QUESTION: Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through Christ alone, must we still do good works and obey God’s Word?
ANSWER: Yes, because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, also renews us by his Spirit; so that our lives may show love and gratitude to God; so that we may be assured of our faith by the fruits; and so that by our godly behavior others may be won to Christ.
ANSWER: Yes, because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, also renews us by his Spirit; so that our lives may show love and gratitude to God; so that we may be assured of our faith by the fruits; and so that by our godly behavior others may be won to Christ.
WARM-UP:
How does the normal Denverite answer the question, “What are you made for?” or “Why do you exist?” -- Do you feel that you answer this question similarly or differently?
WORD
BIG IDEA
READ
How does the normal Denverite answer the question, “What are you made for?” or “Why do you exist?” -- Do you feel that you answer this question similarly or differently?
WORD
BIG IDEA
- We are God’s workmanship in that God took us as “dead in our trespasses” and made us alive, capable, and willing to do good works.
- Good works are a currency that buys us nothing in God’s kingdom.
- We are created and redeemed in Christ to do good works in the world around us (our purpose).
- There are 4 biblical contours of good works in scripture
- Good works come from the spirit of God (Gal 5: 22-23)
- Good works are how we express love to God (John 14:15)
- Good works are part of how we experience assurance (1 John 2:3-4)
- Good works draw the world to our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:15-16)
READ
Ephesians 2:1-10
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
WATCH/LISTEN
OLD SELF
Reread Ephesians 2:1-3. Our previous state before we experienced God’s rich mercy was that we were “dead”, “followed the course of the world”, and “lived in the passions of our flesh.
NEW SELF
Reread Ephesians 2:4-10. God’s rich mercy changes our “spiritual biography.” We now have the ability to do work with a new heart and new ability. We are now God’s work that God gets to show off to the world. This means that all aspects of our lives are changed (parenting, marriage, work, friendship, evangelism, etc.)
WORLD
Reflect this week on the “4 Biblical Contours of Good Work.”
How could good work in your life do some of this during the week? Where might there be fresh opportunities?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, you have saved us from sin. Let us not continue in it as if we were still enslaved to it. You have given us commands that are the path of life. Let us treasure those commands. May all who know us see our good works and glorify you because of them. Amen.
Reread Ephesians 2:1-3. Our previous state before we experienced God’s rich mercy was that we were “dead”, “followed the course of the world”, and “lived in the passions of our flesh.
- For those of us that can remember a time before we knew Christ, what was the main driver for the works that you did?
- For those of us that can’t remember a time before we knew Christ, where do you experience pressure to slip back into the patterns that Paul mentions, where the driver for our works is something other than God?
- Bonus Question: If you knew someone in Denver who was involved with many non-profits, served the city and took care of the poor and they felt tension with this text, how would you walk them through this knowing that all work before knowing Christ is “dead.”
NEW SELF
Reread Ephesians 2:4-10. God’s rich mercy changes our “spiritual biography.” We now have the ability to do work with a new heart and new ability. We are now God’s work that God gets to show off to the world. This means that all aspects of our lives are changed (parenting, marriage, work, friendship, evangelism, etc.)
- Personally, how do you describe the main driver for a new heart and the works that follow? Where do the motivation and energy come from? Can you think of a time or situation where this was especially true?
- What are some areas where the church could improve in “good works?”
- What are some areas that you personally want to grow in “good works?”
WORLD
Reflect this week on the “4 Biblical Contours of Good Work.”
- Good works come from the spirit of God (Gal 5: 22-23)
- Good works are how we express love to God (John 14:15)
- Good works are part of how we experience assurance (1 John 2:3-4)
- Good works draw the world to our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:15-16)
How could good work in your life do some of this during the week? Where might there be fresh opportunities?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, you have saved us from sin. Let us not continue in it as if we were still enslaved to it. You have given us commands that are the path of life. Let us treasure those commands. May all who know us see our good works and glorify you because of them. Amen.