Embracing God's Grace: From Sin to Salvation
Summary
In our exploration of the human condition, we have delved into the profound depths of our inherent sinfulness and the extraordinary grace of God. Many acknowledge their imperfections and the need for forgiveness, but often fail to grasp the full extent of the human problem and, consequently, the magnitude of God's grace. Our journey through Ephesians 2 has revealed that our problem is not just our individual sins but the pervasive nature of sin itself, which leaves us spiritually dead and utterly hopeless without divine intervention.
Today, we transition from understanding our dire state to celebrating the transformative work of God in our lives through Jesus Christ. This is akin to moving from the challenging swim of a triathlon to the invigorating bike ride, where we explore the vast and glorious landscape of God's grace. As Christians, we often underestimate the depth of our salvation, but Ephesians 2 offers a comprehensive view of what God has accomplished for us.
When you became a Christian, God performed seven miraculous acts: He gave you life, imparted power, secured heaven, showered grace, saved you, gave you faith, and prepared work for you. These acts are not just theological concepts but realities that transform our lives. God made us alive with Christ, imparting new affections, convictions, and desires. He raised us up, empowering us to act and live in obedience. Our place in heaven is secured, not by our efforts, but by Christ's completed work. God's grace is lavishly poured out, saving us from spiritual death and divine wrath. The faith we exercise is a gift from God, grounding our assurance in His work, not our own. Finally, God has crafted us as His workmanship, preparing us for good works that reflect His glory.
These truths challenge us to savor the joys of God's love, recognize the unique glory of Jesus Christ, and truly grasp what it means to be a Christian. If these realities are not yet true for you, I invite you to come to Christ in repentance and faith, trusting in His promise to never turn away those who seek Him.
Key Takeaways:
- The Depth of Human Sinfulness: Our problem is not merely our individual sins but the pervasive nature of sin itself, which leaves us spiritually dead and hopeless without divine intervention. Recognizing this depth allows us to appreciate the magnitude of God's grace. [02:41]
- The Transformative Power of God's Grace: When you became a Christian, God gave you life, imparted power, secured heaven, showered grace, saved you, gave you faith, and prepared work for you. These acts are not just theological concepts but realities that transform our lives. [06:38]
- The Assurance of Salvation: Our place in heaven is secured, not by our efforts, but by Christ's completed work. This assurance allows us to live out of gratitude and worship with joy, knowing that our salvation rests on the finished work of Jesus. [17:29]
- The Gift of Faith: The faith we exercise is a gift from God, grounding our assurance in His work, not our own. This truth provides stability and encouragement, knowing that our faith is sustained by God's power. [28:22]
- The Call to Reflect Christ's Glory: As God's workmanship, we are called to reflect His glory through good works. Our lives should be a testament to the transformative power of Christ, drawing others to the Savior. [31:58]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to Human Problem
- [00:57] - Depth of Human Sinfulness
- [02:11] - Nature of Sin and Wrath
- [03:13] - Transition to Christian Life
- [04:11] - Underestimating Salvation
- [05:17] - Ephesians 2 Overview
- [06:38] - God Gave Life
- [10:23] - God Imparted Power
- [17:12] - God Secured Heaven
- [21:33] - God Showered Grace
- [25:50] - God Saved You
- [28:22] - God Gave Faith
- [31:58] - God Prepared Work
- [35:37] - Savoring God's Love
- [39:02] - Grasping True Christianity
- [44:51] - Invitation to Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 2:1-10
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#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 2:1-3, what is the nature of the human condition before divine intervention?
2. What are the seven miraculous acts God performs when someone becomes a Christian, as mentioned in the sermon? [06:38]
3. How does the sermon describe the transition from spiritual death to life in Christ? [07:11]
4. What does it mean to be "seated with Christ in the heavenly realms," according to the sermon? [17:29]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding the depth of human sinfulness enhance one's appreciation of God's grace? [01:12]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Christians often underestimate the extent of their salvation? [04:11]
3. What is the significance of faith being described as a gift from God in the sermon? [28:22]
4. How does the sermon explain the concept of being God's workmanship and the purpose of good works? [31:58]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: How have you experienced the transformative power of God's grace? Can you identify specific changes in your affections, convictions, or desires? [07:41]
2. The sermon emphasizes the assurance of salvation through Christ's completed work. How does this assurance impact your daily life and spiritual practices? [17:29]
3. Consider the idea that faith is a gift from God. How does this perspective influence your understanding of your spiritual journey and your relationship with God? [28:22]
4. As God's workmanship, what specific good works do you feel called to pursue in your life? How can you reflect Christ's glory in your actions and interactions with others? [31:58]
5. The sermon invites those who have not yet experienced these realities to come to Christ. If this applies to you, what steps can you take to explore faith and seek a relationship with Jesus? [44:51]
6. How can you savor the joys of God's love more deeply in your daily life? What practices or habits might help you to do this? [35:37]
7. The sermon challenges listeners to grasp what it truly means to be a Christian. How has your understanding of being a Christian evolved, and what areas do you feel you need to explore further? [39:02]
Devotional
Day 1: The Depth of Our Spiritual Deadness
Understanding the depth of human sinfulness is crucial to appreciating the magnitude of God's grace. Sin is not just a collection of individual wrongdoings but a pervasive condition that leaves humanity spiritually dead and hopeless without divine intervention. This spiritual deadness is a state of separation from God, where individuals are unable to respond to Him or seek Him on their own. Recognizing this condition allows one to fully grasp the necessity and the enormity of God's grace, which is the only remedy for such a dire state. [02:41]
Ephesians 2:1-3 (ESV): "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."
Reflection: In what ways have you seen the pervasive nature of sin manifest in your life, and how does this awareness deepen your appreciation for God's grace today?
Day 2: Experiencing the Transformative Power of Grace
The transformative power of God's grace is not just a theological concept but a reality that changes lives. When one becomes a Christian, God performs miraculous acts: giving life, imparting power, securing heaven, showering grace, saving, giving faith, and preparing work. These acts are transformative, moving individuals from spiritual death to life, empowering them to live in obedience, and securing their place in heaven through Christ's completed work. This transformation is a testament to the depth and richness of God's grace, which is lavishly poured out on those who believe. [06:38]
Titus 3:4-7 (ESV): "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 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, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
Reflection: How have you experienced the transformative power of God's grace in your life, and what specific changes can you identify as a result of His work in you?
Day 3: Assurance in Christ's Completed Work
The assurance of salvation is grounded not in human effort but in Christ's completed work. This assurance allows believers to live with gratitude and joy, knowing that their place in heaven is secured by Jesus' sacrifice. It is a profound truth that liberates individuals from the burden of trying to earn salvation, enabling them to worship and serve God freely. This assurance is a source of comfort and strength, reminding believers that their salvation is secure in Christ. [17:29]
Hebrews 10:19-23 (ESV): "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."
Reflection: In what ways does the assurance of your salvation in Christ's completed work impact your daily life and your relationship with God?
Day 4: The Gift of Faith
Faith is a gift from God, grounding believers' assurance in His work rather than their own. This truth provides stability and encouragement, knowing that faith is sustained by God's power. It is not something that individuals muster up on their own but a divine gift that enables them to trust in God's promises and live according to His will. This understanding of faith as a gift shifts the focus from human effort to divine grace, fostering a deeper reliance on God. [28:22]
2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."
Reflection: How does recognizing faith as a gift from God change your perspective on your spiritual journey, and how can you cultivate a deeper reliance on Him today?
Day 5: Reflecting Christ's Glory Through Good Works
As God's workmanship, believers are called to reflect His glory through good works. These works are not a means to earn salvation but a response to the transformative power of Christ in their lives. They are prepared by God for believers to walk in, serving as a testament to His grace and drawing others to the Savior. This calling challenges believers to live intentionally, seeking to glorify God in all they do and to be a light in the world. [31:58]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: What specific good works has God prepared for you to walk in, and how can you intentionally reflect Christ's glory in your daily interactions and decisions?
Quotes
When you see how deep the human problem really goes then you begin to see the extent of the grace of God and you'll begin to say from the heart and not only with the lips that God's grace really is amazing that's the purpose of this series. [00:01:09]
Behind the problem of our sins is the problem of sin itself and the Dreadful condition that it brings and we've been looking at that from Ephesians in chapter two we saw that by Nature we are sinners from birth verse 3 gratifying the Cravings of the sinful nature and following its desires and its thoughts. [00:02:01]
God who is rich in Mercy made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions now this is obviously taking up from where we were last week where we saw that by Nature you were dead towards God all of us were but life came to you it did not come from you it came to you it was the gift of God. [00:06:43]
New affections came into your soul and you began to love God you began to trust God you began to desire God new convictions settled within your mind you began to trust Jesus Christ you began to believe what you were Hearing in the word of God you saw a beauty in Christ that you did not see before. [00:07:41]
God raised us up with Christ verse 6. now what is added to being made alive with Christ when he says raised up with Christ because he says both these things it seems to me that this reference to being raised up speaks to us not only of life but it also speaks of action. [00:10:36]
The resurrection raised up speaks not only of new life but it speaks of the power and the ability to act to move to do and to obey by the way being a Christian is more than a change of Direction see it is a change of Direction but it's more than that. [00:10:55]
Everything that is needed for your entrance into heaven has already been accomplished by Jesus Christ that's glorious good news your entrance into heaven does not depend on your performance in the Christian Life that's wonderful news your entrance into heaven rests on the completed work of Jesus Christ in his death and in his resurrection for you. [00:17:39]
God showered Grace on you now do you see this in this passage it's again and again verse 5 he says it is by grace that you have been saved then he repeats it in verse 8 just a couple of verses later he says exactly the same thing as if to double underline it it is by Grace you have been saved. [00:21:48]
The fearful Divine Wrath burned itself out on Jesus Christ at the cross as far as you are concerned that is amazing the Divine Wrath was born by the Divine son and burned out as far as you were concerned if you're in Christ at the cross an amazing amazing miracle of Grace. [00:26:39]
Paul is stating very plainly and simply here that this Faith which you exercise is the gift of God to you and you're left in a position not of saying while I'm a Christian because I have faith saying oh God thank you for this gift that you gave to me when I was dead and couldn't have produced the first idea of faith. [00:28:57]
For we are God's workmanship created in Jesus Christ to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do what a glorious statement we are God's workmanship God's word you are God's workmanship if you're a Christian today every Christian was crafted by the hand of God and there are no Mass Productions. [00:31:49]
The world is able to look at a Christian believer and say that's Jesus not even that's like Jesus that's Jesus because there is an extension of the very Life of Christ that is being lived out in this person is quite unmistakable that's Jesus that's why our Lord says let your light so shine before men. [00:34:18]
Chatbot
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