Getting a Handle on Salvation

Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV 1900

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker

Did you know…In Las Vegas there are more Catholic Churches than casinos Not surprisingly some worshipers at Sunday services will give casino chips rather than cash when the collection plates/baskets is passed. Since they get chips from many different casinos, the churches have devised a method to collect the offerings. The churches send all their collected chips to a nearby Franciscan monastery for sorting and then the chips are taken to the casinos of origin and cashed in. this is done by the chip monks.

Introduction

Have you ever gone to the grocery store and had so many bags of groceries that it was difficult to get them from the car to the house? When I was younger they would pack groceries in paper bags. Now they are all packed in plastic bags and it seems that plastic bags don’t stand up. They fall over, they tend to have a lot less stuff. It is hard to get a handle on them.

Similarly when we talk about spiritual things it can be hard to get a handle on them. we are used to things that are concrete, tangible, tactile and easy to understand.

Throughout 2021 we are memorizing God’s Word the Bible. Last week we memorized 2 Corinthians 5:17.

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV 1900

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

This week we are memorizing Ephesians 2:8-9.

Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV 1900

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

To get a handle on this text, it is helpful to understand 5 Key concepts:

Grace

Saved

Faith

Gift

Boast

Let’s look at each of these together.

The Concept of Grace

Ephesians 2:8 KJV 1900

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Grace = Charis

It means the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his influence upon souls, turns them to Christ.

Grace may best be understood by comparing it to mercy. Because they are literally the opposite side of the same coin.

We understand mercy is when we don’t get what we do deserve.

Grace is we we do get what we don’t deserve.

Grace has been described as God’s unmerited favor.

Many understand Grace through this simple phrase

God’s

Riches

At

Christ

Expense

Ephesians 2:7 KJV 1900

That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:5 KJV 1900

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

The Concept of Saved

Ephesians 2:8 KJV 1900

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Saved = Sozo

It encompasses the idea of Salvation, healing and deliverance.

Ephesians 2:3 KJV 1900

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 KJV 1900

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Acts 4:12 KJV 1900

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

The Concepts of Faith

Ephesians 2:8 KJV 1900

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Faith = Pistis

The conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of things, the provider and bestower of salvation through Christ.

Hebrews 11:1 KJV 1900

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Romans 12:3 KJV 1900

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

The Concept of Gift

Ephesians 2:8 KJV 1900

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Gift = Doron

A Present, specifically a sacrifice

John 3:16 KJV 1900

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 5:8 KJV 1900

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

The Concept of Boast

Ephesians 2:9 KJV 1900

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Boast = Kauchaomai (Cow-kah-om-ah-he)

To glory or take pride in.

Jeremiah 9:23–24 KJV 1900

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Neither let the mighty man glory in his might, Let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, That he understandeth and knoweth me, That I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: For in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

Conclusion

The next time you see someone struggling to carry so many things. remember that many are struggling to understand what it means to be saved. And help them to get a Handle on Salvation.

To do this remember the Concepts of

Grace

Saved

Faith

Gift

Boast

Have you accepted Jesus as your savior? Have you been born again? It is as easy as A,B,C.