Saved to Serve - May 23, 2021

by Pastor Chuck Ryan

Saved to Serve

 

Text: Ephesians 2:1-10

Thesis: God in His great love and mercy saves us and grants us the privilege to serve Him.

 

1. Saved from Sin. (vs1-3)

 

1. The Apostle Paul states clearly that every person is born in sin, a captive of Satan and separated from God.

• “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” (1Cor.15:22)
• “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
• “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

1. Article of Faith V. “Sin, Original and Personal “states, (Read)
2. Article of Faith VI “Atonement” regarding children states, (Read)

 

1. Saved by Grace. (vs4-9)

 

1. We are born into the family of God.
2. Paul states because of “God’s love for us and mercy God made us alive in Christ.”

• “You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' (John 3:17)
• “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Rev. 3:20)
• “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)

2. “We are saved by Grace”
3. “Through Faith”
4. “Not from yourself.”
5. “It is a gift”

III. Saved to Serve. (vs 10)

 

1. “We are God’s workmanship”

• “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)
• “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalms 139:14)

1. “created in Christ Jesus to do good works,”

• “Jesus said, ‘just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)

1. “which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

• "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5)

 

“What on earth are you doing for Heaven’s sake?”