Living Faith Christian Church: Messages, Studies, & Stories

The power of the Holy Spirit comes from Gospel clarity.

• The influence of the Lord upon people proceeds from simply presenting the good news.

• The Gospel is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe.

We must get the good news about Jesus right.

It is vital to be accurate in our Gospel content.

It is crucial that we know the truth.

The consequences of getting it wrong are devastating!

Paul planted the church in Ephesus.

·    In fact, he served as their pastor for three years.

·    He obviously exhorted them towards action during his pastoral ministry and in this letter,

·    But our verses for today, don’t instruct us to do anything.

They are an explanation of what God has done for Christians and to Christians in Jesus Christ.

·    Ephesians 2:1-10 contains 5 truths about our salvation.

·    As we reflect on these facts about us, no doubt the Lord will direct each of our hearts to respond in different ways.

·    But they are really intended to tell us what has happened to us, so that we simply give praise the Lord.

5 truths about our salvation:

·    We were dead.

·    God made us alive.

·    This salvation happened by grace

·    through faith

·    for good works that glorify God.

Jesus is the only Savior of sinners.

·    Though humanity was created very good, we have become sinful by rebelling against God.

·    We aren’t good. We are sinners in need of a savior from our sin.

·    And there is only one person who can do that – Jesus.

Jesus is putting the world right regarding sin.

• He is going to right every wrong done to us and by us.

• He is going to right all that is wrong within us.

• He is even going to right all that is wrong with creation.

Jesus is the Lord. We aren’t.

• He is the supreme authority.

• He is the one to whom we will all give an account.

• We don’t pick and choose who he is and what we want him to do for us.

• He tells us who he is and what he wants us to do to glorify him.

Jesus has power over suffering.

- It is important to view our afflictions through the lens of the Lord’s authority over them and

- Plan for us through them,

- Not the futile explanations for the why they specifically happen to us.

Jesus has power over evil.  He is in authority. Despite how it may look in our world, wickedness is not in charge. Jesus is.

Jesus has power over every circumstance. While it is hard to grasp, it is true, and it is wonderful.

·    Since our lives are in his hands, let’s trust him more with our lives.

·    Let’s have a living faith in Jesus, not just as our Savior from sin, but as the Lord over all our life.