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By Grace You Have Been Saved!. Studies in Ephesians. Ephesians 2:4-10. Ephesians 2:1-3. We were dead in trespasses Sins, walking according to the course of this world Sons of disobedience By nature, children of wrath Cf. Romans 7:13-25. God, Rich in mercy and love (4).
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By Grace You Have Been Saved! Studies in Ephesians Ephesians 2:4-10
Ephesians 2:1-3 • We were dead in trespasses • Sins, walking according to the course of this world • Sons of disobedience • By nature, children of wrath • Cf. Romans 7:13-25
God, Rich in mercy and love (4) • “But God” – where our salvation begins! • A God of mercy – kindness and concern, Deut. 4:31, Psa. 116:5, 1 Peter 1:3 • God of love – John 3:16 1 John 4:7-11 • Rich and great
Made us alive with Christ (5) • “even when we were dead in trespasses” – wrongdoing, violating moral standards, sin. Spiritual death. • We are made alive in Christ – the antithesis of the above death. Jesus made this possible. • HOW do we come in contact with the death of Jesus? Colossians 2:11-13, Rom. 6:3-6, Gal. 3:27
Made us alive with Christ (5) • “By grace you have been saved ” – Grace – God’s gift offered to all mankind. His grace relives the guilt of our sin • Grace is God’s part in our salvation! He sent Jesus, gave us His word, prayer, the church, Rom. 5:8-11
Raised us up together…(6-7) • We are not just made alive… • We are raised up together – Not just alive, but changed!Spiritually – we are a new creation. 2 Cor. 5:17, Col. 3:9-11, “together” – Paul and us… Romans 6:5
Raised us up together…(6-7) • Made us sit together in the heavenly places in Him – Our spiritual inheritance creation (Eph. 1:11-12)our citizenship – Phil. 3:20, Eph. 2:19, our anchor is there – Heb. 6:19; Heb. 12:12 • Colossians 3:1-2
Raised us up together…(6-7) • “that in the ages to come” • Possibly the “ages” has reference to generations, dispensation, lifetime, etc. since Christ came. • NOTE: Since Christ came, spiritual law has not changed! (Heb. 13:8)
Raised us up together…(6-7) • “He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in HIs kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” • AGAIN, this is HOW God demonstrates His love (His part). He ads, “kindness”
Saved by grace through faith(8-9) • Grace – God’s part (summarizing our context) • Up to this point, Paul has not dealt with anything we do to receive the gift of God’s grace – salvation.
Saved by grace through faith(8-9) • Faith – Paul appeals to man’s part in his salvation. • Faith – trusting God (not merely trusting in God) and believing God (not merely believing in God)
Saved by grace through faith(8-9) • Faith – man’s part. • Luke 6:46 • Belief means we will obey! • Matthew 7:21-23 • John 3:36
Saved by grace through faith(8-9) • Faith – man’s part. • John 3:36, “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” • “Believes” πιστεύω (pisteuo) • “Does not believe” ἀπειθέω (apeitheo) does not obey! • Obedience is tied to belief!
Saved by grace through faith(8-9) • Faith – man’s part. • “not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” • Salvation is not and cannot be earned! It is a gift.Luke 17:10 • But you must accept it (by faith)
Saved by grace through faith(8-9) • Faith – man’s part. • “not of works, lest anyone should boast” • This is WHY we cannot earn our salvation – lest we brag! • That implies a certain TYPE of works.
Saved by grace through faith(8-9) • Faith – man’s part. • How does this apply to baptism? Isn’t baptism a work? • Yes, but not meritorious. • It is a work in the same way faith is a work – 1 Thess. 1:3, 2 Thess. 1:11, James 2:14-18
Saved by grace through faith(8-9) • Faith – man’s part. • Belief is a work – John 6:28-29 • Jesus said, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him who sent Me.” • If Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches no type of work is involved in our salvation, then belief is not necessary according to Jesus
Saved by grace through faith(8-9) • Faith – man’s part. • Baptism is a work of faith! • Colossians 2:11-12, raised with Him through faith in the working of God. • 1 Peter 3:21, “not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God” • Baptism is about believing God and His promises
We are His workmanship (10) • Our salvation is His work! (That is why we emphasize His grace) • Created in Christ Jesus for good works – our faith is NOT about mere mental assent! James 2:14-24
We are His workmanship (10) • Which God prepared before hand that we should walk in them. • God tells us what to do! Titus 2:14, 3:1, 8, 14 • Condemnation awaits those who do not obey – 1 Peter 4:17, Romans 2:8-9, Heb. 3:18-19ἀπειθέω (apeitheo) disobey!
God’s grace has made us alive Have you responded to His grace?