Sermon Notes for Ephesians 2:8 ← Prior Section. I stand as one who has received a gift for which I have paid little from those who have paid the ultimate price to provide it for me. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. And then we need Him to give us what we need to see it, because without that regenerating work, we are dead, blind to His glory, deaf to His loving call, incapable of any movement toward Him. Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil. I've seen people like that. Next time you're down in the dumps, think about God's goodness. When it cools, it is neither so soft that it won't hold an edge nor so hard that it is brittle. This meant some measure of security would return for her, and she wouldn't have to make food, clothing, and shelter her daily pursuit. What's next?" —Johnson God's work in our life puts a new song in our heart. The new life He creates within us when we are saved will always work its way out through us in our works. Matthew 25:31-46. There can be no doubt that this privilege, in some intelligible sense at least, is enjoyed by God's people on earth, or, in other words, that there is a change wrought upon them which is equivalent to their being made alive from having been previously dead. We serve because we have been saved. So it is with us. Your credit card is invalid, the message says, and your number has to be reentered to reactivate your account. Favor to the undeserving, Love, when from God we have turned, Mercy, when His love we've spurned-- That's God's grace! From Blot to Beauty August 11, 1994 Ephesians 2:7 God our Maker faced a situation something like that of the artist, except that the problem was immeasurably greater. Because the people in the Bible were so bad, He wanted to start over.". “Things present, or things to come,” all are ours. The treasures we store up on earth will all stay behind when this life ends. This chapter is the Christian’s past, present, and future. By nature and by choice, we are an offense to the God of the universe. Clear Scripture Filters. Scripture: Ephesians 2:11–22. --R W De Haan. Our Daily Walk). A. Les was surprised to know that he could be sure of his salvation. Dec 8, 1985. Have you ever been scammed by spam? Amazing grace— How sweet the sound— That saved a wretch like me! Other visitors standing nearby wondered what the man was talking about. It's free. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. "This small and mysterious exchange of gifts remained inside of me," he said, "deep and indestructible.". With his original perfection stained and disfigured, he was fit only to be eternally discarded. Although he became a preacher of the gospel, he is most remembered for his much-loved hymn "Amazing Grace." The idea worked, and sales jumped dramatically. There was silence! How are we to respond to God's grace? In today's terminology, the prophet might have said that Ephraim was "half-baked." Remarkable! God's grace is not only amazingly rich, it's also free. Left to ourselves, we are sinners all, enslaved to spiritual forces we do not comprehend, forces that are hell-bent to give you just enough of whatever it takes to get you to drift through this life without ever seriously considering your need of the Savior, who is Christ Jesus. Sometimes He places us in a crucible of affliction. Any other message is a scam! "But this woman didn't do that. Understandably, we must have some guidelines for a ministry like this, and one of them is: You can't work for this food. Believe in Christ who died for you (Jn. —D. But someone objected, saying that other religions teach similar doctrines. I'll sing with the ransomed a new song on high, And all because Jesus my Savior is nigh; The earth with its heartaches is all of the past, For now I am home with my Savior at last. Unconverted men are spiritually "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. Get this straight: God's salvation comes only to those who are at the end of themselves. If there were no lightning, there would be no thunder because one causes the other. Hadrian’s Wall stands to this day. In the 1700s, John Newton went to sea with his father on a merchant ship. What can I say in the face of such staggering generosity? He wept as he thanked the man for his act of unselfish heroism. Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24. In Ephesians 2, Paul celebrated this transformation. Morgan said, "My dear friend, have you been working today?" 20:11, 12, 13, 14, 15). Let's not deceive ourselves. Prejudice and racism remain with us today, even in the church. Scripture: Ephesians 2:1. But if you are Christ's disciple, you may affirm that you are risen in Him! The fellowship of kindred minds Is like to that above. Paul uses several words to speak of the origins of God's saving movement toward us. It's an amazing testimony of his own experience. --K. De Haan We cannot work for salvation, but salvation is followed by works, Ephesians 2:10 F B Meyer We are his workmanship. They introduce God's mercy and grace that provide forgiveness and new life through Christ. There are times when we too try to play the chords of our lives and prevent our Creator from making beautiful music. Enraged, he leaves. Suddenly a small hand reached out toward him from the other side of the fence. How sweet the sound– That saved a wretch like me! Putting It Into Practice Colossians 3:1 tells us we were "raised with Christ." L… Read More That testing may come in the form of "various trials" to refine our faith (1Pe 1:6). Reach out and take it. Sermon Illustrations provides sermon illustrations, sermons, eulogies, funeral helps, and counseling aids for ministers. FREE BUT COSTLY! Do they there rejoice over sinners that repent—prodigals that have returned? He prayed and asked Jesus Christ to forgive him and be his Savior. O Prince of Peace, keep us, we pray, From strife and enmity; Help us to speak with loving words That quell hostility. Ephesians 2:1 bluntly states our condition without Christ--"dead in trespasses and sins." Do they chant the glories of triumphant grace? Without Christ we … He has already made things square for us. The war is over! Ephesians 2 Commentary; P G MATTHEW - Sermon. To drive this home, Paul comes right out and says that our salvation is not from yourselves; it is God's gift - not from works... You don't earn a gift. It is a voice you have often heard - in sermons, in sickness, in sorrows, in calamities. Like that stubborn organist, we only reluctantly take our hands off the keys. He went back to the United States, and she never saw him again. Only as the Holy Spirit enlightens them and gives them life in Christ can they "hear his voice" and follow Him. Then I spied my neighbor, leaning against a tree with a bemused look on her face. Facing intolerable conditions, he deserted and later requested a transfer to a slave ship that was soon to set sail for Africa. You open your e-mail, and you get a note saying someone wants to help you. As you approach the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, would you think about taking a palette and brushes and touching up the painting? Bill finds the worker and hits her in the face. There was little inside except anger, selfishness, and pride. THE WORKMANSHIP OF GRACE. I look forward to the picnic because I'm reminded that I'm part of a family. 2:1-3 is a hopeless one. Whispered words connected him to this dying hero, a man he had never met before. The glory which belongs to beatified saints belongs to us, for we are already sons of God, already princes of the blood imperial; already we wear the spotless robe of Jesus’ righteousness; already we have angels for our servitors, saints for our companions, Christ for our Brother, God for our Father, and a crown of immortality for our reward. A Remarkable Life Ephesians 2:8 October 30, 1998 This is the story of a man with whom I worked. "Blessed are the meek," said our Lord, "for they shall inherit the earth." What a contrast to the reality of Christianity. These come to me at a terrible price rendered by those who deemed such loss a worthy thing for what was gained. 2. How can you avoid such a scam? What paycheck have we earned from God? Naught have I gotten but what I received, Grace has bestowed it since I have believed; Boasting excluded, pride I abase-- I'm only a sinner saved by grace! No work of mine can add to what He's done; I bow to worship at the Master's feet, And honor God the Father's only Son. The Savior is waiting to save you, And cleanse every sin-stain away; By faith you can know full forgiveness And be a new creature today! Eternal salvation is available only by grace, through trusting in Jesus Christ and His death on the cross for our sins (Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8, 9). Thinking It Through What is the basis of our salvation? He has honed it repeatedly, and it still holds an edge. The War Is Over! Salvation is free, but it's not yours until you ask for it. Salvation is a gift to be received, not a paycheck we earn. Ephesians 2:14-16: Pulpit Commentary Homiletics. "That's ridiculous!" August 25, 2004 Half-Baked Christians Ephesians 2:8. Turning to the old man, he gave him a firm handshake and said, “So do I! Many find it difficult to trust a God who offers salvation as a free gift. Perhaps they'll want to hear the music too.—David H. Roper. Click here to download or stream the sermon audio.. Ephesians 2:1-10. Ephesians 6:4 – The Spirit-Filled Family: Parents. And, as Heb. —Philippians 1:6, Just A Glimpse Ephesians 2:14-18 April 25, 2003, Travelers who drive across the flat landscape of Groom, Texas, are surprised by an unexpected sight. He too has spoken through His work "with particular directness and intimacy." Following conversion, however, we should respond as that young boy and the apostle Paul did, "Now what do I do? How right he was! It's grace." —Newton The first step to receiving eternal life is to admit that we don't deserve it. Word came that a couple from America was going to adopt a little boy. Have you accepted the salvation Jesus offers? I have to earn it, compel God by my good life and religious activity and philanthropy to overlook my sins, which are minor in my own eyes. In the first century, Jewish believers were reluctant to accept their Gentile brothers. How does God correct His children? Ephesians 2:8, 9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Making Things Square Ephesians 2:8-10 March 14, 1998 No one is good enough to deserve heaven. It's absolutely free. God who made us has prepared our path for us. Here, he wants us to see that we as Gentiles were once separated from God, alienated but because of Christ we are reconciled to God. Another explanation comes from the ancient Olympic games. After each stanza both armies united in the chorus. 2. 3-Week Series for the New Year. Telephone answering machines can be helpful, but it's often frustrating to call someone and hear a recorded voice say, "I'm sorry I can't take your call just now, but please leave your name and phone number and I'll get back to you." But God's ways are far higher than our ways (Isa. Are they charmed with his smile? I had lice in my hair. "For the next two years, this little girl had to figure out life in a hard world, which was made even harder because of she was obviously different. But though we are created for good works, we're not yet finished. He hears about Jonah, who wouldn't obey God and was swallowed by a big fish. But we don't have to even the score. The other shows that we will be rewarded for acts of good works (1 Corinthians 3:13, 14). On His own initiative, God has acted on our behalf. We're grateful to be able to help meet a physical need in their lives. "And Christ shall give thee light." Grace Is Amazing Ephesians 2:1-10 December 7, 1999 In his book What's So Amazing About Grace? Obey God's commands (1Jn. But instead of being a witness to the nations, Israel nurtured prejudice against the Gentiles. God is never soft on sin. "But God, … even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ" (Eph 2:4, 5). That toy lamb became his most cherished possession. If you were to complete a diagrammatical analysis of the long sentence of Ephesians 2:1-7, you would discover that the main idea, the main point is the phrase, by grace you have been saved. We experience forgiveness of sin, find peace with God, have the promise of heaven, and become possessors of everlasting life by trusting the Lord Jesus and Him alone. We Have Work To Do Ephesians 2:10 May 11, 2001 When you love someone deeply, you long to share in a common purpose. Why? —J D Branon. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind but now I see. People were terribly harsh with her. We Are Not Saved By Doing Good Works (vv. Every few years my family holds a reunion at a park near Lake Michigan. Constructed on August 13, 1961, that twenty-five mile long wall was erected in the One person walked over and looked at the painting. We are saved by faith alone, but faith that saves is never alone. The man replied, "I am Felix Mendelssohn." This is the child for me." 1-9). Why We Need a Savior: Captive to an Alien Power, by Nature Children of Wrath. God's grace is not license to live as we please—it's liberty to please God. I read about an instant cake mix that was a big flop. Please do. As we have studied these first two chapters of Ephesians, the mystery of grace has only deepened for me. The soldiers of the US Civil War were free to return to their families. He is married to Leeanne and is the father of Joey and Craig. 3:16). And that Someone is God. Three things to see and believe and then we're through. Is that fair? "How did you get out of the pit? July 28, 2002 1-9). But their internal clock is ticking. There is absolutely nothing we can do to change our standing before God. Perhaps change her nose a little? Looming up against the sky is a cross 190 feet high. Is your soul alive today? Why did God give righteousness to Abraham? The Bible is painfully realistic in its portrayal of people. Verses 1-3 focus on fallen man, and his hopeless condition (dead) as a result of his sin. 6. What a gospel! But James declared, "A man is justified [declared righteous] by works, and not by faith only" (James 2:24). The only fitting response to God's mercy and grace is to serve Him in humility and love.—Haddon W. Robinson. God builds His church in much the same way. But now it's personal and alive because you know the author as your Savior and friend. The gospel we proclaim must be free of works, even though it may sound too easy. Remarkable in the respect he earned from co-workers and acquaintances. We are saved by God's mercy, not by our merit— by Christ's dying, not by our doing. HEAVENLY PEOPLE Ephesians 2:6 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above (Colossians 3:1). That story reminds me of how some people react to the plan of salvation. You need no merit — you require no preparation in coming to God. Christ, our Peace Christ preached peace (2:17) Christ made peace (2:15) Christ is our peace (2:14)Source unknownResource The Church and Israel in Ephesians 2, A. Lincoln, The Best in Theology, Vol. --Martin To appreciate the Master's music, you must know the Master. While traveling on an airplane, I noticed that one of the audio channels featured music from a CD titled "The Buena Vista Social Club." So where, then, do works belong? But the wrestler is also a Christian, and he and the girl are willing to forgive Bill. Have you received Christ as your Savior? The magnificent Inca buildings will eventually crumble, but the church is built to last. Trust His promise (1Jn 5:11, 12, 13). But often it's "a different gospel" (Galatians 1:6). --Gray No one is good enough to save himself; no one is so bad that God cannot save him. The only safe and sure foundation for both life and death is God's free gift of grace. The name of Jesus is so sweet, I love its music to repeat, It makes my joy full and complete, The precious name of Jesus. Did you pay?" Noel, noel! Can more than half of the US adult population be wrong? These ingredients are combined to prepare a spiritual meal to feed God’s children. 3. You've just been scammed by spam! We are saved by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8, 9). He had not noticed a stranger come in and sit in a rear pew. I was a scrawny thing. How absurd to think we could add anything to this masterpiece! That is why v. 4-9 is such good news! Christ the king of heaven reigns in our hearts; our daily prayer is, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” The proclamations issued from the throne of glory are freely received by us: the decrees of the Great King we cheerfully obey. But she refused to sell him any. Scripture: Ephesians 2:1–3. No shot rang out. You trust the message, do what it says, and you end up losing. Mighty strength in our inner being, "through His Spirit" (Ephesians 3:16). The conquest took 30,000 Celtic lives, but the Roman victory was short-lived. October 23, 2014 / Mitchell Dillon / 0 Comments. If you're in a crucible of testing right now, don't be discouraged. Jesus came as a baby, and when He grew to manhood He preached peace to a warring world. —David C. Egner. Leave this out and we're finished, estranged from God and incapable of doing anything to change that. --Peterson © 1961 Singspiration, Inc. Gold is tested by fire; man is tested by adversity. What a Savior! THE VIEWS OF SALVATION. 1-3 – The Spirit-Filled Family: Children. Each of us is formed in a unique way for a unique work: "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). 5:9). Newton hardened himself to the trafficking of human beings, and eventually he became captain of his own slave ship. For nearly 500 years the Mona Lisa has been considered one of the greatest artistic works of all time. In the first three verses of this chapter he shows us our moral and spiritual bankruptcy. In fact, we too are sinners who need forgiveness. If it's not by my achievements, nor a reward for any good or religious or generous deeds I have done, I have nothing I can boast in except the Lord. Rating . God's Spirit convicts us of sin and gives us the power to forsake it. As religious and well-loved as you may be, you won't go to heaven unless you accept God's gift of eternal life. (Hebrews 12:5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11). SermonAudio.com - Ephesians 2 Sermons. Why We Need a Savior: Dead in Sins. If you can echo the experience of feeling in the same moment both unworthiness and great love, then you are close to the movements of God's heart toward you. That's what makes God's grace so amazing! John Piper Jan 16, 2000 56 Shares Message. God has chosen to bless others uniquely through you, and you can do what no one else can do. Inside, precious metal and blue porcelain cover the walls. It's like receiving a new name written on a white stone, which shows that we are forgiven—completely.—Dennis Fisher, We're saved by grace through faith alone, Good works can have no part; But God rewards each loving deed That's done with all our heart. The renovation and renewal the Father carries out in all who receive His Son begins with new life. “He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice. All we can do is reach out to Jesus by repenting of our sin and receiving His free gift of eternal life. "Yes, I was down in the mine." Text: Ephesians 2:1-10. First, we must recognize that we are all born spiritually dead. In Ephesians 2:1, we are taught that we “were dead in trespasses and sins.” The spiritual aspect of our existence was dead on arrival when we were physically born into this world. He has personally cataloged and visited the memorials for over 8,600 soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines from 50 states. Find Ephesians 2:1-10 Sermon Illustrations, browse preaching ideas and sermon stories on Ephesians 2:1-10 —Dave Branon. The decaying building blended naturally into the whole area. 10,000 Sermon Illustrations Commitment “When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of song,” tenor Luciano Pavarotti relates. As His people, we are "created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand" (Ephesians 2:10). — Reprinted by permission. A minister had talked to him and encouraged him to come to church, but his response was, "I'm too undeserving." The Sermon Outline rephrases the Passage Outline to make it more understandable --D C Egner. I had my ancient Walkman clipped to my belt and my headphones clamped over my ears, tuned in to another world. Self-inflicted torture is completely foreign to everything the Bible teaches about salvation. In context, though, we find that James wasn't denying that we are saved by faith, for he referred to Abraham and said that he "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness" (James 2:23). - Ephesians 5; Scriptures: Ephesians 2:1-3 . Everyone who has trusted Jesus Christ as Savior belongs to God's family. Let's not be half-baked Christians, claiming God's forgiveness but still living as we please. –Newton God's grace is always sufficient. 2:1). "But in her ninth year of life, something unexpected happened that changed everything. I knew he loved every one of them as if they were his own. Rather, they are the "sound" of faith and will follow every genuine conversion experience. That was my part. That soul, however, can be made alive. Salvation can come to us only as a gift of God's grace. For Further Study What do these verses say about salvation? I love Him! I encourage you to take out your Bible and turn to Ephesians 2:11-22. John Piper Sep 27, 1992 106 Shares Sermon. Several years ago I read about a bigoted truckdriver who had no use for African-Americans. How can you befriend believers from other cultures? During the Spanish-American War, Clara Barton was overseeing the work of the Red Cross in Cuba. Ephesians 2:1-10 is a primary biblical text on this subject, and it can be summarized in only two points. How about you?" One day when evangelist D. L. Moody was studying the meaning of God's grace, he dashed into the street and shouted to the first man he saw, "Do you know grace?" 1. Prepare your messages on God's Word in Ephesians with sermon outlines or an entire sermon series. --D C Egner. Later you get a bill for a bunch of items you didn't buy. — Hartsough There is no one so deaf as the person who refuses to hear! When athletes won, they were awarded a white stone, which was a token of honor. The result? There can be no doubt that this privilege, in some intelligible sense at least, is enjoyed by God's people on earth, or, in other words, that there is a change wrought upon them which is equivalent to their being made alive from having been previously dead. It may lie up hill or down dale; may be lined with grassy sward or be full of jagged stones; may be short with the years of childhood or long with those of old age; may consist in lying on a couch to suffer or in strenuous activity — but every yard has been prepared. I looked up at him. (Lee Strobel, "Meet the Jesus I Know," Preaching Today Audio #211.). The instructions said all you had to do was add water and bake. With many of us there is little attempt to guard our thoughts. Salvation is the "deep and indestructible" gift of God, received by grace through faith. In fact, many women would kill their children because they didn't want them to face such rejection. See to it that nothing hinders the output of His glorious indwelling. Then he took this huge hand and laid it on my face. Find Top Church Sermons, Illustrations, and Preaching Slides on Ephesians 2:1-10. It's by His infinite grace that we are saved, not by moral character, works of righteousness, commandment-keeping, or churchgoing. Of them He said, "Hearing, they hear not, neither do they understand" (Matt. There are two plausible explanations. Come on home. "Of course not. What impulse moved Him to have anything at all to do with us? ”The scene was repeated as a third man and then a fourth walked over, gazed at the painting, and exclaimed, “I love Him too! Listen: all religions are basically divided into two categories. Just as thunder always follows lightning, good works always follow true faith. It's a gift. Even the best among us, young or old, think and act in sinful ways. Only faith in Jesus Christ could. But what is grace? Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love! Whatever good works may be demanded of you, dare to believe that you were created in Christ Jesus to do them. In Jesus’ day, a barrier stronger than Hadrian’s Wall stood between God’s people and the Gentiles who were outside their spiritual community. He sent Jesus, who died so that we could become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). —Dennis Fisher. They realize that their only hope is found, not in anything they have done, but in what He has already accomplished for them. The letter to the Ephesians is a letter to Christians, and this sermon is a message to Christians. His was a spiritual kingdom of truth and love. Christ Our Peace . Have you been living apart from the comfort, love, and care of your heavenly Father? Never mind if the world of men misunderstand you. The sovereignty of God and the human responsibility of man. We also look and long for his appearing. "(And then) 'he saw me out of the corner of his eye. Do they look forward, waiting for his second advent? Good news indeed. Free Sermon Illustrations > Ephesians 2:10. Jan 16, 2000. The whole Church (including all who believe in our Lord Jesus) has passed into the light of the Easter dawn; and the one thing for you and me, and all of us, is to begin from this moment to act as if it were a conscious experience, and as we dare to do so we shall have the experience. I saw tears running down his face, and I knew if they could, they would have taken the whole lot home with them. Christ made peace between God and man by dying in our place. Without Antonio. we 're not saved by grace, freely bestowed on all who believe his... Can do is reach out to Jesus by repenting of our support team saved for good works ( 1.!, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009 we show our love for all people trust the message says, and rejoice give. That passes all misunderstanding of King Tut in Egypt think your kids are too good for mine, says. 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