Grace, Faith, Works

In one paragraph

Brad Yates preached from Ephesians 2:8-10, the passage that played a direct role in his own coming to faith in 2010. He walked the congregation through the three-word outline the text gives us: grace, faith, and works, in that order, and only in that order. Brad opened by asking whether anyone remembered the moment the lights came on for them regarding the gospel. He shared that in 2010 he would...

Read together

1. Romans 6:23 wages of sin is death, shown to Brad by his friend before the gospel conversation
2. Ephesians 2:8-10 the main text for the sermon, salvation by grace through faith unto good works
3. Hebrews 11 definition of faith as assurance of things hoped for, confidence in things not yet seen
4. John 3 Jesus tells Nicodemus no one can enter the kingdom without being born of water and the spirit
5. 1 Corinthians 5 recommended for study on being a new creation in Christ
6. John 14 whoever believes in Jesus will do the works he has been doing and greater things
7. Matthew 16:24 take up your cross and follow me, called to die to ourselves
8. Matthew 28 the Great Commission, go and make disciples of all nations
9. Matthew 22 the greatest commandment, love God and love your neighbor
10. Ephesians 4:12 Christ gave leaders to equip his people for works of service
11. John 15 branches that bear no fruit are taken away, bearing fruit proves discipleship and glorifies the Father
12. Galatians 2:20 crucified with Christ, no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me
13. Galatians 5 do not use freedom to indulge the flesh but to serve one another in love
14. Matthew 25 parable of the talents, well done good and faithful servant

Talk about it

1. Brad described a moment when someone asked him two questions: 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 understood the gospel, and how would you answer them now?
2. Brad said that most of the time in the Bible the gospel is preached to the saints, not to unbelievers, and that our tendency is to fall into routine instead of relationship with God. Where do you see that drift showing up in your own life?
3. Brad drew a distinction between mercy and grace using the example of a thief breaking in at night. Mercy is not shooting them. Grace is figuring out what they need and doing it. How does that distinction change the way you think about what God has done for you?
4. Brad said that good works only flow from a saving faith in Jesus Christ, and that if there is no fruit or change in your life you have not fully received the grace God has shown you. How do you personally tell the difference between works that flow from gratitude and works that are trying to earn something?
5. Brad said that if you are not confessing sin to someone, it does not make people think you have your life together, it makes him think you do not fully understand the grace of God. What makes confession feel risky, and what would it take for this group to be a place where that kind of honesty is normal?