Ephesians 2_1-10 Grace

Secular:

• Frankenstein Monster…
• Created from bits and pieces…
•  But was nothing apart from his life force…

Biblical: NIV Ephesians 2:1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-- it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this 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 workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Personal:

• Flushing Jonah…
•  It isn’t about wishing…
•  It isn’t about crying after the fact…
•  We can give life…
•  We can’t stop death…
• But Salvation… give the promise of eternity

Bridge:

• To be truly alive is to be alive in Christ!

Body:

Salvation is from Sin v. 1-3

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

• Remember we needed to be saved from something…
•  Salvation isn’t only – saved to eternity
•  Salvation is from our sinful nature… perfected in eternity
•  We were in opposition to God…
• Trading deadline…
• From a non-contender – to the playoffs
• We were by our very nature… objects of wrath!
• Salvation is From Sin

Salvation is by Love v. 4

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ,

• Salvation doesn’t come from our own bag of tricks
•  It comes from God’s great mercy…
•  People ask how could God allow…
• That is our Just reward
• God in loves offers himself
• Salvation is by Love

Salvation is Into Life v. 5

5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-- it is by grace you have been saved.

• Sixth Sense…
•  Have you ever seen a Zombie…
• by definition… one who walks and talks like the living but is actually dead…
• I see them every day…
• Those who trust in themselves… or in Mother Earth, or Buddha or Mohammed
• It is not be shoring up your Karma… or earning Brownie Points on the good person scale… being moral…
• It is Salvation into new life… eternal life by faith in Jesus through the Grace of the Father
• Salvation is into Life

Salvation is with a Purpose v. 6-7

6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

• Why…
• We tend to want to know why…
•  Big gift… slap upside the head… why?
•  God raised us up… gave us the promise of heaven in order that He could show his kindness and mercy to us….
• Why us… why me…
•  Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
• The purpose of Salvation is a demonstration of God’s Love… to his glory
• The chief end of man is to glorify God  and enjoy him forever… God’s Plan
• Salvation is with a Purpose

Salvation is Through Faith v. 8-9

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

•  Frankenstein monster did not orchestrate or empower his own rise to life…
•  And though we don’t share Frank’s devastating good looks… we too were Spiritually Dead and unable to revive the Spirit within us…
•  James 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
•  Points toward the last point…
• We are dependant on our Soveriegn God for salvation…
• In his love and mercy He offers it… and gives us the faith to accept and the strength to endure… and eternity to enjoy it…
• It is not a faith you can lord over others…
• It is like being a car jockey… shuttling cars and bragging to someone about your Corvette… you didn’t earn it, why boast… appreciate the opportunity…
• The cool part is God doesn’t take away our ‘vette… His gift is for eternity…

Salvation is Through Faith

Salvation is Unto Good Works v.10

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

•  Why…. God raised us up… gave us the promise of heaven in order that He could show his kindness and mercy to us….
• … but also with great power comes great responsibility… (Spiderman)
•  Rarely do we give love and not see any return…
• When we do it hurts…
•  Our natural response to an awesome gift…
• Many thanks… (Game Cube, PS2, Xbox @ Christmas…)
• Tears with a testimony… (Kaylesha)
• Our response…
• Love and care…
• Respond with Action…
• God has a plan for the people who love Him… Grow yourselves, Grow the body, Grow in our relationship to Him and Grow the Kingdom…

Salvation from Sin

Salvation by Love

Salvation into Life

Salvation with a Purpose

Salvation is through Faith

Salvation is unto Good Works