Hymn 23, “Oh, the Love That Sought Me” (Lyle’s choice)
Ephesians 1:1-2, talks about unity- the grace of God. Sometimes it’s okay to feel inadequate to tell the story- since we don’t know the entire story. We can understand the grace of God with responsibility. Facing life and death- that’s the grace of God.
Luke 2:40, the grace of God was upon him. It’s more than a favor of God. Paul, when speaking to his disciples in Hebrews, every one (verse) starts out with Grace. [This has to be verified, as I could not find this.] It’s mention 99 times. “It embodies every single gift to God’s gift to man.” God didn’t want the world to be poor, but to be rich – in the things that cannot be taken away. You can’t call it yours if it hasn’t been given to you. The riches that we receive from God are eternal. “Good-bye” is God’s grace to you.
Ephesians 2 expresses the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The 3rd chapter (Ephesians 3) is the grace of Paul.
The last 3 chapters (Ephesians 4 – 6) is the other side of the grace of God. It’s divine influence on our soul.
Ephesians 1:3-4, in God’s thought… “I want to have a people that want to be chosen.” “We can be without blame.” What Jesus is – is what our influence needs to be… a selfless giving.
Ephesians 1:6-7… According to his riches of his grace. We need to be obedient. Yes, we can believe that we are saved by grace through faith. Our salvation is a gift from God.
Last chapter of Romans … even the 11th chapter, verses 5-6, it’s either by grace or by works. If we are saved by grace, it’s a gift from God. We are not saved by grace and works. It’s good to know where you’re saved from. So, what are we saved from? We’re saved from the wrath of God… the sacrifice of Jesus. There is no other way. We couldn’t be obedient enough. Little sin, big sin… it’s all sin… the wages of sin is death. The sins bring hateful, destruction. If we say that we don’t even want to do that again… we’ve repented. It’s okay never to bring it up again and Jesus understands that and wants that. When we feel the grace of God, it’s beyond our expectations.
Ephesians 2:8-9, we are His workmanship (verse 10). We see His beauty… His workmanship.
Ephesians 3:2,7-8… God has given us His riches and we are sharing it with others.
Titus 2:11-14, some use it (grace) loosely. Our concern can be for others without judging. The grace that saves us is teaching us. We need to be taught rightly.
Acts 11:22-23, How did Paul see the grace of God?
Acts 20 (Lyle spoke of Grace)
Ephesians 5:2, walk in love the same way God walks in us. “As Christ hath loved us.”
Ephesians 5:3-4, then verse 18 – “be filled with the spirit.” We can have happiness, ease from pain by being filled with the spirit. We get our happiness with the grace of God.
Ephesians 5:19, we can still be filled with hymn and the spirit within ourselves. That is also a gift. Think of all the wonderful things you have… giving thanks for all things. Submitting yourselves one unto another. Everyone submits to everyone… even authority needs to submit to the people.
Hymn 370, “Till Breaking of the Day”