"GOD'S MAGNIFICENT MAKE OVER - PART 2"

Pastor Surya & family in S. Asia

Read:
(Ephesians 2:4-10) “4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:4-10) [NIV-84’)

Relate:
If you could have a “make over”, what would you change about yourself? It fascinates me how many people are dissatisfied with their looks and how many people are willing to spend thousands of dollars to change the perceived fault they have.

The reality is, that we all have one huge flaw that needs a “make over”. Sin!

Have you ever thought much about 2 Corinthians 5:17 [NIV-84’] “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, the new has come.” If you have accepted Christ as your personal savior, it’s speaking about you. You have been “made over”. So, what difference does it make in our lives?

Take a moment and keep reading the comments below that I have quoted from my Life Application Bible Study Bible. They will help you better understand what we will be covering this Sunday in my message.

(vv. 4 & 5) In the previous verses Paul wrote about our old sinful nature (2:1-3). Here Paul emphasizes that we do not need to live any longer under sins’ power. The penalty of sin and its power over us were miraculously destroyed by Christ on the cross. Through faith in Christ we stand acquitted, or not guilty, before God. (Romans 3:21 & 22). God does not take us out of the world or make us robots - we will still feel like sinning, and sometimes we will sin. The difference is that before we became Christians, we were dead in sin and were slaves to our sinful nature. But now we are alive with Christ (see also Galatians 2:20).

(v. 6) Because of Christ resurrection, we know that our bodies will be raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:2-3) and that we have been given the power to live as Christians now (1:19). These ideas are combined in Paul’s image of sitting with Christ in “the heavenly realms”. Our eternal life with Christ is certain because we are united in his powerful victory.

(vv.. 8 & 9) When someone gives you a gift, do you  say, “That’s very nice - now how much do I owe you?” No, the appropriate response to a gift is “Thank you.” Yet how often Christians, even after they have been given the gift of salvation, feel obligated to try to work their way to God (read Ephesians 2:8). Because our salvation and even our faith are gifts, we should respond with gratitude, praise and joy.

(vv. 8-10) We become Christians through God’s unmerited grace, not as the result of any effort, ability, intelligent choice, or act of service on our part. However, out of gratitude for this free gift, we will seek to help and serve others with kindness, love, and gentleness, and not merely to please ourselves. While no action or work we do can help us obtain salvation, God’s intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are not saved merely for our own benefit but to serve Christ and build up the church (4:12).

We are God’s workmanship (work of art, masterpiece). Our salvation is something only God can do. It is his powerful, creative work in us. If God considers us His works of art, we dare not treat ourselves of others with disrespect or as inferior work.

Reflect:

• If you could have a “make over”, what would you change about yourself? Why?
• If we are “dead” because of sin (Ephesians 2:1), how are made alive? (see vv. 4-5)
• What is the relationship between God’s grace and good works?
• What has God’s grace meant to you in your life?

Respond:

• What good work do you feel God may have in mind for you?
• What in your life is due only to God’s presence and goodness?

Request:

• Would you take a moment and ask God in prayer to reveal to you what “good works” He prepared, and created in advance for you to do?

Some questions were excerpted from Serendipity Bible [NIV]

Praying for Pastor Surya