Grace Baptist Church
But God
But God
Ephesians 2:5ESV
Ephesians 2:7ESV
- But God (Ephesians 2:4-10)Introduction: Paul is quite intentional in this letter to the Church at Ephesus. As he continues to address them in this second chapter, he begins to make a distinction between the character of man and the character of God.He wants them to realize that they are imperfect people and were once enemies of God; however, He does so not to make them feel bad or awkward, but so that they understand that without God they would not be where they were.Paul appears to be saying, "Don't take God for granted, all that you are and will ever be is because of God!" Paul is persistent in getting them to know that God has given them salvation, something they could not get by themselves. They could not make it happen. God supplied it through the death, burial and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ!Transition: Because God has done such a significant work for us we must reflect with the deepest of honesty of what He has doneWe Do Not Deserve It, But God has Been Good Toward UsEphesians 2:4
Ephesians 2:4 ESV But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,- He Has Shown His Immeasurable Mercy- He Has Shown His Unconditional LoveEphesians 2:5Ephesians 2:5 ESV even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—-He Has Given Us Life-He Has Granted Us GraceEphesians 2:6Ephesians 2:6 ESV and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,-He Has Positioned Us With ChristEphesians 2:7Ephesians 2:7 ESV so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.He Has Made Plans For UsThe purpose of God’s action in saving us is to demonstrate in the coming ages how rich his grace is; in intervening for us, God shows his own character (cf. Rom. 3:25–26). By its very nature the gospel is a revelation.43 The revelation of God’s character will continue throughout eternity, and the primary evidence of his grace and kindness are the people who have received life in Christ Jesus.Application: Thank God for His goodness. Every now and then take a moment and just start thinking about the mercy He has shown you. Think of the many ways He has demonstrated His love for you in spite of yourself.We Do Not Deserve It, But God has Give Us The Gift of Salvation (Ephesians 2:8)Ephesians 2:9Ephesians 2:9 ESV not a result of works, so that no one may boast.- We did not work for it- It was not earned- We have no right to brag on ourselvesApplication: I want to ask you a sobering question. Are you saved? No not have you joined Church. Are you saved? Have you accepted the Gift God has given you? If not today is the day to change your life. Today is the day to really make a difference in your life.We Do Not Deserve It, But God Cherishes Us (Ephesians 2:10)-We are His workmanship-We are formed in Christ-He has designed our pathILLUSTRATION: God not only created you physically, He also created you spiritually when you were born again. As a Christian believer, God’s creative power continues as you do good works. Look closely at this story:A sculptor had been hired to build a statue for the city square of a small eastern town. The subject of his statue was to be just an ordinary man who had no noticeable attractions. The artist had been hired because he had an eye that would bring out the details of the subject that only a master sculptor could. From the first, the artist had been determined to add the details that are unseen by the natural eye. He knew that the detail would take time but he had made a promise to himself that he would do his very best—no matter what circumstances or criticism came his way. And criticism did come, for the project had drug on and on. The city leaders had grown more and more impatient as month after month had passed without the statue being finished.But finally, the seasoned sculptor completed his most excellent work. And now the great day of presentation had arrived. The response was just what he had planned: phenomenal.“What a wonderful work of art!”“Who is the subject?”“There is no one here who looks like this statue!”“Look at the attention given to detail.”“How do you describe something so magnificent?”The sculptor smiled and thought to himself, “The subject, the ordinary man, is me.”The Seasoned Sculptor is also at work in our lives. Like the illustration, we are His most excellent work that He is unveiling to the world. The Lord Jesus makes us suitable. He gives attention to the small details in our lives that need to come out, and His finished work in us leaves us speechless. Remember His promise to the believer:“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Ph. 1:6).What a great blessing for the Christian—We are His workmanship!Application: See yourself as a work of God. Ephesians 2:9ESV
Ephesians 2:6ESV
Ephesians 2:4ESV
Grace Baptist Church
309.673.9715
1 member