Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

June 25, 2006

GRACE GREATER THAN ALL OUR SIN

Ephesians 2:1-10

Conclusion

“That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would in them.”

We first looked at THE DEPTHS TO WHICH GRACE WAS DIRECTED in Ephesians 2:1-3. Then at THE DELIVERANCE WHICH GRACE EFFECTED in verses 4-6. Now in conclusion I want to examine briefly THE DESIGN THAT GRACE PERFECTED in verses 7-10.

THE DESIGN THAT GRACE PERFECTED – vs. 7-10

THE ULTIMATE DESIGN is to exhibit His grace and kindness in the ages to come - v.7.

The “ages to come” speaks of the endless ages of eternity, beginning with the Kingdom Age (Millennium).

That “He might show” means to put on public display or to exhibit.

“Exceeding riches of His grace.” Grace doesn’t stop with salvation – it only begins there. It doesn’t stop with its present operation in your life - it only continues. Through the endless ages of eternity, the grace of God is going to be continually unfolded in its never-ending beauty. This display of grace will be to all creation (Ephesians 3:10). God is going to show to all just what His grace can do with human corruption.

THIS GRACE IS TO BE DEMONSTRATED IN THE PRESENT – vs. 8-10

God will exhibit His workmanship in the world we are in.

• His grace in saving us – How do we know that we will be in God’s favor in the endless ages of eternity? “For by grace you have been saved.” “Have been saved” is in the perfect tense which means “an act completed in time with eternal results”. “And that not that of yourselves” refers to the whole package inclusive of grace, faith and salvation. Verse nine only enhances the grace factor.

• His grace in showing us “workmanship” (see also Romans 1:20). The Greek word POIEMA denotes “that which is made.” We get our English word POEM from this word. In Romans 1:20 the created order is God’s POEM with rhyme and symmetry and beauty. In Ephesians 2:10 the church corporately and the believer individually is God’s POEM spiritually speaking.

“Created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” What is God’s purpose for you and me on this planet? TO EXHIBIT GOOD WORKS!

“Which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Good works are not just the fallout of salvation. They are an inextricable part of the salvation package.

PONDERING THE PACKAGE

1. I want you to think over carefully the implications of the moral climate into which Jesus came.

2. I want you to contemplate the scope of God’s grace in delivering you.

3. I want you to reflect upon God’s design and responsibility for you.

God bless in the coming week,