GOJUC SERMON IMAGE 1

The Riches of God’s Grace          

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-8

  1. Introduction: Would you like to be rich? You already are! In Christ, you have incredible treasure because of grace.
  2. Message:
  3. Characteristics of God’s riches in grace
  4. Given by the heavenly Father (James 1:17)
  5. Given freely (Eph. 1:6)

iii.            Given abundantly (Eph. 1:7-8)

  1. Given instantaneously, the moment we are saved
  2. Given on the basis of Christ’s merit, not our own
  3. Given eternally—nothing can take them away.
  4. What are the riches of grace? Because of grace, we are…

.              Part of God’s eternal plan (Eph. 1:3-4) and chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4-5).

  1. Redeemed (literally, “bought back”). Christ’s death paid our sin-debt and satisfied God’s holy requirement (Gal. 3:13).
  2. Justified (Rom. 5:1). We are guilty because of sin, but the Lord pardons us. Justified means “no longer guilty” in God’s eyes.

iii.            Reconciled (Rom. 5:10). We were enemies of God, but He restored relationship with us.

  1. Forgiven (Col. 2:13). He no longer holds our sins against us but will discipline us if necessary (Heb. 12:6).
  2. Unified with Him. He abides in us and we in Him (John 15:5). We have the privilege of an intimate relationship with God.
  3. Joint heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:14-17).

vii.          Dual citizens—believers are citizens of both their earthly country and the heavenly kingdom (1 Peter 1:3-4).

viii.         In God’s care (1 Peter 5:6-7). He’s working all things together for our good.

  1. Sanctified (1 Cor. 6:9-11). At salvation, we are instantly “set apart” for God’s service. We are also progressively sanctified over time through a process of cleansing and refining.
  2. Indwelled by the Holy Spirit, who seals us as children of God, guides and teaches us, equips us to do God’s will, and enables us to approach the throne of grace with confidence (Rom. 5:5; Eph. 4:30; Heb. 4:15-16).
  3. Promised a physical resurrection (1 Cor. 15:50-52).

xii.          Glorified (Rom. 8:30; Eph. 2:4-7).

xiii.         Trophies of His grace (Eph. 2:4-7).

III. Closing: As believers, we are rich in Christ Jesus. We have the message the world needs to hear: Salvation is not by works, not based on what we deserve, but by grace lavished upon us in Jesus’ name.

Related Posts