Free to Live

See the notes below from our Sermon on July 10, 2016.  Enjoy and may God bless you!

 

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-10 (NLT)

 

“4But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

  1. New life is a gracious gift.

 

  • “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” (Ephesians 2:8, NLT)

 

  • “We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 15:11, NLT)

 

  • “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5, NIV)

 

2. New life demonstrates God’s handiwork.

 

  • Not just for our benefit, but that others may see us changed.

 

  • “When they see among them their children, the work of my hands, they will keep my name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.” (Isaiah 29:23, NIV)
  • “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:16, NIV)
  • “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV)

 

 

3. New life is a gift with a purpose. See Ephesians 2:10.

 

  • “Then God gave the people all these instructions: I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.” (Exodus 20:1-2, NLT)
  • God redeems first then instructs, redeems first then calls to action. We tend to get this backwards.

 

 

4.  Questions for Reflection

 

  • If salvation is a gift of grace, and none can boast because we have done nothing to earn it, how might I change my perspective interacting with non-Christians in my life?

 

  • How can I better allow my weaknesses to be an opportunity to display God’s grace and goodness?

 

  • Where do my talents, interests, hobbies, and relationships intersect with a place where I can do God’s work in his Kingdom? How might I be able to bring it into the community we have here called the church?

 

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