07-21-2024 The Character of Grace (Ephesians 1:3-10)

The Character of Grace Ephesians 1:3-10 Ephesians 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 6:24 Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ. χαρις- charis, grace χαρα- chara, joy χαίρε- chaire, hello, a greeting Mercy is withholding a deserved punishment. Grace is giving a gift that is not deserved. Grace flows out of the very nature of who God is. Grace acknowledges the full implication of sin, yet it does not condemn. The Character of Grace • We are rich because of God's grace. • God's grace is undeserved (which is the very definition of grace). • Grace as calling • Grace as community Ephesians 1:5-8 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 2:4-10 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, 5 made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 6 He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. Ephesians 3:2-9 2 assuming you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that he gave me for you. 3 The mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have briefly written above. 4 By reading this you are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. 5 This was not made known to people in other generations as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6 The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. 8 This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ, 9 and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things. Ephesians 4:1-7 1 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. 7 Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Grace She takes the blame She covers the shame Removes the stain It could be her name Grace It's the name for a girl It's also a thought that Changed the world And when she walks on the street You can hear the strings Grace finds goodness In everything... ...She carries a pearl In perfect condition What once was hurt What once was friction What left a mark No longer stings Because Grace makes beauty Out of ugly things Grace finds beauty In everything Grace finds goodness in everything