Why Is God's Grace Amazing?

Ephesians: Why Is God's Grace Amazing? 

  1. Because we were _________ and object of God’s ___________.

1 You were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked when you followed the ways of this present world. You were following the ruler [ἄρχων (archōn)] of the domain of the air, the spirit now at work in the people who disobey. (Eph 2:1–2)
Pharaoh’s officials [ἄρχων (archōn)] saw her and praised her to Pharaoh, and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. (Ge 12:15)
Those who camp on the east side toward the sunrise will be organized under the standard of Judah’s camp, according to their military units. The tribal chief [ἄρχων (archōn)] of Judah’s descendants is Nahshon son of Amminadab. (Nu 2:3)
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can stand against the schemes of the Devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Eph 6:11–12)
Formerly, we all lived among them in the passions of our sinful flesh, as we carried out the desires of the sinful flesh and its thoughts. Like all the others, we were by nature objects of God’s wrath. (Eph 2:3)
Certainly, I was guilty when I was born. I was sinful when my mother conceived me. (Ps 51:5)

  1. But God’s Grace made us ___________, and he prepared good ___________ for us to do.

4 But God, because he is rich in mercy [ἔλεος (eleos)], because of the great love [ἀγάπη (agapē)] with which he loved [ἀγαπάω (agapaō)] us, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in trespasses. It is by grace [χάρις (charis)] you have been saved! (Eph 2:4–5)

[ἀγαπάω (agapaō)] “love” emphasizes an undeserved loving _____________ or _______________________, while [χάρις (charis)] “grace” emphasizes God's undeserved _________.

Chad Bird: The chapters and verses in our Bibles were not a part of the original text. They are very helpful in that they help us navigate through the Bible. However, they can be a hinderance because we tend to see the chapters as break or completion of a subject. That is not necessarily true.
19 and just how surpassingly great his power is for us who believe. 20 It is as great as the working of his mighty strength, which God worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, (Eph 1:19–20)
For the mind-set of the sinful flesh is hostile to God, since it does not submit to God’s law, and in fact, it cannot. (Ro 8:7)
He did this so that, in the coming ages, he might demonstrate the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Eph 2:7)
Peter T. O’Brien: Throughout time and in eternity the church, this society of pardoned rebels, is designed by God to the masterpiece of his goodness.
8 Indeed, it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph 2:8–9)
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance so that we would walk in them. (Eph 2:10)

Good works are ___________________ a believer does __________________ to God’s Word out of _________ and thanks for all of God’s goodness.

Irwin J. Habeck: Luther pointed out that the Christian maid scrubbing the floor is doing a good work because she is faithful in the work of the calling into which the Lord led her. Scrubbing the floor was an opportunity to do a good work which the Lord had prepared for her. There is nothing like drudgery in the work life of a Christian. He may look forward as each new day dawns because in it the Lord will give him opportunities to do good works, works which the Lord planned for him in advance. But they become good works only when we seize our opportunity to do them. Jesus reminds us: "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them" (Jn 13:17 NIV).

Points to Ponder

  1. What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
  2. Read Ephesians 2:1–3. How does Paul describe our condition before receiving God’s grace? What phrases or words stand out to you? Why is it important to understand this “before” picture?
  3. In verses 4–5, Paul introduces a dramatic shift with “But God…” What does this tell us about God’s character? How does this contrast with our condition in verses 1–3?
  4. According to verses 6–7, what are the results of being made alive with Christ? What does it mean to be “raised up” and “seated… with Him”?
  5. Verses 8–9 emphasize that salvation is a gift. Why do you think Paul is so emphatic that it is not from ourselves or by works? How do we sometimes try to earn or prove grace in daily life?
  6. Verse 10 speaks of us as God’s workmanship. How does this reshape how we view ourselves?
  7. What might be some “good works” God has prepared in your life?
  8. What aspect of God’s grace do you find hardest to believe or receive personally? Why?

Homework: Ephesians 2