Life Together Pt. V

Ephesians 2:4-10

Title: Saved!

Living for grace vs. from grace

God is the one who saves, we are the ones who receive.

Recap: (1-3) Enemies: Sin, Satan, World.

Being saved. What does it mean to be saved?

what does it mean that we are saved? Saved from what? (1-3). Not only Jesus has, but we have been.

Doctrine of Christ- Union with Christ.

Seated in the heavenlies- we are seated ruling with him. Picking up the mantle of servant leadership to have a new dominion. Ruling a Kingdom through serving.

Rescued from, delivered from the sins that ensnare us. Rescued and delivered from the destination of Satan, rescued and delivered from the path of the world. From God’s wrath.

For- by grace you have been saved. Summarizes what has been said previously. Saved because of God and not us. Grace stacked on top of each other, grace upon grace Jn 1:16. We are emphasizing something. Saved by grace. emphasis on grace. Exodus 34:6-7. Abounds in love, slow to wrath.

God hates sin, opposes it, and will judge it. Slow to judge. He is patient. He loves us enough to give us time. You are longing to love, he is provoked to wrath. He is already out to love you. Saved by Grace. You are saved because of who he is not based on what he has done. He is not happy with you because of you, but because of Jesus.

Faith- reliance, dependence, trust. I cannot do this, but you can. All I can do is receive, trust you are who you say you are, trust that he has a better way to do life than my limited small perspective. Object of your faith. Not of yourself, the gift of God. Not our works, the work of Jesus. God has done it all, initiated, Son came, lived, died, rose, seated, etc.

“The only thing we contribute to our salvation is the sin that made it necessary.” Jonathan Edwards

Gift of God means that it is driven by grace. It is the gift of God- all of it is from God. No boasting in heaven.

Jeremiah 9:23–24 ESV

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

God creates something from nothing (Gen 1, Luke 2, Eph 2).

2 Cor 5:17

Joining the work of Jesus. Piece of art- displaying the greatness of the artist. God created you, he is the master creator, you are his masterpiece. Re-creating you for a new purpose. Work of art.

Saved by grace, through faith, for good works. That he might display, showcase his glory through the church (bride). Walk in grace to display grace as God is gracious (Ex 34:6-7).

1. Do you understand God’s part in salvation? Your part? Have you recieved this gift? (1 John 5:11-13)

2. What have you done (past tense) to live for grace, and what can you do this week to live from grace?

3. Do you understand your purpose as God’s work of art? What is your next step to join the work of Jesus this week?