Introduction

Good morning, beloved congregation. Today is a day filled with promise, a day where we come together in fellowship, united under the banner of our shared faith. We gather, not as strangers or acquaintances, but as brothers and sisters in Christ, bound by His love and grace. We stand shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart, ready to receive His Word and let it resonate within us.

Our focus today is on the book of Ephesians, specifically Ephesians 3:5-12. The apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, penned these words to the church in Ephesus, but they are as relevant and meaningful to us today as they were to the early Christians [read text].

As we contemplate these words, we find ourselves standing on the precipice of a grand vista, a breathtaking panorama of God's grace, our inheritance, and the joy that springs from generosity. These are not mere words on a page, but life-giving truths that can transform our lives and our world.

Charles Spurgeon, a revered preacher and author, once said, "Grace is the first and last moving cause of salvation; and faith, essential as it is, is only an important part of the machinery which grace employs. We are saved 'through faith', but salvation is 'by grace'". Spurgeon's words echo the message of Paul, reminding us of the paramount importance of grace in our spiritual journey.

Let us bow our heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of this day, for the opportunity to come together as Your children. As we open our hearts to Your Word, we ask that You guide us, inspire us, and fill us with Your divine wisdom. Help us to grasp the greatness of Your grace, to gain insight into our inheritance, and to grow in joyful generosity. May Your Word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Today, we stand together, ready to embrace the truth of God's Word. Let us step forward in faith, confident in the knowledge that God's grace is sufficient, His promises are sure, and His love is unending. Are we ready to receive His Word? Are we prepared to let it shape and guide us? Let us open our hearts and minds, and let the Word of God dwell in us richly.

Grasping the Greatness of Grace

The greatness of grace is a theme that is so vast and profound that it can be difficult to fully comprehend. But as we seek to understand it, we find that it is not just a theological concept, but a reality that can transform our lives.

Grace is the unmerited favor of God. It is the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it. It is a gift, pure and simple. And like any gift, it is not something we can earn or deserve. Paul speaks of this grace. He describes it as a gift given to him by the working of God's power. He acknowledges that he is the least of all the saints, yet this grace was given to him. This is a profound statement.

The first aspect of grace we need to know is that Paul, who was once a persecutor of the church and considered himself the least deserving of God's favor, was given this incredible gift of grace. It is not dependent on our worthiness or our actions. It is a gift given out of the love and mercy of God. No matter how unworthy we may feel, no matter how far we may feel from God, His grace is available to us.

Secondly, grace is transformative. Paul speaks of the unsearchable riches of Christ that he was given the privilege to preach to the Gentiles. These riches are the result of God's grace. They are the blessings that come from a relationship with Christ, blessings that are beyond our comprehension.

These blessings are not just material or temporal. They are spiritual and eternal. They include peace, joy, love, and the assurance of eternal life. These are blessings that transform our lives, that give us a new perspective and a new purpose.

Next, grace is inclusive. Paul speaks of the mystery that has been revealed, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. This was a radical idea in Paul's time. The Jews and Gentiles were divided by a deep cultural and religious divide. But through God's grace, this divide was bridged. The Gentiles, who were once considered outsiders, were now included in the family of God. This is a powerful reminder of the inclusivity of God's grace. It is not limited to a certain group of people or a certain class of individuals. It is available to all.

Lastly, grace is empowering. Paul speaks of the boldness and access with confidence that we have through our faith in Christ. This is a direct result of God's grace. It is because of God's grace that we can approach God with boldness and confidence. We are not approaching a distant, impersonal deity. We are approaching our loving Heavenly Father. And we can do so with confidence, knowing that we are accepted and loved, not because of what we have done, but because of what Christ has done for us.

Gaining Insight into Our Inheritance

Next, we are going to consider our inheritance ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO