Ephesians 2 ESV
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
One in Christ
EPHESIANS 2 ESV
12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Our righteousness depends on our faith, but must rest on His grace so it can be guaranteed.
What is Grace and What is God like?
EPHESIANS 2 ESV
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
1. What is Grace?
Faith is man’s act toward God, but it must be predicated by God’s act of grace towards man.
Grace is an expression of the character of God.
Grace:
A gift from God, that is undeserved, unmerited, and unearned.
SEPARATED FROM GOD……..
GRACE IS THE HOW.
Ephesians 2 ESV
5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
Saved:
(to rescue from danger or destruction)
Ephesians 2 ESV
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
1. What is Grace?
A. Grace is a gift.
B. Grace is undeserved.
C. Grace is unmerited.
D. Grace is a gift that cannot be earned.
“Grace is an expression of the character of God.”
2. Who is God and What is God like?
Exodus 34
6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.” 8 And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped.
Ephesians 2 ESV
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
Romans 5 ESV
7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love “for us “in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
GRACE IS THE HOW, BUT LOVE IS THE WHY
3. What was God’s motive?
Ephesians 2 ESV
6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
WE WERE SEPARATED FROM GOD…
EPHESIANS 2 ESV
12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Romans 8 ESV
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
Romans 8 ESV
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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