February 10, 2019
Morning Worship
Text: Ephesians 2:1-10
Subject: Saved by Grace
Title: Your Testimony
Do you have a testimony? If you belong to Christ you do. The important thing about your testimony is that it is totally different than anyone else’s. We tend to think that the testimonies of those whose lives have been dramatically changed are so much more impactful than others. But I have to tell you, those of you who have been saved longer than you can remember and have continued with the Lord all these years – well, that in itself is a great testimony.
Is your testimony important? Paul must have thought it was important. He did it numerous times. Plus, the number of times that he shared what the Lord had done in him since the time he was saved.
So, your testimony is not only sharing what the Lord did for you at salvation, but also what He has continued to do in you since…
Three things to note about our personal conversion stories. 1) There is an account of Who you were before you were saved. In my case, many of the people I worked with before I was saved thought that I was a really good person. Of course, they were looking with human eyes… I reconnected with an old friend not too long ago and he told me that he always thought I would be a pastor. Now the last time I saw him was six years before I was saved. But he thought I was a pretty good guy. But I realized that I was pretty religious, but never had that relationship with Jesus I needed to have. 2) the account of who you are after you are saved. The truth is, after you have come to the Lord and asked Him to be in your life, you are changed at the most basic level. 3) There is a continual challenge as to what we can be “in Christ”.
We want to look at what Paul has to say to the church in Ephesus in chapter two.
Ephesians 2:1-10,
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature£ and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
I. Who Were You Before You Were Saved? I don’t know about you all, but I regularly go back and think of my life before I came to Christ. And I’m not proud of it. But I do glory in what God has done in me. And I can’t take any credit for it. 1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. Don’t you know that most unsaved people think that they are all right with God because they are good people? But Paul clearly lays it out for us to understand. Before we were saved, whether we want to admit it or not, we lived for the devil… the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient… apeitheia (ap-ei'-thei-ah) n… disbelief (obstinate and rebellious) We know that it is only through the working of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives that they can come to be saved. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (NKJV) 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. It is the goal of the enemy to keep people blinded to the truth. But the Holy Spirit never ceases to work. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. Aren’t you glad that you are no longer subject to God’s wrath? The word wrath in the Greek is an interesting study. On one hand we know that it refers to the punishment God will ultimately inflict on all those whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. I t refers to a violent passion… But it also gives reference to God’s desire for us… a reaching out. The root word means, to stretch oneself, i.e. reach out after (long for). What a beautiful word picture it gives us of God’s love for us and how He desires that none should perish, but should come to repentance.
II. Who Are You Now That You Are Saved? 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. I remember Earl Walker asking a question some years ago. “Does our DNA change after we are saved?” A great question isn’t it? And my answer was “No, our natural DNA does not change, but our spiritual DNA does.” But in preparing today’s message my study found this. Many people are used to thinking of DNA as unchanging programming that governs all the body's responses for the rest of a person's life. In essence, certain things about our DNA are unlikely to change, ever. There are a number of outside things that could result in minor DNA change, however. As you age, for instance, you may note DNA expression changes in a variety of ways. Hair gets gray, skin gets wrinkly, and diseases are more common. The effect of environmental influence on DNA is still being studied intensely, but there are some certain known features. For one thing, changes in DNA may really be better called mutations. The programs in certain cells don’t work as well, and this is reflected in aging. Exactly why certain codes, such as to produce tight skin, don’t work as well isn’t fully known. There is strong supposition, though, that things like sun exposure may change how well DNA operates. Now my question is this – If natural occurrences can change DNA, even if it is subtle, then what can a supernatural occurrence lead to? 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV), 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. We have been changed from being dead to being alive in Christ. That is a change at the most basic level. Cells, molecules, tissue, organs, everything about us that shouted out “Death”, is now LIFE. Our Spiritual DNA has gone from dead to alive. Our natural DNA is also changed, or at the least put in a position that it will be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (NIV2011) 42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. J.O. Sanders, Enjoying Intimacy with God, Dr. J. Elder Cumming contended that "in almost every case the beginning of new blessing is a new revelation of the character of God--more beautiful, more wonderful, more precious." 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus… 1) You are raised up… This is in reference to our new position in Christ. Even though we are still here on the earth we are given positions of authority and power because spiritually we are seated with Jesus in the heavenly realms. 2) We receive the incomparable riches of his grace… Do you remember our favorite definition of what grace is? Grace is the manifestation of God’s presence or power at work in your life at any given time. Acts 17:28 (NIV2011) 28 “For in him we live and move and have our being.” 3) God’s plan and our part…Verses 8 and 9 give us a clear explanation of God at work within us. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9not by works, so that no one can boast. Who saves you? How is it accomplished? Do you have a part in it? Grace has been poured out for all mankind to be saved, but only those who receive it by faith will be saved. And it doesn’t matter how hard you try on your own, your works will never save you. It is the Gift of God… notice that Paul does not say it is a gift from God, but the gift from God… all the other benefits we subsequently receive from the Lord are good, but they are just additional gifts. And I’m not trying to downplay those additional benefits, but trying to prioritize. In Luke chapter 10, after Jesus had sent the seventy-two disciples out to ministry, it says,
17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” You are no longer dead, but now raised up and seated with Him in the heavenlies… and called for a purpose.
III. What God Desires You To Be… For any of you who think that your only purpose in life is to get saved, be a part of a church, and wait till Jesus comes to take you to glory, Well, NO, that’s not true. That may be your attitude, but that’s not what the Lord has planned for you. 10For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. The word translated workmanship in the original language of the bible, means “product”. You, each one of you who are born again, have been hand-crafted by God for a specific purpose. Some of you have not yet figured out what that purpose is. Have you ever asked the Lord? So many times, we have heard from God that He wants you to do something and your first response is, “I can’t do that!” Come on, now tell the truth. Is that you? There is no way I could teach kids… there is no way I could share my faith. There is no way I could – whatever! I’m just not built that way. Sometimes we make excuses, using a type of “false” humility in an effort to get out of what God has called you to do. Well, I’m not really anyone that people would listen to… I’m not very smart, very good looking, very outgoing! Come on now! Look at what the scripture says… we are God’s workmanship… has God called you to something that He hasn’t already empowered you to do? Look through the bible. Did God choose Noah because he was a master shipbuilder? Did He choose Moses because he was a great speaker? Did He choose David because He just looked like a king? How about the twelve apostles? Fisherman, a tax collector, a political zealot, a crooked bookkeeper! Did He choose the seventy-two that were sent because they could do great things? No, He chose them because they knew that He was working with them and through them. What were you created for? To do good works. The very works of God – the same things that Jesus did, because you are co-heirs with Christ. Because you are “in Him”. Because you are the body – the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way. I want to finish up this point with the timing of the calling… good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Just as the plan of salvation was fore ordained from the foundation of the earth, every good work God has called you to do “In Christ” is the same. The eternal God, who has called you and empowered you, planned it from the beginning. So, two weeks from now, when you share your faith with someone at the food pantry, God had already planned it. Next year, when you reach out to a homeless person, God is already there. Nothing you can do in your service for the Lord will come as a surprise to Him. Colossians 3:17 (NIV2011) 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory. The work of a Beethoven, and the work of a charwoman, become spiritual on precisely the same condition, that of being offered to God, of being done humbly "as to the Lord." This does not, of course, mean that it is for anyone a mere toss-up whether he should sweep rooms or compose symphonies. A mole must dig to the glory of God and a cock must crow. Listen to me. The work that God has given you to do will only be accomplished the same way that your salvation came. By God’s grace activated by our faith.
So, what does our testimony look like? Is there a clear difference between who you were before being “In Him’ and after? There should be. There should be a joy that fills you and overflows into the world around you. There should be a confidence like you have never had before. There should be a love that could only come from God.
But there should be an evidence that doesn’t only come from your words or your attitude.
There should be evidence seen in your life from the things you do. The works that God preplanned for you to do. A willing to serve Him in whatever endeavor He has called you to.
The great violinist, Nicolo Paganini, willed his marvelous violin to Genoa -- the city of his birth -- but only on condition that the instrument never be played upon. It was an unfortunate condition, for it is a peculiarity of wood that as long as it is used and handled, it shows little wear. As soon as it is discarded, it begins to decay. The exquisite, mellow-toned violin has become worm-eaten in its beautiful case, valueless except as a relic. The moldering instrument is a reminder that a life withdrawn from all service to others loses its meaning.
Are you willing to be that vessel of God that will bring glory to His name through your obedience to His will for your life?
You are IN HIM.
You were bought with a price.
You are His workmanship – His handiwork – His product.
Now it is time to let His reflection show in you.
