From Death to Life: Serving Through Love and Grace
Summary
Taking a moment to reflect on the profound truths of Ephesians 2, we are reminded of the incredible journey from death to life that God orchestrates in each of our lives. We were once dead in our sins, following the ways of the world and, unknowingly, the ruler of the kingdom of the air. Yet, in His great love and mercy, God intervened, not because of anything we had done, but purely out of His grace. He made us alive with Christ, raising us up and seating us in heavenly realms. This transformation is not just about being saved from wrath but about being recipients of God's incomparable grace, which He intends to showcase in the ages to come.
This understanding of grace should radically transform how we view service. Serving God is not about fulfilling an obligation or checking off a requirement. It's about responding to His love with love. When we serve out of love, it becomes a joy rather than a duty. Just as I shared the story of my anniversary gift to my wife, which was filled with thought and love, our service to God should be an overflow of our love for Him. It's about using the gifts He has given us to serve others, not out of guilt, but out of a genuine desire to reflect His love.
As we consider the example of Mike and Jennifer, who are embarking on a mission to reach an unreached tribe, we see a powerful illustration of serving through love. Their journey is not just a task but a calling fueled by love for God and for those who have yet to hear the gospel. They remind us of the importance of being a supportive body, praying and standing with them as they face spiritual battles.
Key Takeaways:
- The Role of the Holy Spirit: True understanding and love for God cannot be manufactured by human effort; it is the Holy Spirit who opens our eyes to the beauty of God's love and grace. We must rely on Him to transform our hearts and minds. [01:15]
- Serving Through Love: Service should not be driven by obligation or guilt but by love. When we genuinely care for others, serving becomes a joy and a natural expression of our love for God and people. [04:46]
- Grace as the Foundation: Our salvation and service are rooted in God's grace. We were dead in our sins, but God, in His mercy, made us alive with Christ. This grace should inspire us to live lives of gratitude and service. [19:21]
- Purpose in Good Works: We are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance for us. Our lives have purpose and meaning as we use our gifts to serve God and others, reflecting His love and grace. [26:11]
- The Power of Community: As a church, we are called to support and pray for one another, especially those on the mission field. Our collective prayers and support are vital in spiritual battles and in fulfilling the Great Commission. [33:07]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Personal Reflection
[01:15] - Prayer for Understanding
[02:16] - The Heart of Service
[03:17] - Serving in Love
[05:13] - Caring for the Next Generation
[06:21] - Small Group Community
[07:11] - Valentine's Day Illustration
[10:24] - Anniversary Gift of Love
[13:19] - Meaningful Service
[15:14] - Ephesians 2: From Death to Life
[19:21] - The Riches of Grace
[23:05] - Created for Good Works
[26:11] - Purpose and Gifts
[28:57] - The Joy of Serving
[30:24] - Missionary Testimony
[33:07] - The Importance of Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 2:1-10
- Galatians 5:13
- Ephesians 6:12
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Ephesians 2:1-3, what was our spiritual condition before God intervened in our lives? How does this passage describe our past way of living? [15:14]
2. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned a specific way we are called to serve one another. What is the key motivation for serving others according to Galatians 5:13? [03:44]
3. How does the pastor describe the transformation that occurs in our lives because of God's grace, as mentioned in Ephesians 2:4-6? [19:21]
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping us understand and appreciate God's love, according to the pastor's reflection? [01:15]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding our past condition as described in Ephesians 2:1-3 impact our appreciation for God's grace? What does this say about the nature of God's love? [15:14]
2. The pastor shared a personal story about serving out of obligation versus love. How does this illustrate the difference between serving through love and serving out of duty? [13:19]
3. In what ways does the concept of being "created in Christ Jesus for good works" (Ephesians 2:10) give purpose to our lives? How does this align with the pastor's message about using our gifts? [26:11]
4. How does the pastor's story about Mike and Jennifer's mission work illustrate the power of community and prayer in supporting those who serve? [33:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current service to others. Are there areas where you feel you are serving out of obligation rather than love? How can you shift your motivation to align with the message of serving through love? [04:46]
2. The pastor emphasized the importance of community support in spiritual battles. How can you actively support someone in your community who is facing a spiritual challenge? [33:07]
3. Consider the gifts and talents God has given you. How can you use them to serve others in a way that reflects God's love and grace? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [26:11]
4. The sermon highlighted the role of the Holy Spirit in transforming our hearts. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to deepen your understanding and love for God in your daily life? [01:15]
5. Mike and Jennifer's story is a powerful example of responding to God's call. Is there a specific calling or mission you feel God is leading you towards? What steps can you take to pursue it? [31:35]
6. Reflect on the concept of being an "object of God's grace." How does this understanding change the way you view your relationship with God and others? [23:05]
7. The pastor shared a personal story about giving a meaningful gift to his wife. How can you apply this principle of thoughtful and heartfelt giving in your relationships with others? [13:19]
Devotional
Day 1: The Holy Spirit's Role in Understanding God's Love
The journey of faith is not one that can be undertaken by human effort alone. It is the Holy Spirit who opens our eyes to the profound beauty of God's love and grace. Without the Spirit's intervention, our understanding remains limited, and our hearts remain unchanged. The Holy Spirit works within us, transforming our hearts and minds to truly grasp the depth of God's love. This transformation is essential for a genuine relationship with God, as it allows us to see beyond the surface and experience His love in its fullness. As we rely on the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to live lives that reflect God's grace and love to the world. [01:15]
Ephesians 1:17-18 (ESV): "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to God's love and grace today?
Day 2: Serving Others as an Expression of Love
Service to God and others should not be driven by obligation or guilt but by genuine love. When we serve out of love, it becomes a joyful and natural expression of our relationship with God. This perspective transforms service from a duty into a privilege, allowing us to reflect God's love to those around us. By using the gifts God has given us, we can serve others in meaningful ways, demonstrating the love we have received from Him. This approach to service is exemplified in the story of Mike and Jennifer, who are embarking on a mission fueled by love for God and for those who have yet to hear the gospel. [04:46]
1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How can you use your unique gifts to serve others out of love today, rather than obligation?
Day 3: Grace as the Foundation of Our Lives
Our salvation and service are deeply rooted in God's grace. We were once dead in our sins, but God, in His mercy, made us alive with Christ. This grace is not something we earn or deserve; it is a gift from God. Understanding this grace should inspire us to live lives of gratitude and service, recognizing that everything we have is a result of God's love and mercy. As recipients of this grace, we are called to extend it to others, living in a way that reflects the transformative power of God's love. [19:21]
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: In what ways can you live out a life of gratitude and service, acknowledging God's grace in your daily actions?
Day 4: Created for Purposeful Good Works
We are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. This means that our lives have purpose and meaning beyond our own understanding. By using our gifts to serve God and others, we reflect His love and grace in the world. This purpose is not just about fulfilling tasks but about living a life that honors God and impacts others positively. As we embrace this calling, we find fulfillment and joy in knowing that our lives are part of God's greater plan. [26:11]
Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Reflection: What specific good works has God prepared for you to do, and how can you begin to walk in them today?
Day 5: The Power of Community in Spiritual Battles
As a church, we are called to support and pray for one another, especially those on the mission field. Our collective prayers and support are vital in spiritual battles and in fulfilling the Great Commission. The example of Mike and Jennifer reminds us of the importance of being a supportive body, standing with those who are called to share the gospel in challenging environments. By coming together as a community, we can provide the strength and encouragement needed to overcome obstacles and advance God's kingdom. [33:07]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you actively support and pray for someone in your community who is facing spiritual battles or serving in a mission field today?
Quotes
"God, you are just so good to us and Lord, I just feel like I, man, I get more excited about you all the time. Like a more service, I'm more excited now than I was at 8 o'clock today. I mean, it just, your love is amazing, God, and I just want us all to get it and just be blown away by you." [00:01:47]
"Serve through the channel of love. In other words, because you so love someone, then you serve. You don't know when you're just totally in love with someone, you don't mind serving them. You know, it's not like a chore, it's like something you want to do, and that's what that verse is saying." [00:04:26]
"See, it's about actually loving and caring for these individuals and saying, you know, I actually care about those kids, actually care about those teens. You know, this week we're starting a bunch of sermon-based small groups where we're, you know, those, a lot of us in this room, we're getting together in these little small groups midweek." [00:06:09]
"Versus saying, God, I just, I'm crazy about you, I love you, and you've given me giftedness, and let me use everything that I am and all of my experience that I've been through with you and somehow package that and use that to serve you with it and present something to you." [00:13:41]
"Because to be honest with you, I don't think a month goes by where I don't think about quitting, you know, and you just go, there's just too much. I mean, I know a lot of you that serve in the church, there's just, there's just times when just like there's enough things in my life, let me just, you know, stop." [00:14:38]
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions. It's 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." [00:19:09]
"Grace is unmerited favor. Grace is when someone gives you something that you didn't earn, you didn't deserve. Come on, says here are you worried you're headed down there and God in heaven looked at you and said, but I love you, and I want to show off my grace." [00:20:26]
"Do you understand why God created Francis Chan? The whole reason he made me was that he could show off how much he could give to one person so that one day when I'm in heaven, he says he can show off his grace and say, look, look what I'm about to give this guy just because of my grace." [00:21:40]
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. You see that? It's after he explains all of the grace and everything that's been given to us that he says, hey, and now I want you to understand you were created to do good works." [00:25:47]
"To each one that means to each one in here, each person in this room who believes in Jesus Christ, each one was given the manifestation of the spirit for the common good. Each person to each individual in here, you were given some sort of gift by the power of the Holy Spirit." [00:27:55]
"Mike's been a Christian for about six years or so, over six years, and shortly after became a believer, you know, he was here at church and he heard a message about going out and telling the world about Jesus, going to lost people, people in Papua New Guinea who we don't even know their language." [00:30:40]
"Guys, we're going there to see that Jesus Christ has given his rightful place amongst these tribes. He died, he deserves their praise, their worship, their repentance. He deserves to be the king of kings, the king of kings and Lord of lords through his creation, and as a body, that is our job to see that that gets done." [00:34:57]
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