Grace And Good Works Series

Grace and good works. – Ephesians 2:8-10

“Rich” Video by Rob Bell – Nooma series

Ephesians 2:8-10 (Today’s New International Version)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Are you “saved” (made right with God) by doing good?

No!

– scales of justice – if my good outweighs my bad, I’m okay – our bad is pretty heavy…

You are saved by God’s grace

… by faith – which is a gift from God!

God does it all – he saves us for something – to do his good works!

When we get through some life-threatening episode – accident or disease…

We often say, “God must have something for me to do.”

God saves us because of his great love for us, but he also saves us with something in mind. We are not saved to sit blissfully on a cloud for the rest of eternity, eating Philly Cheese. We are saved to (blissfully) serve those who are less fortunate than us.

Saved out of the Kingdom of Darkness, into the Kingdom of light.

It is a kingdom that Jesus describes when he sets out his mandate as king in Luke 4: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

If we enter a new kingdom when we turn to Jesus, the new kingdom, like any new kingdom has new laws, new rules, a new culture, new norms. If we are really going to enter this new kingdom – we need to begin to act like the king! – giving good news to the poor, freeing prisoners, healing the blind, setting the oppressed free, and proclaiming the year of Jubilee!

Mark 9:33-35

They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all."

– the new hierarchy of the new kingdom – the servant is greatest

That He prepared for you – they are set for you – they’re your job, your responsibility – if you don’t do them who will?

Don’t get caught up too much on trying to figure out the good deeds that he prepared for you – God is bigger than that – if you have the opportunity, and you and God have the ability, you also have the responsibility.

Here are some opportunities that we have prepared for you for service week…

Explain service week.

Call Donna to introduce presenters.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.