The Brinkley argus., 1919-05-16
LESSON FOR MAY 18.
THE GRACE OF GOD.

GOLDEN TEXT-We believe lhat through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved. even as they. Acts 15:11.
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-Genesis 5: I: 2 Cor 1l:s; John 1:16, r; Cor. l5;lo' James 4:6; 1 Peter 40; Peter 3:lS
 Grace means unmerited favor. Gods grace means his kindness toward us through Jesus Christ. (Eph. 2:.) Gods mercy does not go out to men be- cause they are good but because he is good and desires to bestow that goodness upon lost and ruined men In order to make them good.
 l. The Grace Of God in Salvation (Eph. 2:4-10)
 Grace brings salvation; it does not send it. Jesus Christ, who is the em- bodiment of Gods love and grace, came bringing salvation with him. In order to apprehend what the grace or God has done, observe:
 l. Mans natural state (Eph. 21-3). In the natural man is found all that is opposed to the will and purpose of God. CD Dead in trespasses and sins (v. D. The supreme need of the dead man is life, therefore he must have life from without himself. The characteristic of one who is dead is that he is (a) without sensation "past feeling" (4:19) The natura man, therefore, can neither love God nor hate sin until he is made alive. (b) Without motion. Activity is the demonstration of life. So far as God and holiness are concerned they are motionless. They are as helpless as Lazarus was in the grave. CD Under the control of fleshly and worldly lusts (v. 9. The carnal nature holds sway over their lives. (3) Under the domi- nation of Satan (v. 2. All unregen- crate men and women are ruled by Sa- tan. Since he is the god of this age C Cor 44), the prince of this world (John 2:31) all who have not been freed by Christ are under the rule of Satan. (4) Under the condemnation and wrath of God (v. 3. Over all these-death, worldliness, disobedi- ence, lust of the flesll-hangs the wrath and condemnation of God.
 2. Mans state by grace 2:4-10). CD He is alive in Christ (v. ). The ! Holy Spirit lays hold upon men dead in sin and quickens them into life. (2) Raised up with Christ (v @. Gods grace not only makes lost men alive but raises them up with Christ. (3) Association with Christ in glory (v. @. Christs incarnation has so identified himself with the race that those who are saved are raised up to be with Christ and shall ultimately share his glory. The actuating prin- ciple of God which moved him to thus lay hold upon lost men is his love (v. D. Mans salvation is due entirely to Gods grace. Not only the salvation has been provided in grace but the faith which appropriates it is Gods gift (v. S). Works as grounds of sal walton are absolutely excluded. (4) The purpose of God in the salva- tion of men (vv. ', 10). (a) It is to display his grace in the coming ages. The demonstration to the inhabitants of the spheres in which sin has not entered, in the ages to come, will be the transformation of dead and lost men and their eXaltation with Christ. (b) To glorify God through their good works (v. 10: of. Matt. 5:1G). While good works have absolutely no part in the salvation of men Gods purpose in saving them was that they might do good works.
 IT, The Grace of God in Right liv- ing (Ttus 2:11-14)
 Grace Is not only essential to sal vatlon but essential to right living. It teaches saved men (1) to deny ungod- liness (v. 12). The saved man has the divine nature. The grace which has saved him teaches him the neces- sity of denial of everything that is opposed 10 God. (2) Worldly lusts (v. 12). The redeemed man is sur rounded with the things of the world which have downward pull upon him. The grace of God teaches him to renounce them. (3) Sober living l (v. 12). The grace of God teaches the saved man self-Sntrol: to have the reins of his nature well in com mand and to rule with q strong hand. t4) Righteous living (v. 12). The grace of God teaches the saved man to live uprightly with reference to those about him. (5) Cody living (v. 12). It teaches him to so live in this present world as to enable him to meet God and abide in his fellow ship. co It teaches the right mo- ! tive in living (yv. 13, 14). The blessed 1 hope of the glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ is the grand incen- tive to holy living in this present world. He that has 1t will keep him. self pure. q John 3 :3.)