Ephesians 2: 7-10 Intro: I went to Wal-mart not long ago… (hell resembles parking lot) • Waiting in long “express” line…lady forgot her wallet. • I Paid for her few items… “Why would you do that?” • “Jesus Loves” “I had a debt I could not pay…” This is the quickest way for me to get out of here! t/s – Human nature…instinct to question motives… “Why?” Ephesians: Focus on Motives, God’s Purpose… Not only What He has done…Why! Last Week: Our Desperate condition (Dead); and God’s Dramatic Intervention… (made us Alive) Today: WHY? Ephesians 2: 7-10 • Vocabulary Lesson ν Saved helpless, rescued by outside intervention ν Grace Favor to the utterly undeserving ν Faith Accept with Head and Lean with Life.. To Trust to Rely upon completely • Grammar Lesson ν So That – hina = conjunction of purpose, aim, goal ν 3 times in our 4 verses… Paragraph of Purpose READ (looking for the hina…. So That We are saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ. • This confronts the dominant Religious Instinct of Man. ν Saved the Old Fashioned Way… We Earn It! ILL – A Frog fell into a large can of milk… No hope of escape… but kept paddling Milk to butter… hopped out! We are saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus…. WHY? What is God’s purpose…His Motive? God Intervenes To Exhibit His Grace (7) Exp – God is creating a “Exhibit” to Display His Character…Grace! This Exhibit will stand for all the Ages… Living Exhibit. • US! His kindness toward us is that Display! Vs. 4 – Salvation is all about His Character… but God… Rich mercy, Great love, Abounding Grace! ILL – Imagine wandering through an art exhibit… Remmingtons • Great paint; wonderful bronze; quality canvass… • My what a talented artist! (Creativity, Eye, Experience, attention to Detail) App – God has a Drive to Reveal Himself. Through His People! God Intervenes To Eliminate My Pride (8-9) Exp – Salvation by Grace through faith declared (finished work == The Cross) Triple repetition… His Gift, not your work…. SO THAT… No one may boast! Religion is Man doing God a favor. Christianity is God Reaching down to man with Favor. ILL – Salvation as Rope of Rescue; not Ladder of Escape. App – Why God works Against Pride… (opposed, gives Grace) • Pride is the Heart of Sin. (Gen. 3 – You shall be like God) • Pride exalts itself against God and Others. t/s – Saved by Grace; I shout His Praise and Shed my Pride. God Intervenes To Equip Us for Service (10) Exp – Full circle… Vs. 2 – Walking in Sins…. Walking in Good! • Paul explains the connection of Grace, Faith and Works. ν Grace provides salvation ν Faith receives salvation ν Salvation produces a Life of Good Works! • Vs. 1-6 = Salvation as Resurrection • Vs. 10 = Salvation as Creation…. New Creation! We are God’s Masterpiece… His Handiwork! He Created Us for a Purpose… His Purpose Prepared! The Work awaits Our doing! Image == Not a Display of an artist.. Painting, Sculpture. More like a Blacksmith… forming, fashioning an Instrument of service… a Part to Perform…Tool. Set Free and Formed to Function! ILL – My uncle’s hunting Dogs…. Restless, eager to be Free • Not to frolic, escape,… Free to Function • Every Instinct and Innate ability is to find birds! App – Saved by Grace == New Creation in Christ • Instinct and Ability and Eager Desire to… ν Shed our Pride; Shout His Praise and Serve His Purpose! Conclusion: The connection between Motive and Faith. Understanding motive Helps us to Trust! (Lady in store…. Why pay for my stuff?) Gospel of Cross…Understood…. But Why?
