Children of Grace, Display Grace

Theme: Grace displayed demands a grace-ful response.

Introduction: The Apostle Paul wrote this letter from Rome in order to challenge his readers concerning 3 things: (Eph. 1:18-19 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,)

Hope

Inheritance

Power

To emphasize all three of these, Paul introduces us to Grace in chapter 2 and illustrates first …

The Graceless state means only great despair. (Eph. 2:1-3 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.)

Sin overwhelms life

Wrath for sin is a nearly inescapable reality.

The gift of Grace demands you show Grace.

Grace demonstrated requires intervention. (Eph. 2:4-7 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.)

Grace demonstrated demands gratitude. (Eph. 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.)

Grace demonstrated demands good works. (Eph. 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.)

Grace demonstrated demands Obedience and Honor to our Parents. (Eph. 6:1-2 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;))

Grace demonstrated demands Training our Children in Righteousness. (Eph. 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.)