SALVATION BY GRACE

Ephesians 2:1-13

Paul started the opening statement by referring to the lost state of man as being unable to understand and appreciate spiritual life. This simply means spiritually dead, for the man can do nothing to please God – John 4:24.

A man submerged in sin can be likened to a person who is physically dead and is unable to respond to any physical stimuli, so someone spiritually dead cannot understand or embrace  divine purpose. The wages of sin is death.

Romans 7:24-25 – “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? ²⁵ I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.”

Faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and as Lord & Master produces grace for Salvation – this faith positions us to receive the free gift of Grace.

Grace means that God does it all because of Jesus Christ hence Salvation cannot be of works because Jesus Christ paid the price on the Cross. Our salvation is the gift of God.

Discussion:

1. What do you understand grace to mean?
2. Why is it essential for each one of us to personally receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour? John 6:47 | John 3:16.
3. One thing at the heart of Salvation is forgiveness of sins, why do we find it difficult to forgive? Matthew 6:12 | 1 Peter 4:8.
4. Hebrews 4:14-16 – Is there a limitation to the number of times we can approach the throne?
5. Regarding sin, what is the ministry of the Holy Spirit? John 16:8-9, 13-14 | Psalm 51:10-11 | 1 Thessalonians 5:19.
6. How is Jesus’ statement that He came to seek and to save the lost, an encouragement to all believers to be involved in evangelism? Matthew 1:21 | John 10:10.
7. The great work of conversion is the beginning of a life in Christ, what are the works of obedience every believer must participate in? Ephesians 2:10.
8. Christ is equipping us for our walk and our work here on earth. Discuss the following three tools that He uses – the Word of God – 1 Thessalonians 2:13 | Prayer – Ephesians 3:20-21 | Suffering – 1 Peter 4:11-14.
9. There is an eternity with the Lord waiting for those who would live a righteous and holy life through Jesus Christ – what are the ways we can subdue the flesh? Galatians 5:16.

Prayer