Grace Through Faith: It Is a Gift

In one paragraph

Brad walked through Ephesians 2:8-10, the text that a friend used to lead him to faith fifteen years ago, and made the case that grace, faith, and works belong together in that exact order. He was not addressing unbelievers primarily. He was reminding the congregation of the truth that changed their lives, because the gospel is something Christians have to keep returning to, not a starting point...

Read together

1. Romans 6:23 shown to illustrate that the wage of sin is death
2. Ephesians 2:8-10 the main text for the sermon on grace, faith, and works
3. Hebrews 11 cited for the definition of faith as assurance of things hoped for
4. John 3 Jesus tells Nicodemus no one can enter the kingdom without being born of water and the Spirit
5. 1 Corinthians 5 referenced for the teaching that believers are a new creation in Christ
6. John 14 Jesus tells his disciples that whoever believes in him will do the works he has been doing
7. Matthew 16:24 Jesus calls his followers to take up their cross and follow him
8. Ephesians 4:12 Christ gave leaders to equip his people for works of service
9. Matthew 28 the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations
10. Matthew 22 the greatest commandment to love God and love your neighbor
11. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me
12. John 15 every branch that does not bear fruit is taken away and the Father is glorified by much fruit
13. Matthew 25 the parable of the talents and hearing well done good and faithful servant
14. Galatians 5 do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh but serve one another in love
15. Romans 15:13 spoken as a closing benediction about the God of hope filling believers with joy and peace

Talk about it

1. Brad opened with two questions he was asked fifteen years ago: on a scale of one to ten, how sure are you that you would go to heaven, and why should God let you in? How did you answer those questions when you first heard them just now, and how does your answer compare to where you were when you first encountered the gospel?
2. Brad said that the majority of the time in the Bible, the gospel is presented not to unbelievers but to remind the saints of the truth that rocked their world. What does it look like practically for you to re-gospel yourself, and what tends to pull you away from doing that?
3. Brad made the point that those who trust in their own moral effort may actually be further from recognizing their need for a savior than those who have no such pretense. Where do you find yourself most tempted to operate on the assumption that your church involvement or good behavior is contributing to your standing before God?
4. Using the parable of the prodigal son, Brad described faith as coming to your senses about a reality that is already yours. Has there been a moment in your own life that resembled the son getting up out of the pigsty? What did that look like, and what prompted it?
5. Brad said that if there is no fruit and no change in a person's life, that person has not fully received the grace God has shown them. How do you personally assess whether the works in your life are flowing from gratitude and faith, rather than from an effort to earn favor or avoid anxiety?