But God: The Hope and Power of Salvation
Summary
In the Epistle to the Ephesians, chapter two, we find a profound message encapsulated in the two words, "But God." These words serve as a pivotal transition from the hopelessness of human sin to the hope and salvation offered by God. The Apostle Paul uses these words to remind the Ephesian Christians of their past state of spiritual death and the transformative power of God's intervention. This message is not just an introduction to the gospel but a summary of its core themes: hope, divine intervention, and the miraculous nature of salvation.
As Christians, we live in the same world as everyone else, facing the same challenges and uncertainties. Yet, we have a unique perspective and message to share. When the world expresses despair and foreboding, we can respond with "But God," pointing to the hope and salvation found in the gospel. This hope is not based on human efforts or wisdom but on the miraculous and divine intervention of God. The gospel is the only message that truly understands the root cause of our troubles and offers a solution.
The gospel begins where human efforts end. It is the "but" of hope, introducing the possibility of change and salvation. It is also the "but" of the miraculous, lifting us from the human level to the divine. The gospel is not just moral uplift; it is a supernatural act of God. This message is surprising and astonishing, revealing the depth of God's love and grace. It is a message that should fill us with awe and gratitude, as we recognize that our salvation is entirely the work of God.
Key Takeaways:
- The phrase "But God" signifies hope in the midst of hopelessness. It marks the transition from human despair to divine intervention, reminding us that the gospel is the only true hope for the world. This hope is not based on human efforts but on God's grace and power. [07:20]
- The gospel is miraculous and supernatural, emphasizing that salvation is a divine act. Human efforts cannot achieve what only God can do. This miraculous nature of the gospel challenges us to trust in God's power rather than our understanding. [29:14]
- The gospel is surprising and astonishing, revealing the depth of God's love and grace. It should fill us with awe and gratitude, as we recognize that our salvation is entirely the work of God. This surprise is a hallmark of true Christian faith. [41:26]
- Our salvation is entirely of God, from beginning to end. It is not based on our works or efforts but on God's grace. This truth humbles us and leads us to give all glory to God, recognizing that we are saved by His mercy and love. [51:18]
- God's love and grace are demonstrated in the gospel, showing His eternal difference from us. His mercy, love, and kindness are beyond human understanding, and they are the basis of our salvation. This contrast between God and humanity is a source of hope and assurance. [54:38]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to Ephesians 2
[02:00] - The Transition: "But God"
[04:26] - Living in the World as Christians
[06:27] - The Gospel's Hope
[09:20] - Understanding Our Troubles
[12:08] - Spiritual Death and Life
[16:35] - The Influence of the World
[19:28] - The Desires of the Flesh and Mind
[24:00] - The Wrath of God
[27:01] - The Light of the Gospel
[29:49] - The Miraculous Nature of the Gospel
[33:22] - The Divine Action of God
[40:54] - The Surprise of the Gospel
[50:17] - Salvation: Entirely of God
[54:38] - God's Love and Grace
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 2:1-10
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the phrase "But God" signify in the context of Ephesians 2:4, and how does it serve as a transition in the passage? [02:00]
2. According to the sermon, how does the Apostle Paul describe the state of the Ephesian Christians before they experienced God's intervention? [02:39]
3. What are the two realms or levels that the word "but" introduces us to, as discussed in the sermon? [28:11]
4. How does the sermon describe the miraculous nature of the gospel, and why is it essential to the message of salvation? [29:14]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the phrase "But God" encapsulates the core themes of the gospel, such as hope and divine intervention? [04:10]
2. How does the sermon explain the difference between human efforts and divine intervention in the process of salvation? [51:18]
3. What does the sermon imply about the role of God's love and grace in the salvation of humanity, and how does this contrast with human nature? [54:38]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of spiritual death and life, and what implications does this have for understanding the gospel message? [12:08]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt hopeless. How can the message of "But God" change your perspective on that situation? [07:20]
2. The sermon emphasizes that salvation is entirely the work of God. How does this truth affect your understanding of your own faith journey and efforts? [51:18]
3. Consider the miraculous nature of the gospel. How can you embrace and share this aspect of your faith with others who may be skeptical? [29:14]
4. The sermon describes the gospel as surprising and astonishing. When was the last time you felt truly amazed by God's grace, and how can you cultivate that sense of wonder in your daily life? [41:26]
5. How can you incorporate the phrase "But God" into your conversations with others, especially when discussing challenges or uncertainties in the world? [06:27]
6. The sermon highlights the contrast between God's love and human nature. How can you demonstrate God's love and grace in your interactions with others this week? [54:38]
7. Identify one area in your life where you rely more on human efforts than on God's intervention. What steps can you take to shift your focus to trusting in God's power? [29:14]
Devotional
Day 1: Hope in Divine Intervention
The phrase "But God" signifies a profound shift from despair to hope, highlighting the transition from human helplessness to divine intervention. In Ephesians 2, Paul reminds the Ephesian Christians of their past state of spiritual death and the transformative power of God's intervention. This hope is not based on human efforts or wisdom but on the miraculous and divine intervention of God. The gospel is the only message that truly understands the root cause of our troubles and offers a solution. As Christians, we are called to share this hope with the world, pointing to the salvation found in the gospel. [07:20]
Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you feel hopeless. How can you invite God's intervention and trust in His power to bring about change?
Day 2: The Miraculous Nature of Salvation
The gospel is miraculous and supernatural, emphasizing that salvation is a divine act. Human efforts cannot achieve what only God can do. This miraculous nature of the gospel challenges us to trust in God's power rather than our understanding. It lifts us from the human level to the divine, introducing the possibility of change and salvation. This message is surprising and astonishing, revealing the depth of God's love and grace. It should fill us with awe and gratitude, as we recognize that our salvation is entirely the work of God. [29:14]
1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV): "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you rely on your own strength. How can you begin to trust in God's miraculous power instead?
Day 3: The Astonishing Surprise of the Gospel
The gospel is surprising and astonishing, revealing the depth of God's love and grace. It should fill us with awe and gratitude, as we recognize that our salvation is entirely the work of God. This surprise is a hallmark of true Christian faith. The gospel begins where human efforts end, introducing the "but" of hope and the "but" of the miraculous. It is not just moral uplift; it is a supernatural act of God. This message challenges us to trust in God's power rather than our understanding. [41:26]
Romans 11:33 (ESV): "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!"
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you were surprised by God's grace. How can you cultivate a sense of awe and gratitude for His work in your life today?
Day 4: Salvation: Entirely of God
Our salvation is entirely of God, from beginning to end. It is not based on our works or efforts but on God's grace. This truth humbles us and leads us to give all glory to God, recognizing that we are saved by His mercy and love. The gospel is the only message that truly understands the root cause of our troubles and offers a solution. As Christians, we are called to share this hope with the world, pointing to the salvation found in the gospel. [51:18]
Titus 3:5 (ESV): "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit."
Reflection: Consider an area where you might be tempted to take credit for your spiritual growth. How can you acknowledge God's grace and give Him the glory?
Day 5: The Eternal Difference of God's Love and Grace
God's love and grace are demonstrated in the gospel, showing His eternal difference from us. His mercy, love, and kindness are beyond human understanding, and they are the basis of our salvation. This contrast between God and humanity is a source of hope and assurance. The gospel is the only message that truly understands the root cause of our troubles and offers a solution. As Christians, we are called to share this hope with the world, pointing to the salvation found in the gospel. [54:38]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Think about a recent challenge you faced. How can you trust in God's higher ways and embrace His love and grace in that situation?
Quotes
I want to suggest to you this evening that these are the two words that should be found most frequently indeed constantly on the lips of Christian people at a time such as this let me put it like this yeah we are Christian people though we're Christian we are still living in the same world as everybody else. [00:04:26]
The gospel begins always where men ends men's extremity is God's opportunity that's precisely how the gospel invariably comes into the situation and that is how it comes into the situation here well now then let's look at these two words that we're always to be using this is the Christian position. [00:06:27]
I say that the gospel is the only hope in the world tonight where it merely for this reason that it is only the gospel that understands the cause of our troubles and you see you don't stand any hope of curing a condition unless you can first of all make a diagnosis diagnosis is essential before you can treat. [00:09:20]
The Apostle gives it us in the first three verses of this chapter okay he says to these Ephesian Christians do you remember what you were once like I will remind you since the Apostle you were he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins that rejuve alike he says now this is the truth always about the non-christian. [00:12:08]
The gospel of Jesus Christ is frankly mere regulus supernatural and divine the type of Christian that I simply don't begin to understand at all is that type of Christian that always is so nervous about the miraculous in the supernatural there are many such today they say you know these modern people. [00:29:49]
If this gospel were not miraculous it wouldn't be a gospel when you realize the true state and condition of men you won't have any difficulty in accepting miracles man is in such a position that nothing but a miracle can possibly save him and thank God the announcement of the gospel is that the miracle has happened. [00:33:22]
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most surprising thing in the world tonight and I take leave to tell you this my friend in the name of God if what you regard as gospel tonight is not the most surprising amazing astounding thing to you you haven't got it at all you've got something else a false gospel. [00:40:54]
I live yet not i I am Alive I am NOT alive he's contradicting himself he doesn't understand himself what he's saying is this you see he says I live I am soul of Tarsus what are you talking about he said you can't be soul of doses Saul of Tarsus hated Christ he blaspheme him he persecuted him and his people. [00:46:26]
I live yet not i but Christ liveth in me and the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me he says he's it possible that I so love tells us should be a lover of Christ and a preacher of his gospel he said possible yes it is for he is coming. [00:49:33]
Our salvation is all together and entirely of God that's why we're sis po and you'd still be there where it not for God but God it's God who's done it and you see the Apostle won't let you escape this my friends however much you may want to do so listen to him but God who is rich in mercy. [00:51:18]
It is all of God from the very beginning to the very end the Bible is the record of the activity of God God created man sinned God came down God in the fullness of the time sent forth his son made of a woman made under the law God so loved the world Salvation entirely altogether from alpha to Omega is of God. [00:54:38]
This little word buck is a measure of the power of God which shows us the difference that it makes to us do you know what he does you know what happens to men when God comes and exercises this mighty power this almighty miraculous power here it is you have he quickened to our death you are in a grave of sin. [00:58:37]
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