The Fruit of Grace

Open, if you will, to Ephesians 2:

This past week, I spent a lot of time talking about purpose

Purpose was the root of the devotions I shared at a soccer camp

We talked about the Olympic games, and how in 1 Corinthians 9, we are challenged to train for an eternal crown

We talked about God’s purpose for us in doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God, out of Micah 6:8

We talked about our inability to do these things on our own as we walked down the Romans Road

TRANSITION: And what all of this pointed us to as that God helps us to fulfill our purpose when He saves us from our sins so that we can walk in relationship with Him.

It is a message that you and I need to hear as believers, just as much as those that have yet to believe.

Look with me if you will at Ephesians 2:8

Ephesians 2:8–10 NASB95

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

PRAY

Our time together this morning is brief, but what I want to share with you this morning are three clear points that point us back to our purpose.

Salvation is a gift of God

The only reason that we can be with God at all is because of His salvation from our sins

Ephesians 2:1–2 NASB95

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

You and I were made to worship and serve God forever, but we broke His law

We deserved death, not salvation and life.

God’s salvation is a gift because He gives us freely something in love we could not otherwise have

God’s gift is the greatest of gifts because God’s salvation is a gift of grace. Look at verse 9 again:

Ephesians 2:9 NASB95

not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

This is our second point this morning, that

Salvation can only come to us by grace through faith

Grace means getting something good that you don’t deserve

God’s salvation is gracious-you and I can’t earn it

1 Timothy 1:15 NASB95

It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.

If you have ever sinned, even one time, you are undeserving of heaven and blessing

It is only by the grace of God through the blood of Jesus Christ that you and I can have access to His grace

It is only by the building our lives on that grace, choosing to live by basing our actions on our belief in His salvation, that you and I can be saved by it.

God saved you by His grace through faith so that as you live our your faith before Him, your purpose could be completed in Him.

Ephesians 2:10 NASB95

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Our last point this morning is this:

I am saved to fulfill my purpose of doing good works for His Kingdom He made me to do!

God created you to do specific work in His Kingdom

You are incapable of doing it outside of Christ because of your sin

In Christ, you are able to finally do what you were made to do!

INVITATION:

Those who are in Christ can finally step into His purposes!

Those who don’t yet know Christ, can be freed from sin in His grace to begin!

PRAY