God's Gift
Notes
Transcript
SERMON BRIEF
Rhetorical Sermon Outline
A. Foundational Elements
1. Sermon Title: “God’s Gift”
2. Text: Ephesians 2:1-10
3. Subject: “God’s salvation is a gift to the hopeless”
4. ETS: Paul wanted the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus to remember their hopelessness, to understand God’s salvation, and to realize the opportunity.
5. ESS: I want my hearers to access the riches of Christ.
6. OSS: My hearers will access the riches of Christ.
7. Take Away: God restores us by his grace through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
B. Formal Elements
Introduction
In finding Nemo the forgetful fish is called Dory. She calls Nemo a variety of names throughout the movie including bingo, Chico, and Fábio.
Last week I asked the question:
Who are you?
Our identity is found in creation because we were created in the image of God, which means our purpose is to glorify God by representing him.
There is a problem!
Sin has broken the image of God in us, so that when we look inside for identity the image looks like a funhouse mirror instead of a clear reflection of God.
Our world being guided by Satan tells us to find identity inside using phrases like...”do you; you do you; Be you; self love; and self health.”
Every person should take care of themselves, but when the focus is primarily on self for the answer, then you are headed for an identity crisis because the self is broken.
Additionally, we are unable to restore that broken image to reflect who God is. It is only when we find the way of image restoration that we will find our true identity, purpose, and fulfillment.
Last weeks Take Away: Every Human is a sinner and unable to save themselves.
This weeks Take Away: God restores us by his grace through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Brokenness is our default (Ephesians 2:1-3)
vs. 1 “Dead” is a reference to spiritual, relational, and physical death.
Adam and Eve felt shame, so they made coverings for themselves. Adam and Eve felt estranged from God, so they hid. Adam and Eve’s son, Cain killed Abel showing effect on relationships and the penalty of physical death.
“In your trespasses and sins” that is breaking the laws of the lawgiver and judge, God as well as missing the mark of righteousness, which is required to have a relationship with God.
vs. 2 Breaking God’s law and standard is...
the way of the world
the character of Satan, who is working in the disobedient.
“power of the air” refers to the lowest realm of the heavens.
Satan has limited power.
vs. 3 “by nature” is the way we became sinners and deserve God’s penalty of wrath on judgment day.
We were born broken images of God.
Illustration: 2 mirrors. Some may think, when looking at a new born baby that this perfectly reflects God. They are a blank slate with no desire for wrong. They may deduce that it is our environment that influences them to sin. But God says this is not the case, rather we are by nature in our DNA from birth broken by sin deserving the judgment of a wrathful God.
Argumentation: We set ourselves up for failure to accept our desires for sin as good. Satan takes an element of truth like “taking care of yourself” and twists it, so that people turn self health into self worship.
Application: Do not let Satan work in you by focusing primarily on yourself, but focus primarily on God.
Transition: brokenness is our default,…
But God can restore our default settings (Ephesians 2:4-5)
vs. 4 God’s Identity: rich in mercy and great in love
Mercy - willingly, not necessarily, chooses not to punish those who deserve it.
Love - doing good for someone
vs. 5 God’s Identity is the basis for...
Made us alive with Christ
> God initiates (He is called the hound of heaven)
> “with Christ” life is found in Jesus
“By grace” that is a gift.
Illustration: An actual mirror will reflect properly what is reflected in it. It displays the real identity of what is there.
Argumentation: God’s identity is a righteous judge, who must penalize law breakers. But he is merciful and loving, who will forgive law breakers, save sinners from a wrathful punishment, and restore them to their true identity as his image-bearers.
Transition: Brokenness is our default, but God can restore our default settings, and…
God provides a powerful upgrade (Ephesians 2:6-10)
“Raised us up with Christ and seated us with him”
“With Christ” means our identity is in Jesus. In Christ our identity has changed from
> spiritually dead to spiritually alive
> Under wrath, to under love
> Enslaved to sin, to enthroned as a son/daughter
> Powerless to Powerful
vs. 7 “Immeasurable riches” means they are uncountable.
“In Christ” is the place where the riches are found.
vs. 8-9 How saved? basis of salvation “by grace,” is a gift. “Through faith” is the reception of the gift.
vs. 10 “Created in Christ” that is recreated/restored
“for good works” reflect God’s image
> Image broken man is recreated/restored in Christ to reflect God’s image through good works
Conclusion
Paper towel roll, paper, and books
We were hopeless and helpless as naturally, dead in sin. The broken image in us was irreparable in our power.
God came to us through Jesus’ righteous life, paid the penalty for sin on the cross, and rose again. He offers salvation from wrathful judgment, restoration to image bearers of God to all who put faith in Jesus.
He changes our identity from helpless slave to sin to powerful sons/daughters of righteousness.
When we lovingly pursue Jesus, then we find incredible power to with stand sinful brokenness to reflect the image of God as were intended to be.
Take Away: God restores us by his grace through Jesus’ death and resurrection.