Trophies Of God's Grace

Sunday School

Sunday mornings at 10:00am

Jan. 29, 2023

TROPHIES OF GOD’S GRACE               Ephesians 2:1-10

              

- In Chapter 1… REMEMBER:

Are Blessed with every Spiritual Blessing!

Are Chosen by God Before the creation of the world!

Are Holy in God’s sight, set apart for God’s purposes!

Are Blameless (without defect) in God’s sight!

Are Adopted in Love, never to be disowned! 

Are Redeemed by God, He sees the full value in you!

Are Forgiven of all your sins!

Are Saved by God’s Grace which He lavished upon you!

  

REMEMBER…

1. Who we are in Christ!

2. We’re to actively pursue getting to know Him!

3. God has the power & authority to back up His claims!

4. We are God’s artwork, created to show-off God’s goodness!

 

MEMORY VERSE:

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

 

- “Workmanship” (poiēma) means a work of art or a masterpiece.

- The people of Ephesus MADE ART of the GODS…

- But our God MAKES ART out of PEOPLE!


Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made (“poiēma”), so that men are without excuse

 

Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

 

- Ephesus was the Center of Artemis Worship… 

- The goddess of FERTILITY & HUNTING.

 

Acts 19:23–31 23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. 25 He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all

 

28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar… and all of them rushed into the theater together. 30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him… 31 begging him not to venture into the theater.

 

- Artemis’ Had 2 Weaknesses: a LACK of MERCY & PRIDE. 

 

Ephesians 2:4–5 (ESV) But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved. (God is Rich in MERCY!)

 

Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV) For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (God is opposed to PRIDE!)