Sermons on Ephesians 2:5-8:

The World Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Aug 6, 2019

As we try to follow God, know that you are swimming against a strong current of the world's pressures.

Some years ago we went up to Minnesota to visit our daughter, Elizabeth, and she took us out to one of her favorite spots, Interstate Park on the St. Croix River. If that name seems strange, it’s not a place where you have a picnic in the median between northbound and southbound lanes. It’s ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10, James 4:4, John 16:33

The Flesh Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Aug 6, 2019

We can be tempted to blame our failings on other people, but our own lack of self control, our slavery to 'the flesh' can be our worst enemy

Kathy and I have a Siamese cat, named Ling. For the purposes of being a pet, she’s really good. She’s quite affectionate, for a cat. She’ll come and sit in our laps several times a day, and if you scratch her in just the right spots, she really purrs. She plays amazing games with her balls and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10, Galatians 5:13-24

The Devil Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Aug 6, 2019

The devil knows a lot of cheap tricks to pull us down. If you are wise to those tricks you can stand strong against him.

In my freshman year of high school I went out for tennis. I wasn’t very good. The coach never took me to even one away meet because most everybody was better than I was. But I had a lot of fun. It was great being outside with my friends in the springtime. And tennis wasn’t near as much work ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10, Ephesians 3:9-10, Ephesians 6:10-20

He Raised Us Up With Him

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Aug 6, 2019

The resurrection of Jesus calls us to life on a new dimension.

Imagine with me a young boy spending the summer on his grandfather’s farm. He has chores to do, but as soon as they are done he loves to roam in the woods and hills nearby. He spots an eagle soaring in the sky, follows it to its nest on the edge of a cliff and sees its mate sitting on the nest. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-7, Matthew 10:39

Saved By Grace, Through Faith, For Good Works

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Aug 8, 2019

In 3 short verses Paul gives an overview of the order of salvation, the path to mature discipleship.

It can feel overwhelming to think about building a relationship with God. For God, everything ought to be right, every part of your life. You ought to pray all the time. You ought to be very careful with every word you speak. You ought to be helping all sorts of people every day. Who can do it ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10

The Scandal Of God's Grace

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Aug 8, 2019

We all speak lightly of God's grace, but a proper understanding should revolutionize our lives.

Most of you will recognize the name, John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement. He was a priest in the Church of England in the 1700’s who preached up and down the British Isles and organized people into small groups everywhere he could with a format that brought thousands of people into ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

The Sermon On The Mount (Part Two) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Aug 12, 2019

We started looking into the beatitudes last week by seeing how being poor in spirit, mourning and being meek are things that bring blessing into our lives. Today we continue by looking at how we are blessed by hungering and thirsting for righteousness and being merciful.

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (part two) Matthew 5:6-7 Beatitudes mean declarations of blessedness. The term blessedness means joy. Therefore, the state of blessedness would be a state of joy, which is more than just happy. Blessedness refers to the distinctive spiritual joy of those who are saved. We ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6-7, Isaiah 55:1-2, Psalm 107:9, Titus 3:3-8, Proverbs 19:11, Ephesians 2:1-5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Trading The Natural For The Supernatural Series

Contributed by Darian Catron on Aug 23, 2019

Peter had a choice. Stay in the boat getting no-where. Or get out and come to Jesus who walks on the waves. We have a choice. Stick with what's natural or trade it for the Super Natural.

Illustration/Story/Quote/Statistic- A new Barna research study where more than 5,000 were interviewed found that while a majority of Americans identify as Christians, only a minority are "practicing Christians." In fact, as many as 73 percent of the Americans say they are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33, Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Were You Chosen

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Aug 25, 2019

We are chosen by God to become workers in the fields for God to reap a great harvest among the lost.

Why Were You Chosen 1 Samuel 10:17-24 Matthew 9:35-38 Ephesians 2:8-10 August 25, 2019 Have you ever been chosen for something that caught you completely off guard and you were surprised by it? One day a man by the name of Saul went looking for his father’s donkeys that had been lost. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 10:17-24, Ephesians 2:8-10, Matthew 9:35-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God Pointing To God

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Aug 27, 2019

In the Bible we see a wonderful example in the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament He points to God (the Father). In the New Testament He points of Jesus. He never points to Himself. What a beautiful example and source of empowerment He is for us! PTL!!

God Pointing to God Please stand as we read our newest memory Scripture together … John 14:23-24 “Jesus said, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him. “He who does not love Me will not obey My teaching. These ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-27, Romans 5:5, 2 Timothy 1:14, Hebrews 10:15, John 15:26, Genesis 1:1-2, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Are You A Believer Or A Receiver?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Sep 29, 2019

There is a growing belief within the church that a person who is a believer in Jesus is considered a Christian and has therefore been given eternal life after they say the "sinners prayer." This is an in-depth multipart message

This belief stems primarily from the notion that because Jesus ‘chose’ the Disciples, they were now the ‘saved’ elect, including Judas, which is why they were able to perform healings, miracles, and casting out demons in Jesus’ name. It is true that Judas was one of the multiple disciples Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 6:69, James 2:19, Matthew 16:16, Leviticus 17:11-14, Romans 5:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:9, Ephesians 2:5-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith And Works

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Jul 27, 2018

Understanding what "Faith without Works is Dead" really means.

Mid-week Message/Devotion James 2:14-26 3rd in a series FAITH and WORKS We talk about our prayer list quite a bit, don’t we? Intercessory Prayer demands strong faith. Otherwise, why are we praying at all? When we cannot respond to the hurting needs of others, we can always pray. Do we pray ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26, Ephesians 2:8-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Alter Call, Slain In The Spirit, And The Laying On Of Hands For Healing – Is It Ministry Or Majick Manipulation?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Aug 4, 2018

A look at the history of the 'Alter Call' and the techniques used to bring about a decision or healing.

Many in modern-day ministry unknowingly use Occult language and practices to get their audience to react and respond to their message. The enemy will always attempt to circumvent a sovereign work of God by crafting a cunning counterfeit to confuse Christians. What God intends for good, the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22, Luke 6:43, Colossians 2:12, Ephesians 2:8, Romans 10:9, 1 John 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Matthew 7:22, 2 Timothy 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Character Of A Disciple: A God Inspired Life Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Aug 6, 2018

God wants us to be people of love and joy and peace. He wants to breathe into us the qualities of generosity, integrity, humility, and self-discipline. The disciples of Christ are “inspired” people ... Inspired by God's Holy Spirit.

Let’s go back to the beginning of this chapter … back to verse 1 (Philippians 2:1-5): “If then there is any encouragement in Christ … any consolation from love … any sharing in the Spirit … any compassion and sympathy … make my joy complete … be of the same mind … having the same love … being in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-13, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 2:8-10, Philippians 2:1-5, Philippians 2:6-8, Galatians 5:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

Contributed by Pastor Norman Bailey, Overseer on Aug 10, 2018

In order to understand (The Good News) the Gospel we must be honest enough to say there had to be some bad news!!!!

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Gentiles. Romans 1:16 This verse is the key passage of the book of Romans. The Apostle Paul owns up to that the Gospel of Jesus Christ ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10

Denomination: Pentecostal