Grace 4 – God Grace and Our Salvation

See full series: 2022-sermons
See full series: closer-to-god-2022

Grace 4 – God Grace and Our Salvation

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: Ephesians 1:3-12


Downloads

AudioVideoPowerpointOutline/Text
MP3 Youtube PPT Outline

CLOSER TO GOD 2022 (13)

The Grace of God (4)

Today, we continue our study of the grace of God.  Thus far we have defined grace and noted how it relates to our faith and obedience.  We have discussed ways that grace can be abused.  And in our last lesson we addressed the amazing grace of God.  Today, we continue to examine the grace of God by noting some ways we experience His grace.

 

  1. Demonstrated in others –
    1. Acts 4:33 – And great grace was upon them all. As the church was growing, it was evident that God was with them. They were providing for one another, increasing in number and learning from the apostles.  We don’t know everything that was happening, be know they were.
    2. Acts 11:23 – Barnabas was sent to Antioch and saw the grace of God, this time among the Gentiles. At minimum, it was clear that they had obeyed the gospel and were living the gospel.
    3. Acts 14:3 – Paul and Barnabas on their first “missionary journey” in Iconium, we find they stayed there, and God was with them bearing witness to the word of His grace, with signs and wonders
    4. 2 Corinthians 8:1, 6 – the churches of Macedonia – because of their gratitude of God’s grace, even impoverished, they desired to help others.
    5. The point – God’s grace was evident. Its results were visible.  In some cases, BACK THEN, it might have involved the miraculous, but it could have been much more.  We may not fully grasp everything about how God’s grace is manifested, but with observation we know it is there.   He has done His part, but in concert with that, we do our part.  In a few minutes, I will discuss some ways God’s grace may be visibly at work.
  2. Ephesians 1:3-14 – He has blessed up with every spiritual blessing
    1. When we think of God’s grace, the first thing that comes to mind is our salvation. And that ought to be at the forefront (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 2:11, etc.).
    2. There are many passages where we read into it the grace of God. One stands out because of its richness in describing what God’s grace does for us spiritually, especially concerning salvation – Ephesians 1:3-14.
    3. Ephesians 1:3 – He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. Consider what it means to be blessed – we actually addressed this a few weeks ago.  It means that God has showered favor on us (which is His grace).  But this text gives us some great insight into God’s grace, where our salvation is concerned.   I encourage you to read through this text and notice everything we have because of His grace.  Make it personal and apply it to yourself.
    4. 1:4-5 – I am chosen, I am predestined – it is all part of God’s plan for us. I am among that group that has found and conformed to His instructions.  Thus I belong to Him.
    5. 1:4 – I am holy and blameless – because I have obeyed His gospel, my sins have been washed away. I am pure in His sight – not because of anything I have done but because of what He has done.
    6. 1:5 – I am adopted – I am part of His family. Part of the household of God – Ephesians 2:19. God is my heavenly Father and thus I am His child – 1 John 3:1-2 – we are blessed to be called children of God.
    7. 1:6 – I am made acceptable in the Beloved – through Jesus Christ (cf. Matthew 3:17, 17:5, Colossians 1:13 describes Him as, “the Son of His love”, etc.)
    8. 1:7 – I am redeemed through His blood – redemption means that a price has been paid for me.
      1. It is associated with paying a ransom or purchasing freedom.
      2. Considering the bondage of sin (Hebrews 2:15, Romans 6:16-18), the price was paid for me.
      3. Romans 3:24 speaks of our redemption in Christ Jesus.
      4. Hebrews 9:12 notes that with His blood He obtained eternal redemption (for all of us).
    9. 1:7 – I am forgiven – this is what it is about. 1 John 1:7-9 speaks of our sins being cleansed and forgiven, if we walk in the light.
    10. 1:8-9 – I am aware – I have been given access to HIS wisdom and prudence (insight) – through His word. We can know what He desires for us to do (Ephesians 5:17) We can know that we are saved.  And we OUGHT to have confidence in that –
      1. 1 John 2:3-5 – we can know that we are in Him;
      2. 1 John 3:14 we can know that we have passed from death to life;
      3. 1 John 4:13 – we can know that we abide in Him;
      4. 1 John 5:13 – we can know that we have eternal life.
    11. 1:10 – I am united in Christ – all things are brought together in Christ. That would include me and my brethren.  We know that everything about being in Christ is directed toward unity.  Remember the prayer of Jesus in John 17:20-21; Ephesians 4:4-6 – there is one body, etc.
    12. 1:11 – I have an inheritance – we often speak of our eternal inheritance. We live looking for our eternal reward – 1 Peter 1:4, Colossian 1:12, 3:24.
    13. 1:12-13 – I can trust Him (because He is faithful)
      1. We did when we obeyed the gospel – believing in Him (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10)
      2. We continue to trust Him – Matthew 11:28-30, 2 Corinthians 1:9-10, cf. 1 Timothy 6:17.
    14. 1:14 – I am sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise – the guarantee of my inheritance.  A lesson within itself, which in summary notes that He, the Holy Spirit, has done His part to save us.
      1. In whatever way he abides within us, we have hope beyond this life. Romans 8:1, 5-6, etc.
      2. And as always, we must factor in God’s word – the product of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26, 16:13, Eph. 6:17 – the “sword of the Spirt” is the word of God; 1 Corinthians 2:13, etc.)
      3. This does not have to be a miraculous act. In fact, His dwelling within us is manifested by OUR conforming to His word.
    15. Considering this text, THIS IS the grace of God.

In this text we see God’s grace because of the sacrifice of Jesus for us.  Do we appreciate His grace?

Uncategorized , , ,