By grace you have been saved

Text: Ephesians 2
13 July 2008

(I) THE DOCTRINE OF OUR SALVATION REVISITED

1. The scope of our salvation

a) Sins Forgiven ( Ephesians 1:7 )

b) Sonship offered ( Ephesians 1:5 )

c) Sealed with the Spirit of God ( Ephesians 1:13-14 )

2. Different aspects of God’s attributes involved in our salvation

a) The mercy of God

“…rich in mercy…” Ephesians 2:4

b) The love of God

“…His great love…” Ephesians 2:4

c) The right to confer honour

“And raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” Ephesians 2:6

d) The kindness of God

“…in His kindness toward us…” Ephesians 2:7

e) The riches of His grace

“…the exceeding riches of His grace…” Ephesians 2:7

(II) THE GREATEST DECLARATION

“…by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:5

“By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

1. Declaration of a Salvation that is A Gift of God

“…it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8

2. Declaration of salvation by grace alone

“…you have been saved…by grace…” Ephesians 2:5, 8

3. Denial of any meritorious works of man

“Not of works, lest anyone should boas.t” Ephesians 2:9

(III) THE PLACE OF FAITH

1. It is the means of understanding

“By faith we understand…” Hebrews 11:3

2. It is the means of appropriation of salvation by grace

“For by grace you have been saved through faith…” Ephesians 2:8

(IV) OUR RESPONSE TO THE GOD’S SAVING GRACE

1. Deep humility

2. Tremendous gratitude

3. Heartfelt appreciation

4. Unbounded joy

5. Defence of our salvation by grace