GRATEFUL FOR GRACE

W. Charles Harris II

Gratefulness • Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

Ephesians 2:1–10

Acts 15:1–12

Thankfulness

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INTRODUCTION

Last week (Nov. 17, 2017) and article was published about Hip-Hop Rap artist Jay-Z. The article was distrubing because in it he made the statement that “Satan is the true Lord” and “anybody who believes in Jesus is an idiot” (I’m not making it up). He went on to brag and boast about his acquired wealth, and made the claim that he had amassed it all by his own efforts.

As troubling as this may be, there is another issue that should cause us concern tonight. That is, the growing tendency of those who claim to be saved to boast about what they have and belittle those who “have not”. I might as well put it out here tonight: The Bible never promised that every believer would be rich in this world! (I don’t hear nobody)

Is there anybody in here tonight that just get sick of folks bragging and boasting about their stuff and putting other people down because they don’t have that kind of stuff. Everybody can’t buy a house, everybody can’t afford a new car, everybody can’t go to college and get degrees, everybody can’t find somebody who is willing to put up with their trips and hangups.

But, bless the Lord this evening, everybody can be saved. And the good new about that tonight is that the only bragging and boasting that can done is On God.

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Grace

The believer who seeks to live the Christian life through self-effort is like the man who, in attempting to sail across the Atlantic Ocean, found his boat becalmed for days. Finally, frustrated by his lack of progress, he tried to make his stalled boat move by pushing against the mast. Through strenuous efforts, he succeeded in making the boat rock and so created a few small waves on the otherwise smooth sea. Seeing the waves and feeling the rocking of the boat, he assumed that he was making progress and so continued his efforts. Of course, although he exerted himself a great deal, he actually got nowhere.

So it is in the Christian life. The source of the Christian’s strength lies in God’s grace, not in exertions of will-power, or in efforts of discipline, or any other self-effort.

SCRIPTURE READING

Congregational Reading

Ephesians 2:8–9 NASB95

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8 NASB95

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

CONTEXT OF THE TEXT

As we peruse that perimeter of this passage, we discover that this letter may not have been written specifically to the believers at the geographical location of Ephesus; some believe it to be a circular letter, that is, that it was circulated among the many newly saved Gentile congregations in that particular area. That would make good sense when we consider that they were trying to live out their new beliefs against a backdrop of oppossition and false teaching. One such false teaching was that they were responsible to do the works of the law in order to enjoy “full salvation”.

Paul writes to clear that up for them. You see, the issue had already been decidede upon at the Jersalem Council. In , some Pharisees in the Church said it was alright to grant Gentiles entrance in the church, but that they would need to be circumcized and instructed to observe the Law of Moses; in other words “they have to work for it, to earn it”. In verse 7-11, Peter agrues convincingly that “Salvation for everyone is through the grace of the Lord Jesus”.

And so this letter is based on the premise that these believers are Saved and therefore in a pretty good position. They are saints, they are blessed, they are chosen, they are predestined, they are redeemed, they are forgiven, they are loved, they are purposed, they have an inheritence, and they are sealed (vv.2-13).

If that ain’t enough to give you the big head, I don’t know what is! That’s the reason he sets out in this passage to bring some truth into focus.

CENTRAL IDEA

The recipeints of this letter were to be grateful to God for His glorious grace

The recipeints of this letter, were

We, like the recipients of this letter, must always be grateful to God for His glorious grace.

POINT 1

Recognize Our Past Perdicament

POINT 2

Remember His Properous Pity

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 2

rich in mercy God’s abundant mercy, which characterizes Him throughout the Bible (Exod 34:6–7), is epitomized by His willingness not to punish “children of wrath” but instead to save believers through His grace (Eph 2:5)

POINT 3

Renounce any Personal Pride

CONCLUSION

Tony Evans Book of Illustrations: Stories, Quotes, and Anecdotes from More Than 30 Years of Preaching and Public Speaking Grace, Appreciation Of

PEOPLE who love old westerns remember the old movie with Gary Cooper called The Hanging Tree. Gary Cooper is a doctor and he saves people’s lives. In one scene, a young man gets shot; he’s dying. Gary Cooper goes in and he pulls out the bullet and is able to save the man’s life. The man, grateful for having been rescued, asks what he can do for the doctor. Gary Cooper says, “Well, you know, I’ve always needed an assistant, so why don’t you assist me. I’ll teach you what to do.” When the young man asked how long the doctor wanted his help, Gary Cooper replies, “For the rest of your life because that’s how long you would have been dead if I hadn’t saved you.”

God has said to you and me this is what He wants. For the rest of your life on earth, since He saved you, He wants you to yield yourself to His purposes, to His pleasure, and to His goals.426

[Salvation, Cost of; Salvation, Gratefulness for]

Eph. 2:10

INVITATION

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