Principles of Christian Living

Lesson 2

Lesson Text—Ephesians 2:4-7

Ephesians 2:4-74 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Lesson Text—Ephesians 2:4-7

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Lesson Text—Ephesians 2:8-10

Ephesians 2:8-108 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we

should walk in them.

Focus Verse—Ephesians 2:8

Ephesians 2:8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it

is the gift of God.

Focus Thought

Salvation is a dynamic, ongoing

work of grace in our lives by the

Holy Ghost.

I. Grace for SalvationCULTURE CONNECTION

Grace in ActionIn his book titled Captured by Grace,

David Jeremiah shares a compelling story. He tells of a group of young people on a joyride in New York in November 2004. On that evening, these hoodlums committed various petty crimes, which included the theft of a twenty-pound turkey. One would not think quite as badly of their crime if the boys had stolen the turkey because they were hungry, but that was not

the case.

I. Grace for SalvationRather, speeding through town one of the boys hefted the mighty bird through the windshield of an oncoming vehicle driven by Victoria Ruvolo. The turkey smashed through her windshield and into her face.

Jeremiah wrote, “On Monday, August 15, 2005, Ryan and Victoria meet face-to-reconstructed-face in the courtroom. Nine agonizing, titanium-bolted months have passed since the attack. . . .

I. Grace for Salvation“A trembling Ryan Cushing pleads guilty—to a lesser charge. Sentence: a trifling six months behind bars, five years probation, a bit of counseling, a dash of public service. . . . Who is responsible for this plea bargain, anyway? . . . The victim requests leniency.

“Ryan makes his plea and then turns to Victoria Ruvolo, all the essence of tough guy long since drained away.

I. Grace for SalvationHe is weeping with abandon. . . . Victoria holds him tight, comforts him, strokes his hair, and offers reassuring words. ‘I forgive you,’ she whispers. ‘I want your life to be the best it can be.’”

What a picture of grace! God extended to us mercy when we deserved judgment. God forgave us when we deserved the steel-edged measure of punishment. That grace is the empowerment that abides in the life of a believer as he lives his life for God.

I. Grace for SalvationContemplating the Topic

Grace is an ongoing work of the Spirit of God in our lives that begins, continues, and is fulfilled by His love. Although we do not merit His grace, it saves us, teaches us, and enables us to serve Him. God freely gives this gift to those who put their faith and trust in Him, which they demonstrate through obedience to the gospel.

I. Grace for SalvationThrough one man, Adam,

mankind inherited the sentence of death; conversely, one man, Jesus Christ, gives mankind the opportunity to access the gift of God and all the blessings and benefits that come with it.

Romans 5:15

“But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the

offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift

by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto

many” (Romans 5:15).

I. Grace for SalvationSin cannot overpower the grace of

God. The abundance of His grace and mercy far surpasses the emptiness and ruthlessness of sin. On the basis of this precept, the apostle Paul addressed this question: If those who sin have access to grace, does it follow that continuing in sin activates more and more grace? (See Romans 6:1.) He wrote, “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:2).

I. Grace for SalvationWhen believers partake of the abundant grace of God unto salvation, they die to sin. How then could they continue to wallow in it?

In his book The Grace Awakening, Chuck Swindoll deals with the question of continuing deliberately in sin by debunking the concept, “sin more to receive more grace.” He says, “Such rationalization is freedom gone to seed, liberty without limits . . . which is nothing more than disobedience in another dress. Some may see it as amazing grace; I call it abusing grace.”

I. Grace for SalvationThe good news of the gospel is

that the abundant grace of God is available to all. One of the last promises of Jesus appears in Revelation 22:17: “Let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Grace is not a license to sin; rather, it is a healing remedy for those who are sick of sin and who come to Him with a repentant heart.

I. Grace for SalvationSEARCHING THE

SCRIPTURES

Grace for SalvationA. Deliverance from the Past

In the opening verses of Ephesians 2, Paul spoke of “time past” and “times past.” Everyone who comes to God has a past. They walked “according to the course of this world” and in the spirit of disobedience. (See Ephesians2:2.)

I. Grace for SalvationPaul looked back on his own past and

regretted that he once had been “a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious” (I Timothy 1:13). By his own estimation, he had been the worst sinner of all (I Timothy 1:15).

Sinners are dead in trespasses and sins. They walk after the lust of the flesh and fulfill its desires. A sinister, spiritual element enters the lives of sinners who continue to disobey the Word of God, and “the prince and power of the air” drives them ever farther from their Creator. (See Ephesians 2:2; 6:12.)

I. Grace for SalvationIn their pursuit of pleasure, they often inflict their vexation and outrage on others and in turn experience abuse by the evil prince and those who walk in his ways. When their lives on earth come to an end, the wrath, condemnation, and punishment they receive will not be unmerited; they will have earned these “wages,” for “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Unlike the wages of sin, one cannot earn eternal life. Paul would still have been numbered among the sinners but for four unmerited gifts: mercy, grace, faith, and love.

I. Grace for SalvationBy these he obtained salvation from his past indiscretions, and he became a “new creature” in Christ. The lovingkindness, grace, and blood of Jesus blotted his sullied past from the divine memory. The indwelling Spirit of God gave him the ability to begin a new life of righteousness. Ultimately, he could look forward to eternal life in the presence of his Savior. The rich mercy, great love, wholesome goodness, and patience of God drew Paul toward Him in repentance. (See Romans 2:4.)

B. Alive in the PresentB. Alive in the Present

Paul explained, “Even when we were dead in sins,” the mercy and love of God “quickened us together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:5). We were spiritually dead in trespasses, but His divine grace and mercy performed in us a miraculous “resurrection.” His quickening Spirit breathed new life into us. The creative power of the Word of God released us from our past and caused all things to become new (II Corinthians 5:17).

A. Deliverance from the PastNot only did this miraculous “resurrection” give us a new life in God, but His grace made us “dead to sin.” (See Romans 5:20; 6:1-2.) His quickening Spirit gives us power over sin—those who live by grace will not be overcome by sin; they will triumph over it.

C. Eternal Life in the FutureC. Eternal Life in the Future

After the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, He sat down “in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:20). Shortly before He ascended, Christ instructed His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Ghost He would send. Obediently, they found an upper room and continued there “with one accord in prayer and supplication” (Acts 1:14), wondering what would happen when the promise was fulfilled. Several days passed as they continued

their vigil.

I. Grace for SalvationSuddenly the place they were sitting became a heavenly place as the sound of a rushing mighty wind swept through the room. The promise had arrived! As they received the Holy Spirit, they spoke with tongues and rejoiced. It was a gift beyond all expectation and imagination.

Two thousand years later, Christ has not yet come to claim His bride, but believers wait faithfully, anticipating that great day. One only can imagine what that day will be like, along with the marriage supper celebration.

I. Grace for SalvationHowever, while we wait for His return, we still can sit in heavenly places as they did in the upper room. (See Ephesians 2:6.) Singing praises, reading His Word, testifying of His love and goodness, breathing in His Spirit, listening to the truth being preached, communing with Him—partaking in any or all of these puts us in a heavenly place. However, our heavenly experiences here are but a precursor to the eternal heavenly place.

I. Grace for SalvationIn this life, when the song fades

away, the Bible closes, the testimony winds down, the sermon concludes, and the “Amen” ends the prayer, we return to our temporal home. Someday, when we finally arrive in our eternal home, we will never have to leave. In our heavenly home we will sit together with saints of old and countless believers from all over the world. (See Matthew 8:11; Luke 13:29.)

I. Grace for SalvationMost important, we will be together with our Redeemer, for He said, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne” (Revelation 3:21).

II. Grace UnmeritedGrace Unmerited

A. Salvation Comes through Faith

When speaking to the Ephesian elders, Paul recounted how he had taught and testified from house to house. His message was one of “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:20-21). Later, he stood before King Agrippa and described his conversion experience and how God defined his

mission to the Gentiles.

I. Grace for SalvationHe was to “open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith” (Acts 26:18). Not only does one repent by faith, but also one is delivered, forgiven, and sanctified by faith.

How can this be? Every soul is born into a sinful world and every carnal mind is the enemy of God. How can a sinner expect faith to give him access to the throne of grace?

I. Grace for SalvationThe answer is in Jesus Christ, who

offered Himself as the propitiation for the sinner’s death sentence. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God” (Romans 3:24-25). A sinner deserves the judgment and wrath of God, which are appeased only when Jesus Christ becomes his propitiation.

I. Grace for SalvationThis willing sacrifice appeases the wrath of God, reconciles the individual to God, and atones for his sins. When the sinner believes, the Propitiator removes his guilt and heals the broken relationship between him and God. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand” (Romans 5:1-2).

I. Grace for Salvation“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Many people in the religious world misconstrue the meaning of this verse. They reason, “I can be saved by faith only. I do not need to do anything other than believe.” Certainly we are saved through faith, but faith is dead and ineffectual unless it is coupled with action. Further, one could question whether a person has genuine belief if he does not act on that belief through obedience to Jesus Christ and His Word.

I. Grace for SalvationWhen a sinner hears the message of

salvation, it ignites in him a spark of faith. However, that flame of faith will fizzle out if the sinner does not act upon it. He must believe in the atoning blood of Jesus and repent of his sins by faith. When God extends mercy and grace, the sinner humbly accepts them. He submits to baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. As he rises to a new life, he receives the Holy Ghost with the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues.

I. Grace for SalvationHe is a new creature: forgiven, cleansed, and endued with power to live a holy life. He has experienced justification and begins to live in righteousness. God no longer sees him as a sinner, but as a believer!

B. Salvation Is a GiftB. Salvation Is a Gift

Salvation is a gift from God. It comes at great cost to the Giver, but the sinner could not purchase it for any sum of money or by any works of self-righteousness. He may only receive it as a gift by faith, which will prompt him to respond to the gospel obediently.

I. Grace for SalvationDuring Philip’s revival in Samaria, a sinner tried to buy this gift and Peter rebuked him: “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money” (Acts 8:20). Salvation is a priceless gift.

Giving is a salient characteristic of God as seen again and again in Scripture. He is an eager and generous gift-giver.

I. Grace for SalvationJesus compared the good gifts earthly fathers give to their children with how much more the heavenly Father wants to give the Spirit and other good things to those who ask Him. (See Luke 11:13.)

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (I Corinthians 2:12).

I. Grace for SalvationOne of the greatest gifts is the

righteousness of God. God looks with compassion at sinners who come to Him. They cannot please Him until His mercy and grace impart to them His righteousness: “And be found in him, not having [their] own righteousness . . . but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” (Philippians 3:9). (See also II Peter 1:1.) The sinner becomes a new person, washed in the blood of the Lamb and created in righteousness (Ephesians 4:24).

I. Grace for SalvationPaul asked, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). The gift of His Son was so great that it is indescribable. (See II Corinthians 9:15.) We are blessed and benefited each day, and look forward to the ultimate gift, eternal life with Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23).

I. Grace for SalvationJesus dwelling in us opens up a

new spiritual realm in which we can begin to partake of the divine nature (II Peter 1:3-4). Our own efforts could never manifest His attributes, but as we partake of His nature each day, we become more like Him. We can walk from faith to faith, from glory to glory. Thanks be to God for these unspeakable gifts!

C. Salvation Is a Work of GodC. Salvation Is a Work of God

Man can boast of his abilities in technological advances, in medical expertise, or in space exploration, but none of these abilities can determine his eternal destiny. Moreover, the works of mankind can neither secure salvation nor guarantee him a place in Heaven. The only way man can achieve a place in Heaven is through the work of the Spirit. (See Ephesians 2:10.)

I. Grace for SalvationGod begins His work in a person by granting him the grace to believe on Jesus Christ and receive the gospel. A person can partake “of his promise in Christ by the gospel . . . according to . . . the effectual working of his power” (Ephesians 3:6-7). Each believer is created anew in Christ Jesus. Old things pass away and all things become new.

I. Grace for SalvationAs the individual continues to walk with Christ, the Lord can make him “perfect in every good work to do his will, working in [him] that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ” (Hebrews 13:21).

A. To Make Plain the Mysteries of Christ

Grace as Enablement for Service

A. To Make Plain the Mysteriesof Christ

Paul wrote of several mysteries in his epistles. For example, the “mystery of godliness” is God manifest in man (I Timothy 3:16), whereas the “mystery of iniquity” is Satan manifest in man (II Thessalonians 2:7).

I. Grace for SalvationIn his letter to the Ephesians, Paul

wrote of the “mystery of Christ.” This mystery had been hidden from mankind until the Spirit unveiled it: salvation did not belong exclusively to the Jews, but the Gentiles also could be “fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise . . . by the gospel” (Ephesians 3:6). The door of salvation was open to all people, and they could have “access with confidence by the faith of him” (Ephesians 3:12).

I. Grace for SalvationThis salvation will culminate in the

fulfillment of another mystery of which Paul wrote in I Corinthians 15:51. The church will be changed from corruptible to incorruptible, from mortal to immortality. This victory comes through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul recognized that his ministry was a result of the “gift of the grace of God . . . by the effectual working of his power” (Ephesians 3:7). He marveled that he had been changed from a persecutor to a preacher.

I. Grace for SalvationFrom the time of his conversion until his death, he expended his energy revealing the mysteries of Christ to all who would listen. God used him to write much of the New Testament, and he often encouraged every believer to participate in making plain the mysteries of Christ to others.

B. To Make Known the Manifold Wisdom of God

B. To Make Known the Manifold Wisdom of God

Paul taught the Corinthians that the foolishness of God was wiser than man’s wisdom and that His weakness was stronger than man’s strength (I Corinthians 1:25).

I. Grace for SalvationHeaven comes to the aid of the

church and gives victory over spiritual attacks of the enemy. Every temptation and every trial the church goes through is an opportunity for God to display His power. By His grace God demonstrates His “manifold wisdom” again and again in the believer’s walk.

Paul told Titus the grace of God brings salvation to everyone. Grace teaches us how to live and what to avoid in our spiritual walk.

Titus 2:12

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we

should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus

2:12).

I. Grace for SalvationThe believer can make wise choices

as he lives by God’s grace and awaits the “blessed hope,” the glorious appearing of the Lord. Until that day, we continue to keep our lives steadfastly anchored in Christ Jesus, who becomes our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (I Corinthians 1:30).

C. To Preach the Unsearchable Riches of Christ

C. To Preach the Unsearchable Riches of Christ

The Book of Ephesians contains several references to God’s riches. Paul proclaimed the Lord as “rich in mercy.” Twice he pointed out the “riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7; 2:7). The “riches of his glory” can impart strength to the inner man by his Spirit (Ephesians 3:16).

I. Grace for SalvationHaving mentioned the riches of

God’s mercy, grace, and glory, Paul wrapped up the subject by saying the riches of Christ are unsearchable (Ephesians 3:8). As we live by grace, we are able to tap into these riches as resources of spiritual strength. Moreover, Paul wrote of the powerful promise of God’s provision for our needs. Whether natural or spiritual, the riches of Christ Jesus will supply our needs.

Philippians 4:19

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

I. Grace for SalvationSpiritual riches supply what we

could never purchase in a monetary transaction. The “supply of the Spirit” (Philippians 1:19) will meet the needs of this life and propel us into God’s presence for eternity. No other source of riches can match the abundant supply of God’s riches made available to those who live by grace.

C. To Preach the Unsearchable Riches of Christ

INTERNALIZING THE MESSAGE

The grace of God does a dynamic work. Though we were dead in sin, grace raised us up and made us alive. As a work of God, salvation continues in our lives after we initially receive the Acts 2:38 experience. Through the effectual working of His power, God demonstrates His workmanship by implementing His divine plan through us.

I. Grace for SalvationJesus came as God manifest in

flesh. He was full of grace and truth. This fullness of grace contrasted greatly with the Law delivered by Moses (John 1:14-17). God’s grace brought salvation, riches, kindness, ministry, revelation, and wisdom. When Jesus comes again for His church, the work of grace will be fulfilled. The benefits of His grace will extend throughout eternity. Living by grace will include living eternally in the presence of God.