Text: Ephesians 2:1-10
Introduction: Many people in the world today are hoping to go to heaven by their own efforts to live a good life. Ephesians 2:1-10 is a primary biblical text on this subject, and it can be summarized in only two points.
- We Are Not Saved By Doing Good Works (vv. 1-9). Without Christ we are dead in our transgressions and sins (v. 1-2), gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature (v. 3). But God’s rich mercy made us alive by His grace (v 4-5). We have been raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places (v. 6), so that in the future we’ll experience the incomparable wealth of heaven (v. 7). And it is all by grace, not by works (v. 8-9).
- We Are Saved To Do Good Works (v. 10). Having been saved by grace, we are God’s workmanship, designed to do those good works that God prepared in advance for us to do. We are not saved by doing good works; we are saved to do good works!
Conclusion: Notice how perfectly this passage parallels Titus 3:3-8. Without Christ we were foolish, living in pleasure, passion, malice, and hatred. But the kindness and love of God our Father appeared, and He saved us, not by works that we have done but according to His mercy. He saved us that those of us who have trusted in God may be careful to devote ourselves to doing good works. Good works prove our faith and let our light shine before men, that our Father might be glorified (Matthew 5:16). What good works have you and I done today, this week, this month?
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