Creekside Community Church
“Nothing’s Free except the Grace of God” September 30, 2012
Greg Arthur – Elder

Nothing’s Free except the Grace of God Everything is Earned. (Gal. 6:7-8, 1 Cor. 3:13-15, Matthew 25:23)

Salvation Is a Gift (Eph. 2:8-9, Romans 11:29) Unconditional Love (Rom 8:38-39)

Pardon (Rom 6:23)
The Holy Spirit (Luke 11:11-13) Adoption (Rom 8:15-17)
New Life (2Cor 5:21)

Saved Once and For All Time (Eph. 2:8-9, 1 Cor. 3:13-15, 2 Tim. 2:13, 2 Peter 1:5-9, 1Pet 5:9-11)

For further thought and discussion:

Getting Started

1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2. In the film, “True Grit” Mattie Ross says, “You must pay for everything in this world, one way or another. There is nothing free, except the grace of God.” Do you agree with Mattie or disagree? Why?

Going Deeper

Please read Gal. 6:7-8, 1 Cor. 3:13-15, Matthew 25:23. What fundamental law of creation does each of these passages teach? How can you see this law in nature? In your own experience?
Please read Eph. 2:8-9. How does God’s plan of salvation compare with this fundamental law? Why must salvation be free? How does the biblical plan of salvation compare with what other religions teach about salvation? Do you think that when you received God’s gift of salvation, you received it as a free, unearned gift? Why or why not? What problems would you expect to see in a person who is still trying to earn their relationship with God?
From the following passages, what are some of the things God freely gives us without requiring anything from us but faith? (Rom 8:38-39, Rom 6:23, Luke 11:11-13, Rom 8:15-17, 2Cor 5:21) How should God’s free gift affect us?
Some people believe that it is possible to lose the gift of God. What do the following passages teach about this? (Eph. 2:8-9, 1 Cor. 3:13-15, 2 Tim. 2:13, 2 Peter 1:5-9, 1Pet 5:9-11) How should we view our own sins, weaknesses and faithlessness?
How does understanding that salvation is a free, unearned gift affect your relationship with God?

Application:

What is one thing you learned from this week’s passages that you will apply to your life?