Ephesians 2:8-10

-Can you think of a time you really worked hard? Maybe it was a hot day, perhaps you gave your all to a specific task. I have been detailing cars for the past month. About three weeks ago I was given the task to detail a car that was extremely rough, slime everywhere, stains, it was rough. Usually I detail a car in 2 hours, it took me over 5 hours to clean this car. Well the dealership wants me to do the car again, the reason: I missed some spots. Even though I worked extremely hard, I missed the mark. It does not matter how much effort you put into being a good person we have missed the mark and we are only saved because of the grace of God

-The result of God’s Grace

1 Our Only Boast is in God

-How is it that Jesus is able to show us the immeasurable richness of His grace throughout eternity?

-by grace we are saved

-by = this grace, that has been mentioned 2:5, 7

-by grace we are saved through faith

-saved from what?

v.1-3

-salvation must be received

Romans 5:17 ESV

17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:24–25 ESV

24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

-we must not view our faith as a work that we preform to be saved, Paul wanted to make that clear in this text

-Faith is a result of God’s grace, God through His grace draws us to salvation then we in return receive Christ as our Lord

Philippians 1:29 ESV

29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

Romans 4:2–5 ESV

2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

-It is clear:

salvation is not your own doing

-How could salvation be of our doing v. 1-3

it is a gift of God

-Paul did not say it was a payment because of their work

-And why is this? Why can we not work for our salvation?

-so that (what went before) no one may boast

-Our only boast is to be in God

Grace puts its hand on the boasting mouth, and shuts it once for all.

Charles Spurgeon

Romans 4:2 ESV

2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.

Galatians 6:14 ESV

14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

1 Corinthians 1:26–31 ESV

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 3:21–23 ESV

21 So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

-Two implications:

1 Our salvation is not based on anything within us, we were dead foolish (1 Cor 1)

2 In scope of the letter the Ephesians are to be encouraged they are saved by grace, their faith is a gift of God’s grace and they are equipped to face any spiritual battle because of God’s grace, Eph 6 - the shield of faith, helmet of salvation

2 Our Only Aim is to Bring Glory to God

-For = because

-we are His workmanship

creation

in Christ Jesus, a new standing, were dead, unrighteous, now alive, made righteous in Christ

Ephesians 1:7 ESV

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

a new nature

Ephesians 4:24 ESV

24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

-Paul wanted to make it clear that God totally made us new, we were dead in our trespasses and have been made alive together with Christ

-Again our salvation is totally a work of God

Instead of working for our salvation it is God who worked on us

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Galatians 6:15 ESV

15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

-It is the fact that God has made us a new creation that we are then able to do works for His glory, it is not that we do works for His glory in order to become the new creation

1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

-for good works a result from God’s workmanship

-good works are further explained in the rest of the book of Ephesians

-works are a result of the new creation

-God prepared beforehand

living for God’s glory, the actions, the good works was a part of God’s plan before the foundation of the world

Ephesians 1:4 ESV

4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

-God is at work in us

Philippians 2:12–13 ESV

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Ezekiel 36:27 ESV

27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

2 Thessalonians 1:11–12 ESV

11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

-saved by grace so that we may boast in God, that we may worship Him in His splendor, so that we may glorify God, that we may live for Him and serve Him for eternity