A Sermon Outline by John Kennedy
Acts 15:11. Through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved.
In directing your attention to this text, I propose to consider: (1.) What we are to understand by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ; (2.) The hope of those saved through that grace; (3.) Their faith in the promise of it.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
By grace we are to understand His grace in redemption. Or, the grace of God treasured up in Him, the fullness of the Godhead. Both must be taken into account. This fullness is in Him as Christ, and dispensed according to the Father’s will. This fullness of grace is for sinners; His name is Jesus. He is the Lord over all this fullness. He is entitled and able to preserve and dispense it.
The hope of those saved through grace.
We shall be saved as others were. This is the beginning; much remains to be done. Salvation from all guilt, which exposes to death. Salvation from the corruption of sin. Salvation from all tribulations in the world. Salvation from wrath in the day of judgement. Salvation from all bodily ills at the resurrection.
Their Faith in the Promise.
They believed this on the warrant of God’s promise. How did they come to deal with this promise? This is not the first exercise of faith. They found a right to it on the ground of Christ’s righteousness.
The promise grasped, as the Spirit of faith applied it.
Application.
Evidence of the fruits of having faith.
Proofs of an interest in the grace of the promise.
1Preached in Dingwall on 22 October 1882. It has been edited.