By Grace, Through Faith

In one paragraph

Pastor Brad opened with a personal story about a time when he would have called himself a Christian but was living mostly for himself, and traced how a single conversation and Ephesians 2:8-10 changed that. The sermon worked through three words from that passage, grace, faith, and works, in the order Paul gives them and in that order only. The point throughout was that the gospel is not just the...

Read together

1. Romans 6:23 used to show that the wage of sin is death, introduced to the preacher by a friend
2. Ephesians 2:8-10 the main text for the sermon, grace through faith not works, created for good works
3. Hebrews 11:1 quoted to define faith as confidence in things not yet seen and assurance of things hoped for
4. John 3:5 Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born of water and Spirit to enter the kingdom
5. 1 Corinthians 5 referenced for encouragement about living in the flesh but through faith
6. John 14 Jesus says whoever believes in him will do the works he has been doing and greater works
7. Matthew 16:24 Jesus calls his disciples to take up their cross and follow him
8. Matthew 28:19-20 the Great Commission, Jesus commands his disciples to make disciples of all nations
9. Matthew 22 the Great Commandments, love God and love your neighbor, summarizing the law and prophets
10. Ephesians 4 Christ gave leaders to equip the people for works of service to build up the body
11. Matthew 3:10 trees that do not bear good fruit are chopped down and thrown into the fire
12. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me
13. Matthew 25 parable of the talents, God will say well done good and faithful servant
14. Galatians 5 do not use freedom to indulge the flesh but to love and serve those around you
15. Romans 15:13 benediction, may the God of hope fill you with joy and peace so you abound in hope by the Holy Spirit
16. 1 John 3:1 read before prayer, see what great love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God

Talk about it

1. The pastor opened with two questions his friend once asked him: how sure are you that you would go to heaven, and why should God let you in? How would you have answered those questions before you came to faith, and how would you answer them now?
2. The pastor said the Bible preaches the gospel more often to believers than to unbelievers, and that we need to remind ourselves of the truth that transformed our lives. In what ways do you find yourself drifting from that truth, and what helps you come back to it?
3. Using the image of a riptide, the pastor described salvation as the moment we stop struggling in our own strength and cling to the one who can make the swim back for us. Is there an area of your life right now where you are still trying to make that swim on your own?
4. The pastor drew a distinction between grace flowing into works versus doing good works to earn something, whether that is approval, ego, or even salvation. How do you personally tell the difference in your own motivations when you are serving or giving?
5. The pastor closed by saying there are only two options: living for God or living for the prince of this world, and that trees bearing no fruit are cut down. As you look at your life over the past year, what fruit do you see, and what do you think God is calling you toward next?