God’s Amazing Grace, Part 2
Ephesians 2:7-10
Introduction:
Attention- Grace: The Heart of the Gospel/ODB, 10/31/1997
What makes Christianity different from all the other religions of the world? Years ago that very question was discussed at a conference. Some of the participants argued that Christianity is unique in teaching that God became man. But someone objected, saying that other religions teach similar doctrines. What about the resurrection? No, it was argued, other faiths believe that the dead rise again. The discussion grew heated.
C. S. Lewis, a strong defender of Christianity, came in late, sat down, and asked, “What’s the rumpus about?” When he learned that it was a debate about the uniqueness of Christianity, he immediately commented, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.
Sermon Idea: God’s amazing grace makes it possible for the utterly and totally lost to experience life to its fullest in Christ.
Interrogative: How does God’s amazing grace make it possible for the utterly and totally lost to experience life to its fullest in Christ?
Transition: Our text shares four ways that God’s amazing grace makes it possible for the lost to experience life to its fullest in Christ. David Platt states, “If the church’s mission is to make disciples of all nations by proclaiming the gospel, then we need to make sure that we have a biblical understanding of the gospel. Based on Ephesians 2:1–10, it explains the foundational truths of the gospel, including the character of God, the sinfulness of man, the sufficiency of Christ, the necessity of faith, and the urgency of eternity. Defining the gospel biblically is critical to our spiritual health and our mission.”
Division 1 Statement: God’s amazing grace delivers from sin’s slavery vv.1-3.
Division 2 Statement: God’s amazing grace helps us experience His great love vv.4-6.
Division 3 Statement: God’s amazing grace enables us to receive His gift vv.8-9.
Explanation: The two-fold gift of God
- The cause of our gift-Grace
“When God created you, He brought you into existence. You didn’t help Him. It was His sovereign work that brought you to life biologically. Likewise, it is His work, and His alone, that brings you into the state of rebirth and of renewed creation. Hence, we call this irresistible grace. It’s grace that works. It’s grace that brings about what God wants it to bring about. If, indeed, we are dead in sins and trespasses, if, indeed, our wills are held captive by the lusts of our flesh and we need to be liberated from our flesh in order to be saved, then in the final analysis, salvation must be something that God does in us and for us, not something that we in any way do forourselves.” RC Sproul
- The means of our gift- Faith
- Origin of saving faith
“First, we must look at the ultimate origin of our faith. Without a doubt, most modern evangelicals believe that human beings have an innate capacity for Godglorifying faith — that even unregenerate sinners are able to work up trust in the gospel and that faith comes before a changed heart. Despite the popularity of this view, it is inconsistent with biblical revelation.Romans 8:7–8explains that it is impossible for minds set on the flesh to please God and obey Him. People who are not in Christ are in the flesh, so they lack the ability to do the Lord’s will. Since His will for us is that we trust in His promises, unbelievers are incapable in themselves of believing in Christ Jesus for salvation.”
- Your faith is not the basis of God choosing you, but the result of it: Quote from John Piper
“This means that your faith is a wonder — more wonderful than any of the seven wonders of the world. Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you” (John 15:16). And there was a deeper choosing going on here than just the selection of the Twelve. We know this because Judas was part of the Twelve, and he was not “chosen.” Jesus said, “I am not speaking of all of you;I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me’” (John 13:18).
If you have come to Jesus, the wonder is that you already belonged to the Father, and the Father gave you to Jesus. You were not chosen because you came; you came because you were chosen. That’s what Jesus said: “All that the Father gives me will come to me. . . . Yours they were, and you gave them to me” (John 6:37;17:6).
“Your roots, as a child of God, are in eternity — in the infinite mind and heart of God.”
If you have believed on Jesus, the wonder is that you were first appointed to eternal life. You weren’t appointed because you believed; you believed because you were appointed. When the Gentiles heard that the gospel actually included them, “they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, andas many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).
Revel in the wonder that you are a Christian because God chose you to be one. Your roots, as a child of God, are in eternity — in the infinite mind and heart of God. Your faith, and all its fruits, are God’s eternal gift.
Illustration: The Best Gift Ever/ODB/12/22/16
At a winter retreat in northern New England, one of the men asked the question, “What was your favorite Christmas gift ever?”
One athletic man seemed eager to answer.“That’s easy,” he said, glancing at his friend next to him.“Afew years back, I finished college thinking I was a sure bet to play professional football.When it didn’t happen, I was angry. Bitterness ate at me, and I shared that bitterness with anyone who tried to help me.
“On the second Christmas—and second season without football—Iwent to a Christmas play atthisguy’schurch,” he said, gesturing toward his friend.“Not because I wanted Jesus, but just to see my niece in her Christmas pageant.It’shard to describe what happened because it sounds silly, but right in the middle of that kids’play, I felt like I needed to be with those shepherds and angels meeting Jesus.When that crowd finished singing ‘Silent Night,’ I just sat there weeping.
“I gotmybest Christmas present ever that very night,” he said, again pointing to his friend, “when this guy sent his family home without him so he could tell me how to meet Jesus.”
Argumentation: The best gift ever is not, presents, power, prestige, or the powerball ticket that won it all. No, the best gifts of all are the gift of grace and faith that results in a loving relationship with the living God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Application: How about you, beloved? Are you a recipient of God’s grace and faith? Are you willing to be used of God to spread the news of His gifts
Division 4 Statement: God’s amazing grace leads to life transformation for the glory of God and good of others vv.7,10.
- Life transformation for the glory of God v.7
- Life transformation for the good of others v.10.
Illustration: The Needed Antenna/ODB/1.26.97
How would you answer the question, “What is the meaning of life?” Jonathan Gabay of England has published a book containing the answers of well-known individuals to that query. One of them, a church leader, gave an arresting testimony. As a child, he says, he watched his family’s black and white TV, wishing that he could get a clearer picture. But he was glad they had even that unsatisfactory set.
Then his family learned that an outside antenna was needed. “Suddenly,” he said, “we found that we could get clear and distinct pictures. Our enjoyment was transformed.” Then he draws this comparison: “Life without a relationship with God through Jesus Christ is like the television without the antenna.” But, I want to take this statement a step further.
Argumentation: Life without a relationship with God through Jesus Christ is like the television without the antenna. Because, until we put the antenna of knowing Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we can never see clearly the reason why we exist.
Application: You can experience life transformation that brings glory to God and good to others.
Conclusion:
Visualization: Flawless by MercyMe
Lyrics
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