Our sermon today is on the subject  -- "Salvation by Grace through faith"
 

This is one of the most distinguishing beliefs of Baptist. All other religions just have to have man do something for themselves. They just can't believe that salvation is free - without any cost to ourselves. There are many denominations that try to steal our thunder by saying they believe in salvation by grace. But do they? I'm afraid even many calling themselves Baptist err on this point simply because they do not understand what grace means. Let's get this straightened out in our head what grace means.
 

I know the common explanation of grace - "unmerited favor". And that is true, but what is it that is unmerited? Unless we understand that, that word does not mean much to us.
 

Let's look at the explanation of the meaning of grace taken from Strong's Bible Concordance. This is one of the most respected Bible Concordances in print so we at least should sit up and listen to what he has to say. Strong gives the meaning from the Hebrew and Greek text. I do not have the word from the Hebrew or it's exact meaning written down for his explanation is spread out and hard to follow but the meaning is in this example he gives. "Grace is pictured like a warrior on horse back - or even in a chariot - guiding his horse wherever he wants it to go whether by a quiet stream of welcome water or through the midst of a terrible battle".
 

The key here is that it is God doing the leading or guiding. He takes us through what He wants and designed for us.
 

I will now read what I have taken out of the concordance about the Greek word for grace.
 

Even in the Greek there are many explanations of their word for Grace. But the one most used in the NT is this one: Charis (Khar'-ece) graciousness, (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete: literal, figuratively or spiritual: ESPECIALLY THE DIVINE INFLUENCE UPON THE HEART AND IT'S REFLECTION IN THE LIFE: INCLUDING GRATITUDE: ACCEPTABLE, BENEFIT, FAVOUR, GIFT, GRACIOUS), JOY LIBERALITY, PLEASURE, THAN:(S), THANK (WORTHY PARDON OR RESCUE, DELIVER, FRANKLY FORGIVE, (FREELY) GIVE, GRANT. 
 

Note the difference here between the Hebrew word and the Greek word. The Hebrew word implies an outside source doing the guiding (the rider or chariot driver) while the Greek text in the new testament states the control is from inside us - that new nature (divine influence) that God has put in us. See my sermon on  --- "Salvation - by our works or God's work"  for more of how this divine nature works in us that accomplishes his purpose in our life. 
 

As I have said - if you don't believe correctly about salvation - then that is a fatal error. We can be wrong about many things - but to err on salvation is fatal. It is by far the most important doctrine - and we must believe what the Bible (the Holy spirit) says about how we get to heaven. Just as a warning about this let's read: 
 

Isaiah 8:20: To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
 

Does that mean what it says? If we do not believe or practice according to this word (scripture) it is because there is no light in them. What is that light? We have seen from previous study that the light is that Holy spirit nature that lives in us in teaches us and guides us through this life the way He wants us to go.

We just cannot believe scriptural truths unless we have that Holy spirit within us. If we do have that Holy nature within us then we will believe. If we do believe then that is good solid evidence we have the Holy nature in us. To confirm this let's read:
 

Psalm 110:3 - My people shall be willing in the day of thy power. 

Read also --

1 John 3:24 - and he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abidith in us, by the spirit which He hath given us.
 

The Holy spirit within us makes us willing to do God's good pleasure. Remember we cannot stir up willingness in ourselves. We read that in:
 

Isaiah 64:7 - And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee.
 

Willingness is caused by the work of the Holy spirit within us, and is EVIDENCE that Holy spirit is in us - not the cause of Him coming in.
 

I think we should read Galatians 3:1-29   -- This is quite long but I think it important to understand grace - what it is and how it influences us - and whether we have it or not.

Galatians 3:1-29 -- O foolish Gatatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?  This only would I learn of you, received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?  Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the spirit, and worketh miracles among ye, doeth he it it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are bless with faithful Abraham.  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for , the just shall live by faith.  And the law is not of faith: but, the man that doeth them shall live in them.  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.  Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ.  And this I say, that the covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot dis-annul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serveth the law?   It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.  Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid; for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  and if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's see, and heirs according to the promise.
 

Now in closing let's look at a few more scripture. The first is:
 

Galatians 2:19-20 - For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; YET NOT I, but CHRIST liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by (through) the faith OF (the owner of the faith is) the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness came by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
 

That is a very important statement at the end of that verse. If our righteousness came by any kind of works on our part then Jesus wasted His time by suffering and dying the way He did. He could have just stayed in heaven and let us do all that is required to get to heaven. Stop this insulting belief that we can do ANYTHING to merit any kind of favor from God - put your trust in what Jesus did. He kept the law as required by God to absolute perfection - He died to pay the penalty we should pay in our stead. Now all we have to trust in those great truths instead of trying to fulfill any kind of responsibility we might think God requires of us now - Jesus filled all responsibility FOR us!! AMEN!!!!
 

Philippians 2:13 -- For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of HIS good pleasure.
 

2 Timothy 1:9 and 13,14 -- Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. - hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
 

Let's conclude scripture reading with this: 
 

Titus 3:1-7 -- For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. BUT after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy ghost; etc.
 

Yes - other denominations claim to believe in grace - but in actual fact they don't, they mix works in there somewhere and as seen in Galatians 3 when we do that we make the fatal error losing sight of the meaning of Grace.
 

I hope the study today will forever give you the right concept of grace and remember it's true meaning in salvation and our lives
 

God bless