Saved By Grace

“Saved by Grace”

Ephesians 2:1-10

Today we will be in Ephesians 2:1-10:

- I head to this text because

- lately I have been preaching a lot

- about the need for us to be faithful under times of duress

- to stand for the Lord, even if we have to stand alone

I’ve also been trying to stress:

- some of the sins that are common in our society

- sins that the Lord detests,

- and how we need reject the things of this world

- and live by the Bible

But today I want to go a little different direction:

- partly because the sermons I’ve been preaching

- have been very heavy into personal obedience and

- to some degree obeying the Law and commands of God

And while I believe that obedience is essential to our faith:

- that too many of us have become apathetic in our Christian duty

- and that the trend of society and the Church is

- not to change to conform to the Bible, but rather

- that the Christian faith should conform to society

Today, I feel compelled to explain things from a different angle:

- to be honest it seems a little counterintuitive,

- but I want to remind us that our human efforts

- cannot under any circumstances save our souls…

Yes we should:

- give generously

- study the Bible rigorously

- pray continually

- reject sin and serve willingly

- that we must stand firm for God, even when we stand alone…

And it must frustrate God:

- that much of His church

- is unwilling to do much of anything for His Kingdom

- and rather serves idols made by human hands…

And while we desire:

- Church growth and conversions

- we want the pews filled

- and we say we want souls saved…

While we might say we want revival:

- God wants all that, but that is not all He wants

- He also wants His people to humble ourselves

- to pray and repent of our wicked ways…

That is a long way to go for most of the Church:

- but if somehow we became

- super passionate about our faith

- devoted ourselves to live the best we can

If we gave all our money to the poor:

- and served at homeless shelters

- and went and served on the mission field

Guess what?

- that still is not good enough to get into heaven

- you still don’t have enough credits to pay for your sins

- you would still be headed to Hell outside of Christ…

But you already knew all that, Right?

- you know you can’t gain entrance into heaven

- by your own production of GOOD WORKS…

- so today we will look at God’s grace

All of that brings us to the text today in Ephesians 2:1-10:

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Ephesians 2:1-10 (NKJV)

This text is a staple of the Christian:

- it is one worth memorizing

- specifically 2:8-9 that brings into perspective

- that we are the SAVED and NOT THE SAVIOR

Ephesians 2 really clarifies a lot of misconceptions about Christianity:

#1 misconception is that everyone is going to heaven:

- when was the last time you went to a funeral and heard this

- “I’m sure he’s burning in Hell right now”

- I never hear that and yet NOT EVERYONE is going to heaven

While it is true that a good tree will bear good fruit: