One of the reasons many believers live their lives without any sense of peace, joy, or satisfaction is because they don't understand God's grace. Dr. Stanley explains why this is so important.
Sermon Outline
It can feel unnatural to accept a gift as wondrous as grace without somehow earning it, but that’s what is required. In today’s sermon, Dr. Stanley explains what grace really means and why God bestows it.
Key Passage: Ephesians 2:1-10
Supporting Passages: Matthew 5:16; Luke 15:11-32; Romans 4:4-5; Romans 11:6; 1 Corinthians 2:14-16; Galatians 5:18-21; Ephesians 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:8-9; Titus 3:4-5; Hebrews 9:27
If somebody were to ask you how you became a Christian, what would your answer be?
► “Most believers think they’ve got to make some kind of addition to their salvation experience.”
Salvation must be by grace alone (Eph. 2:1-10) because of …
1. The nature of humanity.
Sin renders all people dead, incapable of relating to God (v. 1).
Forgiveness cannot come through anything we do.
Even when we know this intellectually, we may not act as though we believe it.
Grace is God’s kindness toward humanity without considering the merit of those who receive it (and without regard for the fact that none deserve it).
Salvation is the work of God whereby He delivers us from death and gives us the gift of eternal life. It is bestowed on the basis of faith in Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf.
2. The nature of our works.
Our works are unacceptable as a means to salvation (vv. 8-9).
Though unbelievers do good deeds, the ways of God that motivate us seem foolish to them (1 Cor. 2:14-16).
God saves us according to mercy, not our deeds (Titus 3:4-5).
Salvation is not a “paycheck” we earn; rather, it’s a gift of grace (Rom. 4:4-5).
Those who have lived wickedly are more likely to know they do not deserve forgiveness.
The “righteous” often think they don’t need God, but they too will face Him in judgment (Heb. 9:27).
We are not self-made Christians. We are God’s workmanship—and entirely new creations (Eph. 2:10).
One of His reasons for saving us is for us to perform good works (v. 10).
► “Grace does not give us license to sin. It absolutely, totally humbles us.”
3. The nature of grace.
There is nothing within us that deserves it.
God chose us before we were born or had done anything (Eph. 1:4).
For grace to be grace, it cannot be based on our works (Rom. 11:6).
It shows us that we are totally dependent upon God.
4. God’s supreme purpose for saving us.
He made us alive and raised us to the heavenly places, where all beings will see us and magnify Him (Eph. 2:4-6).
This shows His surpassing riches in kindness toward us who are in Christ Jesus (v. 7).
Every believer is an eternal trophy of God’s grace, bringing Him glory in future ages.
After Watching
Why do you think it is so hard for many people to accept grace, something that’s freely and lovingly offered to us? In what way might certain cultural expectations (such as “pull yourself up by your bootstraps”) play a role?
The word translated as “grace” comes from the Greek word charis, which means “to rejoice or be glad.” What feelings does such a great gift create in you?
