God’s Amazing Grace: Ephesians Pt. 3
Sermon Summary
In Ephesians 2, Paul reminds us of the sobering reality of our condition apart from Christ. We were dead in our trespasses and sins, following the course of this world and the prince of the power of the air. Like Adam and Eve in Genesis 3, we crossed God’s boundary and deserved justice. Yet into that hopeless condition comes one of the most powerful phrases in Scripture: “But God.” Because of His great love and rich mercy, God did not leave us under wrath. Instead, He initiated a rescue plan rooted in grace. From the first shedding of blood in Genesis 3:21 to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God, we see that grace has always operated through substitution. Justice is satisfied, and mercy is extended.
Through Christ’s finished work on the cross, our debt has been paid in full. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Grace is not only forgiveness for the past but power for the future. We are saved by grace through faith, not by works, and we are created in Christ for good works.
Key Scriptures
Ephesians 2:1–5 (NASB1995)
“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved.”
Ephesians 2:8–10 (NASB1995)
“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 walk in them.”
Genesis 3:21 (NASB1995)
“The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.”
Romans 8:1 (NASB1995)
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Matthew 18:32–33 (NASB1995)
“Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’”
Instructions for Groups:
Choose a few of these questions from the various categories to go deeper in the sermon and put the truths of Scripture into practice. You do not need to answer every question. Select the ones that will best help your group engage with God’s Word and apply it to your lives.
Discussion Questions
Scripture Study and Deeper Understanding
In Ephesians 2:1–3, how does Paul describe our condition before Christ? What specific words or phrases stand out, and what do they reveal about humanity’s spiritual state?
What is the significance of the phrase “But God” in Ephesians 2:4? How does it shift the direction and tone of the passage? What does this reveal about God’s character?
In Genesis 3:21, what do we observe happening after Adam and Eve sinned? How does this connect to the theme of substitution and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross?
Encouragement, Challenge and Personal Testimony
The sermon emphasized that grace is both forgiveness for the past and power for the future. Where have you experienced this truth in your life?
Romans 8:1 declares there is no condemnation for those in Christ. What is the difference between conviction and condemnation, and how have you seen that in your own walk with God?
Jesus’ parable in Matthew 18 challenges recipients of mercy to extend mercy. Why is it often difficult to forgive others, even after we have been forgiven so much? What does this reveal about the human heart?
Putting It into Practice
What is one practical way you can intentionally remember God’s grace this week so that it shapes your mindset each day?
Is there someone in your life you need to extend forgiveness to or begin the process of reconciliation? What would a first step look like this week?
Prayer
Listening to the Holy Spirit: We are going to take 60 seconds of silence and ask the Holy Spirit to speak personally to each of us.
After the minute of silence, share: What do you sense the Holy Spirit highlighting or speaking to you?
Prayer Requests from Tonight’s Study
What prayer requests arise from our discussion about grace, forgiveness and reconciliation? How can we pray for you as you seek to live in the freedom of no condemnation and extend grace to others?