Grace Extenders - April 18, 2021

by Pastor Chuck Ryan

Grace Extenders

Text: Ephesians 1:1-2

Thesis: We are called to allow God to love people through us.

 

1. The Apostle Paul reveals his Spiritual credentials. (1a)

 

1. Paul was making it clear, to all who would listen, that he “was sent out” (Apostle) by Jesus Christ “by the will of God.”

-“Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.” (1Corintians 15:8)

1. We need to know God has called us.

-“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

2. We need to be able to explain to the unchurched that it is God’s will that we proclaim Jesus Christ.

-“We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

-“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Mathew 28:19)

 

1. The Apostle Paul addressed the Ephesian Christians as “saints” and “the faithful in Christ Jesus. (1b)

 

1. If you are a “born-again” (John 3:7) believer, you are a “saint” Spiritually and not morally.
2. In this life, by the power of God we can be “Saved” and “Sanctified” but not “Glorified”. When we die in Christ Jesus we will experience “Glorification”.

 

2. Our righteousness is because of the saving and cleanse work of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

-“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

3. 
   This is the reason, as “Saints”, we remain humble.

 

1. Paul’s assessment of the Ephesian Christians is that they are “faithful in Christ Jesus.”

-“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.” (Matthew 24:45-46)

 

III. The Apostle Paul extends grace and peace to the Ephesians Christians on behalf of God. (Read vs2)

 

1. The Apostle Paul was a “Grace Extender” and a peace maker.
2. There are many opportunities to extend grace to fellow believers and non-believers alike.
3. These opportunities to extend grace can become God-Moments!
4. To “turn the other cheek”, show respect, love the unlovable and being kind to those that are unkind is to be like Jesus.
5. Grace and Peace have their capital in Christ Jesus.

-“I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” (John 17:14-16)