Examining the book of Ephesians part 7
Introduction
a. Recap last week
b. Last week we look at what we were without Christ and what we are now in him.
Before Salvation | After Salvation |
Dead in Sin Eph 2:2 | Alive in Christ Eph 2:3 |
Under the authority of the devil Eph 2:1 | Seated with Christ in heavenly place Eph 2:6 |
Gentiles alienated from God and without hope Eph 2:11-12 | Brought near to God by the blood of Jesus Eph 2:13 |
Children of wrath Eph 2:3 | Saved by grace Eph 8-9 |
c. We shall now continue
II. Saved by grace though faith.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
a. Since we are saved by grace we need to know what it is.
b. According to the dictionary, the phrase “saving grace” refers to a “redeeming quality or factor” that makes a person or a thing acceptable. The word grace on its own has another set of definitions. It is an “unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification” as well as “a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace.” These definitions are from the dictionary, but they were first found in the Bible. [1]
c. Grace is unmerited which means undeserved, unmerited, unearned[2]
d. If you earn it by works for it then it is not grace.
e. Grace is needed because the sinner cannot do anything to earn his or her salvation
- The sinner can do no good things that will make then acceptable to a Holy God
Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
- His righteousness which may impress man is but filthy rags to the Holy God.
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
- He does not seek God but may however be religious
f. Keeping the law will not save us for Righteousness is by faith
Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference
g. We do not earn grace by works but grace enables us to do good works
2 Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
This is the nature of God’s grace. It is God’s grace that has saved us. It is God’s grace that has caused us to believe. It is God’s grace that has changed our lives and qualified us for our inheritance. And like an unqualified inheritance, it is a free gift.[3]
I. Grace is received through faith which is a gift.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
a. The Bible teaches that faith can only Come though Christ and is a gift
Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Rom 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
b. Only in Christ we have faith. Unbelievers possess no faith
2Th 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
Without Christ we have no faith (2 Thess 3:2) however God has given onto all believers the measure of faith (Romans 3:2). Faith comes only through Christ alone. He alone is the author and finisher of our faith.
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Holy Spirit administers faith through the declaration of His Word. As people HEAR the word OF God, faith is imparted into them and they reach out for healing deliverance and miracles.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
That is why preaching is so important
Psa 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Mar 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Holy Spirit administers faith through the declaration of His Word. As people HEAR the word OF God, faith is imparted into them and they reach out for healing deliverance and miracles.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
That is why preaching is so important
Psa 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Mar 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen
As we act of the Word of God and walk in obedience then we are exercising Faith. Read Hebrews 11 and notice that everything they did that was accounted to them as faith was simply people doing what God had already told them to do.
When we do our own thing we are walking in disobedience and not by faith and what is not of faith is not pleasing to God.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
So when it comes to healing, deliverance, salvation, God is not depending on our faith for he needs nothing from us. He is depending on the faith that he gives us because faith comes from him. It is our duty to exercise the faith he gives us. For faith must be proceeded by works.
We are not saved by works but we are saved to work. And as James said
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
II. Not saved by works but saved to works
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
a. This truth is taught all the way through the Bible
b. Man did not earn his right to be created but works followed man’s creation.
Gen 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
1. We are called to witness to the world.
Mat 28:19 Go then, and make disciples of all the nations, giving them baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:
2. we are called to be a light to world
Mat 5:14 You are the light of the world. A town put on a hill may be seen by all.
Mat 5:15 And a burning light is not put under a vessel, but on its table; so that its rays may be shining on all who are in the house.
Mat 5:16 Even so let your light be shining before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
3. we are to bring forth fruit
Joh 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
4. we are called to obey
Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
(CEV) Why do you keep on saying that I am your Lord, when you refuse to do what I say?
5. Grace teaches obedience
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Lesson 7 exam
You can send this back for marking if you like. On completion of course and all examine complete a certificate will be sent. If you want it marked copy and paiste it, then send it by email to fgcdjm@googlemail.com
Name ________________________________________
Email: _________________________________________
Date__________________________________________
1. What is saving Grace?
2. How is grace received? Support you answer with bible verses
3. What do we mean when we say we are Not saved by works but saved to work. Support answer with bible verses
4. What have you learned from this lesson and what will you do with what you have learned?
