Home Group Study - Sermon Date: 26 October 2018

Text: Ephesians 2:1-10

Opening Discussion: One of the most important questions in the world to be crystal clear on, is this; “If you were to die today and stand before God and He asked, ‘Why should I let you into My heaven?’ what would you say?” Perhaps you have asked this question to someone before. What are some of the answers you have heard? Share your story…

Observation - What does God’s word say?

We need to make it clear what the Bible says about this crucial question. But even so, it is not uncommon to hear people answer, “I’ve lived a good life and done the best that I could do.” Or, “I am a basically good person and I’ve never tried to hurt anyone.”

Those are wrong answers when it comes to getting into heaven! Of course, getting into heaven is not just a matter of answering a question correctly. It requires a spiritual resurrection from the dead. It requires having God forgive your sins, so that you are truly reconciled to Him. But for that to happen, you must be clear on the biblical truth of how that happens. And Satan has worked overtime to sow confusion among the world’s religions, including the major branches of Christianity, on the question of how a person gets eternal life.

What are your observations?

Read: 

• Colossians 2:13-14
• Ephesians 1:15-21
• Acts 15:7-9
• Ephesians 2:8-10

Meaning - What does God’s word mean?

Ephesians 2:1-10 contains three main segments; verses 1-3 focus on fallen man, and his hopeless condition (dead) as a result of his sin. Verses 4-6 focus on God, and on His mercy and grace in making a provision for man’s salvation in Christ. Verses 7-10 focus on the purpose of salvation, to the praise of the glory of His grace. All together, they spell out the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul says that,

Salvation is by grace through faith apart from good works, but it inevitably results in a life of good works.

Paul wrote these truths to those who were already saved, to clarify and solidify their understanding of these vital matters. When you share the gospel with others, their misunderstanding of God’s grace and the relationship between faith and works will be major issues needing clarification. All Christians should be growing in their understanding of the gospel. The gospel is an inexhaustible subject and it should thrill our hearts every time we think about it or hear it proclaimed. We all need to be clear on these matters for our own sakes, and so that we can share it clearly with others.

Read:  Romans 1:16-18

What are your observations from these verses?

Application - How must I change?

• Is there a Truth to be believed?

Our condition as unbelievers is so foundational to our understanding of the gospel. Is the following statement about sin; true or false? Give reasons for your answers: “There is a difference between sin and crime. There are many sins which are not crimes, and many crimes which are not sin.”

• Is there an Attitude to be fostered?

Theological liberals have always emphasized God’s love and denied His wrath. But in our day, this kind of watered down thinking is not only in liberal circles. It is also popular among those who profess to be evangelicals. Why is it essential to hold to the doctrine of God’s wrath against sinners? What is lost if we abandon it?

•  Is there a Behavior to be changed?

Why must saving faith include repentance and submission to Christ as Lord? Is this adding works to faith, as some may suggest?

Conclusion

Spurgeon tells how he came to see these truths for the first time (Autobiography, 1:164-165):

"When I was coming to Christ, I thought I was doing it all myself, and though I sought the Lord earnestly, I had no idea the Lord was seeking me. I do not think the young convert is at first aware of this. I can recall the very day and hour when first I received those truths in my own soul—when they were, as John Bunyan says, burnt into my heart as with a hot iron, and I can recollect how I felt that I had grown on a sudden from a babe into a man—that I had made progress in Scriptural knowledge, through having found, once for all, the clue to the truth of God. One week-night, when I was sitting in the house of God, I was not thinking much about the preacher's sermon, for I did not believe it. The thought struck me, How did you come to be a Christian? I sought the Lord. But how did you come to seek the Lord? The truth flashed across my mind in a moment—I should not have sought Him unless there had been some previous influence in my mind to make me seek Him. I prayed, thought I, but then I asked myself, How came I to pray? I was induced to pray by reading the Scriptures. How came I to read the Scriptures? I did read them, but what led me to do so? Then, in a moment, I saw that God was at the bottom of it all, and that He was the Author of my faith, and so the whole doctrine of grace opened up to me, and from that doctrine I have not departed to this day, and I desire to make this my constant confession, “I ascribe my change wholly to God.”

If, as Paul here proclaims, salvation is by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone for God’s glory alone, then there is hope for every sinner. Salvation does not depend on you, but rather on God, who is mighty to save. 

Closing Prayer: Thank you Lord, for your amazing grace. Thank you God, that while we were dead in our sins you sent Christ to die for us. Thank you Lord that our salvation does not depend on us, or what we have done. Help us to love the gospel more, and be faithful in sharing it.  Amen