Title: Grace of God/Ephesians 2:4-9
Contents Bible: Ephesians 2:4-9
Title: God's Grace
Ephesians 2:4 God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love for us
Ephesians 2:5 who made us alive together with Christ Jesus, who were dead in our trespasses (if you
saved by grace)
Ephesians 2:6 And he raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:7 This is the gift of His grace through mercy toward us in Christ Jesus
so that the exceeding riches may be revealed in the generations to come.
Ephesians 2:8 By grace you have been saved through faith
This is not from you, it is the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:9 It is not of works, so that no one can boast.
entry
No matter how fast I try to time the day, I can't catch it.
If I could bind time, I would like to live with a strong rope.
Some of you may want to pass this boring world quickly because you want to live with the Lord in a joyful heaven.
One of the many things we cannot do on our own is time. We cannot hold on to the passing years and we cannot stop the coming years.
Time does not show mercy to us humans.
The world has no mercy on us.
Many people go to the evil spirit who has taken the power of the air and pray and beg with all their heart, but they get nothing.
It seems that the good world gives us a lot, and the rulers of the air seem to give us a lot, but in fact, it is just a bait to take away more.
In essence, it is their job for the world or evil spirits to take away, destroy, and destroy what we have.
What was the state of us who died in our trespasses and sins, and because we were completely dead, there was no possibility of reviving with the help of anyone, and moreover, we were in a state in which we were unable to make any effort on our own. It was over.
Let me explain with an example (though it doesn't make sense).
Recently, a coal mine accident occurred in Korea.
Miners were working a few hundred meters underground when an accident occurred and the mine collapsed. The gang is blocked, and neither air nor light enters. Communication was also cut off. The hope of being fully alive was cut off. No matter how hard you try, it's no use.
The only way to help is from outside.
God has shown mercy to us who had no hope of living in the abyss of transgressions and sins.
God loves us, but He loved us with His great love.
God raised us from our trespasses and sins. He saved us when we followed the worldly customs and followed the rulers of the air.
Who is God who loves us, saves us, and has mercy on us?
1) He is the Creator God.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
He is the God who created the heavens and the earth.
When God created everything, He created it with a good purpose and plan.
Just as He created every single piece of grass growing in the field, a blooming flower, and even a flying bird with a purpose and will, He also has a purpose and a plan for me. The providence of individuals, families, and churches is still in line with the original purpose of creation.
2) He made us in His own image.
Genesis 1:26 “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, saith God...”
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Jesus Christ for good works...”
Because we are made in God's image, we become objects of God's mercy and love.
3) Almighty God
Genesis 28:3 God Almighty bless you, that you may be fruitful and multiply
make you into many families
bliss - growth - thriving
4) God of hosts
Psalm 80:7 Restore us, O God of hosts, and make your face shine
that we may be saved
5) The immutable God
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, he is not eloquent, and he is not the Son of Man.
You have no regrets. How could you not do what He said?
will you not put into practice the word?
6) You are the mighty God, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords.
1 Timothy 6:15 When the time comes, God will show his appearing.
Blessed and the only mighty one, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords
give me
This God saved us.
We can't. But God can.
I can't. But God does.
I fail. But God does not fail.
I can't win. But God can win.
I got sick in my body. But God could heal.
I am in trouble now. But God can destroy Jericho.
Jesus went to the tomb of Lazarus, where he had died and was buried, and said, “Lazarus, come out.” He said, “Come to me, Lazarus,” to the dead, stinky man who was dead and deaf, unable to understand or react.
But with the voice of Jesus, Lazarus came alive. Resurrection occurred when the word of God came to the dead.
We who were spiritually dead because of our trespasses and sins, God called us from the dead.
In order to pay the price for our transgressions and sins, Jesus Christ became flesh and came among us.
Jesus Christ gave me what I deserved.
He died on the cross for me and rose from the dead to become the first fruits.
Jesus saved me from the dead and gave me new life.
5 “He made us alive together with Christ Jesus, who were dead in trespasses…”
God not only made us alive with Christ, but He also raised us up.
Verse 6 - “He raised him up again..”
It means that you have raised us up spiritually and physically with the Lord. It is not that we are oppressed and bound, but that He has given us spiritual strength so that we can now act on our own.
In the past, he was dead, so he could not realize it or make an effort, but now that he is alive, he is able to understand what is good and what God wants, and has given him the strength to work with hope and faith.
In this way, God not only raised us up in Christ, but also lifted us up from heaven.
Sitting down means peace, rest, and enjoyment.
To say that he was seated in heaven means that he was seated in the seat of glory and power. It means that God's heaven has come down to us. It means that He grants us eternal peace and rest with Christ.
Because this is a privilege that God has given us, no one can argue.
We, who died in our trespasses and sins, followed the world's customs and followed evil spirits, God saved us, and we are called to the kingdom of God and sit on the throne of glory.
Who do you blame, what do you brag about, and what more do you want?
If you just open your spiritual eyes, your heart's eyes will be opened and you will never find a more glorious blessing than this just to see it.
You can believe that we are not alone, but are sitting with Christ.
Paul calls this fact “grace” in verses 5 and 7.
Verse 7 - This is the gift of His grace through His mercy toward us in Christ Jesus.
so that the exceeding riches may be revealed in the generations to come.
It is by God's grace that my plans come true, my husband succeeds, my children are healthy... everything is prosperous. It's not unfortunate that this doesn't happen.
The true grace is that God saved us who had to fall into hell, made us heavenly people, and placed us in the kingdom of God, so that we can enjoy glory and happiness together with the Lord.
Who among us will reject this grace of God? Who among the members of today's worship service can claim that they have not received this grace?
Do you believe in the grace of God who saved us with Christ?
Do we believe that God saved us?
If you do not believe it, you have not yet been regenerated. You cannot be born again.
There are many times when we are foolish before God, and many times we fall into a state of weakness. There are times when we oppose God in ignorance. Sometimes I doubt and ignore God's promises and do my own thoughts and wills.
However, God does not judge our weakness, ignorance, unbelief, and lack as it is, but considers it a pile of fire. He lifts up the foolish to shame the wise, and lifts up the weak to shame the strong.
The world and the devil struggle to lead us to hell just like a roaring lion swallows its prey, but God is watching closely today to save us.
God's amazing love and compassionate grace that saved us is always with us.