Grace and Faith

Ephesians 2:1–2 ESV

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

Because We Are Dead In Sin

Introduction

Hey Everyone! As it was said, my name is Landon and I work at the church here as the Worship Administrator.

A. Series Introduction

It is so great to see so many faces here! I used to be a lot more involved in our youth group than I am now. But I have to say, when I look at the leader’s you guys have, I am a lot more optimistic about what’s happening here than when I was involved.

Hey, it’s invite night and that means that we’re all having a lot of fun with games, prizes, and everything else. But we’re going to take a moment to step back and talk a little bit about what we’re about here at LifeSpring Church: Christianity.

Now, for many of you, when I say Christianity a couple of different images come to your head:

· ­Going to church as a kid

· That guy/girl at school who prays

· The creepy (church) building down the road

Or maybe you are a Christian and Christianity means something different to you:

· Hanging out at a place where everyone seems to love and accept you

· Talking about Jesus

· (Christianity means) love: God is love, we’re all about love – that’s what this is!

But what is Christianity all about? This thing has been around for over 2,000 years so it must have some lasting significance. But what makes it significant?

Well tonight, I want to talk about one of the biggest things Christianity is all about: Grace. But in order to understand it, we need to answer the questions: why we need grace, and how it works.

Why We Need Grace

Ephesians 2:1–2 NLT

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

Because We Are Dead In Sin

How Grace Works

Ephesians 2:5–6 NLT

that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:5 ESV

even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

It Makes Us Alive

Because Of Faith

Ephesians 2:8 NLT

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

Ephesians 2:8 NLT

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

1 John 1:9 ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:8–9 ESV

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.