Bible Text: Ephesians 2:1-10 | Pastor: Pastor Steve | Series: Ephesians: Engaging the Power of God’s Amazing Grace

How Much Is Enough?

Steve Jobs: How much success?
Roger Williams: How much talent?
Bill Gates: How much money?

WE ARE DEAD WITHOUT JESUS!
Ephesians 2:1-3 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
Sin, Satan and Self
Hamartia: voluntary “missing the mark” that is set before us by God

Paraptoma: unintentional error or willful ignorance because we are unwilling to integrate and apply God’s truth.
WE ARE ALIVE WITH JESUS!
Ephesians 2:4-6 BUT GOD is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.

Romans 5:8 and John 3:16-17
BY HIS GRACE
Ephesians 2:7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

God loves us so much that He paid the whole bill for our salvation

G.R.A.C.E.

God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense
LET GO AND LET GOD
Our prayer is dependent upon God’s Grace and not our assumption of God’s Grace.

Many of us need to learn to STOP relying (only) upon OUR ability and rest ourselves on HIS abilities.

We Are Interdependent On The Lord!
THE KEY TO GRACE: TRUST IN GOD!
Stop Performing and Proving!  Start Trusting and Relying!
OUR FAITH
Ephesians 2:8-10 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Grace Is Transforming!