By Grace

Ephesians 2:1-10

Once you’re saved, you don’t move beyond the Gospel; everyday we are desperate for the Gospel.

Gospel message in all NT books & epistles (written TO believers)

Peace with God is for all of us

Stand, pray, and read vs.1-10

1. Helplessness apart from Christ (vs.1-3)

vs.1 “you” is all of us

dead- because of our sin, we are dead (Romans 6:23)

not just physical but spiritual (Revelation - “the second death”)

some people live more afraid of physical death than thier current spiritual deadness

vs.2-3 we have been influenced by (1) the world, (2) the devil, and (3) the flesh.

Paul says we walked in these things and because of it we rightfully deserve hell, eternal spiritual death and seperation from God.

this is crucial to understand and accept for the next part to have any meaning.

2. Provision of Grace (vs.4-9)

vs.4 “But God” what a beautiful phrase

vs.5 - “You are saved by grace!”

We are made -alive- in Christ, from death, by God’s grace.

full work of Christ

vs.7 - this verse answers the question of why God poured out such love upon his people:

so that they will marvel for all of eternity over the incredible kindness and love of God. It will take all of eternity to fathom God’s love, and those who are saved will never plumb the depths of it.

vs.8-9 - This separates us from all religions. No other “god” fas freely given salvation by grace.

Romans 10:9 tells us that we have to believe this in our hearts, to put faith in it, and confess it, proclaim it, every single day with our mouth and soul.

1 John 3:1 “See what great love God has for us” that despite our sin, transgressions, our wickedness, He is SO rich in mercy that he gives us a free gift of grace in salvation, so that we may be saved from our inherent status of eternal death.

This is not from our works, but from the sufficient (mormons) full work of Christ in his death on the cross, his resurrection, and his ascension

Don’t leave him in the grave because he is seated at the right hand of God and so are we if we are saved & redeemed (vs.6)

3. Eternal Workmanship (vs.10)

vs.10 has two major implications (re-read)

works don’t justify you, they authenticate you. (vs.2 “previously”)

God doesn’t need your good works, but your neighbor does! -Luther

Our good works are a profound example to others of the love & grace of God

workmanship

2. The most imporant work is to glorify God

Eph.1 vs.6, 12, 14,

1 Cor. 10:31 “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” -Spurgeon

God’s purpose in redeeming you, his workmanship, is to glorify himself.

We get to be a part of that, what could be greater?