Masterpiece in the making

Masterpiece in the making

Ephesians 2:8–10 NIV (Bulletin & Slide)

8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I believe God has a specific word for you today.

I want to start by asking you a question that I think every human being asks at some point in their life: Does my life really matter?

We all have this internal drive to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. We don't just want to exist; we want to matter.

We want to know that if we weren't here, there would be a hole in the world. And the tragedy is that so many people, even people sitting in church, spend their whole lives feeling like they’re just a face in the crowd.

They feel like a mistake, or they feel like they’re just getting by.

But I want to tell you right out of the gate: God doesn't do accidents. God only does masterpieces.

Today, we’re looking at one of my favorite verses in the entire Bible.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV (Slide)

10For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I want to spend our time today unpacking the four phrases found here, because hidden in this one verse is the roadmap for your entire life.

If you catch what Paul is saying here, it will change the way you look in the mirror, it’ll change the way you go to work on Monday, and it’ll change the way you see your future.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV (Slide)

10For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Let’s look at that first phrase: For we are God’s handiwork.

Some translations say workmanship, others masterpiece.

1.    You are God’s masterpiece.

But the original Greek word Paul uses here is the word (Poy-AY-Ma) poiēma. Does that sound familiar? It’s where we get our English word poem or poetry.

Think about that. Paul is saying that your life is God’s poem. You are His work of art. 

Now, when an artist creates a masterpiece, they don't just throw paint at a canvas and hope for the best. Every stroke is intentional. Every color is chosen. Every detail is meticulously planned.

I think some of you need to hear this today: You are not a mass-produced product. You weren't made on an assembly line. You are a custom-designed, one-of-a-kind creation by the King of the Universe.

I love what David said

Psalm 139:13–14 NIV (Slide)

13For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

God knit you. Miracle of the eyes: 1 million optic nerve endings left the optic nerve center of your brain in the womb headed for a million optic nerves that had left your eye and they had to meet and match their exact partner 1 million looking for 1 million and when they found their exact partner out of a million and matched up together in that instant you had sight and anyone would tell you that to this moment the most technologically advanced thing on planet earth is your eye.

He didn't just make you; He crafted you. He put in your personality, your quirks, your sense of humor, and even the things you think are weaknesses; He can use all of it.

The problem is, we usually don't see ourselves as masterpieces. We see ourselves as work in progress at best, or total wrecks at worst.

We look at our past mistakes, our failures, or our insecurities, and we think, God can't use this.

But listen to me please... The value of a masterpiece isn't determined by the canvas; it’s determined by the Artist. You are valuable because of whose hands have been on you. You are God’s (Poy-AY-Ma) poiēma."

The second part of the verse says we were: created in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV (Slide)

10For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Now, I must stop here because we cannot skip verses 8-9.

Ephesians 2:8–9 NIV (Slide)

8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

2.    Your foundation is His grace.

You don't work to be saved; you work BECAUSE you are saved.

Religion says: “I obey; therefore, I’m accepted.”

The Gospel says: “I’m accepted through Christ; therefore, I obey.”

If you try to do “good works” without being “in Christ Jesus” first, you’re just going to burn out. You’re going to be a “do-gooder” who is exhausted and resentful.

But when you realize that your salvation is a gift. You didn't earn it and you can't lose it because it’s based on what He did, not what you did. That creates a whole different kind of motivation.

Being “in Christ” means that when God looks at you, He doesn't see your sin; He sees His Son. He sees the masterpiece again.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV (Slide)

17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

You must get your identity right before you can get your activity right.

You are a son or daughter of God first. Everything else flows from that relationship.

"Now, once we know who we are (Masterpieces) and where we stand (In Christ), Paul tells us why we’re still on this planet.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV (Slide)

10For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

3. You have a jobto do.

He says we were created: to do good works.

I want you to lean in for this: God didn't save you just so you could go to heaven. If the only point of salvation was heaven, He would have taken you home the moment you said Amen to your prayer of salvation.

The reason you’re still breathing is because there is something God wants to do through you.

I heard a pastor say; you haven't really lived until you’ve lived for something greater than yourself.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

And don't get “good works” confused with “church work.” Some of you think “good works” means you have to be a pastor or a missionary in Africa.

No! Good works are simply God’s love in action through your unique design.

If you’re a teacher, your good work is pouring life into those kids.

If you’re a business owner, your good work is leading with integrity and creating a culture where people thrive.

If you’re a stay-at-home mom, your good work is shaping the soul of a child.

Jesus said in:

Matthew 5:16 NIV (Slide)

16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

When you do what you were created to do, you make God look good! You become a window through which people can see the heart of the Father. You weren't created for a career; you were created for a calling. Your career is just the vehicle for your calling.

Now, look at this last part of

Ephesians 2:10 NIV (Slide)

10For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

This is the part that should give you the most confidence. Paul says these works are things: which God prepared in advance for us to do.

4. Your life has a divine purpose.

Think about how incredible that is. Before you were even born, before you took your first breath, God already looked at the timeline of history and said, In 2026, I’m going to need someone with these specific gifts, in that specific city, to solve that specific problem.

You don't have to stumble around wondering if you’ll ever find your purpose. God has already prepared it in advance.

Your job isn't to create a purpose; your job is to discover it.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV (Slide)

11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God has a plan. He’s not making it up as He goes. He’s not surprised by the economy. He’s not surprised by your health diagnosis. He’s already gone into your future and set up opportunities for you to make a difference.

Your “good works” are waiting for you. You just have to walk into them.

"As we close today, I want to bring this home.

Maybe you’re here today and you’ve been feeling like a misfit. You’ve been looking at your life and all you see are the mistakes.

But in the hands of a master artist, those mistakes are repurposed for the masterpiece to be finished.

Papa’s painting from 1974.- Tammy at age 3-4

That’s what God wants to do with you.

He wants you to know:

You are His Masterpiece. Stop believing the lie that you’re a mistake.

You are loved in Christ. Stop trying to earn what’s already been given.

You have a Purpose. There is a “good work” with your name on it.

God has prepared your path. You can trust Him with your future.

If you’ve never started that relationship with Jesus; if you’ve never been created in Christ Jesus, that’s your first step. You can’t do the works until you know the Worker.

And for those of you who know Him but you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, I want to challenge you: Get in the game. Find a place to serve. Because you will never be more fulfilled than when you are doing the very thing God prepared for you to do before the world began.

Prayer:

Lord, I thank You for every person hearing this message. I pray that right now, the Holy Spirit would whisper into their hearts: “You are a masterpiece.” I pray against the lies of the enemy that say they are worthless or finished. God, show them the “good works” You’ve prepared for them. Give them the courage to take their next step. We love You, we praise You, and we give You this day. In Jesus' name, Amen.