By Grace Ye Are Saved 2 Series

Thanks you for returning tonight. Before I begin, let me address a questions given to me regarding the message of this morning.

Question: Who would be willing to subvert the plain teaching of the word?

Answer: I cannot answer who would, but I can conjecture why. Some members on these translation teams feel it more important to twist and arrest the Scriptures to fit their doctrinal position; rather than aligning their position of faith to the Scriptures. Peter states: “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation;…even as brother Paul also hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction,” 2 Peter 3:15-16.

Let me review briefly what was discussed this morning and then I'll move right into the final point: "Man's condition after his call to grace."

III MAN’S CONDITION AFTER HIS CALL TO GRACE

A. And hath raised us up. Notice Paul: “God…Hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” Ephesians 2:6. Two blessings follows after we are made “alive” and “saved by grace,” Ephesians 2:6. Paul states that two things occur after we have been “united with Christ;” – “quickened” by the Spirit; and “saved by the grace of God.” He says:

1. First, we have been “raised up with Jesus,” Ephesians 2:6, Ephesians 1:20. We have experience the “first resurrection” from the dead. Notice: “Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin,” Romans 6:3-6.

2. Further, there is therefore: “Now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit,” Romans 8:1.

3. Finally, we have been “made to sit in heavenly places,” Ephesians 2:6, Ephesians 1:20. We have been made to reign with Christ, Revelations 20:6. Notice: “For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ),” Romans 5:17; 2 Timothy 2:12.

4. Conclusion. Paul affirms that we have experienced the “quickening” power of God; and have been “saved by His grace,” Ephesians 2:5. God’s “quickening” has resulted in our total “regeneration” through the working of His Holy Spirit. Notice: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost,” Titus 3:5.

B. Shew His exceeding riches. Note: “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace…toward us through Christ Jesus,” Ephesians 2:7. We were made alive that God might show forth the “riches of His grace in the ages to come.” Note:

1. First, “That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus,” Ephesians 2:7.

2. Further, consider also: “To the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the beloved one. In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses,” Ephesians 1:6-7.

3. Finally, God: “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins,” Colossians 1:13-14.

C. For by Grace. We will now set forth an analytical review of the term “salvation by grace.” Notice first Paul’s statement: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves,” Ephesians 2:8. Paul asserts that it’s through Christ’s “quickening” or “making alive” the believer, we “by grace are saved through faith.” Or, the believer has been granted access through the faith into the “grace of God.” Note: “For by grace ye are saved through (the) faith (Gr: dia tes pisteos) or (the system of faith); it is the gift of God,” Ephesians 2:8. Salvation is granted to the believer by God’s grace; in Christ; “through the system of faith” and it is sealed by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Notice: