Grace, Faith, and Our Call to Serve
Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound spiritual dilemma that confronts every human being: our inherent sinfulness and the need for a Savior. We delved into the teachings of the Apostle Paul, who starkly reminds us that we are all like sheep that have gone astray, each turning to our own way, and because of our willful disobedience, we are spiritually dead. This disobedience is an intentional deviation from God's best for us, a willful defiance of His plan, mirroring the original sin of Adam and Eve.
We confronted the uncomfortable truth that our sinful nature has separated us from God, causing us to miss the mark of His perfection. This is a condition we cannot remedy on our own; we are utterly incapable of solving this issue by ourselves. It is here that the message pivots to hope, for God, in His rich mercy and great love, intervened on our behalf. He gave us Jesus, the one and only solution to our sin problem. Through Jesus' resurrection, we are offered life and the opportunity to live abundantly in Him.
This abundant life is not merely about securing a place in heaven—it's about living the "with God life" here and now. We examined what it means to abide in Christ, to fill the God-shaped void in our hearts with His presence rather than the things of this world. Our ambitions, appetites, attitudes, and actions reveal what we are truly abiding in.
The sermon also emphasized that we are saved by grace to serve by grace. As believers, we are called to be the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus to the world, displaying the transformative power of God's grace in our lives. We are God's workmanship, His masterpieces, created anew in Christ Jesus to do the good works He has planned for us.
We were reminded that belief in Jesus is more than mere acknowledgment; it is total dependence on His work on the cross for our salvation. This belief is not passive; it requires an active response of faith. Salvation is available to everyone, but it is not automatic—it must be received by faith.
Finally, we were encouraged to live out our faith by serving others, just as Jesus served us. We are not created to be sensations but servants, following the example of Christ who came not to be served but to serve. Our lives, transformed by grace, are to be put on display for the world to see, not for our glory, but for God's.
Key Takeaways:
- Our shared spiritual dilemma is that we are all sinners in need of a Savior, and this condition is beyond our ability to fix. It is only through God's intervention, through the gift of His Son Jesus, that we find redemption and the promise of eternal life. This truth should humble us and fill us with gratitude for the unmerited favor we have received. [46:49]
- The Christian life is not merely about avoiding punishment but about embracing the abundant life that comes from abiding in Christ. This requires us to examine what we are filling our lives with and to ensure that Christ is at the center, meeting our deepest needs and guiding our actions. [43:27]
- Grace is not only the means of our salvation but also the means of our service. As recipients of God's grace, we are empowered to serve others, not in our strength but in the strength that God provides. This service is a reflection of the grace we have received and is a testament to God's work in our lives. [44:00]
- Faith is the channel through which we receive the grace of God. It is not a passive acknowledgment but an active trust and reliance on the work of Christ for our salvation. This faith must be personal and intentional, as it is the means by which we are united with Christ and experience the fullness of His saving work. [53:44]
- We are God's masterpieces, created anew in Christ to do good works. Our lives, once marred by sin, are transformed into beautiful displays of God's grace and mercy. As we live out our faith, we become visible testimonies of God's love and power, drawing others to Him. [01:02:04]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV)
> "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 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 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 riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace 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 God prepared in advance for us to do."
2. Romans 3:23-24 (NIV)
> "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
3. John 15:4-5 (NIV)
> "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 2:1-10, what is the condition of humanity before receiving God's grace? How does Paul describe our transformation through Christ?
2. In Romans 3:23-24, what is the universal condition of humanity, and how is redemption achieved?
3. What does Jesus mean when He says, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you" in John 15:4-5? How does this relate to bearing fruit?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding our inherent sinfulness and need for a Savior, as described in Ephesians 2:1-10, impact our view of God's grace? [45:00]
2. What does it mean to "abide in Christ" according to John 15:4-5, and how does this concept influence our daily lives and decisions? [43:00]
3. How does the sermon’s emphasis on being "God's workmanship" (Ephesians 2:10) challenge our understanding of our purpose and identity in Christ? [41:00]
4. The sermon mentioned that belief in Jesus requires an active response of faith. How does this active faith manifest in our lives according to the sermon? [53:44]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: In what ways have you tried to fill the "God-shaped void" with things other than Christ? How can you begin to change this? [43:00]
2. The sermon emphasized that we are saved by grace to serve by grace. Identify one specific way you can serve others this week, reflecting God's grace in your life. [44:00]
3. Think about your ambitions, appetites, attitudes, and actions. What do they reveal about what you are truly abiding in? How can you realign these areas to abide more fully in Christ? [43:00]
4. The sermon highlighted that our lives should be visible testimonies of God's love and power. What is one practical step you can take this week to put your faith on display for others to see? [01:02:04]
5. Consider the idea that we are God's masterpieces, created to do good works. What specific good work do you feel called to pursue, and how can you take a step towards it this week? [41:00]
6. The sermon mentioned that belief in Jesus is more than mere acknowledgment; it requires total dependence on His work on the cross. How can you deepen your dependence on Christ in your daily life? [53:44]
7. Reflect on the concept of being a servant rather than seeking to be served. How can you adopt a servant's heart in your interactions with others this week? [01:03:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our Need for a Savior
Humanity faces a universal spiritual crisis: the inescapable reality of sin and the profound need for redemption. This condition is not a mere flaw that can be corrected with effort or good intentions; it is a deep-seated rebellion against the divine order. Every person has strayed like lost sheep, pursuing their own paths away from the Creator's design. This inherent sinfulness results in a chasm between humans and God, one that cannot be bridged by human means. The gravity of this situation is that it leaves individuals spiritually dead, unable to attain the perfection required by a holy God. Yet, in this bleak state, there is a beacon of hope. The Creator, in an act of unfathomable love and mercy, has provided a solution: the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. It is through Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection that the possibility of life—true, abundant life—is extended to all. This gift of salvation is not something that can be earned; it is offered freely, a testament to the grace that flows from the heart of God. It is a call to humility and a life of gratitude, recognizing that the favor received is entirely unmerited. [46:49]
"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8 ESV)
Reflection: How does acknowledging your own sinfulness and need for a Savior affect your relationship with God and others?
Day 2: Abiding in Christ for True Fulfillment
The Christian journey is not merely about securing an afterlife destination; it is about experiencing a full and meaningful life in the present, a life that is only possible through a close relationship with Christ. To abide in Him means to make Jesus the central figure in one's life, allowing His presence to fill the voids that worldly pursuits can never satisfy. It is a call to examine one's ambitions, appetites, attitudes, and actions, ensuring they align with the life Christ offers. When Christ is at the center, He meets the deepest needs and directs every aspect of life. This abiding relationship is transformative, leading to a life that is rich and abundant, reflecting the character and love of Jesus in every interaction and decision. [43:27]
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:4-5 ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where Christ is not the center, and how can you begin to invite Him into that space today?
Day 3: Serving Others Through Grace
Grace is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, not only in the context of salvation but also in the call to serve others. As recipients of God's unmerited favor, believers are empowered to extend that same grace through service. This service is not a burden to be shouldered alone; it is an expression of the strength and love that God provides. Serving others is a reflection of the transformative power of grace at work within, a visible sign of the internal change that has taken place. It is through acts of service that the beauty of God's grace is displayed to the world, inviting others to experience the same love and mercy that has been bestowed upon the believer. [44:00]
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Galatians 5:13-14 ESV)
Reflection: How can you serve someone in your community this week as a reflection of the grace you have received?
Day 4: Active Faith as the Path to Salvation
Salvation is a gift that must be actively received through faith. This faith is not a passive acknowledgment of truths about Jesus; it is a dynamic and personal trust in His work on the cross. It is through this active faith that individuals are united with Christ, experiencing the fullness of His saving grace. Faith requires a response, a deliberate choice to depend on Jesus for salvation rather than one's own efforts or merits. It is the channel through which the grace of God flows into the believer's life, transforming them from the inside out and securing their place in eternity with God. [53:44]
"And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness." (Romans 4:5 ESV)
Reflection: What does actively trusting in Jesus' work on the cross look like in your daily life, and how can you demonstrate this trust today?
Day 5: Living as God's Masterpiece
Believers are God's masterpieces, created anew in Christ Jesus for a purpose: to do good works that have been divinely prepared in advance. This new creation is a work of art, a life transformed by grace and designed to display the splendor of God's redemptive power. As individuals live out their faith, their lives become a testament to God's love and mercy, attracting others to the beauty of the gospel. This transformation is not for personal acclaim but for the glory of God, as each believer's story becomes a chapter in the greater narrative of God's grace at work in the world. [01:02:04]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you live out your faith more visibly, serving as a testament to God's transformative power in your life?
Quotes
1) "Well, in Ephesians chapter two, verse 10, Paul shares with us how Jesus takes poor smudges like you and me and with a dab of grace here and with a smear and a touch of mercy there, he creates out of our lives, out of our nothingness, amazing masterpieces." [41:00]
2) "Now here's the key. It's neither the brush nor the paint he uses, but it's the skill of his own hand which does it all. You and I, we are works of grace, masterpieces of God. Because of what God can do, not because of what we can do." [42:10]
3) "And so Paul begins with talking about that we all have this shared, spiritual dilemma. That is, we're all sinners in need of a savior. That all of us like sheep have gone astray and each of us has turned to our own way." [45:18]
4) "Because of Adam's decision, we are all now infected with a common malady. We've all been infected with this fatal condition, this disease called sin. And here's the worst part. There's nothing we can do to fix the problem. We're incapable of solving this issue." [46:49]
5) "God, Paul explains that because of this unfathomable love for you and for me, God graciously laid down his life on an old rugged cross to rescue you and me from sin. Listen very carefully. This is the only provision God has made for anyone's forgiveness." [50:07]
6) "Whereas grace is the objective basis of salvation, faith is the subjective means by which it's received. It means Jesus' death on the cross is the one and only solution, the only one and only provision to the problem of sin, but it's not universally applied." [53:44]
7) "To be rescued from the wages of sin requires that we individually respond to the offering of God's gift. God says, if you want to have your sins forgiven, if you want to be rescued from the dominion of darkness, if you want to come into the family of God, you must believe." [55:15]
8) "With his artistic eye, he sees the potential of even the hardest hearts. He sees not only who you are, he sees what you can be because of his grace. And when you, by faith, open your heart and you receive his mercy, God, with his loving, gentle hand, as a master artist, he'll begin to shape and to mold your life into a beautiful work of art to be put on display for other people to see." [01:07:21]
9) "But then he says, for you are his workmanship. You are his masterpiece. That he created us anew in Christ Jesus so that we can do the good things God has planned for us long ago. Do you see that? So that we can do the good things." [01:00:25]
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