to Bruce & Vasha Ferguson upon the death of Vasha's godmother, Mary Ann Jones, on 5/30 in Washington.
· Leslie Robinson (friend of Bruce & Vasha Ferguson) is home and using a walker. Thank God for His mercy and faithfulness, and please continue praying for her full recovery.
· Sadie (29 year-old friend of Steve & Lisa Follman) had a liver transplant shortly after birth and is now having a lot of health complications. She is receiving palliative care. Also keep her family in prayer.
· Terry Buckley (father of Keith Buckley) is being evaluated for heart issues.
· Joyce Bocock has completed chemo and radiation; praise God that both tumors have shrunk significantly more than expected; evaluating additional treatment options.
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com