Ephesians 2:1-10
Grace is getting what we do not deserve – Mercy is not getting what we deserve
Donald Barnhouse a Presbyterian preacher once said that “Love that goes upward is worship. Love that goes outward is affection. Love that stoops is grace.”
Apostle was preaching to the church in Ephesus about God’s grace.
WHAT GRACE DOES TO OUR PAST
Our past is always connected to sin no matter who we are.
A. We Are Dead People
There is no life in us because of sin – I call it walking dead people - zombies
B. We Are Deceived People
God is reminding us once again who rules the air of our world today – it is Satan
It is the force and power of influence on this world – the ways of this world determined by Satan – this is his kingdom.
So we live in a dreadful and deluded world – world’s standards are deceptive and depraved.
Those who follow the ways of the world are being deceived day in day out.
C. We Are Rebellious People
By nature we are rebellious and disobedient people – doomed people – damaged goods - we keep on gratifying our inborn carnal nature.
We do not deserve mercy but punishment.
WHAT GRACE DOES TO OUR PRESENT
4th verse starts with a wonderful ‘but’ – But God is gracious and rich in mercy
Three things stand out in verses 4-6 – Love, Mercy and Heaven
God is so rich in mercy – Not giving us what we deserve – He loved us so much He stooped down to us in Christ
God is so rich in grace – gifting us what we don’t deserve – made us alive spiritually
In Christ we are brought back to life – revived – resuscitated.
Someone said that God renovated us spiritually
The first step to become spiritually alive is to receive the gift of grace of God in Christ.
The greatest gift in human history is God’s gift of salvation.
The moment we receive the gift of grace by faith we are heaven bound – one step is already in heaven
No human effort can bring this reality in a person’s life except God’s grace.
Which religion tells this glorious truth that a person already in heaven while living on earth.
We are redeemed from our sin to be with Christ forever.
WHAT GRACE DOES TO OUR FUTURE
Lord Jesus promised that HE already prepared your place and my place according to HIS riches.
Because of God’s grace we will have spiritual blessing beyond human comprehension.
Because of God’s grace we will inherit what Christ has in glory
We received God’s special favor when we first believed in HIM – so no one can take credit.
Grace is everything in a Christian’s life - our faith – our good works – our blessings – all linked to the grace of God in Christ.
Salvation is not a reward from God but always a free gift through Jesus Christ.
This is the only difference in Christianity and other world religion.
We Are God’s Handiwork created in Christ
God’s grace in Christ initiates the process for us to live as children of God.
Grace of God molds our character and attitudes to mature spiritually.
Grace of God enables us to serve and one another.
God made us such that we can be useful tools to be used by Him.
In our Christian life everything hinges on Grace of God.
We should never forget that it cost our Lord Jesus everything.
That is why Grace is hard to understand or grasp for those who live outside of HIS grace.
It’s by grace we have been saved, through our faith in Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace is getting what we do not deserve – Mercy is not getting what we deserve
Donald Barnhouse a Presbyterian preacher once said that “Love that goes upward is worship. Love that goes outward is affection. Love that stoops is grace.”
Apostle was preaching to the church in Ephesus about God’s grace.
WHAT GRACE DOES TO OUR PAST
Our past is always connected to sin no matter who we are.
A. We Are Dead People
There is no life in us because of sin – I call it walking dead people - zombies
B. We Are Deceived People
God is reminding us once again who rules the air of our world today – it is Satan
It is the force and power of influence on this world – the ways of this world determined by Satan – this is his kingdom.
So we live in a dreadful and deluded world – world’s standards are deceptive and depraved.
Those who follow the ways of the world are being deceived day in day out.
C. We Are Rebellious People
By nature we are rebellious and disobedient people – doomed people – damaged goods - we keep on gratifying our inborn carnal nature.
We do not deserve mercy but punishment.
WHAT GRACE DOES TO OUR PRESENT
4th verse starts with a wonderful ‘but’ – But God is gracious and rich in mercy
Three things stand out in verses 4-6 – Love, Mercy and Heaven
God is so rich in mercy – Not giving us what we deserve – He loved us so much He stooped down to us in Christ
God is so rich in grace – gifting us what we don’t deserve – made us alive spiritually
In Christ we are brought back to life – revived – resuscitated.
Someone said that God renovated us spiritually
The first step to become spiritually alive is to receive the gift of grace of God in Christ.
The greatest gift in human history is God’s gift of salvation.
The moment we receive the gift of grace by faith we are heaven bound – one step is already in heaven
No human effort can bring this reality in a person’s life except God’s grace.
Which religion tells this glorious truth that a person already in heaven while living on earth.
We are redeemed from our sin to be with Christ forever.
WHAT GRACE DOES TO OUR FUTURE
Lord Jesus promised that HE already prepared your place and my place according to HIS riches.
Because of God’s grace we will have spiritual blessing beyond human comprehension.
Because of God’s grace we will inherit what Christ has in glory
We received God’s special favor when we first believed in HIM – so no one can take credit.
Grace is everything in a Christian’s life - our faith – our good works – our blessings – all linked to the grace of God in Christ.
Salvation is not a reward from God but always a free gift through Jesus Christ.
This is the only difference in Christianity and other world religion.
We Are God’s Handiwork created in Christ
God’s grace in Christ initiates the process for us to live as children of God.
Grace of God molds our character and attitudes to mature spiritually.
Grace of God enables us to serve and one another.
God made us such that we can be useful tools to be used by Him.
In our Christian life everything hinges on Grace of God.
We should never forget that it cost our Lord Jesus everything.
That is why Grace is hard to understand or grasp for those who live outside of HIS grace.
It’s by grace we have been saved, through our faith in Lord Jesus Christ.
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