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God Works in Our Lives. Ephesians 3:14-21. Works and Salvation John 6:27-29. We must be active in our salvation and service, Jas. 1:21-25; 2:14-17, 24 Question : Is God working, or is man working (when truth is preached, believed & obeyed)?
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God Works in Our Lives Ephesians 3:14-21
Works and SalvationJohn 6:27-29 • We must be active in our salvation and service, Jas. 1:21-25; 2:14-17, 24 • Question: Is God working, or is man working (when truth is preached, believed & obeyed)? • Answer: BOTH, Eph. 2:5-9; Jno. 6:27-29 (1 Jno. 3:23)
Works and SalvationJohn 6:27-29 • Without Christ we can do nothing, John 15:4-5 (implies ability to work) • Paul could “do all things” through Christ, Phil. 4:13 (Paul was active) • We must abide in Christ – His word abides in us – to be saved & to bear fruit • To do all God wants us to do,Jno. 15:4-5, 7-8; Eph. 2:10
God works in the lives of ChristiansEphesians 3:20-21 • “The power that works in us” 3:20-21 • Father gives spiritual strength, 3:14-16 • God’s Spirit works in the inner man, 3:16 • Result: Christ dwells in your hearts through faith, 3:17 (Jno. 14:21, 23-24) • Benefits: Rooted in love, able to lay hold of & know the love of Christ & be filled with all the fullness of God, 3:17-19
God works in the lives of ChristiansEphesians 3:20-21 • The power of the gospel, 3:20 • Produces & strengthens faith, Rom. 10:17; Jas. 1:21; Col. 3:16; 1 Jno. 5:4 • Parallel: Col. 1:9-11 (God & man active) • God works in us as we work for Him, Phil. 2:12-13 • God works in us through Christ, Heb. 13:20-21
God works in our lives… • Through the gospel, Rom. 1:16; Acts 2:37, 39; 16:13-15 • God draws the lost to Jesus with it, John 6:44-45 • Impartially, Acts 10:34-35 (1 Ti. 2:3-4) • Effectively works through it, 1 Ths. 2:13
God works in our lives… • Through people, Rom. 10:14 • Preachers, teachers, Acts 8:30-39 • God’s “fellow workers,”1 Cor. 3:9 • Their work helps perfect us, Eph. 4:11-13 • Christians work with & for God, 2 Cor. 6:1 (Matt. 25:34-40)
God works in our lives… • Through prayer and providence, Matt. 7:7, 11; Jno. 15:7 (1 Jno. 3:22); Matt. 6:25-34 • God supplies our needs, Matt. 6:33; Phil. 4:19 • All things work together for good to those who love God…, Rom. 8:28
We must do God’s work in faith Jno. 6:27-29; 9:3-4 • Faith is a work, Jno. 6:29 (1 Jno. 3:23) • False notions about faith & works: • Any “work” is earning salvation (Eph. 2:9; Jas. 2:24) • Any “work” denies grace (Acts 10:34-35) • Any “work” is of human origin (Eph. 2:10) • Any “work” denies God’s power (Phil. 2:12-13)
God works in our lives! • Gospel…people…prayer…providence • Live by faith in Him, not ourselves • God will work in us to produce what pleases Him (Heb. 13:21)