Embracing God's Grace: Our Call to Transformation

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth of God's grace and the transformative power of salvation. Despite my own physical weakness today, it served as a humbling reminder of our human frailty and the strength we find in God. We began by acknowledging our need to lean on God in all circumstances, whether in physical, emotional, or spiritual struggles. God is our fortress, welcoming us with open arms, and we have the opportunity to draw near to Him.

We delved into the depths of our salvation, emphasizing that it is not something we earn but a gift from God. We are reminded of the richness of God's grace, which is often taken for granted. The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians, paints a picture of our spiritual journey: God the Father chose us, the Son redeemed us, and the Holy Spirit sealed us. This divine orchestration assures us of our eternal inheritance.

We also discussed the reality of our sinful nature before Christ. We were spiritually dead, following the ways of the world, Satan, and our fleshly desires. Yet, God's love and mercy intervened, making us alive in Christ. This transformation is not based on our works but on God's grace, ensuring that no one can boast of their salvation.

The message concluded with a call to action. We are God's handiwork, created for good works that He prepared in advance for us. Our salvation is not just a ticket to heaven but a call to live a life worthy of the calling we've received. We are to be active participants in God's kingdom, sharing the gospel and serving others.

Key Takeaways:

- God's Strength in Our Weakness: Our physical and spiritual struggles remind us of our dependence on God. In our weakness, He is our fortress, welcoming us with open arms. We are encouraged to lean on Him, knowing He will not let us fall. [18:12]

- The Gift of Salvation: Salvation is a gift from God, not something we earn. It is by grace through faith that we are saved, ensuring that no one can boast. This gift is a testament to God's love and mercy, transforming us from spiritual death to life in Christ. [33:46]

- Understanding Our Sinful Nature: Before Christ, we were spiritually dead, following the ways of the world, Satan, and our fleshly desires. Recognizing our sinful nature is essential to understanding the depth of God's grace and the transformation He brings. [42:53]

- Living a Life Worthy of Our Calling: Our salvation calls us to live a life worthy of the calling we've received. We are God's handiwork, created for good works. This is not about earning salvation but responding to God's grace with gratitude and obedience. [01:11:08]

- Sharing the Gospel: We are called to share the gospel with others, recognizing that many are still in need of salvation. Our understanding of sin and grace compels us to evangelize, planting seeds of faith in the hearts of those around us. [01:02:09]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[18:12] - Prayer for Understanding
[19:35] - The Riches of Salvation
[21:47] - Announcements
[27:37] - Connect Groups and Baptisms
[31:33] - The Call to Sacrifice
[33:46] - The Gift of Salvation
[37:29] - Zooming into Salvation
[40:47] - The Foundation of Faith
[42:53] - Our Sinful Nature
[47:05] - The Consequence of Sin
[49:52] - The Ways of the World
[52:55] - Following the Flesh
[55:23] - Desires and Sin
[58:04] - Accepting Our Sinfulness
[01:02:09] - The Call to Evangelize
[01:03:34] - God's Great Love
[01:09:39] - Believing in Salvation
[01:11:08] - The Formula for Salvation
[01:17:46] - Resting in God's Work
[01:19:13] - God's Masterpiece
[01:21:47] - Accepting Our Purpose
[01:22:59] - The Call to Believe
[01:24:19] - Obedience and Gratitude
[01:25:29] - Closing Prayer and Worship

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 state of humanity before receiving salvation through Christ? How does this passage describe our spiritual condition? [42:53]

2. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned three influences that shape our lives before Christ. What are these influences, and how do they impact our spiritual journey? [48:45]

3. How does the sermon describe the role of each person of the Trinity in the process of salvation? [33:46]

4. What does the pastor mean when he says that salvation is a gift and not something we earn? How is this concept illustrated in the sermon? [01:11:08]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does understanding our sinful nature before Christ help us appreciate the depth of God's grace? Why is it important to acknowledge this aspect of our spiritual journey? [42:53]

2. The sermon emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God. How does this understanding affect the way believers view their relationship with God and their own efforts to live a righteous life? [01:11:08]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers are called to live a life worthy of their calling? How does this relate to the concept of being God's handiwork? [01:19:13]

4. How does the pastor's illustration of Mephibosheth help us understand the nature of God's grace and our position in Christ? [01:07:13]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually weak or distant from God. How can you lean on God as your fortress in such moments, as suggested in the sermon? [18:12]

2. The sermon calls believers to share the gospel with others. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear about God's grace. What steps can you take this week to share the message of salvation with them? [01:02:09]

3. Consider the good works that God has prepared for you. What specific actions can you take this week to live out your calling as God's handiwork? [01:19:13]

4. The pastor mentioned the importance of recognizing our sinful nature. How can acknowledging your own weaknesses lead to a deeper reliance on God's grace in your daily life? [42:53]

5. In what ways can you cultivate a heart of gratitude for the gift of salvation? Identify one practice you can incorporate into your routine to remind yourself of God's grace. [01:11:08]

6. The sermon encourages believers to live a life worthy of their calling. What changes might you need to make in your life to align more closely with this calling? [01:22:59]

7. Reflect on the pastor's message about resting in God's finished work. How can you find peace in knowing that your salvation is secure in Christ, and how might this influence your daily walk with God? [01:17:46]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Strength in Our Weakness
In moments of physical and spiritual struggle, we are reminded of our dependence on God. Our human frailty is not a limitation but an opportunity to experience God's strength. He is our fortress, welcoming us with open arms, and in our weakness, His power is made perfect. This truth encourages us to lean on Him, trusting that He will uphold us and not let us fall. As we navigate life's challenges, we are invited to draw near to God, finding refuge and strength in His presence. [18:12]

"For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel weakest right now? How can you invite God to be your strength in this specific area today?


Day 2: The Gift of Salvation
Salvation is a profound gift from God, not something we earn through our efforts. It is by grace through faith that we are saved, ensuring that no one can boast. This gift is a testament to God's love and mercy, transforming us from spiritual death to life in Christ. Understanding this truth helps us appreciate the richness of God's grace, which is often taken for granted. We are reminded that our salvation is a divine orchestration, assuring us of our eternal inheritance. [33:46]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: How does recognizing salvation as a gift change your perspective on your relationship with God? What steps can you take to live in gratitude for this gift today?


Day 3: Understanding Our Sinful Nature
Before encountering Christ, we were spiritually dead, following the ways of the world, Satan, and our fleshly desires. Recognizing our sinful nature is essential to understanding the depth of God's grace and the transformation He brings. This awareness humbles us and highlights the magnitude of God's love and mercy. It is through His intervention that we are made alive in Christ, not by our works but by His grace. This understanding compels us to live differently, acknowledging the new life we have received. [42:53]

"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." (Ephesians 2:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you followed your own desires rather than God's will. How can you seek His guidance to overcome these tendencies in the future?


Day 4: Living a Life Worthy of Our Calling
Our salvation is not merely a ticket to heaven but a call to live a life worthy of the calling we've received. We are God's handiwork, created for good works that He prepared in advance for us. This is not about earning salvation but responding to God's grace with gratitude and obedience. As active participants in God's kingdom, we are called to share the gospel and serve others, living out our faith in tangible ways. [01:11:08]

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love." (Ephesians 4:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: What specific good work has God prepared for you to do this week? How can you step out in faith to fulfill this calling?


Day 5: Sharing the Gospel
We are called to share the gospel with others, recognizing that many are still in need of salvation. Our understanding of sin and grace compels us to evangelize, planting seeds of faith in the hearts of those around us. This call to evangelism is not just a duty but a privilege, as we participate in God's redemptive work in the world. By sharing the gospel, we extend the love and grace we have received, inviting others to experience the transformative power of salvation. [01:02:09]

"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of the gospel? How can you share your faith with them in a loving and respectful way this week?

Quotes


You know, but it really is a humbling reminder of just our weakness and the fact that God meets us in our weakness. I know it's not a big deal. It's not like I'm dying or anything at the moment. But it's a humbling reminder of the fact that, like, that in all circumstances, whether I'm feeling good or I'm struggling, that I can lean on God and that he is there. And he's reliable and that if I lean on him, he's not going to let me fall. [00:01:34]

What you have done for us in saving us is described as you extending the riches of heaven to us. And God, often we treat it like you've thrown us a dollar or something. Like you bought us a snack at the vending machine. And so my prayer for your people, your movement church people here today, God, is that you would just open their eyes to the greatness of your grace and your salvation. [00:19:40]

And so because Jesus said it, I don't have any problem saying it even if it makes me unpopular. And so I just want to tell you this morning, I want to encourage you to check not just your finances and whether every dollar is going somewhere, I want you to check your priorities as well. What matters most to you? Is it obedience? Or is it maintaining some status or pleasure in your life? [00:33:39]

So God has placed this calling on our life, and the calling is not your job, and it's not your family, the calling is a calling to salvation, it's a calling to eternal life, it's a calling to a relationship with the God that made you. God has called you to himself. And so because of this great calling that we have on our lives, he says, now that you have it, you need to walk or live in a manner that is worthy of the calling. [00:33:46]

And so from Adam on, people have been unable to, gosh, have been unable to perfectly live for God, as he's called it, as he's called us to. This is who we were. We were dead in our trespasses. In that time, Paul says, he says that we followed all kinds of things, basically anything that wasn't God. So he lists three things specifically in the passage we just read. [00:48:28]

And so we're following these things, the ways of the world, Satan, and the cravings of our flesh, and the consequence of this rebellion against God is that all of us, every single one of us is deserving of wrath. There's just no way around it. I could sugarcoat it, but it's not going to taste good going down no matter what. [00:57:49]

And so God values us. Loves us so much that it says here that God who is rich in mercy made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. It is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable. [01:03:34]

And so what we need to do with this info first of all is we need to believe that it's as good as done. One of the things that's interesting about the phrasing here is that when he's talking about the sinful life that we used to live he uses the past tense but when he starts to talk about how Jesus has seated us with him in the heavenly realms he doesn't use the future tense. [01:09:39]

He says for it is by grace that you have been saved through faith. And this is not from yourselves it is the gift of God not by works so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works which we have not done before. Which God prepared in advance for us to do. [01:11:08]

And so the challenge for us this morning with this very elementary foundational thing, the challenge is very simple, and yet as simple things often are very difficult. The first is this. If you're someone here this morning that has either been in a relationship with God or been living for yourself, you've been following the ways of the world, you've been following Satan, you've been following the desires of your flesh, you've not been living for Jesus, you don't have a relationship with God, you are still dead in your sins, the call is very simple. [01:22:59]

I thank you for this message that grace is a gift, salvation is a gift, and not something we have to earn, because Lord knows we've tried over and over and over again to make ourselves worthy of you, and we've failed every time. And so, Lord, I want to pray for those this morning that maybe are trusting you for the first time, believing in you for the first time. I just thank you for your sacrifice for them. [01:25:29]

Lord, I also pray for those of us that have been walking with you for some time that have just taken your grace for granted. I pray that we would not do that any longer, that we would step into the good things you've called us to do, that you've planned for us to do. God, when we see the person that's struggling in our office or at our home or in our school, and we see them struggling in our home or in our school, and we see them struggling and we say, I wonder if God has put them in front of me. Help us to not wonder anymore. [01:27:46]

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Transcript
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